THE SEC Thread

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You say this like it's a bad thing.

 

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The SEC's deepest teams after spring practice

5. Auburn — Despite some key losses, the Tigers return plenty of veteran talent that’s elevated them to one of the favorites to win the SEC West this year. The defense will be buoyed by several key returnees — linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost decided to come back as seniors, while defensive end Carl Lawson is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Johnathan Ford and Jonathan Jones are back to anchor the secondary, while last year’s inexperienced talent on the defensive line has a year under their belts. On offense, Auburn has to replace much of its core, but there’s not much to worry about in the backfield with Jeremy Johnson, Jovon Robinson and Roc Thomas ready for the big time, while D’haquille Williams and Ricardo Louis are back out wide with a few incoming players to bolster their ranks. Replacing center Reese Dismukes is the greatest concern on that side of the ball, though.

4. LSU — Without its quarterback issues, LSU might be the favorite in the SEC West. The Tigers’ offensive line shuffle shows how deep and versatile that group is, as they’ll start new players at all five positions and likely not suffer any drop in performance. The receiving corps might be the best in the SEC, talent- and depth-wise, while the duo of Leonard Fournette and Darrel Williams will be supplemented by two very talented incoming freshmen. Switching to defense, Defensive Back U will be in full force once again, while the defensive line has plenty of young options under new coach Ed Orgeron. Linebacker might be the thinnest position on that side of the ball with just seven scholarship players, but all seven can really play.

3. Ole Miss — The Rebels may have the most talented team in school history this year, with as may as four potential 2016 NFL first-round picks on the roster. The talent doesn’t stop at the top, though. Ole Miss returns all five members of the offensive line as well as its top reserve lineman (although few were healthy this spring). It bolstered an already-strong receiving corps in recruiting, and several key players at other positions will return from injury. Despite losing two former All-Americans in the secondary, Ole Miss doesn’t expect any drop off thanks to several key additions and former backups stepping up into bigger roles. While quarterback is a concern, the Rebels have a couple of quality options to look to.

2. Georgia — The Bulldogs were spared the pain of several early exits to the NFL, with multiple key players deciding to return for their senior years, including standout linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd. The secondary only lost one starter, while the front seven adds far more talent than it lost from last year. On offense, Georgia has a historically deep backfield, with four players who could legitimately start anywhere in the SEC if healthy. While there’s still an ongoing quarterback battle, Mark Richt sounds confident in both Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta. The only concern on the team is at wide receiver, but with the way Georgia runs the ball that will be far from a devastating deficiency.

1. Alabama — When a team pulls in five straight top-ranked recruiting classes, it will naturally settle in near the top of a list like this one. The backfield is perhaps the shallowest position on the team thanks to losing three players to injury, dismissal and transfer, but it still features a Heisman candidate in Derrick Henry and several other versatile weapons. Both quarterback and receiver are low on experience, but the depth chart is populated with former four- and five-star recruits. The same goes for the offensive line, where several former touted recruits step up to supplement stars Ryan Kelly and Cam Robinson. The defensive secondary is a bit thin on experience, although not for talent — Eddie Jackson will help shore up the safety rotation, as should early enrollee freshman Ronnie Harrison. The cornerback rotation has two five-star signees from the 2014 class ready to step up as well, while the front seven is as loaded as ever.

 

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Reports: J.C. Jackson won't be back with Florida | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo Sports

 

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What's the point of the kyle field upgrade. Luxury boxes being added?

Yeah, updating the press box and everything.

PHOTOS: Updating the SEC's stadium renovations

 

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Reports: J.C. Jackson won't be back with Florida | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo Sports

Auburn is on the clock.....

 

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Alabama, Florida wedding cake: Couple pranks each other - Extra Mustard - SI.com

 

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That's actually pretty impressive.

 

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Speedy Noil back in good graces with Texas A&M - SEC Blog - ESPN

Noil, a rising sophomore, spent the latter part of spring practice away from the team for unspecified reasons, but Sumlin said during Tuesday's SEC Western Division coaches' teleconference that Noil will return to the team and take part in workouts and team activities once he gets back from A&M's short break from classes.

 

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ESPN: SEC teams among those returning most draft-eligible talent

Here’s the full list according to Travis Haney:

1. Ohio State
2. Ole Miss
3. Alabama
4. TCU
5. USC

Others: Michigan State, Auburn, Baylor

There are a few other SEC programs to consider, though, the first of which should’ve made the list. Here they are, along with a few potential high-round picks for 2016:

• LSU (Jalen Mills, Vadal Alexander, Travin Dural and Tre’Davious White)
• Georgia (Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd)
• Arkansas (Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins)
• Mississippi State (Chris Jones, Dak Prescott)

 

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Alabamas Post-Spring Review: Secondary Poised To Thrive Under Mel Tucker - Roll 'Bama Roll

 

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Nick Saban expects all Alabama football signees to make it | College recruiting blog

 

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Georgia Tech and Tennessee expected to play in 2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff | CollegeFootballTalk

One of the biggest games to open the college football season has been the Chick-fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta, and Georgia Tech may be getting ready to make its first appearance in the game in its own backyard. Georgia Tech and Tennessee are the rumored participants for the 2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, and an official announcement could be made in the coming weeks.

Georgia Tech athletics director Mike Bobinski told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week he is optimistic the Yellow Jackets will get the long-awaited opportunity to play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, just as soon as some of the scheduling details can be sorted with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. The 2017 edition of the game is expected to be played in the new stadium for the Falcons, and not the Georgia Dome.

 

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Hope it happens, don't believe I've ever seen Tennessee play GT.

 

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Georgia WR Blake Tibbs to transfer | CollegeFootballTalk

Georgia wide receiver Blake Tibbs will leave the team and seek a transfer. Asked by Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Chip Towers if he was indeed leaving, Tibbs offered the perfectly succinct quote, “Yep.”

He then expanded his reasoning, saying, “I don’t have any comment right now. I’ll let you know when everything gets worked out. I’ve got a lot to get settled right now.”

 

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Florida Gators lose QB Mornhinweg to Ivy League | CollegeFootballTalk

Florida head coach Jim McElwain announced on a conference call Wednesday morning that quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg has transferred to Columbia, of the Ivy League. This leaves the Gators with just two scholarship quarterbacks in 2015. Earlier this offseason Jeff Driskeltransferred to Louisiana Tech. Will Grier and Treon Harris were each Class of 2014 recruits and now represent the only scholarship players under center on Florida’s depth chart. Harris was the only one of the two to see any playing time in 2014, appearing in nine games and completing 49.5 percent of his pass attempts for 1,109 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

 

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Post-spring strengths and weaknesses: Florida

 

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Kid who got in to every Ivy League school is going to the University of Alabama - and it's a brilliant decision | Business Insider India

 

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Checkerboard? Bitches stole our idea.