Players To Watch: SEC

In the Players To Watch series Quick Slants will be bringing to your attention a player from the offense and defence of every team in a selected conference. These players may not be the best or most recognisable on their teams, but they will be key contributors for the upcoming 2012 season. So far we have covered the Big Ten, today's article will take a look at the SEC.

Alabama
Offense - OL Barrett Jones - In his time with the Crimson Tide, Barrett Jones has won two National Championships (2009, 2011), been named a unanimous All-American (2011), and has won the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman in college football (2011). Jones has also proven his versatility along the offensive line, starting at RG for a total of 25 games in his redshirt freshman and sophomore years, before moving over to LT in his junior year. In 2012 he makes another position change, he will become Alabama's starting center to fill the hole left by William Vlachos. If he excels at his new position it can only help his stock for the 2013 NFL Draft.


Defence - LB CJ Mosley - Junior linebacker CJ Mosley split time at weak inside 'backer with Nico Johnson in 2011 and put up fairly decent numbers of: 37 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and 2 sacks. In 2012, with Dont'a Hightower departed for the NFL, Mosley has to step up as a leader on a rebuilt Crimson Tide defence. Mosley produced a stellar freshman year in 2010, and he must be better than he was in 2011 to bolster an Alabama defence that has questions marks due to the many departures it saw after the 2011 National Championship win.


Arkansas
Offense - WR Cobi Hamilton - Star quarterback Tyler Wilson threw for over 3600 yards in 2011, but he loses his top two WRs for 2012 because of the graduation of Jarius Wright and Joe Adams. Step forth, Cobi Hamilton. Hamilton was third on the receiving charts for Arkansas last season, and now the 6'3", 210lb senior must fill the shoes left by Wright as the #1 target in the passing game. Hamilton certainly has the game to produce big numbers, and factoring in that this will be his final season to impress NFL scouts, expect a big jump in productivity for the Texas native.


Defence - LB Alonzo Highsmith - Arkansas needs leadership to survive the difficult change that has been thrust upon the program with the Bobby Petrino affair; senior LB Highsmith should be one of those who can provide it. Highsmith had an excellent junior year with 80 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. He must improve personally, but also help the team, specifically against the run - Arkansas ranked 73rd in the nation in 2011 against the run. The outside linebacker should produce an even better season than 2011, and have Arkansas contending for the SEC West again this year. He injured his pectoral muscle in spring, but should be good to go in the fall.


Auburn
Offense - WR Emory Blake - Despite being predominantly a running team in 2011 Auburn struggled the most when senior receiver Emory Blake was missing from the attack. Blake stretched defences - as shown by his 17 yards per catch average - to allow the running game to work, without him Auburn had very little to stop teams keying on the stellar rushing attack, and the quarterbacks struggled to find a replacement target. Blake should be just as important to the offense, and whoever wins the quarterback battle, in 2012. Hopefully, he will not see a return of the nagging ankle injury that limited him in the second half of the season.


Defence - DE Corey Lemonier - Lemonier, a former 4-star recruit from Florida, turned in an excellent sophomore season for the Tigers. Lemonier specialised in getting into the backfield, with 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 15 QB hurries and 5 forced fumbles. Those numbers are impressive for such a young defensive end, but there is more to come from the exciting, athletic junior. He must defend better against the run (the whole Auburn defence needs to!), whilst also showing ability to shed blocks better, rather than relying on pure athleticism against lesser tackles. Auburn were poor on D in 2011, Lemonier must help set the tone in 2012. He could jump to the NFL if he betters his production of 2011 in the upcoming season.


Florida
Offense - RB Mike Gillislee - Florida have gone in a different direction offensively sine the days of Urban Meyer. Will Muschamp believes in a balanced pro-style attack, with a downhill running game, though this approach did not garner much reward in 2011. With Brent Pease added from Boise State as the new offensive co-ordinator, Muschamp hopes for a more high-powered offense. The key will be senior RB Mike Gillislee, who has struggled to get going in his Gator career due to Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. Gillislee separated himself in camp as a 3-down back, and he must deliver on the promise he has shown - Florida will need a strong running game to aid whoever wins the protracted QB battle.


Defence - DL Sharrif Floyd - The Gators rarely fail to bring in highly talented defensive line recruits, and Sharrif Floyd is one. He has not quite yet lived up to the talent Florida thought they were getting after signing him out of Pennsylvania, but he definitely has the ability to be another Gator first round lineman. Floyd must step up after the loss of former #1 recruit DE Robert Powell and put together a breakout year. Florida will move Floyd around along the line, and he must take advantage of the mismatches he will see. Expect a big year for this blue-chip talent.


Georgia
Offense - QB Aaron Murray - If Murray was just two inches taller we would be talking about a possible future #1 NFL Draft pick, as it is, at 6'1" NFL teams will need convincing his height will not affect him at the next level. His play in his two years as a starter for the Bulldogs should help alleviate those fears - he has arguably become the best quarterback in the SEC. In just two years he has thrown for over 6000 yards and 59 touchdowns in an offense that is considered a pro-style. His interception count is possibly a shade too high at 22, but Murray is a gunslinger, and the main reason this offense works, so he will take risks throwing into holes that aren't there. Murray should be great to watch again in 2012.


Defence - LB Jarvis Jones - Jones originally signed with USC, but they wouldn't clear him to play after he suffered a neck injury. So, he transferred home and the rest is history. After sitting out 2010, Jones burst onto the scene as a redshirt sophomore in 2011 to the tune of 70 tackles, 19.5 for loss, 13.5 sacks, and an incredible 26 QB hurries. Jones is an outstanding speed rusher off the edge for Georgia, and another top notch season will see him jump to the NFL, so watch him in college football while you can!


Kentucky
Offense - WR Demarco Robinson - Kentucky are, quite plainly, a bad football program who will always be overshadowed by their basketball counterparts, this will not change in 2012. There are a few bright spots though, and Demarco Robinson is one of them. The Wildcats never replaced the production of Randall Cobb properly after he graduated, but Robinson looks to be the guy who might. Robinson set state records in talent-rich Georgia at the wide receiver position, but he is under-sized at just 5'9" and 160lbs. The shifty sophomore had a great spring - topped off with 146 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game - and could be the x-factor in Kentucky's offense for this year.


Defence - LB Avery Williamson - Williamson has the unenviable task of replacing Danny Trevathan at middle linebacker, who was a veritable stats machine for the Kentucky defence (he led the team in tackles, interceptions, and sacks in 2011). With the linebacking corps decimated by graduation, Williamson will have to step into the role of a leader - he already has extensive playing experience despite not having started a game. I'm expecting a big year for the junior linebacker from Tennessee.


LSU
Offense - QB Zach Mettenberger - Mettenberger originally signed for the Georgia Bulldogs, in the same class as Georgia starter Aaron Murray. Mettenberger transferred out after being kicked off the team and became a junior college star for Butler County Community College. He then committed to LSU and will become their starter in his junior year. Mettenberger has great size (6'5", 230lbs) and a cannon for an arm. His physical tools alone make him intriguing, but it will be interesting to see how he will perform in a very run-centric attack on a team expected to challenge for the National Championship.


Defence - S Eric Reid - Whilst all of the focus is on CB Tyrann Mathieu and the beasts that populate LSU's defensive line, Eric Reid is quietly building a reputation as one of the nation's premier free safeties. At 6'2", 210lbs he has ideal size, and he made the plays in 2011 to back up his talent. Reid, a former 4-star recruit was joint first on the team in tackles with 76, whilst he also had two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He will go fairly unnoticed again in 2012, but his solid safety play is a key for the Tigers.


Mississippi
Offense - WR Donte Moncrief - Ole Miss were pretty anaemic on offense in 2011, but one bright spot was the play of true freshman Moncrief. He set a freshman record for Rebels receivers with 31 catches, which went for 454 yards and 4 touchdowns (he led the team in all three categories). At 6'2" he is a big target and should excel in new coach Hugh Freeze's spread offense.


Defence - LB CJ Johnson - Johnson originally came to Oxford as a 5-star linebacker recruit, and the jewel in the crown of the 2011 recruiting class. Although he saw extensive action as a true freshman, he was switched from linebacker to starting defensive end during 2011. He showed great ability at the position, and thus, Freeze has moved him to defensive end full time in 2012. He is speedy and athletic and, although he may be slightly under-sized, he should wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Johnson has the ability to be All-SEC.


Mississippi State
Offense - QB Tyler Russell - Russell is more of a typical pocket passer than previous quarterback Chris Relf, and the offense will be tweaked by Dan Mullen to reflect this. Whilst the offense will continue to rely on a decent rushing attack, Russell will still be required to air the ball out. He saw extensive time in 2011, his sophomore year, and was hardly impressive, although there were flashes of ability and a decent arm. Russell will have experienced targets in Arceto Clark and Chad Bumphis, and if he gets it right, he could be the best Bulldog passer in a long time.


Defence - CB Johnthan Banks - Banks does not get the coverage he deserves because he is playing in Starkville. The senior-to-be has 12 interceptions in his Bulldog career and is amongst the best cornerbacks playing in college football right now. He could have left after last year and been drafted, but family reasons meant he stayed to complete his eligibility with Mississippi State. At 6'2", 185lbs has he great size and length, he should have another stellar year and will be a contender for All-SEC honours. He will then move on to the NFL where he has a decent chance of being selected in the first round.


Missouri
Offense - QB James Franklin - Franklin will be the key to Missouri's ability to adjust to the SEC. If he performs as he did in 2011 Missouri will have a seamless transition. However, the dual-threat quarterback has been battling injuries all spring, and if he goes up against SEC defenses unsure of himself, he will get punished. Franklin was dynamic for the Tigers in '11, throwing for just under 3000 yards, whilst rushing for nearly 1000 on the ground. He was responsible for 36 touchdowns in total. Missouri will need to ride their QB to success in 2012, they must hope he is up to the task physically, and in terms of ability.


Defence - DT Sheldon Richardson - Richardson was a top 5 recruit in 2009, but he went to community college before eventually enrolling at Missouri. He had a decent year in 2011, but really needs to step his game up in 2012 to stand out in the crowd of unbelievably talented SEC defensive tackles. He needs to start using technique rather than his pure, although impressive, athleticism. He posted 37 tackles, 8 for a loss, and 2 sacks in 2011. Ideally, Missouri would like to see those numbers double, but I would expect a slight improvement in 2012 due to jump in competition he will face.


South Carolina
Offense - QB Connor Shaw - Shaw will finally be given the reigns of the South Carolina offense, and I expect him to have a decent season. He played very effectively when he took over in 2011 and offers a threat to run, as well as being a decent thrower. He does need to produce more consistently through the air, which will be made harder by the departure of Alshon Jeffery, but he will be helped by a strong running game with the return of RB Marcus Lattimore. It will be interesting to see how Shaw progresses in 2012.


Defence - DE JaDeveon Clowney - Clowney was the #1 ranked recruit in 2011 and he didn't fail to impress in his first season in Columbia. His 36 tackles, 12 for a loss, 8 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles were excellent output for a true freshman lineman in the SEC. This year Clowney has the potential to improve his reputation further, particularly with the excellent Devin Taylor causing havoc on the opposite side of the line. Clowney is definitely one to keep an eye on.


Tennessee
Offense - WR Justin Hunter - Hunter, in my opinion, is the most explosive receiver in the nation. In just three games last year he had 17 catches for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns at an incredible 18.47 yards per catch. With Da'Rick Rogers at the other WR spot defences have to decide which one to focus on, as both have the potential to break a game open. Hunter is a spectacular deep threat, and with his knee healed and a healthy Tyler Bray at quarterback he should finally put together a great season.


Defence - LB AJ Johnson - Johnson emerged as an outstanding linebacker for the Vols as a true freshman in 2011. He was second on the team in tackles with 80 and had 4.5 for loss. His performances earnt him freshman All-American hounours and he can only build on his outstanding first year in college football. At 6'3", 245lbs the outsider linebacker already has NFL size, and he must continue to set the tone on a young Vols team in 2011.


Texas A&M
Offense - RB Christine Michael - With a new starter at quarterback the Aggies will be relying on their ground game to get them going in their first season in the SEC. Senior RB Christine Michael will be the main ball-carrier for A&M. He was having an excellent season in 2011, until injury forced him out of the last 4 contests. He had 899 yards and 8 touchdowns, with a season-high performance of 230 yards and 3 touchdowns against Arkansas, in what was looking to be a breakout year for 5'10", 215lb star. He will be the key to Texas A&M's offense and ball control in 2012.


Defence - DE Damontre Moore & LB Sean Porter - Texas A&M have a pair of exciting defenders in Moore and Porter, who last season compiled 18 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss between them. The junior and senior will be playing DE and OLB as the Aggies shift to a 4-3 under Kevin Sumlin; hopefully they will be able to hold up in the new defensive scheme. These two will be incredibly instrumental as A&M must win the turnover battle this year, and pressure is the only way to do it. Not on the level of Von Miller, but two very exciting players.


Vanderbilt
Offense - QB Jordan Rodgers - He's not quite had the college career of his brother, Aaron, but Jordan Rodgers could really make a name for himself in 2012. An excellent dual-threat, who is a more accomplished runner than thrower, helped spark a Commodore offense that was dwindling before his introduction as starter. He must be better putting the ball in the air to utilise the talents of Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, as Vanderbilt's main problem was not being able to throw consistently, despite their excellent ground game. Hasn't got the starting role locked down, but should beat former Wyoming QB Austyn Carter-Samuels in the battle in summer.


Defence - DT Rob Lohr - Lohr is an underrated defensive tackle for the Commodores. He quietly put together a nice season in 2011, making 41 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks from the middle of Vanderbilt's line. His numbers have increased every year in the program and there is no reason to believe this trend will not continue in 2012. Lohr is one to watch on an average Commodore defence.