SEC Football: Ranking the Top 16 Players Heading into 2016
The SEC led all conferences with 51 players selected in the 2016 NFL draft, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare in the nation's deepest college football conference.
Far from it, actually.
Stars such as LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen and others return in 2016 to carry the torch.
Who are the best players in the SEC heading into 2016? Our picks based on talent and production are in this slideshow.
Just Missed the Cut
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You can't have 25 players in a top 16, which means that some ultra-talented players just missed the cut. For some—such as Auburn's Carl Lawson—that's based more on lack of playing time due to injury than anything else, while others are bona fide studs who just couldn't crack the coveted top 16.
Who is on the outside looking in?
- Alabama DB Marlon Humphrey
- Alabama S Eddie Jackson
- Alabama TE O.J. Howard
- Arkansas OL Dan Skipper
- Auburn DE Carl Lawson
- Florida LB Jarrad Davis
- LSU DE Arden Key
- LSU DL Lewis Neal
- LSU LB Kendell Beckwith
- Mississippi State WR Fred Ross
- Ole Miss TE Evan Engram
- Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs
- Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham
16. LSU S Jamal Adams
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LSU safety Jamal Adams stepped in two years ago and made an immediate impact for the Tigers defense with 66 tackles, and then he blossomed into a star in 2015. As a true sophomore, Adams tallied 67 tackles and picked off four passes, anchoring the back end of a defense that was one of the best in the SEC.
He also added five tackles for loss and broke up six passes under former coordinator Kevin Steele. He should further his reputation as one of the best safeties in the country under new coordinator Dave Aranda.
At 6'1", 211 pounds, Adams has established himself as one of the fiercest hitters in the SEC.
"Jamal Adams WHEW!! pic.twitter.com/LFHWIe9RsI
— Rolo (@RoloEdits) May 4, 2016"
The moniker of "DBU" is one that schools will argue about seemingly until the end of time, but Adams' presence in the back end of the Tigers defense, along with corner Tre'Davious White and the rest of the secondary, gives LSU a strong case.
15. Tennessee DB Cameron Sutton
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Whether it's as a corner or a punt returner, Tennessee's Cameron Sutton is one of the best in the business.
The rising senior and newly minted co-captain of the Vols broke up six passes last year, picked off one, notched 28 tackles and averaged a whopping 18.68 yards per punt return, including two that he returned for touchdowns.
Think about that for a second—not only is Sutton one of the best lockdown corners in the conference, but he got the 2015 Vols nearly two first downs per punt return prior to the offense ever touching the ball.
As Jimmy Hyams of WNML in Knoxville pointed out on Twitter, Sutton will be one of several Vols near the top of NFL draft boards in 2017:
"UT could have 5-6 players taken in 2017 draft, 4 in first 3 rounds: DE Derek Barnett, CB Cam Sutton, RB Jalen Hurd, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) May 2, 2016"
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
14. Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk
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Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk enrolled early last year with the program and made an immediate impact.
He caught six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown and returned a punt for a touchdown in his first career game—a win over Arizona State. During a season in which Texas A&M suffered through significant quarterback issues, Kirk topped the 1,000-yard mark receiving (1,009), averaged 24.36 yards per punt return, rushed for 54 yards, averaged 19.25 yards per kickoff return and scored nine total touchdowns.
Needless to say, he deserved the recognition he recently earned from the Texas A&M athletic department:
"Congrats Christian Kirk, the winner of the 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award! #12thMan #BCAs2016 pic.twitter.com/s5RHCjFChO
— Texas A&M Athletics (@12thMan) May 3, 2016"
With Trevor Knight now taking the snaps and a competent offensive coordinator on the headset in Noel Mazzone, the best is yet to come for Kirk.
13. South Carolina LB Skai Moore
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In each of three seasons as a member of the South Carolina football program, linebacker Skai Moore has led the team in tackles.
Luckily for first-year head coach Will Muschamp, Moore decided to come back for a fourth.
Moore will lead the charge in the middle of the Gamecocks defense again in 2016, but he could step back into more of a hybrid linebacker/safety role in order to get in space and best utilize his athleticism. The 6'2", 218-pounder from Cooper City, Florida, picked off four passes a year ago, including two in the end zone that saved the season-opening win over North Carolina.
"Still think the Florida schools made a mistake not chasing Skai Moore. This isn't second guessing. Many who saw him said so back then.
— SB Nation Recruiting (@SBNRecruiting) March 14, 2016"
Moore is the bright light on a defense that, for the last two years, has been living in the dark. His return coupled with the presence of Muschamp could turn that around in 2016.
12. LSU CB Tre'Davious White
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LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White shocked a lot of people when he decided to return to LSU for his senior season, after notching 44 tackles, breaking up seven passes and locking down his side of the field in 2015. No, he didn't pick off a pass last year, but with four picks during the previous two seasons, teams shied away from testing the 5'11", 191-pounder.
He's also a star on special teams.
White averaged 11.45 yards per punt return, scored once and was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball.
"Shout out to Tre'Davious White for spicing up tonight's film break down of punters. pic.twitter.com/9zPo4oemiB
— Kevin Weidl (@KwEspn) April 7, 2016"
His versatility and proven track record of success make White one of the most dangerous players in the country.
11. Florida CB Jalen Tabor
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Florida said goodbye to star cornerback Vernon Hargreaves last year, as the top player in the Gators secondary jumped early and heard his name called in the first round of the NFL draft.
There are no worries in Gainesville, though, because junior Jalen Tabor is there to continue the tradition of Gators defenses producing some of the best defensive backs in the country.
Tabor picked off four passes a year ago and returned two for touchdowns. He also had 40 tackles and broke up an SEC-best 14 passes, according to CFBStats.com.
As Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted on Twitter, he's one of several Gators who will shine in 2016 after lurking in the shadows behind former stars early in their careers:
"Jarrad Davis - Jalen Tabor - Marcus Maye. #Gators are loaded again.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 6, 2016"
10. Tennessee DE Derek Barnett
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Tennessee's Derek Barnett established himself as a true three-down defensive end from the moment he took the field as a freshman in 2014 and hasn't let up since.
The 6'3", 257-pounder finished third on the Vols with 69 tackles (12.5 for loss) and notched 10 sacks (tied for fourth in the SEC) in 2015. Those 10 sacks matched the number he had as a freshman and set the tone for a season in which Barnett will be part of a loaded, veteran defense that should be one of the best in the nation under first-year coordinator Bob Shoop.
NFL folks have taken notice:
"Derek Barnett is getting some top-10 projections for the 2017 draft: https://t.co/DhuRlGj0P8 pic.twitter.com/o95NS3nSWf
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) May 3, 2016"
Barnett is a force against the run, gets after quarterbacks in passing situations and is one of the best defensive ends in the country.
9. Alabama OT Cam Robinson
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Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin had no qualms trotting out 5-star prospect Cam Robinson as his starting left tackle as a true freshman in 2014.
Robinson didn't disappoint.
The 6'6", 327-pounder from Monroe, Louisiana, has the strength of a Mack truck but is also light on his feet and can handle some of the specialty edge-rushers who come in during passing situations in the hopes of getting to the quarterback.
As Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted on Twitter, Robinson's film has draft analysts salivating:
"Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson just punishes folks. End zone view is amazing for keying in on his hip snap and footwork.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 6, 2016"
He has been hampered by some nagging injuries over the last two seasons, but he still managed to be a monster at left tackle. The new-look Alabama offensive line will count on Robinson's experience and leadership in 2016.
8. Alabama WR Calvin Ridley
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Calvin Ridley didn't look like a true freshman in 2016, when he burst onto the scene and caught 89 passes for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns for the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.
The 6'1", 188-pounder from Coconut Creek, Florida, proved early that he runs crisp routes, is physical at the line of scrimmage and has the speed to stretch the field when offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin wants to take shots deep.
He isn't draft-eligible for another two seasons, but he will be with a group that's loaded with talent.
"Hello Josh Rosen, Derwin James, Calvin Ridley, Arden Key https://t.co/I7QePtBjB1
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) May 2, 2016"
For the third straight season, Alabama will break in a new quarterback. Luckily for the eventual winner, Ridley will line up outside to ease that transition.
7. Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd
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Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd is as much of a Derrick Henry clone as there is in college football, but he just hasn't been asked to be the every-down workhorse that Henry was when he won the 2015 Heisman Trophy.
The 6'4", 240-pounder rushed for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns in a multidimensional rushing attack, which also features quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Alvin Kamara shouldering the load on the ground, in addition to Hurd's responsibilities.
".@Vol_Football's Jalen Hurd is fast. Like really fast. Like running 19.5 mph on an incline treadmill fast. pic.twitter.com/7HC8mGA5EC
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) May 3, 2016"
His size suggests that he's simply a bruiser, but Hurd is light on his feet, dangerous in space and one of the best all-around running backs in the country.
6. Tennessee LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
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Tennessee named Jalen Reeves-Maybin as a captain during the spring game, and the rising senior linebacker for the Vols should be a force yet again in 2016.
He had 105 tackles, 14 for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles for the Volunteers last year. He should become even more of a factor after head coach Butch Jones upgraded in the defensive coordinator department by hiring Bob Shoop away from Penn State.
Reeves-Maybin is motivated to take Tennessee to the next level.
"It's been fun to see it all grow," he said after the spring game, per the team website. "I came in as soon as Coach Jones got here. I was an early enrollee. Just to see us take that climb from the bottom of the SEC to where we are now and have the expectations placed on us now, it's been a fun process. I want to take us as high as we can go."
If Reeves-Maybin repeats his performance from 2015, don't be surprised if his Vols go to the SEC Championship Game for the first time since 2007—and possibly beyond.
5. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
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Myles Garrett came to College Station with a ton of hype and has lived up to it from the moment he stepped between the white lines.
The 6'5", 262-pounder had 11.5 sacks as a true freshman, 12.5 as a sophomore and a whopping 33.5 tackles for loss in two years while anchoring one side of the Texas A&M defensive line.
As GigEm247 notes, there's a legitimate chance that Garrett will go at or near the top of the draft if he decides to come out after his junior season, but that depends on which teams are in the market for quarterbacks and who might want to trade up:
"'Super-Early' Mock Draft: Can Myles Garrett be Texas A&M's first-ever No. 1 overall pick? https://t.co/hwFTEf1K7O pic.twitter.com/3zKFwLQ5ml
— Gigem247 (@GigEm247) May 3, 2016"
If there is a criticism for Garrett—and this is nitpicking—it's that only nine of his 24 career sacks (37.5 percent) have come against SEC competition, according to CFBStats.com.
4. Alabama DE Jonathan Allen
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Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen passed up millions of dollars at the NFL level to return to Tuscaloosa for one more year under head coach Nick Saban and a possible attempt to repeat as national champs.
The 6'3", 294-pounder from Leesburg, Virginia, is one of the rare big men who can move laterally, which has made him a huge asset at defensive end in the 3-4 defense.
He's stout against the run and has the speed and quickness to shed blocks and move side to side against spread offenses that stress defenses horizontally.
Just how fast is Allen? Here he is tracking down former Auburn running back Tre Mason from behind early in the 2013 Iron Bowl:
"Amazing! Jonathan Allen (over right guard) overruns play, chases Tre Mason down 40 yards downfield. pic.twitter.com/S6TTuuxa4U
— Shawn Spencer (@Spencer_NFL) January 14, 2016"
3. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly
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Chad Kelly's name now exists behind former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and ahead of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in the SEC record book, after Kelly posted the third-best offensive season in conference history in 2015 with 4,542 yards. That puts him behind Manziel's 2012 (5,116 yards) and 2013 seasons (4,873) and ahead of Newton 2010 campaign (4,327).
Not bad for a junior college transfer who came to Ole Miss with questions concerning his off-the-field behavior.
Kelly is back to lead the Rebels in 2016, and he has an offense that has been effective regardless of personnel thanks to head coach Hugh Freeze. Plus, Kelly has enough weapons to repeat last season's success.
He has to cut down on the 13 interceptions he threw a year ago, but his upside is obvious.
2. Georgia RB Nick Chubb
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Prior to tearing up his knee against Tennessee in October 2015, Georgia running back Nick Chubb had established himself as one of the best players in the country.
He had rushed for more than 100 yards in 13 straight games after being forced into a workhorse role as a true freshman in 2014, showing the breakaway speed that made him a track star in high school and the power that any 228-pounder should have.
"Kirby Smart said Nick Chubb is "working his tail off"...said he's ready to burst out at first opportunity. He just doesn't know when that is
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) May 4, 2016"
What will he be like if and when he comes back?
That remains to be seen.
But even if he isn't at 100 percent in 2016, the 90 percent version of Chubb is still terrifying.
1. LSU RB Leonard Fournette
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Yes, picking LSU running back Leonard Fournette as the best player in the SEC is stating the obvious. But sometimes obvious choices are the right ones.
Fournette led the nation in rushing yards per game last year with 162.75, and he did it in an offense that didn't do much to take pressure off his shoulders thanks to its inability to stretch the field deep.
For the 6'1", 230-pounder from New Orleans, it simply doesn't matter.
He has the power to run over you, the speed to run around you and the quickness to make you look silly before leaving you in the dust.
"Leonard Fournette isn't just big and fast...his patience, vision and hip/shoulder shiftiness are unreal.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 1, 2016"
It takes a special type of season—like the one Derrick Henry had last year—for a running back to win the Heisman Trophy. In a year loaded with running back talent in college football, Fournette is the most capable of pulling that off.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
