SEC Football 2011: 12 Players Poised for Breakout Superstardom
The SEC has the most talented teams and players in the country. Looking for all-stars among All-Americans is a tough task but a process that is dissected annually as fans, writers and the media look for the future stars of the most prominent teams in the country.
Each team has a player who is poised for SEC superstardom more than any other player on the team. No specific position set takes the cake as the be-all, end-all for superstars, but the offense is obviously heavily favored.
Some of the players profiled are well-known impact players while some have yet to play a meaningful collegiate snap. One thing is for sure, these players have to perform for their teams to be successful.
If these players are known nationally by the end of 2011, the SEC will be trending for its sixth national title.
Alabama – Trent Richardson, HB
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Richardson is a well-known player for the Tide and is already on some Heisman lists. The national perception is that Alabama has a real chance at making it to the title game for the second time in three years. For Alabama to have that success, Richardson needs to have a breakout year.
Richardson has been a part of the one-two punch that the Crimson Tide rode to a title two years ago. He was a freshman then. The rising junior has been effective, but in his two seasons with the Tide has always played the No. 2 to Mark Ingram.
With Ingram gone, Richardson has to shine at the top. Richardson has rushed for 751 yards as a freshman and 700 yards as a sophomore. He is good for another 200 or so through the air, but he must increase his rushing yard production this season to keep his early Heisman hopeful status.
Richardson has the skills and the on-field prowess to be extremely successful this year and to ride the Tide to the top of the college football world yet again. If production increases and he stays healthy, Richardson will be a force and have the star power by season's end.
Arkansas – Tyler Wilson, QB
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A year ago, Wilson looked like an absolute stud for 95 percent of his playing time against Auburn. He made some obvious mistakes, two interceptions, but had some major production in the game.
Assuming he can ride that confidence into this season, Wilson may be leading one of the most dangerous offenses in the country.
Bobby Petrino relies heavily on the ability of his quarterback to perform at a high level for his offense to work. Wilson has shown the skills to take Arkansas to new heights in 2011. With Arkansas in a good spot in the West going into 2011, a quarterback is the final piece of the puzzle.
Wilson has to be a household name nationwide by the time November rolls around for Arkansas to be successful. Wilson has the arm and on field presence to be a premier star in the SEC and across the college football landscape, but harnessing the skill is the question.
Will he be ready to take the role left by Mallett? Can Wilson handle the pressures of being the starting guy under Petrino? Time will tell, but if Wilson fits the role well, he will be better than Ryan Mallett and will reach superstar status before the blink of an eye.
Auburn – Michael Dyer, RB
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Dyer has already rushed for 1,093 yards as a freshman. Auburn fans expect him to be the next big thing at running back for the Tigers. He has the ability to take the star power and run with it, but will he be effective in his role as a primary back?
With Newton gone, the focus will fall to Dyer and McCalebb to carry the rushing attack for Auburn. Dyer has to be the leader of the pack. If Dyer can take the primary role and grow with it, his star power will rise nationally.
Look for Dyer to increase his carries and responsibility in the offense, but also to increase his catches out of the backfield. Becoming a complete back will set Dyer up for the superstardom that he seems destined for.
With Auburn having low expectations nationally this season, a breakout year for Dyer could be the highlight for the Tigers and launch him to star status by the end of 2011.
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Florida – Chris Rainey, RB
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Florida is shifting its entire coaching staff and philosophies this coming season. There are bound to be growing pains as the Gators shift from a spread-style offense back into the pro-type offense. Florida is going to be looking for playmakers to ease the pain in 2011.
The quarterback is an obvious highlight in the pro sets, but a premier running back is needed to excel. Chris Rainey may have been the only healthy back this spring for the Gators, but he earned his spot.
Rainey has the upper hand over the rest of the backs from the experience that he gained and has the upper hand as the Gators look for a starter.
For the Gators to excel this season, Rainey has to make the defense respect the play action that the Gators are sure to utilize, but he also has to plow through some rushing yards.
Rainey is poised to be the feature back this season and if he takes the role, Rainey will be the highlight of an otherwise rough transition year for the Gators.
Georgia – Isaiah Crowell, RB
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Crowell had one of the most eventful signing day events that anyone can remember. He had a white bulldog to show his allegiance to the Georgia Bulldogs. Wow. That being said, the guy obviously likes the focus of attention.
That’s a good thing for Georgia and for Crowell, as the departure of Washaun Ealey throws Crowell into the first chair in the rotation. Not much is typically asked of true freshmen, but the Bulldogs will ask Crowell to carry the running game on his back in 2011.
Crowell has the talent to excel early for the Bulldogs, but there will be a wall that he hits as this league takes a toll on his body every Saturday.
Assuming that Crowell will be this year’s freshman sensation, Crowell will be a stud by season’s end. Expecting him to be the primary back throws him to the dogs, but it also sets him up for stardom.
Kentucky – Morgan Newton QB
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Newton does not have a track record loaded with stats. He is a rising junior who has felt the lumps of being thrown to the wolves as a freshman and has taken a year to learn the offense in a backup role to Mike Hartline a year ago.
Newton has the size and ability to be a stud in the SEC this coming season. Kentucky lost its key utility man when Randall Cobb announced for the draft but Newton will have playmakers to choose from this coming season.
Whether Newton can motivate this team and take a firm leadership role has yet to be determined, and he is being pushed by his fellow quarterbacks trying to earn the job, but the competition and low expectations will allow Newton to shine this fall.
Newton will step into the role this coming season and should be more productive than Hartline was. He has the ability to make plays and he will be the star of the Wildcats this call.
LSU – Jordan Jefferson, QB
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Jefferson has had a rough tenure at LSU. He has looked like an all-star in a few games but has looked abysmal in far more for the Tigers. Despite this, he is my pick for a breakout to stardom this season.
LSU is the most talented team in the country for 2011. Without a quarterback, however, LSU is just another nine-win SEC team. If Jefferson turns it around, the Tigers are undefeated.
Yes, LSU brought in Zach Mettenberger to play. However, Jefferson may give them the best shot to win this season.
Jefferson is a talented player and has the ability to win ballgames. The scale-tipper for him is his decision making. As the season progressed, it seemed that he grew into the position.
If LSU earns its preseason hype this season, it will be because Jordan Jefferson has a breakout season. He has the ability and the team around him to encourage success; now if he can come on strong and become a complete quarterback, he will be a star and the Tigers will be undefeated.
Ole Miss – Jeff Scott, RB
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Losing Dexter McCluster two years ago reset the Ole Miss offense in 2010. Jeff Scott was the closest answer that the Rebels had to McCluster, who exploded for the Rebels in ’09. Scott finished with 429 yards and 6.3 yards per carry a year ago.
Those are not shabby stats for a freshman. Scott has to increase his role this season for Ole Miss to have a chance at being an offensive power.
Scott will be a cornerstone for the Rebels looking for a spark this season, and he will be a leader in the offense for Ole Miss.
Look for Scott to be known throughout the conference by season's end, as the quarterback situation is shaky at best for the Rebels and relying on the rushing attack will be a must.
Mississippi State – Chris Relf, QB
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Relf has been a consistent quarterback for the Bulldogs. He is a dual threat for State and has the ability to win ballgames for Coach Mullen. This season is his final season in the maroon and white so having a big finale will be a goal of the veteran quarterback.
Not many SEC teams are bringing back starting quarterbacks. Mississippi State has the upper hand in the Western Division as Relf is the only returning starter at the position. This experience gives him an edge as the season looms.
He passed for 1789 yards a year ago and added 713 yards on the ground. Looking to increase those numbers is no small task, but doing so will put Relf in any conversation that contains the country's elite players.
Assuming that State continues to win and grow its reputation as a winner, Relf will see his stock rise and stardom appear as the season moves.
South Carolina – Marcus Lattimore, RB
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Everyone in the country who follows college football knew this name a year ago. Lattimore made waves in his freshman campaign and rumbled to 1197 yards and 17 touchdowns. Lattimore has name recognition already and with Stephen Garcia being suspended, Lattimore is the star of the offense.
The Gamecocks are in great position to make a second run at the Eastern Division title this season, but to do so, they have to have a leaning post. Without a quarterback today who fits the bill, Lattimore is the Gamecocks' playmaking leader.
If Lattimore can increase his production and avoid nagging injuries that hampered him a year ago, he will be extremely successful in 2011 and possibly making a run at a seat in New York City by season's end.
Lattimore already has star power but expectations have now been set and he must exceed them. If he does, he will be remembered as one of the best in the SEC.
Tennessee – Tyler Bray, QB
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Bray stepped into the starter role a year ago when it became apparent that Matt Simms couldn’t handle the SEC. Simms struggled time and again, leading to Bray walking into the starter role.
Bray finished his freshman year with 1,849 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while only playing in nine games. Bray produced a spark that the Volunteers needed to start attacking the opponent and finishing the season with a positive and aggressive momentum.
Bray has a golden opportunity to step into the star quarterback spot and excel. He also may take a dive and not produce at all. The likelihood is that Bray will step up to the challenge and return Tennessee to the upper echelon of the Eastern Division and of the SEC.
If Bray can build on his freshman season and become an even more consistent leader as a sophomore, he will gain momentum in the conference and nationally. Tennessee’s success will depend on the leadership and decision making of Bray in 2011. If Bray can lead to more wins, his stats and stardom will rise.
Vanderbilt – Chris Marve, LB
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Marve finds himself as the lonely defender on this list. He earned his spot, however. Marve earned 100 tackles in his freshman and sophomore seasons for the Commodores. He was injured in his junior year but managed to still start 11 of the 12 games on the schedule.
Marve is a highlight reel with bone-chilling hits and focused play. Finding breakout players for Vandy isn’t always easy, but Marve should finish the season on some all-star lists. Assuming he can stay healthy, he will keep Vanderbilt in games this year.
Look for Marve’s leadership and intensity to raise the level of play for the 'Dores on defense and for that fire to fuel the offense. This new coaching staff will be looking for a leader and Marve is the guy that can take that role and perform.
Look for Marve to finish his career accomplished not only for his University but for the conference as well.
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