College Football Predictions 2011: The SEC Leaders for Each Statistical Category

Spring football is finishing up across the country, most notably in the Southeastern Conference—home to the last five BCS National Champions.

All of the talk and chatter this offseason has been about how the SEC will compete against the new-look conferences, but nobody has really addressed the battles that will exist within the conference in 2011.

Lots of big time names are leaving SEC teams, and many fresh faces are primed to take over the spotlight.

So, who's going to be that All-SEC quarterback? Who's going to be the next top defensive player?

Here's a list of who's projected to be at the top of each major individual statistical category.  

Passing Yards: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas Razorbacks

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drops back and looks downfield before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43.

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 453 yards passing, four touchdowns, 155.39 rating

The Razorbacks are expected to reload offensively, despite the loss of Ryan Mallett, under Bobby Petrino’s hot offense. Tyler Wilson will take over with the confidence of Arkansas fans thanks to a solid showing against Auburn in 2010.

Wilson has all of the physical tools to get the job done and will have the best receiving core in the country to throw to. It’s hard to imagine the Razorbacks will decline from their fourth-ranked passing offense. Wilson should threaten for the First-Team All-SEC spot.

Runner up: Tyler Bray, Tennessee Volunteers

Passing Efficiency: Aaron Murray, Georgia Bulldogs

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts a pass during the game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 3,049 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, 154.48 rating

The departure of A.J. Green might hurt Georgia’s passing game in terms of big play ability, but the Dawgs have one smart quarterback in Aaron Murray. Murray, as a redshirt freshman last season, threw 24 touchdowns to just eight interceptions.

His pocket presence, running ability and accurate arm should keep him out of the doghouse in terms of interceptions. Murray may only be a second-year starter in 2011, but many already think he’s going to be a special quarterback and possibly the SEC’s best.

Runner up: A.J. McCarron, Alabama Crimson Tide 

Rushing Yards: Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide

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DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores on a 45-yard touchdown run during third quarter action against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. The Crimson Tid

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 700 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns

No school has ever been less worried about losing a Heisman trophy winner than Alabama. Mark Ingram will be replaced in the backfield by Trent Richardson, who rushed for 700 yards to Ingram’s 875 last season.

Richardson won’t be splitting carries in 2011 and will be the workhorse in the most ground-based offense in the SEC. Alabama has enough front-line talent to commit heavily to a run game and have success, which means Richardson could explode.

Runner up: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks

Receiving Yards: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina Gamecocks

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 88 receptions, 1,517 yards

South Carolina may not know who their quarterback will be in 2011, but they definitely know who they will be throwing to. Last season Alshon Jeffery hauled in 88 passes for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns.

At 6’4”, 230 pounds, he’s undoubtedly the SEC’s most NFL-prototype receiver, and he’s without question the best pass catcher in the conference.

Runner up: Greg Childs, Arkansas Razorbacks

Receiving Yards (Tight End): Orson Charles, Georgia Bulldogs

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Orson Charles #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for yardage during the game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 26 catches, 422 yards

Aaron Murray’s favorite target should be tight end Orson Charles. With Green gone, Charles becomes the second-most experienced target in the receiving field (behind receiver Tavarres King) but might be the most reliable.

He played with Murray in high school and has an apparent sixth sense when it comes to finding Murray’s spots on the field. The chemistry between Murray and Charles should lead to a lot of catches for the junior tight end.

Plus, Charles is expected to line up at receiver a few times as well, increasing his chances of getting his hands on the rock.

Runner up: Michael Williams, Alabama Crimson Tide

Sacks: Devin Taylor, South Carolina Gamecocks

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Devin Taylor #98 and Cliff Matthews #83 of the South Carolina Gamecocks force a fumble by quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: 7 Sacks

Incoming junior Devin Taylor should be a beast at defensive end for the Gamecocks in 2011. Last year he recorded seven sacks, just one behind his teammate Melvin Ingram.

Taylor is expected to thrive in his third season and might make a quiet case for becoming a dandy draft pick. With 2010 SEC sack leaders Justin Houston and Nick Fairley gone, it’s Taylor’s time to shine.

Runner up: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama Crimson Tide

Tackles: Danny Trevathan, Kentucky Wildcats

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LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 31: Marcus Green #32 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs catches a pass while defended by Danny Trevathan #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the SEC game at Commonwealth Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo

Class: Senior

2010 Statistics: 85 solo tackles

The Wildcats’ return the SEC’s leading tackler from 2010 in outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. With the five men behind him on that list being seniors, it’s hard to imagine anyone comes close to Travathan’s production in the coming fall.

Last season he averaged an outstanding 11 tackles per game.

Runner up: Alec Ogletree, Georgia Bulldogs 

Interceptions: Robert Lester, Alabama Crimson Tide

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Robert Lester #37 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception to set up the game winning score against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Al

Class: Junior

2010 Statistics: Eight interceptions

Anytime a college defensive back records eight interceptions in a season, it’s a big deal. That’s exactly what Robert Lester did for the Alabama Crimson Tide defense in 2010, and it’s hard to imagine he won’t be at it again.

Most people are bidding on Morris Claibourne having a huge year for LSU, but the Tigers have more defensive holes to fill in the secondary than Alabama. The Tide’s depth won’t allow for opponents to necessarily “throw away” from Lester.

Teams will have to play the full field against ‘Bama’s secondary, which means Lester shouldn’t have trouble tracking balls.

Runner up: Morris Claibourne, LSU Tigers

Return Yards: Brandon Boykin, Georgia Bulldogs

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Brandon Boykin #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs stiff arms Jerrard Tarrant #37 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on a return at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Class: Senior

2010 Statistics: Kickoff return touchdown, 825 return yards

Also known as “Bam Bam,” Georgia senior Brandon Boykin enters 2011 as the heart and soul of the Georgia secondary, if not the defense. Boykin has been a solidified starting cornerback for two years now, but he’s made himself a Georgia fan favorite with his returning ability.

Boykin has three 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career, four total kickoff returns for touchdowns and has cemented himself as Georgia’s all-time leading kickoff returner. With the potential of returning punts as well, Boykin should be a shoo-in for All-SEC as a returner.

Runner up: Andre Debose, Florida Gators