SEC Football 2011: 13 Dynamic Players To Watch This Season
The SEC is stacked with a wealth of talent for the 2011 season. The Western Division of the conference is arguably the strongest division in college football. With all the talent that will be on the field this fall, there are 13 playmakers that will be sure to make the highlight reels on a weekly basis.
Each team in the league has one or two players that will define their seasons, but there are some stars that will become household names across the country. Trent Richardson finds himself on most Heisman hopeful preseason lists. Marcus Lattimore is in the same category.
Players like Greg Childs and Chris Relf will be the seniors on the rise looking to finish their careers on an explosive high note and will use their leadership and experience to guide their teams. Even underclassmen like Aaron Murray and Michael Dyer will fill leadership roles and will be looked upon to build on their freshmen momentum.
Despite the expansion of major conferences across the college football landscape this season, no conference can match the dynamic playmakers found in the SEC.
Brandon Bolden – RB – Ole Miss
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Bolden is a rising senior for the Ole Miss Rebels and will look to use his talent and leadership to build a strong return for the Rebels to relevance in 2011. Ole Miss finished the season 4-8 last year with only one conference win. Despite this, Bolden had quite the impact offensively with 976 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns and averaged six yards per carry. Add in 344 receiving yards and a star from the backfield is born.
Ole Miss will look to spread the ball around the backfield, but Bolden will be the cornerstone of the Rebel offensive attack as it looks to find another starting quarterback this fall. Bolden is a leader that can handle the primary back role and will make Ole Miss competitive this season.
With the talent that the SEC has returning at the running back position this season, Bolden will likely get lost in the mix, but he will be an impact player for the Rebels every Saturday. The opposing team better keep tabs on this dynamic back. Bolden’s pass-catching ability coupled with his rushing style is sure to make him one of the most productive backs in 2011.
Marcus Lattimore – RB – South Carolina
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Lattimore had an amazing freshmen campaign for the Gamecocks last season. South Carolina was in need of a balanced offensive attack, and Lattimore may have tipped the Spurrier strategy scale a bit last year. Spurrier, who is known for his air raid-style of coaching, kept the ball on the ground more than usual last season.
Lattimore entered his freshman season looking every bit the part of a seasoned SEC veteran by rushing for 182 yards in only his second career game. By the way, that breakout game was against the Georgia Bulldogs. Lattimore finished the season with a 4.8 yard average and 1,197 rushing yards placing him third in the conference in total rushing yards at seasons end.
Lattimore has been a workout beast in the offseason and has reportedly added around 10 to 15 more pounds to his already formidable 218-pound frame. If Lattimore plays at the 230-pound range this fall, defenses beware, this guy will be a force to bring down.
Adding to his impressive running style and solid size, his ability to catch passes from the backfield will make him extremely dynamic. He had soft hands last year but having one more year in the system this fall, I would expect him to be utilized even more in that role. Did I mention he was the third best receiver for the Gamecocks a year ago with 29 catches and 412 receiving yards in 2010?
Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama
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There is no doubt that the best second string running back in the country was Trent Richardson in 2010. Richardson held the same title in 2009. This season, Richardson will be the feature back for the Crimson Tide and a corner stone for the offense.
Richardson is the epitome of a hard downfield runner but has the moves of a shifty scat back. Speed and quickness come naturally to him, but his elite speed and quickness come from hard work. Richardson is a gym rat and workaholic. He also is a team leader.
Heading into 2011, Alabama is the favorite of many to win the SEC and make its second run in three years at the national title. For ‘Bama to make it, Richardson has to lead the way. In two seasons, he has accumulated 1,451 rushing yards and 392 receiving yards. He also has accounted for 18 scores.
Expanding on those numbers will not be an easy task, but this season should see Richardson surpass 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving. He will be the focus for teammates that lack a leader at quarterback this summer, and once the fall rolls around, that impact on and off the field will be felt and needed for success.
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Jeff Demps – RB – Florida
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Jeff Demps is possibly the fastest running back in the SEC this season. When he is not playing football for the Gators, he is setting records on the track. Look for the role of the running back to expand this season under new head coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss.
The Gators are turning away from the spread offense that Urban Meyer brought from Utah and are returning to a more traditional pro-style offense. For the key component of play-action to work this season, a solid rushing attack is a must for the Gators.
Demps finished 2010 with 92 rushes for 551 yards and added 18 catches and 116 yards through the air. Those numbers will need to double if the Gators want to be a force in the SEC and Demps is poised for a breakout season. He has accumulated 1,901 rushing yards so far in his three seasons with the Gators but he has never eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in one year.
Not only will Demps be dangerous for opponents from the backfield, but he also will look to make an impact in the return game as he averaged 32.5 yards a return in kickoff returns a season ago. Wherever Demps is on the field this season, he will be a threat for a quick strike and score.
Knile Davis – RB – Arkansas
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Davis is a rising junior for the Razorbacks this season and returns as the leading rusher for the Hogs. Last year, Davis accounted for 1,322 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns. He also was rumored to have been clocked in a sub 4.3-40 this spring while weighing it at 230 pounds.
Davis has the size and speed to make an impressive impact on the conference this season. Playing alongside possibly the best receiving corps in the nation, Davis will have the ability to find holes in the defense and will be quite the force from the backfield for the Hogs.
One portion of his game that must pick up is his receiving impact. Finding a steady pass catcher from the backfield has become a must for teams as utilizing every playmaker on the field is paramount. Davis caught 19 passes for 136 yards, but those will likely double this season as his role must expand, and Tyler Wilson will be looking for easy check offs early in the season.
Michael Dyer – RB – Auburn
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Rounding out the running back portion of dynamic playmakers is Michael Dyer. Dyer came on strong at the end of the season for the Tigers in 2010 and much of that was by design. The Auburn coaching staff wanted to ease Dyer into his role from the beginning, but no one could have predicted the impact that Cameron Newton had on the rushing attack of Auburn which simply solidified their plan.
Allowing Dyer to ease in helped him keep his legs fresh towards the end of the season which undoubtedly helped his impact. Dyer finished the season with 182 carries and 1,093 rushing yards. On his way to those 1,000 yards, he passed the great Vincent “Bo” Jackson in the record books. If that is any indication to his future, SEC opponents beware.
Dyer will step into the featured back role this season which will be a first for him and will be a big change in his role from 2010. Auburn will spread the ball around the backfield in 2011 however which will allow in easing some of the pressure from the young sophomore’s shoulders.
Dyer is set up for a breakout season and should be one of the more notable playmakers for the conference upon seasons end. He must increase his impact in the passing game however to complete his transition into the dynamic back role. With only one catch a year ago, anything is an improvement through the air.
Chris Relf – QB – Mississippi State
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When Dan Mullen arrived in Starkville, it was obvious that the cupboard was not necessarily stocked full of talent. One particular position that needed help was quarterback. Relf was a sophomore when Mullen arrived on campus and was hoping to be a part of the solution, not the problem, for State at quarterback.
In his first year under Mullen, he played sparingly, and in a more situational role for the Bulldogs, finished as the second-leading rusher on the team. During the offseason leading up to the 2010 season, he progressed drastically and earned the starting nod.
In 2010, he completed 58.6 percent of his passes and managed 1,789 passing yards. Relf also added another 713 yards on the ground. Relf shared some time with freshman Tyler Russell last year, but 2011 should bring a focus to Relf as the leader of the Bulldog offense.
Having three years in the system under Mullen is a huge plus for Relf and ending 2010 with a blowout victory against Michigan in the Gator Bowl only solidified his position. Look for Relf to fly under the radar to start the season but to make All-Star lists by season's end.
Aaron Murray – QB – Georgia
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Murray walked into a starter by default role last season as he was “the guy” after the departure of Zach Mettenberger to JUCO. Placing that much responsibility on a redshirt-freshman is huge, but take away his leading playmaker and the task is that much more daunting.
Murray had his fluctuations a year ago and lost some composure at times, but keep in mind, he was just a freshman. Starting the season 1-4 but finishing in a bowl game was a feat in and of itself but look for 2011 to be a leap forward in decision making and efficiency.
With that being said, Murray may be one of, if not the best quarterback in the SEC next season. The biggest question for Georgia will be if they can find playmakers to help keep some of the pressure off the sophomore. Looking at 2010, Murray had 3,049 passing yards and a 61.1 percent completion rating. He also managed 24 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.
If Murray finishes 2011 any more efficiently than he did in 2010, he should be in talks for the Heisman. In no way am I saying that Murray will be a finalist in New York this season, but I am saying that one very bright spot for Georgia in 2011 and beyond is Aaron Murray. He may be the best signal-caller in the league this season.
Greg Childs – WR – Arkansas
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No matter what team you find yourself pulling for, seeing a dynamic playmaker fall to injury is a disappointment and can be heartbreaking. Childs made it through eight games in 2010 and fell to a knee injury against Vanderbilt. Childs was on his way to an amazing season and likely the pros until the injury.
Despite playing in only eight games for the Hogs a season ago, Childs still finished third on the team in receiving with 46 catches and 659 yards. He returns to be a part of the best receiving corps in the conference and possibly the nation this season.
Childs is a big bodied receiver at 6’3", 220. He catches well in traffic and is not afraid to go up and over a defender to snag a ball out of the air. He will be a go to receiver for Tyler Wilson and will assist the Petrino offense in becoming one of the most formidable in the country this coming season.
Rueben Randle – WR – LSU
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Randle will be a rising junior for the Tigers looking to make an impact. Randle was a very coveted recruit out of high school and chose to stay in state and play for the hometown LSU Tigers. Randle received his fair share of catches a year ago pulling in 33 catches for 544 yards and three scores. The production in 2011 however must increase.
LSU will be looking for leaders on the offense as the quarterback quandary is figured out this off season and Randle needs to step up into the role. He is a big bodied receiver at 6’4" and is willing to make the tough catches in traffic.
The SEC is loaded with running backs this season, but the receiver position is stacked as well. Randle can be one of the better players at the position and will need to improve his route running and concentration to make the shockwave impact that Tiger fans are expecting. One thing is for sure, Randle has the talent and skill set to make waves today and well into the future in the conference.
Alshon Jeffery – WR – South Carolina
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This may be the last year that the SEC has the option to watch Jeffery in a South Carolina uniform. The rising junior is likely the most talented receiver returning this season. At 6’4", 233, he has the body of some tight ends but runs and catches like a receiver.
Despite the quarterback issues that the Gamecocks apparently have with the Stephen Garcia diaries, Jeffery will excel. The Gamecocks simply need to find someone to throw the ball high and hand it off this season to be successful. Well that’s a stretch, but the talent is there for the Gamecocks to be quite formidable even with quarterback questions.
Jeffery earned first team All-American honors last season and also finished as a Biletnikoff finalist. He gathered 88 receptions and 1,517 yards last season. Look for the production to continue this year and for Jeffery to make another run at the position awards this season. Don’t be surprised if he fills one of the seats in New York at seasons end as well. His impact for South Carolina is unmistakable as is his level of skill and execution.
Morris Claiborne – CB – LSU
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Claiborne is the only defensive player to make this list. It's not because there won't be breakout defenders, but because many won't have a ton of visibility. Claiborne will have it. Many may not know who he is just yet but come December of this year, he will be a household name around the SEC. Claiborne played opposite Patrick Peterson a year ago in the LSU defense.
Obviously, most teams were concerned about the playmaking ability of Peterson and neglected to understand the talent that was on the other side of the field. Claiborne came in third in the conference in 2010 with five interceptions and second in the conference in passes defended with 11. Claiborne has every bit the speed of Peterson and will be a formidable cover corner.
Claiborne has the advantage going into this season by flying under the radar and will likely be challenged early by opposing offenses. Look for his reputation to grow quickly in 2011 as he is sure to make plays early and often against Oregon and other premier early season matchups. LSU is returning an extremely talented roster in 2011, and Claiborne is the cream of the crop.
Philip Lutzenkirchen - TE - Auburn
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Lutzenkirchen is one of the most dynamic tight ends that will play in the SEC this season. Lutz is 6’4", 255 and has the abilities of a receiver. This year Auburn is expecting more production from his position as they will make an attempt to shift him into a more traditional slot receiver role.
Lutzenkirchen proved his worth last season by catching five touchdowns. While he only caught 15 passes for 185 yards, the impact on the score board in big games against Georgia and the winning touchdown against Alabama are where he proved his worth.
Look for Lutzenkirchen to have a much larger role in the passing offense this season as his route running skills and soft hands will assist the transition of a new quarterback. Lutzenkirchen will be looked upon to help lead the young Auburn team to victories and will likely end the season high on stat sheets. Lutzenkirchen may be the most underrated offensive impact player heading into the 2011 season.
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