SEC Football: Dark-Horse All-American Candidates for Every Team
By now, you've probably picked up at least one college football magazine and perused the preseason All-American lists to find the usual suspects listed on the first or second teams.
Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, Georgia running back Nick Chubb, Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott are just a few of the stars who will undoubtedly be featured.
But what fun is that?
It's college football, and it's unpredictable. Let's dig a little deeper for some dark-horse All-American candidates for every SEC team based on talent, scheme and opportunity.
Florida Gators: RB Kelvin Taylor
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Kelvin Taylor isn't going to be at the forefront of many All-SEC and All-American debates when you mention just how good the SEC is at running back. After all, Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, Derrick Henry and Jalen Hurd will dominate that conversation.
He could join it by season's end, though.
Now the true No. 1 running back at Florida for the first time in his career in Gainesville, Taylor will be counted on to be the workhorse in first-year head coach Jim McElwain's pro-style offense. That's important, because all McElwain did last year at Colorado State was turn former Alabama running back Dee Hart into a machine. Hart ran for 1,275 yards and 16 touchdowns last year after transferring to the Rams, and Taylor can do the same this year.
If Taylor is successful in an offense that is breaking in a new quarterback and has pieced together an offensive line with inexperienced players and transfers, that will definitely earn him some All-American love.
Georgia Bulldogs: TE Jeb Blazevich
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Georgia has to replace its top two receivers, break in a new quarterback and hope that the injury bug doesn't bite No. 1 target Malcolm Mitchell.
What's the best way to relieve some of that pressure on the offense? Use the tight end, of course.
Jeb Blazevich returns as Georgia's most versatile tight end, after he caught 18 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014. More than just a possession receiver, Blazevich's speed and athleticism combined with his 6'5", 248-pound frame makes him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
He averaged 14.94 yards per reception a year ago and can be a wonderful safety valve for the eventual winner of the quarterback battle as well as a weapon up the seam. He has plenty of competition at the tight end position around the country, but Georgia's situation sets up beautifully for Blazevich to make a splash.
Kentucky Wildcats: RB/RET Stanley "Boom" Williams
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Kentucky running back Stanley "Boom" Williams is already known as one of the most electric players in the SEC, and now he might be getting more of a shot to shine as an every-down running back who's more than just a big-play guy.
"He's so talented, he always wanted to just make a big play every play, wasn't really satisfied with getting what was there, wouldn't just stick his foot in the ground and get the tough yards," running backs coach Chad Scott said this spring according to Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal. "Now he's understanding that, and because he's understanding that, the defense softens up a little bit and he's in position."
If that happens, look out.
Williams has already proved his worth as one of the best kickoff returners in the SEC after he averaged 26.89 yards per return a year ago. If he adds workhorse to his resume in addition to what's already on there, he has a chance to make some All-American noise as a running back and returner.
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Missouri Tigers: RB Russell Hansbrough
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Missouri's entire wide receiving corps has a grand total of 10 career receptions. While head coach Gary Pinkel has proved to be one of the best coaches in the country in filling roster holes, that inexperience will play into Russell Hansbrough's favor.
The senior running back for the Tigers rushed for 1,084 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, which makes it seem like he wouldn't be much of a dark horse at all. But since he plays in a conference that includes Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, Jalen Hurd, Derrick Henry and a medium-sized village of ultra-talented running backs, simply getting into the All-SEC discussion is a chore.
If Missouri is in the race for the SEC East race again, it'll likely be on the legs of Hansbrough. The 5'9", 195-pounder is more than just a slasher. He packs more of a punch than you'd think when he needs to lower his shoulder and is one of the better running backs in the SEC.
South Carolina Gamecocks: LB Skai Moore
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If South Carolina is going to take a step forward and get back into SEC East contention, it's going to have to be much more consistent defensively.
If that happens, it'll likely be on the heels of a stellar season from linebacker Skai Moore.
The 6'2", 218-pounder moved to "Mike" linebacker this spring for new co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke and is the perfect candidate to anchor the middle of the Gamecocks defense. He's a hard-hitter, plays bigger than his 218-pound frame and is good in coverage, which will help him in Hoke's scheme that mirrors those seen in the NFL.
He has plenty of traffic in front of him at middle linebacker, including Florida's Antonio Morrison, Alabama's Reggie Ragland, Auburn's Cassanova McKinzy and Ole Miss' C.J. Johnson. But a return to prominence from the Gamecocks defense could vault Moore into All-American consideration.
Tennessee Volunteers: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
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When you think about Tennessee's defense, you probably immediately look at defensive end Derek Barnett or cornerback Cam Sutton as the star.
Maybe you should look at linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin instead.
All the 6'1", 225-pounder from Clarksville, Tennessee, did as a sophomore in 2015 was notch a team-high 101 tackles (11 for a loss) and pick off one pass for a Tennessee defense that showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season.
Bleacher Report Lead Tennessee Writer Brad Shepard recently ranked Reeves-Maybin as the most consistent player on the roster, after he tallied at least five tackles in all 13 games of the 2014 season.
He's an absolute monster at outside linebacker. If Tennessee takes the next step and jumps back onto the national stage for the first time since the Phillip Fulmer era, look out for Reeves-Maybin on All-American lists.
Vanderbilt Commodores: DE Caleb Azubike
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If Vanderbilt is going to stay competitive this year, it'll likely be on the heels of a defensive front seven that's the unquestioned strength of the team.
Anchoring—"pun" intended—that front seven is defensive end Caleb Azubike, who has found a home in head coach Derek Mason's 3-4 scheme after starting his career at linebacker. The 6'4", 270-pounder is a physical freak who's fast, has violent hands and can be a difference-maker at the end spot for the 'Dores.
Yes, it will take a Herculean performance for a Vandy player to earn All-American honors, but Azubike is capable of it. He had 39 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks a year ago and is one of the better defensive ends in the SEC.
Alabama Crimson Tide: QB David Cornwell
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Right now, the quarterback position at Alabama is as much of a mystery as any vacant position in college football.
What if it becomes occupied early in fall camp by a player who's a perfect fit for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's offense and Alabama's personnel?
That's exactly what redshirt freshman quarterback David Cornwell is. If he beats out Jake Coker this summer and stabilizes the offense, he's in a perfect spot to make All-American noise despite not having the job in June.
He sports a big arm, has talented (albeit unproven) receivers around him, plays in an offense that clearly benefits quarterbacks and is a member of one of college football's most visible programs. That sounds like a recipe for All-American success.
Arkansas Razorbacks: WR Keon Hatcher
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When you think of Arkansas' offense, you typically think of a dynamic running back duo and an offensive line that's bigger than most found in the NFL.
Maybe wide receiver Keon Hatcher will change that perception in 2015.
No, Arkansas isn't going to open things up and throw 50 times per game, but Hatcher—Arkansas' leading receiver a year ago with 558 yards and six touchdowns—could see a massive jump in his production thanks to the presence of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
Enos has produced 3,000-yard passers in four of his last five seasons at Central Michigan. If he swings the pendulum ever so slightly in that direction in Fayetteville, it will likely mean more looks for Hatcher.
Auburn Tigers: LB Kris Frost
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Auburn hasn't exactly been known for defense over the last few years, but that might change now that new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is on board.
A big reason why is a veteran linebacker corps that features veteran Kris Frost outside. The 6'2", 240-pound senior notched 87 tackles and tackles for loss and picked off one pass a year ago, and he should become more of a factor now that Muschamp is on board.
"We line up a lot to the strength of the offense rather than away," Frost said this spring, according to James Crepea of the Montgomery Advertiser.
That means more chances for Frost to shine as a tackler and as a difference-maker behind the line of scrimmage, which should vault him into All-SEC consideration and beyond.
LSU Tigers: DT Davon Godchaux
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LSU posted the SEC's best defense last year statistically, holding opponents to 316.8 yards per game. That's a little bit deceiving, though. The Tigers managed just 19 sacks on the season and struggled up the middle against more physical teams on the schedule.
If that changes in 2015, it'll likely have something to do with 6'4", 298-pound defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. He learned on the fly as a true freshman in 2014, earning 42 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Now that he's familiar with life in the SEC, he's ready to take the next step.
"Davon Godchaux has had a great spring," head coach Les Miles said in April, according to Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com. "Centerpiece with him and [Christian] LaCouture is really good...I think Godchaux will be part of a special core of defenders."
If that defensive front gets into the backfield more often, it'll likely lead to LSU landing in SEC West contention and more exposure for the team's young linemen.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: DT Chris Jones
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Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones came to Starkville in 2013 with enough 5-star hype to fill the state, but during his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, he's been more sizzle than steak.
He has just 58 tackles in two seasons and has served more as a rotational defensive end rather than a force up the middle.
That can change—and needs to change—in 2015. The 6'5", 305-pound defensive tackle has the strength to be a force in the middle and the speed of an end. That should make him a disruptive force in the middle of the defensive line for new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.
If he puts it all together as a true junior, Jones could become Mississippi State's next superstar.
Ole Miss Rebels: DE Marquis Haynes
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Quietly, Marquis Haynes led Ole Miss in sacks in 2015 with 7.5. If all goes according to head coach Hugh Freeze's plan, that number will rise in 2015.
Haynes will get more of a full-time look at defensive end as a sophomore now that C.J. Johnson has moved back to linebacker, and he will make a living in the opposition's backfield. At 6'3", 220 pounds, he is quick off the edge, is stronger than his frame suggests and will get plenty of one-on-one matchups with tackle Robert Nkemdiche taking up attention inside.
If Haynes takes a small step forward and Ole Miss stays in the national conversation in November, he'll get plenty of All-American love.
Texas A&M Aggies: RB James White
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I know, I know, Texas A&M doesn't run enough for an Aggies running back to get serious consideration for All-SEC honors, much less All-American honors.
Well, perhaps in the past.
As I wrote last month, running game coordinator Dave Christensen is now in College Station and will bring much more of a power approach to the Aggies.
"It's not a dramatic change from what we were doing, but we are doing some things—without giving away any secrets—where we can run the ball not only when we want to run it, but when we need to," head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "That was a point of emphasis [this spring]."
That should benefit all of his running backs but specifically all-purpose back James White. At 6'0", 218 pounds, he is powerful between the tackles, has good top end speed and is lightning-quick in traffic, which should lead to more No. 1 carries as a sophomore in 2015.
He only had 153 yards and three touchdowns a year ago, but with Brandon Williams' move to defense and Tra Carson to handle goal-line and short-yardage responsibilities, White should emerge as a star in 2015.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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