SEC Football: All-Conference Team for September
One month of the SEC season is already in the books, and we've seen several stars emerge from seemingly nowhere to become household names.
Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has become a potential superstar of the sport, Rawleigh Williams slid right into the feature back role at Arkansas and Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason emerged as the starter for first-year head coach Kirby Smart.
Who made the all-conference team for the month of September? Our picks, which are based on players' performances through Week 4, are in this slideshow.
Quarterback
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Missouri QB Drew Lock
With apologies to Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts and Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly, nobody in the SEC has been as solid as Missouri quarterback Drew Lock through the first month of the season.
The true sophomore has thrown for 1,508 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three picks during Mizzou's 2-2 start under first-year head coach Barry Odom. To put this into proper perspective, Missouri—as a team—threw for 1,986 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015, with Lock and former quarterback Maty Mauk taking the snaps.
Lock has developed quite a connection with junior receiver J'Mon Moore, who's averaging 108.5 receiving yards per game and has scored six touchdowns in four games.
Is it sustainable? We'll see once Missouri gets into the meat of its SEC schedule.
But through the first month of the season, Lock's been the best signal-caller in the conference by far.
Running Back
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LSU RB Leonard Fournette
In an offense that has been painfully one-dimensional, LSU running back Leonard Fournette has delivered the pain.
In just three games, playing the last two with a gimpy ankle, the junior superstar for the Tigers has amassed 386 yards, scored twice and been the workhorse of an offense that has been scrambling during the first month of the season—which culminated with the dismissal of head coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
Don't blame Fournette. In a season in which he could pack it in and prepare for his future in the NFL, he's been the heart and soul of the Tigers.
Vanderbilt RB Ralph Webb
No, Vanderbilt's offense hasn't been as consistent as head coach Derek Mason would like. But Ralph Webb's been doing his part.
The junior for the Commodores has a conference-high 94 carries for 472 yards and five touchdowns so far in 2016 and has further solidified himself as the best running back in the SEC who nobody ever wants to talk about.
Mason commented on Webb's third touchdown in the win over Western Kentucky, which sent the game into overtime.
"We felt like we’d been tenderizing that meat all night; just kept beating it and beating it and beating it, they looked tired inside," he said.
From this point forward, we're calling Webb the Meat Tenderizer.
After all, he's earned it.
Wide Receiver
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Florida WR Antonio Callaway
Fighting through a nagging quadriceps injury, Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway has been a boss for the 3-1 Gators.
He has 17 catches for 335 yards and a conference-best 111.7 yards per game, after sitting out the win over North Texas.
The sophomore has stabilized an offense that broke in first-year starter Luke Del Rio then pivoted to backup Austin Appleby on the road against Tennessee after Del Rio's knee injury in Week 3. Against the Vols, he had 134 receiving yards and helped build that big first-half lead before the Gator defense let head coach Jim McElwain down.
In an offense that is devoid of downfield threats elsewhere, Callaway has been awesome in spite of all the attention opposing defenses pay him.
Texas A&M WR Josh Reynolds
Can we take a moment to recognize just how good Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds is?
Now a member of the 2,000-yard club for his career, Reynolds has 17 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns in 2016 and is third in the conference among qualifying receivers with 21.8 yards per catch.
He has consistently been a big-play threat in an offense that, at least over the last two seasons, has had its fair share of ups and downs. Through all of it, including five different starting quarterbacks dating back to the start of the 2014 season, Reynolds has been a monster.
Now that things have settled a bit in College Station, maybe he'll be recognized as the bona fide superstar that he is.
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Tight End
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Ole Miss TE Evan Engram
No Laquon Treadwell outside for Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly? No problem.
Why?
Tight end Evan Engram is in Oxford for his final season to solidify himself as the best receiving tight end in the country.
Engram has 26 catches for 397 yards and three touchdowns through four games, and he's evolved into Kelly's No. 1 target in an offense loaded with talented wide receivers, all of whom could be legitimate superstars.
The 6'3", 235-pounder has improved as a pass-blocker, is a matchup nightmare downfield and has the speed to run away from opposing secondaries.
Offensive Line
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Arkansas T Dan Skipper
Dan Skipper was named the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week in Week 2 after helping the Hogs beat TCU in Fort Worth. According to the SEC, Skipper graded out at 90 percent that night and blocked a field goal that helped send the game to overtime. He has bounced around between the left and right sides throughout his career but has settled in on the left side of the Arkansas offensive line in 2016.
Arkansas G Frank Ragnow
Frank Ragnow started at center but bounced out to guard during Week 3, when he graded out at 92 percent, according to the SEC. A veteran presence who has shown versatility throughout his career, Ragnow has helped Rawleigh Williams ease into the feature back role in Fayetteville while quarterback Austin Allen has gotten more comfortable under center.
LSU C Ethan Pocic
Ethan Pocic has been one of the best centers in the SEC for years, and despite some struggles from the LSU offensive line this year, he has been one of the bright spots. So much so that, when the Tigers line got decimated by injuries against Mississippi State, Pocic spent a few drives playing tackle against a defensive front that brings pressure from all over.
Auburn G Braden Smith
Auburn's offense is predicated on guards getting downfield and plowing the road for its talented group of running backs, and Braden Smith is one of the best in the business. The Tigers have struggled at times with the pass rush on the edge, but Smith's work inside has been a big reason why the running game has been successful despite little help from the passing game.
Alabama T Jonah Williams
While Cam Robinson gets all the publicity along Alabama's offensive line, freshman Jonah Williams has quietly put together one of the most impressive performances of the young season. He has locked down the right side of the line and played a big part in the success of true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts.
"Things I never thought I'd say in 2016:
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 19, 2016"
Jonah Williams has outplayed Cam Robinson after three games.
Defensive Line
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Texas A&M DL Myles Garrett
The entire college football world knew about Myles Garrett heading into the season, but the Texas A&M junior made sure to re-introduce himself in September. Garrett has been an absolute monster this year, notching three sacks, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and generally terrifying opposing offenses.
LSU DL Arden Key
Speaking of terrifying, LSU defensive end/linebacker Arden Key is certainly that. The sophomore leads the nation with 6.5 sacks, has seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and has forced two fumbles for a Tiger defense that has thrived under first-year coordinator Dave Aranda.
Alabama DL Jonathan Allen
Jonathan Allen could be playing on Sundays, but the NFL's loss has been college football's gain. Well, more specifically, Alabama's gain. Allen has three sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one epic 75-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Ole Miss. Not a bad month's work.
Mississippi State DL A.J. Jefferson
Have you been paying attention to Mississippi State defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson? If you haven't, shame on you. Jefferson leads the SEC and is third in the nation with nine tackles for loss, has three sacks, two quarterback hurries and 21 tackles for the Bulldogs this season.
Linebackers
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Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham
Another year, another season in which a Vanderbilt linebacker quietly goes about his business as a monster in a solid defense. Zach Cunningham has 38 tackles, seven for loss and one forced fumble. In a conference loaded with talented linebackers, Cunningham has consistently been one of the best—even though he doesn't have the name recognition of players on more notable teams.
LSU LB Kendell Beckwith
Like Cunningham, Kendell Beckwith has been as consistent as ever during the first month of the season. He has seven or more tackles in every game, has hit double digits in two games, has 36 for the season and has helped keep LSU in every game, even when the offense has faltered.
Kentucky LB Jordan Jones
No, Kentucky's defense is nothing to write home about. But linebacker Jordan Jones is. The sophomore leads the SEC and is fifth in the nation with 43 tackles, and he has emerged as a leader on a Wildcats defense that doesn't have many of those.
Defensive Backs
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Florida CB Jalen Tabor
Jalen Tabor didn't have the best second half in the loss at Tennessee, but that was the only hiccup during an otherwise solid month for the junior. Tabor is tied for the SEC lead with two interceptions, despite missing the opener due to suspension. He has backed up the offseason talk as one of the best defensive backs in the nation and will keep Florida relevant in the SEC East.
Missouri CB Aarion Penton
Aarion Penton also has two picks on the season and has pitched in with 12 tackles for a Missouri defense that is still looking to find its identity under first-year head coach Barry Odom. He leads the SEC with eight passes defended, according to CFBStats.com, has helped ease the transition to the new staff and has quietly kept Missouri dangerous in the SEC East.
Texas A&M S Justin Evans
While Armani Watts gets the majority of the pub in the Texas A&M secondary, Justin Evans has been the best player in that unit through four games. He has the fourth-most tackles in the SEC (33), has two interceptions, three pass breakups and has tossed in a blocked kick for good measure.
Alabama S Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson doesn't have the stats that other safeties have, due in large part to the fact that he wasn't needed late in three of Alabama's four games this season. Despite taking care of mop-up duty for the Crimson Tide, the senior has a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown, 10 tackles and has two pass breakups for the stellar Alabama secondary.
Specialists
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Kentucky PR Charles Walker
Kentucky doesn't have many bright spots this year, but Charles Walker should count as one of the few. The junior leads the SEC with 18.2 yards per punt return, took one to the house against New Mexico State and has consistently put the Wildcats offense in position to succeed.
South Carolina KR A.J. Turner
A.J. Turner has been pulling double duty as one of South Carolina's primary running backs, but his work as a kickoff returner can't be ignored. He's averaging 30 yards per return, has 180 return yards on the season and has helped South Carolina's offense get decent field position to open drives on a consistent basis.
Auburn PK Daniel Carlson
Daniel Carlson scored all 18 points in Auburn's 18-13 win over LSU, has hit all 12 of his field goal attempts this year with a long of 53, hit all eight extra points and scored a touchdown on a fake against Arkansas State. Plus, his nickname is Legatron, which should earn him All-SEC honors for life.
Alabama P JK Scott
JK Scott has solidified himself as one of Alabama's biggest weapons. Yes, a punter can and should be considered a weapon. Scott is averaging 44.6 yards per punt, has a long of 63, has eight punts of 50 or more yards and dropped eight inside the 20-yard line.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Odds provided by Odds Shark.
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.
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