SEC Football: 10 Players Who Will Be Surprise 2011 All-SEC Selections
In my opinion, one of the greatest parts of college football is how the roster changes each season. As seniors and early entrants for the NFL draft are leaving, freshman and transfer players are entering. Then there are the returning players. Some players progress to the next level and become stars. Other players will plateau or even decline.
In this article I want to discuss 10 players that I believe will take the next step to stardom. Moreover, I predict that the bulk of this group will be selected to the All-SEC team. Will all 10 of these make the All-SEC team? Probably not. However, a minimum of seven of these players are likely to be selected.
There is more than one version of the All-SEC team. The different groups use different formats. I am making these predictions based upon the three team format (first team, second team and third team).
Alabama Crimson Tide- Michael Williams (TE)
1 of 11During the resurgence of the Alabama football program under Coach Nick Saban, the Tide have had consistent play at various positions. One of the most crucial positions for the Tide during that time has been the tight ends.
Behind the play of Collin Peak and Preston Dial, Alabama has fielded tight ends who not only block well but who were also able to make one clutch reception after another. With a new quarterback and a new number one receiver, the Tide will once again need this type of production out of the tight end position. Many expect Brad Smelly to fill that position. However, in my opinion, it will be opposite tight end Michael Williams.
Williams has proven that not only can he lay jaw dropping blocks, like he does at the 30 second mark of the video above, but he also has soft hands. However, his biggest asset this season might be his frame. With a quarterback who has never played significant time in a college football game, an efficient tight end becomes a necessity. Look for the Tide quarterback, whichever player wins the job, to not only use the tight end in short yardage plays but to also check down to him more frequently than an experienced QB would.
Williams should be able an easy target for the Crimson Tide quarterback. He is 6'6" and 270 lbs and will tower over anyone trying to cover him on the field. Look for Williams to have over 400 yards receiving this season on his way to a lower All-SEC team award.
Auburn Tigers: Daren Bates (LB)
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Coming out of high school, Daren Bates had a hard time finding any division I football program to offer him a scholarship. He was rated as a 2-star recruit by scout.com and expectations were low for Bates.
However, just months after Auburn gave him a last minute scholarship he was selected to the All-SEC Freshman Team as a free safety. The following season he would be moved to linebacker, and although he was not perfect, he showed flashes of greatness. This season will be a breakout year for Bates. As one of the few returning starters on defense he will be called upon to be a leader and a playmaker.
In 2009, as a safety, Bates recorded 69 tackles and one interception. In 2010, after being moved to linebacker, Bates accumulated 47 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Do not be surprised if Bates comes close to surpassing his 116 career tackles in this season alone.
Bates is an undersized linebacker at 5'11" and 195 lbs. However, make no mistake about it, he plays much bigger than his 5'11" stature and hits like a man twice his weight. Bates will move back to the safety position in the NFL but expect him to stuff the stat sheet this year at linebacker.
Georgia Bulldogs: Alec Ogletree
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Alec Ogletree was the University of Georgia's top rated recruit in the 2010 recruiting class. He was rated as a 5-star safety prospect by Scout.com. Ogletree would not disappoint in his freshman campaign. He broke into the starting lineup the final four games of the season and played well enough to be selected to the SEC Coaches' All-SEC Freshman Team. In his second start of the season, against Auburn, he had his best game contributing 10 tackles.
It appeared that Georgia had finally found the head-hunting type safety they had been missing since the departure of Greg Blue and Thomas Davis to the NFL. However, news broke this spring that Ogletree had been moved from safety to middle linebacker. Ogletree, who is now 6'3" and 238 lbs, is most known for the fact that he hits like a truck. Moreover, at the linebacker position, Ogletree should be able to easily cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game as well.
It will also give the Dawgs a much stronger blitzing attack from the middle linebacker position. When defensive coordinator Todd Grantham announced the move of Ogletree from safety to linebacker, he stated as much, “Just watching the way he runs, he closes on people. The way he can blitz, I think he can be a unique player at that position."
During the G-Day spring game, Ogletree's first at middle linebacker, he recorded seven tackles. The sky is the limit for Ogletree. He has all the tools needed to be a first-round draft pick in the NFL.
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Tennessee Volunteers- Justin Hunter (WR)
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The Tennessee Volunteers lost two of the SEC's top wide receivers, Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore, this past season to graduation. They also lost their third leading statistical receiver in tight end Luke Stocker. On most teams, Moore would be impossible to replace. He had just under 1,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. He also led the SEC in yards per reception at 20.9 yards per catch.
Fortunately for Tennessee, they have a stable of young receivers led by sophomore-to-be Justin Hunter. Despite being the third and sometimes fourth option in the passing game he had over 400 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season. At 6'4" and 191 lbs, he is perhaps the closest version of AJ Green in this years SEC.
Although former teammate Moore technically led the SEC in yards per reception, he did not lead the team. That honor went to Hunter at 25.9 yards per reception. Hunter, however, did not have the needed amount of receptions to be recognized by the SEC.
Tennessee has several good receivers, but Hunter is the biggest deep threat of the group. Of his seven touchdowns last season four were over 30 yards. He did only started two games last season. However, in one of those two starts, against Ole Miss, he had three receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. He also had another 100-yard receiving game against the University of Georgia where he finished with three receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Hunter will likely have over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns this season. Despite having the SEC's most underrated player in running back Tauren Poole, Dooley has shown a passion to pass the football as much as possible after he inserted Tyler Bray into the starting quarterback position. With Hunter as the number one receiver, he could end up leading the SEC in yards.
Arkansas Razorbacks- Tyler Wilson (QB)
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Despite never starting a game on the collegiate level, there is a high probability that Tyler Wilson will lead the SEC in passing yards and finish second team All-SEC only behind University of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Despite limited playing time, Wilson has shined when called upon. Last season, in his only true playing time, he completed 25 of 34 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns against the Auburn Tigers who were the eventual national champions.
During the spring, Wilson was able to set himself apart as the new leader of the Razorbacks offense. Wilson will be replacing Ryan Mallett, one of the most productive players to ever put on the Arkansas uniform. However, he looked the part in the spring game where three of his first five completions went for over 40 yards each.
The top two coaches in the league for working with quarterbacks are University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt and Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino. Make no mistake about it, Petrino will coach Tyler Wilson up and the result will be 3,000-plus passing yards and somewhere in the vicinity of 30 touchdowns.
Arkansas does have a young offensive line. However, having the SEC's leading returning rusher in Knile Davis and three receivers who all could end up All-SEC will ease that burden. No quarterback in the SEC and perhaps the nation has more tools to work with on offense than Wilson will have this season.
Auburn Tigers: Philip Lutzenkirchen (TE)
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How valuable is 15 receptions for 185 yards and five touchdowns for an SEC team? If you are the Auburn Tigers and Philip Lutzenkirchen is the player making the receptions it meant the difference in a bowl game and a BCS championship.
Lutzenkirchen is Auburn's 6'4" and 253-lb tight end from Marietta, Ga., and he has already proven that he can make big plays in clutch moments. Last season he scored two touchdowns against UGA. The first was with the Tigers trailing 21-14, and his touchdown tied the game. Later in the game, when the Dawgs were within four points in the fourth quarter Lutzenkirchen scored his second touchdown to put the game out of reach.
This was not the only time a Lutzenkirchen touchdown decided the game. In the Tigers first meeting with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Auburn was trailing 27-21 in the fourth quarter. However, Lutzenkirchen scored on a seven-yard touchdown that would give the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish.
Because of these types of plays, Lutzenkirchen has earned the trust of the Auburn coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will likely use the tightends much more than he did in the season prior. As a result, they will not hesitate to increase his offensive load this season.
Lutzenkirchen is primed for a big season.With the Auburn staff using Lutzenkirchen more it will take pressure off of the new starting quarterback. Lutzenkirchen will not put up numbers that are worthy of a All-SEC first team selection. However, he should be able to land on the second or third team.
LSU Tigers: Spencer Ware (RB)
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The SEC is deeper at the running back position than they have been in many years. Several teams return star running backs including Knile Davis (Arkansas), Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Trent Richardson (Alabama), Michael Dyer (Auburn), Brandon Bolden (Ole Miss) and Tauren Poole (Tennessee). As a result, there is not much room for new running backs to be selected to the All-SEC team. However, Spencer Ware is not your normal running back.
Last season, Ware only had 14 carries going into the Cotton Bowl versus Texas A&M. However, Ware had 10 carries against the Aggies on his way to rushing for 102 yards. Ware continued his hot streak in the spring game, where he rushed for 94 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 50 yards.
Ware has the potential to be used in both the running game and the passing game as well. It is not unreasonable to suggest that Ware will have over 1,400 yards of total offense this season. At 5'11" and 225 lbs, Ware has the ability to run between the tackles but is a home run threat every time he touches the ball as well.
Ware is unlikely to lead the SEC in rushing this season. However, leading all running backs in total yards is not out of the question. He is a special player who has a bright future for the Bayou Bengals.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Chad Bumphis (WR)
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If you were to meet Chad Bumphis at a grocery store you probably would not know he is one of top returning wide receivers in the SEC. At only 5'10" and 195 lbs, he lacks the ideal size for an elite wide receiver. However, his combination of speed and elusiveness make up for what he lacks in height.
Bumphis runs a legit 4.4 40-yard dash. However, it is the first 10 yards that make him special. Bumphis does not seem to have a first, second or third gear. As soon as the ball is snapped, he is already in fourth gear. He is also able to gain ground on his defender in his route breaks because he maintains that same speed during cuts.
Last season, Bumphis caught 44 passes for 634 yards and five touchdowns. Coach Dan Mullen was reluctant to open up the passing game early in the season. However, after a loss to Alabama, he increased quarterback Chris Relf's pass attempts by almost 10 pass attempts per game. I expect for Mullen to open up the offense this season further and to allow Relf to throw the ball between 22 to 25 times per game.
The biggest beneficiary of this should be Bumphis who is the number one option in the passing game. He should increase his receiving numbers and perhaps surpass the 1,000 receiving yards mark for the Bulldogs.
Florida Gators: Deonte Thompson (WR)
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Deonte Thompson was rated as a 5-star wide receiver by Scout.com coming out of high school. Thompson is just under 6-feet tall but has world class speed. He has been electrically timed with a 4.28 40-yard dash on multiple occasions. However, now entering his senior season he has under 1,200 yards receiving for his career.
Thompson did manage to increase his numbers this past season to 570 yards but still only managed one touchdown. Look for a dramatic increase in those numbers this season. Under new offensive coordinator, Charlie Weiss, the Gators should be much more creative in the passing game. As a result, Thompson should be able to topple the 1,000-yard mark this season.
The Gators will call Thompson's number early this season, but he will need to show more consistency catching the football. If he is able to accomplish this, he will be able to rejuvenate both his career and the career of quarterback John Brantley's as well.
Both players have had disappointing careers so far. However, Charlie Weis might be the exact person that both of them needed. Weis has a track record of success with quarterbacks and wide receivers. He has the ability to put them in positions that makes them more effective than they should. Look no further than Jimmy Clausen and Matt Cassell.
Georgia Bulldogs: Kwame Geathers (DT)
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The Geathers family is not your typical family. Kwame's father was a star at South Carolina State and was later drafted by the Buffalo Bills. His uncle James “Jumpy” Geathers played in a 183 games in the NFL and recorded 62 sacks during that time. He has a brother who currently plays at South Carolina, and he has four cousins that have played college football.
The one family member that Bulldog fans are most familiar with is Kwame's brother and former Bulldog great Robert Geathers. Geathers played three seasons at UGA and is currently a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. At the end of the 2010 season, it seemed that there was no way that Kwame was ever going to reach the heights that his brother did at Georgia. After playing mostly backup last season, he ended the season with an unimpressive seven total tackles.
However, early in 2011, two things happened that might change the course of Geathers life forever. The first was the hiring of Joe Tereshinski as the new strength and conditioning coach. Coach Tereshinski challenged Geathers like he had never been challenged before. The result was a 25-lb increase in weight from January to April and a loss of nearly 10 percent body fat. Geathers is now faster, stronger and has a far greater stamina.
The second thing that happened is UGA signed a 350-lb nose tackle out of the JUCO ranks named "Big" John Jenkins. Jenkins was tabbed as the savior of the 3-4 defense because of his ability to play the nose tackle. However, Geathers did not get upset or angry. Instead he just got to work on his body and his technique.
The results translated to the field during the spring. Geathers was named the defensive MVP of the spring practices.Then, in the spring game, he dominated All-SEC center Ben Jones. Geathers finished the game with four tackles, including two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Geathers becoming All-SEC this season is a lock as long as he beats out Jenkins. The only question remaining is will he be All-American. Now standing at 6'6" and 350 lbs, any offensive line in college football will have a difficult time blocking him.
Final Take
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Anyone who tells you with certainty who is going to win the SEC championship this season is being blindly guided. We can guess and predict all we want. However, the progression of these players will make a huge difference for their teams and will tell us a great deal about their teams.
Here are a few other players to watch out for:
Marquis Maze (UA)
Bacarri Rambo (UGA)
John Brantley (UF)
Da'rick Rogers (UT)
Dallas Thomas (UT)
Tenarius Wright (Arkansas)
Brandon Bolden (Ole Miss)
Chris Relf (MSU)
Russell Shepard (LSU)
Jarvis Jones (UGA)
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