SEC Football 2011: Who Is The Fastest Player On Every Team?
In the game of football, measurables are some of the most intriguing statistics to look at.
How many bench reps did your favorite player rep at the combine? What were their long jump numbers? Finally, what were the 40 times and who was the fastest?
Speed is one of the most captivating statistics of all the measurables that fans follow. How fast is your favorite player? It is something that places teams on a higher level.
One of the largest arguments for talent in the SEC is that the team speed is ridiculous and unmatched nationwide.
Speed matters, but there is a difference between track speed and football quickness.
These 12 players represent the track speed for their respective teams but also will look to have an impact in 2011. All 12 should be playmakers whether the impact is felt on offense, defense, or special teams.
Alabama: Bradley Sylve
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Alabama is one of the most talented rosters in the SEC this coming season.
Talent has been falling over itself in recent years to make the way to Tuscaloosa to play for the Crimson Tide.
That path continued as Alabama landed a huge receiver this past season in Bradley Sylve.
Sylve has set his share of Louisiana state records in track and has the speed to make an immediate impact for the Tide in 2011. When he arrives on campus, he should be the fastest guy on the team.
Sylve is the only rising freshman on this list and it is well deserved. Look for Sylve to be one of the few early impact players for the Tide in 2011.
Sylve is quite the talent on the edge and put his game breaking speed on display this past season with a 91 yard kickoff return in the Under Armour all-star game.
Arkansas: Ronnie Wingo Jr.
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Arkansas is the self-described fastest team in the country.
Earlier this year Arkansas released that 10 players had ran better than a 4.4 40. That is a ton of speed and there were two players listed at the 4.27 mark.
Ronnie Wingo Jr. was one of the players listed with the magical 4.27 time. That is a fast time and having a scorcher in the backfield like Wingo can only be a positive.
Wingo has good field vision and came into his own last season as a reliable back for the Razorbacks.
His role can be expected to grow in the coming season as his speed and experience will surely make a positive impact.
Auburn: Onterio McCalebb
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McCalebb is the speedy second half of one of the most dangerous running back duos for 2011. McCalebb averaged 8.53 yards a carry in 2010.
His signature play is the speed sweep around the edge that finished the LSU Tigers a year ago.
McCalebb allows the Auburn misdirection game plan to play out like clockwork as his speed is recognized and can’t be ignored.
McCalebb is a player that is a perfect example of track speed on the football field. He is not extremely shifty or quick from side to side but his vertical speed makes him uncatchable.
Look for McCalebb to make an impact again in 2011 for a Tigers team looking for leaders and playmakers.
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Florida: Jeff Demps
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Demps is by far not only the fastest player for the Florida Gators but he is the fastest player in the conference and possibly the country.
Demps ran a 9.96 100 meter this past year in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships. That is not just fast but almost impossible.
Keep in mind that pads and grass will slow down anyone but Demps is still the fastest guy on the field by a longshot.
Demps has yet to make a huge impact on the field for the Gators despite his record breaking speed and finding a place for him in the more traditional pro-style offense may be difficult.
One thing is for sure, if he can find a straight line to the end zone, he will get there in a heartbeat.
Georgia: Branden Smith
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Smith plays cornerback for the Bulldogs and has been quite the athlete in his tenure with the ‘Dogs.
On multiple occasions the Bulldogs have and will continue to attempt to get the ball in Smith’s hands.
Last season he dabbled on the offense as well as on special teams. Smith runs in the sub 4.4 range but being only around the 180 pound range he isn’t a guy that will plow through a pile.
Smith is a player with amazing speed and good football mentality and should make an impact for the Bulldogs in 2011 in a mixed role of special teams and defense.
Kentucky: Jerrell Priester
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Priester played sparingly for the Wildcats last season at the cornerback position.
He will start the season at corner again in 2011 and will likely make an impact for the Wildcats.
Priester has been clocked at 4.29 in the 40 so the speed is obvious. Turning that speed into playmaking ability will be the test for the Wildcats coaching staff this season.
LSU: Morris Claiborne
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Claiborne is looking to step into the spot left vacant this season by Patrick Peterson.
Peterson was a speedster and was clocked at the combine at 4.34. Claiborne will be just as fast on the outside at the corner position and will look to play in the same shutdown fashion.
Will Claiborne be able to step up and have the field presence that Peterson had as a junior? That’s doubtful. What Claiborne will do is make plays and use his speed to the advantage of LSU.
He may not carry the intimidation that Peterson did but he will find himself in the playmaker role by seasons end.
Mississippi State: LaDarius Perkins
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Since arriving in Starkville, Perkins has played predominately at the running back position.
Perkins brings a hardnosed running style and a great deal of speed to the Bulldogs offense.
In 2010 Perkins accounted for 566 yards and three touchdowns. Expect that production to increase as his role is most likely to be diversified this coming season.
Perkins will be dangerous out of the slot and in motion in 2011 as Dan Mullen and Co. discover his abilities as time progresses.
Ole Miss: Jeff Scott
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Scott is a part of a very talented backfield led by Brandon Bolden in 2011.
Ole Miss doesn’t return a quarterback but the talent at the running back position should take a load off. Scott is one of the diversionary tactics for the Rebels.
Scott is a speedster that had a limited role a season ago. Some will remember his 83 yard touchdown run against Auburn however.
Scott has the ability to leave anyone on the field in his dust and he will likely increase his role in 2011.
Look for his speed to help add carries to his stat sheet as the season moves in 2011.
South Carolina: Bryce Sherman
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Bryce Sherman is 5’4" and 157 pounds.
He definitely does not fit the mold of a traditional receiver in the SEC. what Trindon Holliday did for the conference was show that you may not have an every down role as an elite speedster but you will fit needs nonetheless.
As Holliday solidified himself with his speed and game changing ability Sherman will look to do the same for the Gamecocks this fall.
Sherman made it to South Carolina on a track scholarship and now has found his way to the football locker room.
Last season Sherman saw time as a kick returner but this season is expecting a legitimate shot at receiver. He may be a surprise for teams this fall if the Gamecocks can find him a position somewhere in the slot.
Tennessee: Justin Hunter
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Hunter is a receiver for the Volunteers football team and a long jumper for the Volunteers track team.
Track and Field News rates Hunter as the No. 3 long jumper in the country. That’s quite a talent for an SEC caliber receiver.
A year ago Hunter finished with only 16 receptions; however he ended with 415 yards and seven touchdowns. Hunter has ideal height at 6’4" and he is a burner on top of it.
Look for Hunter to expand on his numbers this coming season.
Vanderbilt: Wesley Tate
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Tate is a big back that carries around the 225 pound range. He has battled injuries but looks to be healthy this season.
Tate resembles the size and speed of Mario Fannin from Auburn. He is a guy that can carry the weight and still run in the low 4.3 range.
His speed ability is what will help Vanderbilt make some plays come this fall.
If Tate can stay healthy, he will wear down some defenses and Vanderbilt will have a chance to get a conference win or two.
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