SEC 2016 by The Eagle Advertising Department

SEC 2016

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A&M’s offense gets a new look Team previews and schedules Expert predictions and analysis

STANDING TALL Myles Garrett and Trevor Knight lead the charge for the Aggies

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The Eagle theeagle.com • aggiesports.com myaggienation.com CRYSTAL DUPRÉ

ROB CLARK

publisher

projects editor

KELLY BROWN

ROBERT CESSNA

editor

executive sports editor

SEAN LEWIS sales director

LINDA BRINKMAN advertising manager

JOSHUA SIEGEL designer

CONTRIBUTORS: Richard Croome, Travis L. Brown

ON THE COVER

COLUMN

Cessna: With change comes optimism for upcoming season.

Myles Garrett and Trevor Knight at Kyle Field. Eagle photo by Timothy Hurst.

TEXAS A&M

SEC PREVIEWS

FEATURES

The QB carousel ends: Oklahoma

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Expert predictions: National writ-

transfer Trevor Knight steps in to provide leadership for the Aggies. . . 6

A fresh look on offense: New of-

fensive coordinator Noel Mazzone looks to add more rushing power to the spread-offense mix. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Star power: Defensive end Myles

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Auburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 LSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Mississippi State . . . . . . . . . . 24 Ole Miss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Texas A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Garrett aims to be known as one of A&M’s all-time greats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Strength in numbers: Defensive co-

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

ordinator John Chavis has the Aggie defense on the rise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

New coaches, new voices: Mazzone,

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Jim Turner and David Turner bring valuable experience to A&M’s staff. 14

By the numbers: Some of A&M’s

most impressive numbers from the 2015 season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 4

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Vanderbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

ers share their expectations on the season for A&M and the rest of the SEC. .............................................36 SEC All-Name Team: From Devin

Dingle to Prince Micheal Sammons. ....................................42 Mix Tape: Songs in the key of the

SEC. .............................................44

Knight Life: Trevor Knight tackles the

Knight Power Rankings, including Bobby, Gladys and Ted. ................ 46

The Good Dinosaurs: Noted enthusiast Myles Garrett rates the top five prehistoric beasts. ............................ 47 College Football Horoscopes: Gaze

into the crystal ball for some mystical season predictions. ........... 49

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“

Sumlin has managed to walk away from that mess with a great audible. — Robert Cessna

AP photo

Sumlin may have strongest staff yet Offense could see boost similar to last year’s defense

t took two years of renovations to make Kyle Field one of the nation’s best. Aggie fans are hopeful Kevin Sumlin’s moves over the past two years will do the same for the Texas A&M football program. A&M thought it was ready for the Southeastern Conference after going 20-6 in its first two seasons in the league. Back-to-back 8-5 records, including 7-9 in SEC play, showed otherwise. And while reliving A&M’s 29-24 victory at Alabama in 2012 never gets old, the Aggie program is four years older but no closer to winning a conference championship than when it left the Big 12. In the last 18 games, A&M has a 7-11 SEC record. It’s the struggle many Aggies expected when they joined the conference, but not four years later. Sumlin, to his credit, hasn’t stood still. He’s taken action. The current group of assistant coaches should be his best staff at A&M, a bold statement considering three assistants from the 2012 team are now head coaches — offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech), special teams coach Brian Polian (Nevada) and wide receivers coach David Beaty (Kansas). The 2016 staff might not have a future Power Five conference head coach in the bunch, but what it does have are assistants who know what it takes to win in the SEC.

ROBERT CESSNA Eagle sports editor A&M’s staff has a combined 90 years of SEC experience, including four by Sumlin, which are the most important ones. He’s moved forward, sometimes through trial and error. Hiring Dave Christensen as offensive line coach and running game coordinator a year ago sure seemed like a great move. But Christensen and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital weren’t a winning combination. Far from it. Both are now gone, and A&M’s offensive gameplanning, coaching and in-game adjustments will be vastly improved with offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and line coach Jim Turner. Mazzone’s resume shows he’s smart enough to lean on the run when he’s got the offensive line and backs to do it. The new additions should improve the offense the way the defense did an about face last year. That unit now has a chance to be special, and not just because it’s the second year in John Chavis’ system. A&M was able to add veteran defensive line coach David Turner, who will tutor the young inside linemen. He and ends coach Terry Price have 37 years of SEC experience. It should

be a fun season in the defensive coaching room as they devise ways to use all that talent, led by ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall and backs Justin Evans, Donovan Wilson and Armani Watts. Of the likely starters, 16 will be upperclassmen, and the list of Aggies with the potential to play in the NFL is long. A year ago, quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray would have been included on that list. They each were advertised as the next great Aggie quarterback, but transferred after the regular season. They didn’t realize their potential at A&M because of their immaturity, which might also have been a coaching problem. Sumlin has managed to walk away from that mess with a great audible. He not only hired a coordinator who has a history of adapting his offense to a quarterback’s strengths, but he might have landed the country’s most mature quarterback in Trevor Knight, who has helped unite the locker room in a short time span. It might be a reach to think Knight can lead A&M to a 10-win season, but it’s now a possibility. That wasn’t realistic on the heels of A&M’s 27-21 loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl. • Robert Cessna’s email address is robert.cessna@ theeagle.com.

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KNIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALE

Quarterback comes home for final season 6

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“

I’ve got one go-around at it. I got a last year to play.

Eagle photo by Timothy Hurst By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

exas A&M needed a quarterback. Trevor Knight needed a team. And thanks to the NCAA’s senior graduate transfer rule, it’s been a blissful union that has grown stronger by the day. Knight, who started 15 games at Oklahoma, takes over a team that has 12 returning starters. And though Knight has yet to play a down for the Aggies, he’s earned his teammates’ trust that things are going to be different. “A confident leader as a quarterback, that is what we needed,” junior All-America defensive end Myles Garrett said at the Southeastern Conference Media Days in July. “He has shown that he can play with anybody, and showed that he is a great person as well as a great leader from this year and what he has done this summer. We’re going to try to follow it, and we’re going to need him.” Knight went from most valuable player in a 45-31 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl as a redshirt freshman to a glorified cheerleader last season, throwing only 40 passes while Baker Mayfield quarterbacked the Sooners into the College Football Playoff. A&M affords Knight the chance to end his collegiate career on a high note. “I’ve got one go-around at it,” Knight said. “I got a

AP photo As a freshman at Oklahoma, Trevor Knight led the Sooners to an upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. last year to play. It was a unique balance of stepping in and not acting like you’re the guy right away, but also realizing you’ve got only a year to do this. You’ve got to make your way up to that level pretty quickly.” Knight performed so well in spring drills that he was named the Aggies’ starter. So there will be no quarterback controversies heading into the season. “It was pretty simple,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “He earned it.” A&M hasn’t had a senior starter at quarterback since Ryan Tannehill in 2011. Knight gives instant stability to a position that often was in turmoil last season. Returning starter Kyle Allen was benched

halfway through the season but returned to start the last two games. Allen announced he was transferring before A&M’s bowl game, as did then-freshman backup Kyler Murray. Knight is a big believer in team chemistry, saying that he was one of Mayfield’s biggest backers a year ago. At A&M, there were reports last season that the locker room was divided. That’s something that doesn’t appear to be an issue this year. “I’m a huge believer in the culture,” Knight said. “I think Xs and Os are extremely important, but I think if you have a great culture then you’re going to be successful, and that’s not just in football — that’s in any organization. My whole goal is to come in and not just provide stability but just be the guy that I am and be the leader that I am, and get that culture to where everybody is moving in the right direction.” Knight, who originally committed to sign with A&M while attending San Antonio Reagan, called A&M when he decided to leave OU. Sumlin told Knight he didn’t need a quarterback at the time, which was before Allen and Murray transferred. Everything has fallen in place thereafter, and Knight has been going full throttle since. “It’s just unbelievable that I was able to walk in, and these guys just accepted me like I was one of their own,” Knight said. “I feel like I’ve been there for four years already just because it feels like a family atmosphere.”

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Receivers Josh Reynolds (left) and Christian Kirk lead a strong group returning at receiver under new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.

Eagle photo by Sam Craft

Mazzone gives offense its identity Spread scheme aims to improve A&M’s run game By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

very offensive coordinator says he strives for balance, and caters play-calling to personnel and the defense. Texas A&M’s Noel Mazzone has the resume to prove it. A&M’s first-year coordinator has been a disciple of the spread offense for more than three decades, but he’s always valued running the ball. “The misnomer to me about spread offenses is that it’s to throw the football,” said Mazzone during spring drills. “We’re kind of a little bit different. We like to run the football.” Mazzone has been an offensive coordinator 17 seasons, all in Power 5 conferences, and he’s run the ball 52.5 percent of the time. He’s leaned on the pass when he’s had powerful quarterbacks, such as North Carolina State’s Philip Rivers (4,491 yards passing in 2003), Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler (4,036 yards in 2011), UCLA’s Brett Hundley (3,720 yards in 2012), UCLA’s Josh Rosen (3,669 yards in 2015) and Oregon State’s Derek Anderson (3,313 yards in 2002). But he’s also had seven 1,000-yard rushers, the first being Ole Miss’ Deuce McAllister back in 1998.

Mazzone and Sumlin believe in a one-back alignment as the base, getting the ball to the playmakers, and doing it with tempo. “He’s a guy I’ve known for a number of years, and worked with,” said Sumlin, who was the wide receivers coach at the University of Minnesota in 1993 and 1994 when Mazzone was the quarterbacks coach. “He does a lot of different things that gives us an opportunity philosophically to be on the same page.” Mazzone inherits six returning starters, four of them wide receivers. A&M graduated 1,000-yard rusher Tra Carson, but junior transfer Keith Ford from Oklahoma helps make the position the deepest in Sumlin’s five seasons. Another OU transfer, senior Trevor Knight, fills a void at quarterback after last season’s starters, Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray, transferred. “The offense is pretty simplistic, it’s not anything over the top,” Knight said. “It’s kind of a spread with a little bit of other stuff mixed in with it, so it’s not too difficult to understand. And it’s all stuff that I’ve run before, so that’s really comforting coming in as the new guy.” Aggies are hopeful Mazzone can jump-start a sputtering offense that slipped to 424.7 yards per

game to rank 50th in the country, the lowest in Sumlin’s tenure. Sumlin and Knight both say Mazzone caters the offense to the quarterbacks’ strengths: “He’s not trying to fit a square peg in a round hole,” Sumlin said. A&M worked hard on improving the running game in spring drills. A&M averaged 169.1 yards per game last season to rank 66th, an improvement from 149.9 and 82nd the previous season. But the Aggies averaged only 4.35 yards per carry, a drop from 4.63, despite having a veteran line. “I think we’re going to be more multiple in what we’re doing offensively in the running game,” said Sumlin, who added there’s nothing that Mazzone hasn’t seen, which has already paid off in the quarterbacks’ room. “He’s a very relaxed coach, a very even-keeled coach, also very detailed,” Knight said. “When you’re up on the board drawing, he’ll point out things you wouldn’t even think you’re doing wrong, but he just wants to be very detailed about it.” The greatest change Mazzone could bring to the offense might not be measured in yards or points, but attitude. “His confidence level, I think that’s contagious,” Sumlin said.

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NO CEILING

Myles Garrett continues to make his mark 10

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“

I want to be one of the best that’s come through A&M. Eagle photo by Timothy Hurst

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com

ate in the first half of last season’s game at Ole Miss, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett was given a free pass to the quarterback. The play materialized into a screen pass toward Garrett’s side of the field. Instead of continuing his rush to quarterback Chad Kelly, the 6-foot-5, 262-pound end launched himself into the air, tipping the ball overhead. The ball floated gently into Garrett’s arms for the lone interception of his career, and created a one-play video resume for his athletic ability. “I’ve played with a lot of great players and played against a lot of great players, but there really is only one Myles Garrett,” A&M quarterback Trevor Knight said. “The things he does off the edge, the way he bends his body, his explosiveness off the ball and his playmaking ability is second to none.” Garrett has already claimed a spot in the A&M record books, sitting 10th in career sacks with 23. That included a freshman season in which Garrett was slowed due to injury and played in 12 of 13 games. The injury was Garrett’s only regret so far in his collegiate career, he said. “I wish I could have done better my freshman year,” Garrett said. “If I didn’t get injured, I could have kept on improving.”

His sophomore year topped all that, with 12.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles, along with that interception against Ole Miss. Garrett earned first-team All-America nods from the Walter Camp Football Foundation as well as the Football Writers Association of America, and made the All-SEC first team. He finished as a finalist for the Lombardi Award, given to the best lineman or linebacker in the country, and the Ted Hendricks Award, honoring the nation’s best defensive end. Yet Garrett spoke at SEC Media Days about areas of improvement for his junior year, mentioning his run defense and “getting off the edge.” “I know my coaches tell me I could get better at that, and I have been working on that for the last two years,” he said. “It was tough the first year, knowing that I was injured, knowing that I had to lean to one side. I had a good year under my belt where I didn’t have any real injuries, so I have a good strength and conditioning under my belt. I can get another fall camp in and I can improve during that, and hopefully get better to go against great opponents.”

With his body of work, Garrett has the opportunity to hear his name called early in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a consensus top-five pick in most waytoo-early mock drafts. Garrett said he is asked about the NFL and his future prospects at least twice a day by those around him. Each time, he says that’s a decision to be made in the future. Meanwhile, there are more immediate goals, like the prospects of an improved Aggie team this year, and gaining more ground in the A&M record books. The all-time sack leader, Aaron Wallace (1986-89), had just 19 more than Garrett has in two years. “I want to be one of the best that’s come through A&M,” Garrett said.

AP photo

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AP photo The duo of Daeshon Hall and Myles Garrett recorded 19½ of the Aggies’ 34 sacks in 2015. Hall recorded four sacks in the season opener against Arizona State last year.

Pass rush powers Aggie defense A&M returns outstanding edge players in Garrett, Hall By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com

fter the 2014 season, the Texas A&M defense was close to rock bottom, ranking just 104th in total defense out of 128 teams. Enter defensive guru John Chavis, hired away from LSU to serve as coordinator and savior of a defense in need of repair. There was improvement in year one, along with some growing pains. Chavis said he expects the defense to reap the benefits of the growth. “I think they understand what we’re doing,” he said in the spring. “Certainly, you look for the biggest improvement in the second year in the system now. They understand it.” The basic implementation of Chavis’ 4-3 system provided a boost to the Aggie pass defense. In 2014, A&M finished No. 88 in the FBS in passing yards allowed, with opponents posting 3,052 on the Aggies. Last season, A&M vaulted to No. 6 in the FBS, allowing a total of 2,162. The Aggies must replace two cornerbacks that moved on to the NFL — De’Vante Harris, who signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, and Brandon Williams, taken in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals. But A&M returns arguably the strongest pass rush in the country with defensive end tandem

Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. Garrett earned All-America status last season, and entered the record books by tying Damontre Moore (2012) for the sixth-best season sack total at 121/2. On the other end, Hall started the season off in overdrive, collecting four sacks against Arizona State in the opener, which tied four other players ( Jacob Green, Ray Childress and John Roper, who did it twice) for the second-highest single-game total in A&M history. “Probably the best thing that happened to Myles Garrett last year was Daeshon Hall’s performance against Arizona State,” A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “The first game where people said, ‘We need to block this guy, too, because he had four sacks.’” A&M returns its leader in tackles, safety Armani Watts, who made 126 total stops, 45 more than runner-up Shaan Washington. Another bright spot was nickel back Donovan Wilson, who collected a team-high five interceptions. That included a 60yard pick-six against South Carolina. Playing the run, however, is how the Aggies earned their 51st rank in total defense. A&M finished No. 107 in rushing defense after allowing 213.3 yards per game. That includes allowing more than 300 yards rushing twice, in the 26-10 loss to Auburn and the 27-21 loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl.

Expectations are high for sophomore tackle Daylon Mack, who has the speed to get into the backfield and disrupt handoffs, as he showed in huge tackles for losses against Nevada and Arizona State. Mack should see more playing time after dropping his weight, which Sumlin said went from 340 pounds to 313 over the offseason. The run responsibility will likely fall on the shoulders of the Aggie linebacking corps. Injuries plagued the unit that already struggled with depth a year ago. Washington was one of the lone consistencies, recording 81 tackles. And A&M will have Otaro Alaka back at full strength. He missed fall camp last year while with his family, helping his father recover from a stroke. He then received a medical redshirt after sustaining a season-ending injury three games into the season. “He’s bigger and stronger,” Sumlin said. “He’s in the 240-some level. He’s obviously a talented guy that can run and do a lot of things.” Sumlin said the linebackers will be interchangeable among the three positions. Should they find a fit, he said that the Aggies can be a top-15 defense. “That second level of defense can really, really help us, and that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Our front is going to be good. Our back end is going to be good. If our linebackers continue to improve, we’re going to have a pretty good defense.”

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New assistants come with experience Sumlin’s hires have him excited for upcoming season By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

xperience has taught Kevin Sumlin to value veteran assistants, especially those who have coached in the Southeastern Conference. John Chavis, an SEC defensive coordinator for two decades, paid immediate dividends last season, drastically improving a unit that was considered among the nation’s worst. Sumlin is hopeful for similar results after adding offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, offensive line coach Jim Turner and defensive tackles coach David Turner. “[This] has given us without a doubt, the most experienced staff that we’ve had since I’ve been there, and one that also recognizes from their background what the SEC is all about,” Sumlin said at SEC Media Days. Mazzone was an offensive coordinator for eight seasons in the SEC at Ole Miss and Auburn. He spent the past four seasons at UCLA,

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[This] has given us, without a doubt, the most experienced staff that we’ve had since I’ve been there …

— Kevin Sumlin

where he worked with veteran quarterback Brett Hundley, and then last season helped freshman Josh Rosen set several school records and earn PAC 12 freshman of the year honors. UCLA also had a 1,000-yard rusher in three of Mazzone’s four

seasons, including a school-record 1,734 yards by Jonathan Franklin in 2012. A&M’s running game is the offense’s biggest question mark, which is one of the reasons why Sumlin brought in Turner and Mazzone. “We got great talent at the wide receiver position, everybody knows that,” Sumlin said. “We got to run the ball better.” Jim Turner hasn’t coached in the SEC, but has been at A&M, serving as offensive line coach from 2008 to 2011 under former coach Mike Sherman. “I think it’s different because he was here before,” Sumlin said of Jim Turner. “He understands Texas A&M. Him coming back gives instant credibility to our place because of the number of guys he recruited.” Current NFL players Jarvis Harrison, Luke Joeckel, Patrick Lewis, Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi were signed and tutored during Turner’s first stint. Those players started A&M’s run of having an offensive lineman taken in the first

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NOEL MAZZONE

JIM TURNER

DAVID TURNER

17 seasons as an offensive coordinator

A&M’s offensive line coach from 2008 to 2011

Coached at Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt

Coached Aggies Jarvis Harrison, Luke Joeckel, Patrick Lewis, Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi, all now in the NFL

Coached current NFL players Josh Boyd, Fletcher Cox, Kyle Love and Pernell McPhee

Worked with quarterbacks Jason Campbell, Brett Hundley, Brock Osweiler, Philip Rivers and Kelly Stouffer Wide receivers coach of the New York Jets from 2006 to 2008 Quarterbacks coach at Minnesota in 1993-1994, when Kevin Sumlin was wide receivers coach

round of the NFL Draft four straight years. This time, Turner spent the spring molding a unit that returns only two starters, and he also landed five pledges for 2017, led by 6-foot-5, 295-pound Grayson Reed of Cypress Creek, a four-star recruit by rivals.com. “I love the challenge of building,” Turner said during spring drills. “The linemen I inherited, I’ll treat those kids like they’re my sons. I didn’t recruit them, but they’re my responsibility and I will get the most out of these players.” Turner’s return hit a snag in July. He and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jeff Banks were suspended for two weeks without pay after displaying a slideshow that included sexually inappropriate terms during a “Chalk Talk for Women” benefit function. The fallout included a statement by A&M President Michael K. Young, saying he was “dismayed, disappointed and angry”about the matter. Turner also found controversy while coaching with the Miami Dolphins in 2014, and was fired after an independent investigation of bullying in the locker room. On defense, the line is a team strength led by veteran ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. Sumlin added David Turner from Mississippi State

Miami Dolphins assistant (2012-2014)

Mississippi State last season had a school-record 98 tackles for loss

15 seasons as a college assistant coach, including stops at Boston College, Temple, Harvard, Louisiana Tech and the University of Delaware

to tutor talented young tackles including sophomores Daylon Mack and Kingsley Keke. “We have a rotation, a two-deep, that’s going to be, talent-wise, as good as anybody in this league,” Sumlin said. Turner has been an assistant for 17 seasons in the league with stops at Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. His defensive line helped Mississippi State get more than 180 tackles for loss in the past two seasons, including 68 sacks. Turner had been promoted in January to assistant head coach, before leaving for Aggieland in February. “He’s done a great job and he did a great job at Mississippi State with a number of guys who ended up and are in the NFL,” Sumlin said. “He’s a great addition for us.” The new assistants and the returning coaches

will try to reverse the path of the past two seasons, when the Aggies started 5-0 and reached the Top 10, only to fade in the teeth of SEC play. Sumlin spent the offseason telling anyone who would listen that he liked where his team was, and the three new coaches were a big part of his optimism.

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Crunching the numbers

A look at notable stats from last season and records within reach

Kevin Sumlin’s wins over AP Top 25 teams in his first four years at A&M. That is one behind Jackie Sherrill’s 10 Top 25 wins from 1984 to 1987.

C. KIRK (1,0

J. R E

cumulative attendance number for Kyle Field in 2015

ONES (560) LS-J

725,354

tackles by Armani Watts, the most since Jaxson Appel’s 135 in 2003

Receiving yards combined by Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil

(907) S D OL

2,702

S. NO (226 IL )

126

09)

A SE

Myles Garrett’s sacks in two years, 19 behind Aaron Wallace’s career record of 42

1,789 All-purpose yards by Christian Kirk, second all-time behind Cyrus Gray’s 1,806 in 2010

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interceptions by Donovan Wilson, tied for the most in a season since Aaron Glenn nabbed six in 1992

Chad Kelly QB • Ole Miss

Myles Garrett DL • Texas A&M

Deatrich Wise Jr. DL • Arkansas

Nick Chubb RB • Georgia

Joshua Dobbs QB • Tennessee

Stanley “Boom” Williams RB • Kentucky

TEAM PREVIEWS

Calvin Ridley WR • Alabama

Leonard Fournette RB • LSU

Robert Cessna and Richard Croome tackle the Southeastern Conference along with schedules, key players, coach and player quotes • P. 21-35

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ALABAMA

HEAD COACH: NICK SABAN (191 wins, 60 losses, 1 tie; 100-18 in nine seasons at Alabama) STADIUM: BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM, TUSCALOOSA, ALA. (101,821)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Reloaded Tide aims high with new faces on staff Saban deals with more coaching turnover

t was a typical offseason for Alabama’s Nick Saban in many ways. He heads into the season without a starting quarterback. He has to replace seven players who were taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Despite those obstacles, Crimson Tide fans expect another national championship, which would be Saban’s fifth in eight years. But Saban has to deal with a new obstacle: revamping his staff. Kirby Smart, the defensive coordinator for those four championships, is now Georgia’s head coach. Smart’s defensive coordinator is Mel Tucker, who had been assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for Saban. Alabama also had defensive line coach Bo Davis resign amid possible recruiting violations. Saban hired longtime NFL assistant Karl Dunbar as defensive line coach and Kentucky assistant Derrick Ansley — a former Alabama grad assistant — as defensive backs

O.J. HOWARD tight end WR Calvin Ridley (89 receptions, 1,045 yards, 7 TDs), DL Jonathan Allen (36 tackles, 12 sacks), LB Reuben Foster (73 tackles, 8 TFL, 9 PBU), OT Cam Robinson (29 games, 29 starts), DB Eddie Jackson (46 tackles, 6 INTs), TE O.J. Howard (38 receptions, 602 yards, 2 TDs), DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (45 tackles, 11 PBU), LB Tim Williams (19 tackles, 10.5 sacks), OG Alphonse Taylor (35 games, 17 starts), DB Marlon Humphrey (45 tackles, 8 PBU).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. USC

AT&T Stadium, Arlington

9/10 vs. Western Kentucky Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/17 at Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/24 vs. Kent State

Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/1 vs. Kentucky

Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/8 at Arkansas

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

10/15 at Tennessee

Neyland Stadium

10/22 vs. Texas A&M

Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/5 at LSU

Tiger Stadium

11/12 vs. Mississippi State Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/19 vs. Chattanooga

Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/26 vs. Auburn

Bryant-Denny Stadium

coach. The new defensive coordinator is Jeremy Pruitt, who also started as a grad assistant at Alabama in 1997, and was on Saban’s staff from 2007 to 2012. “He did a great job the five, six

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING [O.J. Howard] has got great hands. He’s got speed to stretch the field. He can make the tough catch. He can separate from man to man. So, he has been an effective receiver, one that we probably, as we talked about before, need to use more, because of his ability to make plays. Nick Saban, head coach

I’ve seen a lot of hunger in this team. The biggest thing at Alabama is that if you don’t have hunger then you’re not going to start this year. Jonathan Allen, senior defensive lineman

years he was with us,” said Saban on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “And he proved himself when he went out on his own at Florida State and Georgia. He’s a very capable coordinator.” The Crimson Tide returns a pair of All-SEC defenders in safety Eddie Jackson and end Jonathan Allen. And defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey were AllSEC freshman team selections. Alabama is inexperienced at quarterback, and has to replace Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry. But wide receiver Calvin Ridley is a game-breaker, and veteran offensive linemen Cam Robinson, Alphonse Taylor and Ross Pierschbacker have combined for 61 career starts. So the offense has a chance to be more productive than the 427.1 yards per game it averaged last season under coordinator Lane Kiffin.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 14-1 8-1 1 1 BOWL: 45-40 win, Clemson, National Championship

2014 12-2 8-1

BOWL: 42-35 loss, Ohio State, Sugar

2013 11-2 7-1

BOWL: 45-31 loss, Oklahoma, Sugar

2012 13-1 7-1

BOWL: 42-14 win, Notre Dame, National Championship

NUMBER TO KNOW

For the first time in eight seasons, Alabama does not return a back who rushed for at least 674 yards.

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ARKANSAS

HEAD COACH: BRET BIELEMA (86 wins, 44 losses; 18-20 in three seasons at Arkansas) STADIUM: D.W.R. RAZORBACK STADIUM, FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (72,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Razorbacks continue grind with steady gains Arkansas looks to take another step forward

one is veteran quarterback Brandon Allen, who blossomed in his senior season with 3,440 yards and 30 touchdowns. Also gone is his favorite target, All-America tight end Hunter Henry, along with 1,000-yard rushers Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. Yet Bret Bielema says he thinks his offense will be just fine. And if it’s not, the Razorbacks’ defense might be good enough to cover any possible shortcomings by the offense. That’s because the Razorbacks return nine defensive starters. “You can’t replace experience, and you can’t have enough of that, and we definitely have a lot,” Bielema said on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “We have great defensive line depth, we have more adequate linebacker depth than we’ve ever had, and [defensive backs] as well. I am excited to see that unit. I think we’ve gotten better every game defensively since I’ve been here.”

DAN SKIPPER offensive lineman WR Drew Morgan (63 receptions, 843 yards, 10 TDs), OT Dan Skipper (38 games, 34 starts), DE Tevin Beanum (30 tackles, 7 TFL), DT Taiwan Johnson (28 tackles, 5 TFL), DE Jeremiah Ledbetter (55 tackles, 7.5 TFL), LB Brooks Ellis (102 tackles, 8 TFL), LB Dre Greenlaw (95 tackles), CB Jared Collins (44 tackles, 9 PBU), DB DJ Dean (35 tackles), S Josh Liddell (52 tackles).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. Louisiana Tech

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

9/10 at TCU

Amon G. Carter Stadium

9/17 vs. Texas State

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

9/24 vs. Texas A&M

AT&T Stadium, Arlington

10/1 vs. Alcorn State

War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Ark.

10/8 vs. Alabama

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

10/15 vs. Ole Miss

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

10/22 at Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/5 vs. Florida

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

11/12 vs. LSU

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

11/19 at Mississippi State Davis-Wade Stadium

11/25 at Missouri Faurot Field

Arkansas last season allowed 391.6 yards per game to rank 58th in the country. It could have been better if the Razorbacks had played a lick of pass defense, allowing

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING So we went 0-8, 2-6 and last year to go 5-3, I look at the three losses and realize we lost in overtime to A&M, lost a heartbreaker on a game-winning field goal against Mississippi State … I realized we’re getting really close to where we want to be. Bret Bielema, head coach

We can’t overlook anybody, and we have to take each game one game at a time. We can’t look past any team and think about who we have next week. We have to have the one-game mindset and take games one game at a time. Jeremy Sprinkle, senior tight end

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

275.2 yards per game. which ranked 116th. Arkansas hired former Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads as defensive backs coach. Last season, the offense led the way. Arkansas had road victories at Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU en route to an 8-5 season. That was capped by a 45-23 victory over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. Besides losing Allen, Collins and Henry, Arkansas also lost two starting offensive linemen. Arkansas does return all its best wide receivers, and senior offensive tackle Dan Skipper earned second-team All-SEC honors last season. The quarterback is new, but the name isn’t: Austin Allen, brother of Brandon, takes over. And no matter who is passing, blocking or catching, Bielema is positive about the running game. Veterans Kody Walker and Rawleigh Williams will have to prove they can avoid injuries, while Devwah Whaley and T.J Hammonds are talented but unproven freshmen.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 8-5 5-3 NR NR BOWL: 45-23 win, Kansas State, Liberty

2014 7-6 2-6

BOWL: 31-7 win, Texas, Texas Bowl

2013 3-9 0-8

BOWL: Did not qualify

2012 4-8 2-6 BOWL: Did not qualify

NUMBER TO KNOW

Under Bret Bielema, Arkansas has been in the top-five in the SEC in rushing yards per game every year.

AUBURN

HEAD COACH: GUS MALZAHN (36 wins, 16 losses; 27-13 in three seasons at Auburn) • STADIUM: JORDAN-HARE STADIUM, AUBURN, ALA. (87,451)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Tigers look to rebound from disappointing ’15 Malzahn brings more focused approach

us Malzahn says Auburn didn’t win more games last season because he spent too much time being a CEO and not enough time doing what he does best, which is coaching. So that’s going to change. The Tigers were 7-6, including a 2-6 Southeastern Conference record to finish last in the West division. Auburn scored 19 points or less four times last season. “Last year wasn’t up to our standards,” Malzahn said on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference. “You evaluate things as a head coach and you try not to make the same mistakes. It was a learning experience.” So the offensive-minded Malzahn is going back to the approach that allowed him to lead Auburn into the national championship game in his first season. “Sometimes you get distracted

CARL LAWSON defensive lineman

KEY PLAYERS OG Alex Kozan (27 games, 27 starts), DE Carl Lawson (17 tackles, 11 QB pressures), OG Braden Smith (26 games, 14 starts), S Johnathan Ford (118 tackles), C Austin Golson (23 games, 11 starts), CB Carlton Davis (56 tackles, 8 PBU), DT Montravius Adams (44 tackles, 6 QB pressures), PK Daniel Carlson (23 FGs), QB Jeremy Johnson (95of-157, 1,054 yards, 10 TDs, 7 INTs).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. Clemson

Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/10 vs. Arkansas State Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/17 vs. Texas A&M

Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/24 vs. LSU

Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/1 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/8 at Mississippi State Davis-Wade Stadium

10/22 vs. Arkansas

Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/29 at Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/5 vs. Vanderbilt

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/12 at Georgia

Sanford Stadium

11/19 vs. Alabama A&M

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/26 at Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium

with other things, and I think the easiest way to answer that is I’m not going to be distracted with the other things when the season gets here, and I’m going to coach

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING You know, when I look at last year, really the thing that stands out to me is we lost close games. In this league, you’re going to have a lot of close games. The two previous years, we were one of the best in the country at winning close games. And we had opportunities. Gus Malzahn, head coach

Me and Carl [Lawson] have known each other since 11th grade. We played in the junior bowl together and we were roommates then. We stayed right beside each other … that just made us be closer as players. That’s why we’re always together. We learn from each other. Montravius Adams, senior defensive lineman

football,” Malzahn said. Auburn doesn’t return a skill player who made the coaches’ All-SEC first or second team. Auburn also doesn’t have an established quarterback. Junior college transfer John Franklin III is battling last season’s co-starters, senior Jeremy Johnson and sophomore Sean White. Auburn returns 11 starters, but added two graduate transfers on defense. Safety Marshall Taylor started 22 games in the past two seasons for Miami, Ohio, and linebacker T.J. Neal had 207 tackles the past two seasons at Illinois. “You can see that it’s growing more and more popular around the country,” Malzahn said, adding that the key is to know the chemistry and needs of your team. Taylor and Neal are two more veterans for first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. He replaces Will Muschamp, who after a season left to be head coach at South Carolina.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 7-6 2-6 NR NR BOWL: 31-10 win, Memphis, Birmingham

2014 8-5 4-4

BOWL: 34-31 loss, Wisconsin, Outback

2013 12-2 7-1

BOWL: 34-31 loss,Florida State,National Championship

2012 3-9 0-8

BOWL: Did not qualify

NUMBER TO KNOW

115

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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LSU

HEAD COACH: LES MILES (140 wins, 53 losses; 112-32 in 11 seasons at LSU) • STADIUM: TIGER STADIUM, BATON ROUGE, LA. (102,321)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Defense will decide if Tigers can win the West New coordinator looks to lead return to form

SU is tweaking its vaunted defense. The Tigers still plan on bringing the pressure that’s been their trademark from a base 4-3 alignment, but it’ll also have personnel to be a 3-4. “It’ll give opponents a bit of a scheme issue that they’re going to have to plan for,” said head coach Les Miles on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “Our scheme will have a little bit more to it than in the past.” LSU has long employed a physical, blitzing style. But the Tigers slipped to 25th in total defense under Kevin Steele, allowing 347.2 yards per game. Steele, the former Baylor head coach and Alabama assistant, was hired by Auburn. That allowed Miles to grab Wisconsin’s Dave Aranda, “who, of the guys I interviewed last year, by far interviewed the best,” he said. Miles added that a reason he went with Steele was his SEC experience. But Aranda had his second

LEONARD FOURNETTE running back

KEY PLAYERS RB Leonard Fournette (1,953 yards, 6.5 avg., 22 TDs), LB Kendell Beckwith (84 tackles, 10 TFL), CB Tre’Davious White (44 tackles, 7 PBU), S Jamal Adams (67 tackles, 4 INTs, 6 PBU), LB Arden Key (41 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 QB pressures), QB Brandon Harris (149-of277, 2,165 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs), DE Lewis Neal (48 tackles, 8 sacks, 8 QB pressures), DT Davon Godchaux (41 tackles, 6 sacks), WR Malachi Dupre (43 receptions, 698 yards, 6 TDs).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. Wisconsin

Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.

9/10 vs. Jacksonville State Tiger Stadium

9/17 vs. Mississippi State Tiger Stadium

9/24 at Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/1 vs. Missouri Tiger Stadium

10/8 at Florida

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/15 vs. Southern Miss Tiger Stadium

10/22 vs. Ole Miss

Tiger Stadium

11/5 vs. Alabama Tiger Stadium

11/12 at Arkansas

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

11/19 vs. South Alabama Tiger Stadium

11/24 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

straight Top 10 defense. Wisconsin was first in points allowed (13.7 per game), second in total defense (268.5 yards per game), fourth on run defense (95.4 yards) and sev-

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING I think [Travin] Dural and [Malachi] Dupre should have marked seasons, seasons where they make big plays and significant games. So, yeah, what we’re going to do is this: We’re going to throw it and run it with advantages, and where the advantages are, we’re going to. Les Miles, head coach

Just work harder. My personal goal is to win a national championship, nothing else. Leonard Fournette, junior running back

enth against the pass (173.2 yards). “We’re now in position where we can add some bells and whistles to the defense,” Miles said after the spring game. Also helping Aranda: eight returning starters, tied for the second most of any SEC defense with Missouri and Tennessee. LSU has depth everywhere, with Arden Key and Lewis Neal returning on the edge, and Tre’Davious White, Jamal Adams and Rickey Jefferson in the secondary. Middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith opted to return for his senior year. The Tigers are expected to have one of the nation’s best rushing attacks with Heisman Trophy frontrunner Leonard Fournette, along with three returning linemen. But the question mark remains at quarterback. LSU ranked 105th in passing offense, averaging 180.4 yards per game. Miles kept offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and Brandon Harris is the returning starter.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 9-3 5-3 16 17 BOWL: 56-27 win, Texas Tech, Texas

2014 8-5 4-4

BOWL: 31-28 loss, Notre Dame, Music City

2013 10-3 5-3

BOWL: 21-14 win, Iowa, Outback

2012 10-3 6-2

BOWL: 25-24 loss, Clemson, Chick-fil-A

NUMBER TO KNOW

Straight seasons with at least eight wins and a bowl appearance. LSU is 10-6 in those bowls.

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

MISSISSIPPI STATE

HEAD COACH: DAN MULLEN (55 wins, 35 losses in seven seasons at Mississippi State) • STADIUM: DAVIS-WADE STADIUM, STARKVILLE, MISS. (61,337)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Life after Dak: Bulldogs begin new era at QB Deep receiver corps should ease transition

ississippi State went on the defensive during spring training in an attempt to replace record-setting quarterback Dak Prescott. Not only did the Bulldogs tackle the quarterbacks in the annual spring game, they even did it in live scrimmages. “We’re probably the only school that had quarterbacks live,” said head coach Dan Mullen on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. The four battling to replace Prescott — junior Damian Williams, sophomores Nick Fitzgerald and Eljiah Staley, and redshirt freshman Nick Tiano — got plenty of snaps. But naming a starter might take time. “We’re just going to sort through it until we feel someone has separated himself and gives us the best opportunity to win,” Mullen said. The good thing for whoever takes snaps is MSU has nine returning starters and several others who saw action. Mullen has built depth

FRED ROSS wide receiver

KEY PLAYERS

9/3 vs. South Alabama Davis-Wade Stadium

9/10 vs. South Carolina Davis-Wade Stadium

9/17 at LSU

Tiger Stadium

9/24 at UMass

Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Mass.

10/8 vs. Auburn

Davis-Wade Stadium

10/14 at BYU

LaVell Edwards Stadium

10/22 at Kentucky

Commonwealth Stadium

10/29 vs. Samford

Davis-Wade Stadium

11/5 vs. Texas A&M

Davis-Wade Stadium

11/12 at Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/19 vs. Arkansas

Davis-Wade Stadium

11/26 at Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

in seven seasons in Starkville, managing a winning record the last six years. The Bulldogs return all four running backs who lettered, including

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

WR Fred Ross (88 receptions, 1,007 yards, 5 TDs), LB Richie Brown (109 tackles, 13 TFL), RB Brandon Holloway (92 carries, 413 yards, 4.5 avg.), S Brandon Bryant (63 tackles), DE A.J. Jefferson (47 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 7 QB pressures), OT Justin Senior (36 games, 26 starts), DB Kivon Coman (76 tackles, 7 PBU), DB Tolando Cleveland (42 tackles), DT Nick James (26 tackles), OG Devon Desper (31 games, 15 starts).

“ “

SCHEDULE

Defensively, our defensive philosophy is not going to change, but our personality is with Peter Sirmon coming in as our D coordinator. … That’s always going to change, a little bit of that personality, a little bit of the play call. But our philosophy will not change. Dan Mullen, head coach

Coach Sirmon is great. He is an ex-NFL guy. He has done a lot for our defense already. He relates really well to the players. NFL guys tend to relate to us a lot better because they kind of know what we have been through. Richie Brown, senior linebacker

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

starter Brandon Holloway. The offensive line has a trio of senior starters returning in center Jamaal Clayborn, guard Devon Desper and tackle Justin Senior. MSU is deep at wide receiver, led by senior Fred Ross, who caught a schoolrecord 88 passes last season. Defensively, senior tackle Nick James and senior end A.J. Jefferson, who had 13.5 tackles for loss last season, return. Senior Richie Brown is the only returning starter at linebacker. The secondary will be a team strength with three returning starters — sophomore Brandon Bryant and seniors Tolando Cleveland and Kivon Coman. The biggest change on defense for the Bulldogs will be on the sidelines, with the third defensive coordinator in three years. Manny Diaz left for Miami after only one season in Starkville, a year after Geoff Collins left for Florida. Peter Sirmon is MSU’s new defensive coordinator.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 9-4 4-4 NR NR BOWL: 51-28 win, N.C. State, Belk

2014 10-3 6-2

BOWL: 49-34 loss, Georgia Tech, Orange

2013 7-6 3-5

BOWL: 44-7 win, Rice, Liberty

2012 8-5 4-4

BOWL: 34-20 loss, Northwestern, Gator

NUMBER TO KNOW

Coach Dan Mullen has led the Bulldogs program to its first back-to-back nine-win seasons.

OLE MISS

HEAD COACH: HUGH FREEZE (44 wins, 20 losses; 34-18 in four seasons at Ole Miss) • STADIUM: VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM, UNIVERSITY, MISS. (64,038)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Reloaded Rebels ready to go where Kelly leads Unproven offensive line will need to step up

le Miss is coming off its first 10-win season since 2003, but the Rebels have to replace the majority of the players who made it possible. That includes offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who were NFL first-round draft choices. That doesn’t mean the wins won’t keep coming. “With consistent recruiting, you can replace them,” said head coach Hugh Freeze on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “We’ve had four solid recruiting years. We have better depth than a few years ago.” The offensive line will have the biggest facelift after losing all five starters from the 48-20 Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma State. But the backups have seen some action. Senior Robert Conyers, junior Rod Taylor and sophomores Jordan Sims, Javon

CHAD KELLY quarterback

KEY PLAYERS QB Chad Kelly (298-of458, 4,042 yards, 31 TDs, 13 INTs), TE Evan Engram (38 receptions, 464 yards, 2 TDs), DE Marquis Haynes (43 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 8 QB pressures), DB Tony Conner (69 tackles, 9 TFL in 2014), WR Damore’ea Stringfellow (36 receptions, 503 yards, 5 TDs), CB Tony Bridges (36 tackles, 9 PBU), DT Issac Gross (37 tackles, 8 TFL in 2014), WR Quincy Abeboyejo (38 receptions, 604 yards, 7 TDs), OG Javon Patterson (6 starts).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Florida State

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

9/10 vs. Wofford

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/17 vs. Alabama

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/24 vs. Georgia

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/1 vs. Memphis Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/15 at Arkansas

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

10/22 at LSU Tiger Stadium

10/29 vs. Auburn

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/5 vs. Georgia Southern

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/12 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/19 at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Stadium

11/26 vs. Mississippi State

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Patterson and Sean Rawlings have combined for 27 career starts. If the line can mesh, the offense has a chance to be special again because of senior

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING I would say that the transition from our game to the NFL for [Chad Kelly] is going to be more mental than physical. I think the NFL now, if you look at it, I think they’re intrigued by some of the things that we’re doing. Hugh Freeze, head coach

quarterback Chad Kelly, who broke or tied 17 single-season school records last season. He’ll have athletic targets in 6-foot3, 195-pound Quincy Adeboyejo, and 6-foot-2, 220-pound Damore’ea Stringfellow, who combined for 74 catches for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also returning is tight end Evan Engram, who has 97 career catches for 1,394 yards, both school records. Ole Miss has one playmaker returning on defense, sophomore end Marquis Haynes, who had 10 of the team’s 29 sacks. The Rebels are counting on a healthy return by a three-year starter, cornerback Tony Conner, who was projected as a first-round pick until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fifth game. The line also gets back tackle Issac Gross, a fifth-year senior who had 37 tackles and eight for losses in 2014. A neck injury ended his 2015 season in the first game.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 10-3 6-2 10 9 BOWL: 48-20 win, Oklahoma State, Sugar

2014 9-4 5-3

Evan Engram, senior tight end

BOWL: 42-3 loss, TCU, Peach

2013 8-5 3-5

BOWL: 25-17 win, Georgia Tech, Music City

2012 7-6 3-5 We just worry about football. We show up to work every day to get better and work toward our goals, which are winning in Atlanta and competing for a national championship. So all the outside stuff, we’re not paying attention to it, and we’re definitely not letting it distract us.

BOWL: 38-17 win, Pittsburgh, BBVA Compass

NUMBER TO KNOW

Ole Miss ranked first in the Southeastern Conference in total offense with 517.8 yards per game.

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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TEXAS A&M

HEAD COACH: KEVIN SUMLIN (71 wins, 33 losses; 36-16 in four seasons at A&M) • STADIUM: KYLE FIELD, COLLEGE STATION (102,577)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Aggies’ offense ready to go with new leaders A&M imports new coordinator, quarterback

exas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin had great success overhauling his defense last year. Now he’s hopeful changes on offense provide the same results. The offensive-minded Sumlin had to do something after the Aggies averaged only 424.7 yards and 27.8 points per game last season, which ranked 50th and 71st, respectively, in the nation. Sumlin hired UCLA’s Noel Mazzone as offensive coordinator, and brought back offensive line coach Jim Turner, who had great success at the position under former head coach Mike Sherman. And Sumlin landed senior transfer quarterback Trevor Knight from Oklahoma, a key move after the transfers of Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. Experience was big in each of those additions, especially Knight. “We’ve got a maturity level that we didn’t have last year,” said Sumlin in June at the Brazos

CHRISTIAN KIRK wide receiver

KEY PLAYERS DE Myles Garrett (59 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 10 QB pressures), WR Christian Kirk (80 receptions, 1,009 yards, 7 TDs), QB Trevor Knight, DE Daeshon Hall (54 tackles, 7 sacks), WR Josh Reynolds (51 receptions, 907 yards, 5 TDs), S Armani Watts (126 tackles, 6 TFL), DB Donovan Wilson (63 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 5 INTs), S Justin Evans (78 tackles), OT Avery Gennesy (13 starts), WR Ricky Seals-Jones (45 receptions, 560 yards, 4 TDs).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. UCLA Kyle Field

9/10 vs. Prairie View A&M Kyle Field

9/17 at Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/24 vs. Arkansas

AT&T Stadium, Arlington

10/1 at South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/8 vs. Tennessee Kyle Field

10/22 at Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/29 vs. New Mexico State Kyle Field

11/5 at Mississippi State Davis-Wade Stadium

11/12 vs. Ole Miss Kyle Field

11/19 vs. UTSA Kyle Field

11/24 vs. LSU

Kyle Field

County A&M Club’s Coach’s Night, giving Knight a lot of credit for the players’ new attitude. “He’s been though the highest highs. He’s lost his job [at OU], but was supportive of

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING We got to run the ball better. Even though we had a 1,200-yard rusher. We got to be able to run it a bit more when we need to run it. … I know we have enough talent to maybe rotate some guys and get to substantial numbers there, and we got to get better at stopping the run. Kevin Sumlin, head coach

[Daeshon Hall] creates openings for me just like I would create openings for him. … He’s just as effective as me. Myles Garrett, junior defensive end

Baker Mayfield during that time. He transferred and he’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s seen things that other guys have and have not. He understands what’s expected of him. He understands the process.” Knight takes over an offense that’s deep in receivers with Ricky Seals-Jones, Christian Kirk, Speedy Noil and Josh Reynolds all back after combining for 197 catches for 2,702 yards and 18 touchdowns. The question mark on offense is the line, with senior tackle Avery Gennesy and sophomore guard Keaton Sutherland the only starters returning. The good news for the offense is the defense has a chance to be Sumlin’s best at A&M, with ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall leading the way. They are the best tandem in the nation, according to the man who would know, second-year defensive coordinator John Chavis.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 8-5 4-4 NR NR BOWL: 27-21 loss, Louisville, Music City

2014 8-5 3-5

BOWL: 45-37 win, W. Virginia, Liberty

2013 9-4 4-4

BOWL: 52-48 win, Duke, Chick-fil-A

2012 11-2 6-2

BOWL: 41-13 win, Oklahoma, Cotton

NUMBER TO KNOW

Noel Mazzone is A&M’s fourth offensive coordinator since Kevin Sumlin took over in 2012.

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

FLORIDA

HEAD COACH: JIM McELWAIN (32 wins, 20 losses; 10-4 in one season at Florida) • STADIUM: BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM, GAINESVILLE, FLA. (88,548)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Gators look to ﬁnish strong, stay on top Quarterback consistency will help Florida

oach Jim McElwain made an immediate splash with the Florida Gators, winning as many games by the end of October as the Gators did the previous season under Will Muschamp. McElwain, brought in to give life to a dormant offense, was successful early with Will Grier at quarterback. But an NCAA suspension to the redshirt freshman, who has since transferred, hampered Florida’s second half of the season. The Gators were still able to win the Southeastern Conference East for the first time since 2009. To get back to the conference title game, McElwain will have to again get the offense going. Florida scored a total of 24 points in its final three games and had to go to overtime to reach 20 the previous game against Florida Atlantic. The Gators’ best ranking in major offensive categories was 87th in passing.

MARCUS MAYE safety

KEY PLAYERS WR Antonio Callaway (35 receptions, 678 yards, 4 TDs); RB Jordan Scarlett (34 carries, 181 yards, 5.3 avg., 1 TD); QB Luke Del Rio (transfer); P Johnny Townsend (83 punts, 45.4 avg.); LB Jarrad Davis (98 tackles, 11 TFL); CB Jalen Tabor (40 tackles, 4 TFL); DE Bryan Cox Jr. (45 tackles, 10.5 TFL); DE Cece Jefferson (29 tackles, 8.5 TFL); S Marcus Maye (82 tackles).

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SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. UMass

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/10 vs. Kentucky

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/17 vs. North Texas

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/24 at Tennessee

Neyland Stadium

10/1 at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Stadium

10/8 vs. LSU

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/15 vs. Missouri

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/29 vs. Georgia

EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

11/5 at Arkansas

D.W.R. Razorback Stadium

11/12 vs. South Carolina

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/19 vs. Presbyterian

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/26 at Florida State

Doak Campbell Stadium

Stepping in at quarterback will be either Luke Del Rio, son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, or Purdue transfer Austin Appleby. McElwain said

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING You know, there’s something about being at a place and the expectation to be successful, and yet understanding what it takes to be successful is a different deal. I think we learned a lot of lessons, and yet we’ve got a bunch of new guys. Jim McElwain, head coach

Losing the last few games are a constant reminder for the offseason of what we need to do, what we need to accomplish and where we need to go as a unit. It shows our true colors from last year and how we react to a situation.

the key for Del Rio will be allowing the game to come to him and not try to do too much. “And I thought he did that in the spring game,” McElwain said on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference. “I look forward to kinda pushing the ball vertically down the field.” McElwain can rely again on the defense despite losing AllAmericans Vernon Hargreaves III (cornerback) and Jon Bullard (lineman) to the NFL. The Gators’ secondary will be among the best again with All-SEC cornerback Jalen Tabor. The linebacker corps is led by Jarrad Davis, who had 98 tackles last year. The defensive line is where the Gators are strongest, with junior tackle Caleb Brantley and ends Bryan Cox Jr. and sophomore Cece Jefferson. Florida will find out early where it stands with a Sept. 24 game at preseason SEC East favorite Tennessee.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 10-4 7-2 25 25 BOWL: 41-7 loss, Michigan, Citrus

2014 7-5 4-4

BOWL: 28-20 win, East Carolina, Birmingham

2013 4-8 3-5

BOWL: Did not qualify

2012 11-2 7-1

BOWL: 33-23 loss, Louisville, Sugar

NUMBER TO KNOW

The Gators lost their final three games of 2015 by an average of 24.3 points.

Jarrad Davis, senior linebacker SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

GEORGIA

HEAD COACH: KIRBY SMART (First season at Georgia; no prior coaching record) • STADIUM: SANFORD STADIUM, ATHENS, GA. (92,746)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Smart hire: Bulldogs led by former Bama DC Chubb, Michel lead bruising UGA offense

NICK CHUBB running back

KEY PLAYERS

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. North Carolina

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.

9/10 vs. Nicholls State Sanford Stadium

9/17 at Missouri Faurot Field

9/24 at Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/1 vs. Tennessee

Sanford Stadium

10/8 at South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/15 vs. Vanderbilt

Sanford Stadium

10/29 vs. Florida

EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

11/5 at Kentucky

Commonwealth Stadium

11/12 vs. Auburn

Sanford Stadium

11/19 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Sanford Stadium

11/26 vs. Georgia Tech Sanford Stadium

surgery and will be counted on to at least approach the amazing 8.1 yards per carry he racked up before his injury. Michel became the first option and averaged 5.3 yards per

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

RB Nick Chubb (92 carries, 747 yards, 8.1 avg., 7 TDs); RB Sony Michel (219 carries, 1,161 yards, 5.3 avg., 8 TDs); QB Jacob Eason; PR Isaiah McKenzie (12.8 avg., 2 TDs); OL Greg Pyke (27 games, 23 starts); SS Dominick Sanders (48 tackles, 6 INTs); DL Trent Thompson (25 tackles); LB Reggie Carter (28 tackles in 2014); SS Quincy Mauger (58 tackles); LB Tim Kimbrough (67 tackles).

“ “

he Georgia Bulldogs put a spin on an old adage: If you can’t beat them, get them to join you. After firing head coach Mark Richt, who was 145-51 in 15 seasons, the Bulldogs hired Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. The goal: to get Georgia to the rarefied air where Smart had been with the Crimson Tide. When he takes the field in the opener against North Carolina, he likely will see many similarities between his Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide on offense and very few on defense. Georgia has two rushers in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel who would compare to any stable of running backs. Defensively, Smart will depend on an experienced secondary that was rarely tested last season, and a front seven that has only three players who made more than 10 tackles. Chubb is coming off knee

The trademark for us is going to be big, physical, fast football team. We’re not there yet, but we’re certainly moving that direction. That’s the stamp I would like to put on it. Kirby Smart, head coach

carry and totaled 1,161 yards. That ratio may stay the same with a freshman — albeit a highly sought-after one — at quarterback. Jacob Eason could step in and start immediately under new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney. Defensively, Smart could lean on another young player in Trent Thompson, who had 25 tackles as a freshman. Thompson may have to lead a front seven that has no seniors and little depth. Smart might be a year or two away from building a roster remotely close to the one he just walked away from, but by being in the East it may afford him the time to do that and still contend. “It’s really important to me, being a University of Georgia alumni, for our fan base to be united and pulling in the same direction,” Smart said. “Same thing for our players — united and pulling in the same direction.”

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 10-3 5-3 NR 24 BOWL: 24-17 win, Penn State, Tax Slayer

2014 10-3 6-2

BOWL: 37-14 win, Louisville, Belk

2013 8-5 5-3

BOWL: 24-19 loss, Nebraska, Gator

2012 12-2 7-1 I think the fans are ready. We’re ready. So, I think they should expect a lot, and that is the culture we want around here. A culture of high expectations because we surely set it for ourselves, so we want our fans to expect the same. Jeb Blazevich, junior tight end

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BOWL: 45-31 win, Nebraska, Capital One

NUMBER TO KNOW

In just a season and a half, Nick Chubb ranks ninth in all-time rushing yards for Georgia.

KENTUCKY

HEAD COACH: MARK STOOPS (12 wins, 24 losses in three seasons at Kentucky) • STADIUM: COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, LEXINGTON, KY. (67,606)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Wildcats look to grab ever-elusive bowl bid UK seeks first postseason berth since ’11

ix has become an elusive number for Kentucky. The Wildcats have been on track to reach the magical number of wins to claim a bowl berth the past two seasons, only to fall one short with poor performances down the stretch. For the second consecutive season, fourth-year head coach Mark Stoops (12-24) brought in an offensive coordinator in an attempt to get over the hump. This time it is Eddie Gran, who directed Cincinnati’s offense to a national ranking of sixth in total yards per game. Gran is known for his wideopen style, but may have to pull it back a little with the personnel he inherits. Running back Stanley “Boom” Williams (855 yards rushing in 10 games) is the Wildcats’ biggest threat, while the passing game has suffered with no one in the past five years completing at least 60 percent of their passes. That

STANLEY “BOOM” WILLIAMS running back

KEY PLAYERS RB Stanley Williams (121 carries, 855 yards, 7.1 avg., 6 TDs); QB Drew Barker (35 of 70, 364 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs); C Jon Toth (36 games, 35 starts); TE C.J. Conrad (15 receptions, 149 yards, 1 TD); CB Chris Westry (36 tackles); CB Derrick Baity (19 tackles); PK Austin MacGinnis (13-17 FGs); SS Mike Edwards (39 tackles); MLB Courtney Love (transfer from Nebraska); OLB Denzil Ware (39 tackles).

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SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. Southern Miss

Commonwealth Stadium

9/10 at Florida

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/17 vs. New Mexico State

Commonwealth Stadium

9/24 vs. South Carolina

Commonwealth Stadium

10/1 at Alabama

Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/8 vs. Vanderbilt

Commonwealth Stadium

10/22 vs. Mississippi State

Commonwealth Stadium

10/29 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/5 vs. Georgia

Commonwealth Stadium

11/12 at Tennessee

Neyland Stadium

11/19 vs. Austin Peay

Commonwealth Stadium

11/26 at Louisville

Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium

list includes sophomore Drew Barker, who finished 2015 as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback, and completed 35 of 70. “I’ve seen a big change in

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING We need to finish the season better. Again, that goes to training and training our players to be able to handle more in all situations. Mark Stoops, head coach

Drew,” said Stoops on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “I want to continue to see that. [It] was only one semester, but I’ve seen a change. I’ve seen a maturity in him. I’ve seen him much more composed on and off the field. I see a guy very hungry to learn. I just want to see him settle in and continue to grow.” The offense will have to start quickly with the front seven on defense returning only one starter, sophomore Denzil Ware on the edge. But Stoops is high on transfer linebacker Courtney Love, a transfer from Nebraska. Kentucky is five years removed from its last bowl appearance. A manageable schedule should help the Wildcats end that string. Kentucky will likely have to be within one game going into November to reach the goal though, with Georgia, Tennessee and Louisville as three of the last four games.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 5-7 2-6 NR NR BOWL: Did not qualify

2014 5-7 2-6

BOWL: Did not qualify

2013 2-10 0-8 BOWL: Did not qualify

2012 2-10 0-8 Guys don’t want that same feeling guys have had before, going 5-7, going 5-7, being so close and not being able to finish. Guys have taken it upon themselves, when coaches have given us breaks, to go home and come back early. Jojo Kemp, senior running back

BOWL: Did not qualify

NUMBER TO KNOW

Not only has UK won five games the last two years, but it has also not been to a bowl game in five years.

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MISSOURI

HEAD COACH: BARRY ODOM (First season at Missouri; no prior coaching record) • STADIUM: MEMORIAL STADIUM/FAUROT FIELD, COLUMBIA, MO. (71,168)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Odom looks to put his stamp on MU program Tigers to lean on pass rush led by Harris

f Barry Odom’s first season as a head coach is to be successful, he’s going to have to depend on the unit he coached the previous season. The Tigers finished fifth nationally in scoring defense and sixth in total defense for Odom, who returned to Missouri as defensive coordinator last season after spending the previous three seasons at Memphis. After winning back-to-back SEC East titles, Missouri wasn’t able to send retiring head coach Gary Pinkel out with a postseason appearance in 2015, losing six of their last seven games to finish at 5-7. The good news for Odom, who also was on Pinkel’s staff from 2009 to 2011, is eight starters return on defense, including one of the best pairs of defensive ends in the nation. Junior Charles Harris and sophomore Walter Brady each had seven sacks in 2015, and are joined by senior tackle Josh Augusta and the Tigers’ top 2015

AARION PENTON cornerback

KEY PLAYERS

9/3 at West Virginia

Milan Puskar Stadium

9/10 vs. Eastern Michigan Faurot Field

9/17 vs. Georgia Faurot Field

9/24 vs. Delaware State Faurot Field

10/1 at LSU

Tiger Stadium

10/15 at Florida

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/22 vs. Middle Tennessee Faurot Field

10/29 vs. Kentucky Faurot Field

11/5 at South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium

11/12 vs. Vanderbilt Faurot Field

11/19 at Tennessee

Neyland Stadium

11/25 vs. Arkansas Faurot Field

recruit (Terry Beckner Jr.) to make up one of the stronger units in the SEC East. Odom hired former Missouri player DeMontie Cross as defen-

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

QB Drew Lock (129 of 263, 1,332 yards, 4 TDs, 8 INTs); WR Chris Black (Alabama transfer); WR J’Mon Moore (29 receptions, 350 yards, 3 TDs); OG Nate Crawford (13 games, 8 starts); DE Charles Harris (56 tackles, 18.5 TFL); MLB Michael Scherer (93 tackles); CB Aarion Penton (59 tackles); P Corey Fatony (42.9 avg. on 81 punts).

“ “

SCHEDULE

And Charles [Harris] is one of the next great ones, in my opinion. If you come and watch us practice on Tuesday afternoon, it looks like it’s game day and it’s fourth and one. I think that sets him apart. He’s got an inner drive and demeanor that he wants to be the best. Barry Odom, head coach

Coach Pinkel was there since my freshman year and Coach Odom taking over was pretty smooth. There has not been that much of a difference. He has been coaching us as who we are, as individuals and as a team. Charles Harris, junior defensive end

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

sive coordinator. “He was a tremendous player, a great leader,” Odom said on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference of his former teammate. “Everybody respected him. He was just an unbelievable competitor.” While the Tiger defense excelled, the offense struggled. The Tigers were last in the SEC in every major offensive category, and little help appears on the way, other than experience at receiver and a half-season of starts by sophomore quarterback Drew Lock. Odom discussed that group improving with offensive coordinator Josh Heupel. “I always thought he had a terrific offensive mind,” Odom said. “I look at how he leads young men and his work ethic and his competitive spirit. I knew a couple years ago when I was getting close to getting interviews for head coaching jobs, I started building a staff, and he was a guy that I always targeted.”

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 5-7 1-7 NR NR BOWL: Did not qualify

2014 11-3 7-2

BOWL: 33-17 win, Minnesota, Citrus

2013 12-2 7-1

BOWL: 41-31 win, Oklahoma State, Cotton

2012 5-7 2-6

BOWL: Did not qualify

NUMBER TO KNOW

The Tigers only forced 16 turnovers last season, the second fewest in the SEC.

SOUTH CAROLINA

HEAD COACH: WILL MUSCHAMP (28 wins, 21 losses; first season at South Carolina) • STADIUM: WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM, COLUMBIA, S.C. (80,250)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Muschamp has to build Gamecocks’ defense Two starters return from disappointing unit

ill Muschamp didn’t make it to his first game as the new South Carolina head coach before having to endure a huge body blow. The Gamecocks’ leading tackler for the past three years, linebacker Skai Moore, will be out for the season with a neck injury. Moore was the team’s lone star after receiver Pharoh Cooper left early for the NFL. The Gamecocks were winners of just three games in 2015, and longtime coach Steve Spurrier abruptly retired midseason. The team was last in the SEC in scoring and total defense. So Muschamp, the former Florida coach with a one-year stop as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, has challenges ahead. The only starting defensive players returning are Marquavius Lewis at defensive end and safety Jordan Diggs. Young players dominate the defense, and all but five players are freshmen or sophomores on the depth chart. Sopho-

CHAZ ELDER safety

KEY PLAYERS RB David Williams (86 carries, 299 yards, 3.5 avg.); WR Deebo Samuel (12 receptions, 161 yards, 13.4 avg., 1 TD); TE Hayden Hurst (8 receptions, 106 yards, 13.2 avg.); LB T.J. Holloman (63 tackles); LB Bryson Allen-Williams (23 tackles); LB Jonathan Walton (42 tackles); CB Jamarcus King (JC transfer); DE Marquavius Lewis (45 tackles, 6 QB pressures); PK Elliott Fry (20-28 FGs); P Sean Kelly (55 punts, 44.3 avg.).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/1 at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Stadium

9/10 at Mississippi State Davis-Wade Stadium

9/17 vs. East Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium

9/24 at Kentucky

Commonwealth Stadium

10/1 vs. Texas A&M

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/8 vs. Georgia

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/22 vs. UMass

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/29 vs. Tennessee

Williams-Brice Stadium

11/5 vs. Missouri

Williams-Brice Stadium

11/12 at Florida

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/19 vs. Western Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

11/26 at Clemson

Memorial Stadium

more Boosie Whitlow will be a key, inheriting the “buck” position, Muschamp’s hybrid of defensive end and outside linebacker. On offense, the cupboard

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING When I first got to campus, I met with every player. It was pretty evident after a 3-9 season it was a beat-down bunch as far as mentally. I told our guys a positive attitude in life guarantees you nothing, but a negative one does. Will Muschamp, head coach

appeared to be fairly bare. South Carolina’s two top recruits are early enrollees — quarterback Brandon McIlwain and receiver Bryan Edwards — and had already moved to the front of the depth chart by the end of the spring. McIlwain will have competition in the fall from freshman Jake Bentley, who was a 2017 commit, but graduated early. Linemen Mason Zandi and Alan Knott are the only returning starters on an offense that ranked 110th nationally in scoring. Despite all that inexperience, Muschamp caused a stir by saying if the team improved, it could win the SEC East this year. “If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t say it,” Muschamp said on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference. “There’s a lot of ifs involved in that, but I do believe it and I talked to our players about it. Again, there’s a lot of ifs out there, and we’ve got to find a way to get it down.”

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 3-9 1-7 NR NR BOWL: Did not qualify

2014 7-6 3-5

Marquavius Lewis, senior defensive lineman

BOWL: 24-21 win, Miami (Fla.), Independence

2013 11-2 6-2

BOWL: 34-24 win, Wisconsin, Capital One

2012 11-2 6-2 I almost look at it as it was destined. When I was in junior college I was in Florida and [Coach Muschamp] was in Florida. I didn’t go to Florida, but he’s here now at South Carolina. So, I see it as a destined thing.

BOWL: 33-28 win, Michigan, Outback

NUMBER TO KNOW

2015 was the first time in 10 years the Gamecocks were not ranked at any point.

SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

TENNESSEE HEAD COACH: BUTCH JONES (71 wins, 44 losses; 21-17 in three seasons at Tennessee) • STADIUM: NEYLAND STADIUM, KNOXVILLE, TENN. (102,455)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Vols expect to compete for SEC East crown Upperclassmen lead pursuit of division title

ll things point to the Tennessee Volunteers playing in Atlanta in December this year. Under fourth-year head coach Butch Jones, the Volunteers have made marked improvement in recruiting and steady improvement on the field. Now armed with 17 returning starters, including eight on offense from a team that was 9-4, the Southeastern Conference East title is the minimum required to those in Knoxville. “We have very high expectations internally,” said Jones on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference, adding the external expectations come from last year’s finish, which ended with a 45-6 New Year’s Day victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. “But this year’s team has not done anything, not accomplished anything. To me, that’s all noise. You have to prove yourself every single day in the weight room, on the practice field and while condition-

DEREK BARNETT defensive lineman

KEY PLAYERS

9/1 vs. Appalachian State Neyland Stadium

9/10 vs. Virginia Tech

Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.

9/17 vs. Ohio

Neyland Stadium

9/24 vs. Florida

Neyland Stadium

10/1 at Georgia

Sanford Stadium

10/8 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/15 vs. Alabama

Neyland Stadium

10/29 at South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium

11/5 vs. Tennessee Tech Neyland Stadium

11/12 vs. Kentucky

Neyland Stadium

11/19 vs. Missouri

Neyland Stadium

11/26 at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Stadium

ing. We just have to maintain our focus every single day.” The depth chart is top heavy with upperclassmen, including quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

QB Joshua Dobbs (2,291 yards passing, 671 yards rushing); RB Jalen Hurd (227 carries, 1,288 yards, 4.6 avg., 12 TDs); RB Alvin Kamara (107 carries, 698 yards, 6.5 avg., 7 TDs); WR Josh Malone (31 receptions, 405 yards, 2 TDs); OG Jashon Robertson (23 games, 23 starts); LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (105 tackles, 14 TFL); LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. (66 tackles); DE Derek Barnett (69 tackles, 10 sacks); CB/PR Cameron Sutton (6 PBU); KR Evan Berry (38.3-yard avg.).

“ “

SCHEDULE

Everyone points to what one game changed your season last year, and I know the Georgia game was a great win. But I still to this day feel it was the Arkansas game [a 24-20 loss]. Butch Jones, head coach

is 13-6 as a starter and a preseason All-SEC selection. Junior running back Jalen Hurd is just 891 yards shy of breaking the program’s career rushing record by Travis Henry. If the Vols are to take the next step, they’ll have to become more balanced. Tennessee ran the ball 62 percent of the time, in part because Dobbs is considered a better runner than passer. Defensively, five of the front seven return. Safety is the only position in which the Vols will use newcomers. There is plenty of athleticism available though, with return specialist Evan Berry likely to get one of the spots. Derek Barnett is among the best in the land as a pass rusher, and senior cornerback Cameron Sutton was thought of as a sure NFL draft pick if he’d elected to go pro. Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Darrin Kirkland help make the linebacking corps the Vols’ best overall unit.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 9-4 5-3 22 23 BOWL: 45-6 win, Northwestern, Outback

2014 7-6 3-5

BOWL: 45-28 win, Iowa, Tax Slayer

2013 5-7 2-6

BOWL: Did not qualify

2012 5-7 1-7 The swagger never left. We might have lost a couple games, and losing seasons, but as long as I’ve been there I’ve never seen guys fold and shy away from anything. … We lost some games back-to-back but we always bounce back.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, senior linebacker SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

BOWL: Did not qualify

NUMBER TO KNOW

The Vols are 13-5 in their last 18 games, with the five losses coming by an average of 5 points.

VANDERBILT

HEAD COACH: DEREK MASON (7 wins, 17 losses in two seasons at Vanderbilt) • STADIUM: VANDERBILT STADIUM, NASHVILLE, TENN. (40,550)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Commodores seeking improvement on offense Webb was bright spot in ’15 for Vanderbilt

anderbilt coach Derek Mason looked good in his most debated move last season, making himself the defensive coordinator. The result was an improvement of 84 places in scoring defense. It led to only one more victory for the 4-8 Commodores, but there was improvement in the average margin of loss in conference games, dropping from 22.6 points to 14.8 points per game. “I think we’ve grown leaps and bounds where we were a year ago at this time,” said Mason on the SEC spring football coaches teleconference, adding that it took time to change the culture and establish expectations. “And 2015 has nothing to do with 2016. I’m starting to see a much more physical football team on both sides of the ball. I’ve grown up, this football team has grown up. We’re still not where we want to be, but this football team is poised to do

RALPH WEBB running back

KEY PLAYERS RB Ralph Webb (277 carries, 1,152 yards, 4.2 avg., 5 TDs); WR Trent Sherfield (51 receptions, 659 yards, 3 TDs); WR C.J. Duncan (28 catches, 441 yards in 2014); OT Andrew Jelks (24 games, 21 starts); LB Zach Cunningham (103 tackles, 16.5 TFL); LB Nigel Bowden (78 tackles in 2014); SS Oren Burks (59 tackles); CB Torren McGaster (51 tackles, 13 PBU); CB Tre Herndon (47 tackles).

“ “

SCHEDULE 9/1 vs. South Carolina Vanderbilt Stadium

9/10 vs. Middle Tennessee Vanderbilt Stadium

9/17 at Georgia Tech

Bobby Dodd Stadium

9/24 at Western Kentucky

Houchens-Smith Stadium

10/1 vs. Florida

Vanderbilt Stadium

10/8 at Kentucky

Commonwealth Stadium

10/15 at Georgia

Sanford Stadium

10/22 vs. Tennessee State Vanderbilt Stadium

11/5 at Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/12 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/19 vs. Ole Miss

Vanderbilt Stadium

11/26 vs. Tennessee

Vanderbilt Stadium

some good things, so I’m excited about where we’re at.” To take the next step, Vanderbilt’s offense will have to make a similar move to what the defense

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING I think people sort of looked at me a year ago and thought that I was kind of crazy for going back and calling defense, but that’s my wheelhouse. Derek Mason, head coach

did in 2015. Vanderbilt was shut out twice and topped 20 points just three times. One reason for the inept offense was season-ending injuries to four key players, including receiver C.J. Duncan and top offensive lineman Andrew Jelks. The other reason was little productivity from the quarterback position. Kyle Shurmur completed 43 percent of his passes as a freshman, and returns along with junior Wade Freebeck, who threw just six passes. The lone bright spot was running back Ralph Webb, who as a sophomore had 1,152 yards rushing, good for the second best in Vandy history. Junior linebacker Zach Cunningham made first-team AllSEC, and leads a defense that is likely to start eight other juniors and two seniors. Cornerback Torren McGaster is one of those seniors and is looking to build upon his 13 passes defended.

FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK Year Ovr. SEC AP Coaches 2015 4-8 2-6 NR NR BOWL: Did not qualify

2014 3-9 0-8

BOWL: Did not qualify

2013 9-4 4-4

BOWL: 41-24 win, Houston, BBVA Compass

2012 9-4 5-3 The star position is a hybrid outside linebacker and safety position, so I’ll be a little bit closer to the ball and trying to make dynamic plays for the team. Oren Burks, junior linebacker

BOWL: 38-24 win, N.C. State, Music City

NUMBER TO KNOW

Vanderbilt has lost its last nine games to ranked opponents. Its last win was Oct. 19, 2013 vs. Georgia.

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Expert predictions National writers share how this season will shake out

Tony Barnhart

him. That means Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and Christian Kirk are going to have big seasons. TAMU will HAVE to run the ball to get better on offense. Since 2012, the Aggies have finished 10th, 12th and 8th in SEC rushing. Unless that number improves, TAMU will struggle again on offense. What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? Mazzone is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. He will maximize the talents of the playmakers. I look for a balanced offense that will eventually become pass happy when it becomes apparent the Aggies can’t run it effectively against SEC defenses. How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? Chavis said it himself: “To be honest with you, the biggest job stands with me.” TAMU has to get better linebacker play. The DL is among the best in the SEC. Look for star play from Donovan Wilson, a nickel back Chavis has compared to Tyrann Mathieu. Chavis says HE has to get better. That means the Aggies WILL get better.

SEC Network Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3. Ole Miss; 4. Auburn; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Florida; 3. Georgia; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: 3-5 in the SEC, losing to Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU. What impact will Trevor Knight have? Trevor Knight will be very effective with that set of receivers. He has to do a good job of taking care of the football and manage the offense. He doesn’t have to be a big-play guy and [Noel] Mazzone won’t ask him to be. What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? Mazzone will take advantage of Keith Ford and the other running backs to take the pressure off Knight. It will be more of a controlled passing game that gets the ball to the receivers in space and lets them make the plays. Ford should be a 1,000-yard rusher. How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? Met with coach Chavis in the spring, and felt Aggies will do a better job stopping the run. The linebackers have to play better, and I think they will. Anxious to see how DT Daylon Mack plays as a sophomore. Ability to improve run defense is key to the whole season, IMO.

Dennis Dodd CBS Sports Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3. Ole Miss; 4. Auburn; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Florida; 3. Georgia; 4. South Carolina; 5. Kentucky; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 6-6 Summarizing A&M’s season: If the Aggies are going to compete for the SEC West, it’s going to have to be on the backs of the defense. Strange. It’s too much to ask that the quarterback position is going to take a quantum leap. Trevor Knight had lost the job and his play had degraded when he transferred from OU. Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall will have monster seasons, but the defense will have to be the difference between this team winning six and winning nine. That’s too much of an ask in the SEC. What impact will Trevor Knight have? At

Eagle photo by Dave McDermand Sophomore defensive lineman Daylon Mack had 9½ tackles for loss as a freshman.

“

They didn’t lose much, and now the DL has way more seasoning. They should be very good at safety and have a great pass rush. This is Sumlin’s most talented D. — Bruce Feldman Fox Sports

his best, Knight was a fine Big 12 quarterback. He had top-flight receivers at Oklahoma. The SEC, in general, will try to put the game plan on

Bruce Feldman Fox Sports Picking the SEC West: 1. LSU; 2. Alabama; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Arkansas; 6. Auburn; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Georgia; 3. Florida; 4. Missouri; 5. Kentucky; 6. Vanderbilt; 7. South Carolina. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 Summarizing A&M’s season: I think A&M made some great additions, especially Trevor Knight and OL coach Jim Turner. It’ll make ‘em tougher in the run game — on both sides of the ball — because of how they’ll practice. It’ll also make them more cohesive in the players’ locker room — and in the staff locker room. What impact will Trevor Knight have? Knight’s leadership and maturity are the biggest things he provides. I think some of that was lacking with the QB turnover the past two years. Plus he’s got big-game experience and should fit well in Noel Mazzone’s scheme. What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? I think you’ll see some more easy completions for the QBs, and Mazzone has more speed at WR to work with here. How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? They didn’t lose much, and now the DL has way more seasoning. They should be very good at safety and have a great pass rush. This is Sumlin’s most talented D. If Knight can be consistent, I think this is a Top 15 team.

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“

Charles Davis Fox Sports Picking the SEC West: 1. LSU; 2. Alabama; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Arkansas; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Auburn; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Florida; 3. Georgia; 4. Missouri; 5. South Carolina; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: The Aggies have a schedule that, if they can defend Kyle Field, is one that can propel them into title contention. Tennessee, Mississippi and LSU visit in SEC play, and if they beat UCLA to start things off (and it can happen) they could easily get on a roll. I like Tennessee to win the East, and LSU the West, so going undefeated at home is asking for a lot. As for the road, Arkansas in Arlington has become one of those games that both sides point to and use as a measuring stick, and Auburn could be the “sleeper” in the West. Continued defensive improvement, led by DEs Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall, and a favorite of mine, S Armani Watts, and Trevor Knight’s play at QB (can he be the phenom that put it on Alabama in a bowl game?) could make A&M SEC contenders. What impact will Trevor Knight have? The talent is immense, and his resume-making game was his incredible Sugar Bowl performance in Oklahoma’s big (surprise) win over Alabama a couple of seasons ago. And, he is without a doubt one of the nicest, classiest young men that I have encountered and dealt with in a long time. Tremendous character and conviction. I had the pleasure of calling three of his games in 2014, and while at times he did play well, there were other times that left you scratching your head in terms of decision-making and finishing plays. When Baker Mayfield transferred to OU, I never doubted that he would take over as the starter due to his moxie, charisma and talent that is underrated. He took over that OU team before the first snap of spring practice, and that had to be tough for Trevor. But, to his credit, he remained an excellent teammate, and never let the disappointment show publicly. So, now he has a fresh start, and he’s bumped and bruised a bit over the last two years. If those dings have “seasoned” him, then look out! I’m rooting for him. His watchword will be “consistency.” What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? It all depends on what he and Kevin Sumlin decide will be their mode of attack, and what parts of their offense they decide to lean on. Understand this about Mazzone: He has run offenses all over the country, has worked on the college and professional levels, and is NOT locked into one style of play or offense. He was decidedly up-tempo, no-huddle at UCLA working with first Brett Hundley for three years, and then true freshman Josh Rosen last year. I do believe that he would like to utilize Trevor Knight’s mobility and athleticism, and use some QB run game to keep defenses at bay. In addition, he does an excellent job emphasizing the running game

Look for star play from Donovan Wilson, a nickel back Chavis has compared to Tyrann Mathieu. — Dennis Dodd CBS Sports

Eagle photo by Dave McDermand Donovan Wilson had five interceptions last season. – see UCLA’s production with Paul Perkins in recent years, and their overall ranking in the Pac 12 under his direction (the league’s top rusher three of last four years). How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? This one is simple. The “Chief ” is one of the best defensive minds in the country, college or pro, and he has more talent at his disposal. He and his troops may very well have Aggie fans buzzing that they were present to see the start of the true return of “The Wrecking Crew” style of defense that they so desperately have been waiting to see for a long, long time.

Blair Kerkhoff Kansas City Star Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3. Auburn; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Georgia; 3. Florida; 4. Missouri; 5. Kentucky; 6. South Carolina; 7. Vanderbilt. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: A middle-of-thedivision prediction is appropriate for the Aggies, who can finish anywhere from second to sixth. A&M should handle UCLA at home and will be an underdog at Auburn. The home game vs. Tennessee is intriguing, and could hold the key to the season. What impact will Trevor Knight have? Which one shows up, the Sugar Bowl MVP or the one who couldn’t win the job at OU? I liked Knight in the spring, and he’s going to have to be superb for the Aggies to have the most optimistic record. What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? If nothing else, the first opponent will be well scouted. I like the idea of uptempo, especially as OL rebuilds, but that puts pressure on Knight or whoever plays quarterback to deliver. With great wide receivers, the Aggies should be solid in the passing game.

How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? It improved so much last season, and now it takes the next step. Myles Garrett is a great one to build around. The run defense must get better, and it should.

Ralph Russo Associated Press Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Arkansas; 3. LSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Auburn; 7. Mississippi State. Picking the SEC East: 1. Tennessee; 2. Georgia; 3. Florida; 4. Kentucky; 5. Vanderbilt; 6. South Carolina; 7. Missouri. Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: I think it will be a season that lies in the range of somewhat successful, but maybe not satisfying enough to make Aggie fans who are growing frustrated with Kevin Sumlin feel better about their coach. But one victory can do a lot in a football season. If A&M can go 9-3 and beat at least one of Tennessee, Alabama or LSU, I think that would be an overwhelming success. What impact will Trevor Knight have? Less drama off the field, but if stability on the field defined as consistent play is what you are hoping for from Knight, history suggests that you will be disappointed. What changes with the offense under Noel Mazzone? The best news for Knight is Mazzone. He has a history of being good at developing quarterbacks. I know Sumlin is hoping for a more consistent running game, but I think that will be more about development of the offensive line than Mazzone’s schemes. How much better will the defense be in John Chavis’ second season? Potential to take a big step forward because the defensive line is so good. Between the progress of the interior linemen and linebackers and a second season in the defense, can the Aggies really be horrible against the run again?

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2016

Preseason Media Days All-SEC teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss RB Leonard Fournette, LSU RB Nick Chubb, Georgia WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M TE O.J. Howard, Alabama OL Cam Robinson, Alabama OL Dan Skipper, Arkansas OL Greg Pyke, Georgia OL Alex Kozan, Auburn C Ethan Pocic, LSU

SPECIALISTS

P JK Scott, Alabama PK Daniel Carlson, Auburn

DEFENSE

DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M DL Carl Lawson, Auburn DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee LB Reuben Foster, Alabama LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee DB Eddie Jackson, Alabama DB Jalen Tabor, Florida DB Tre’Davious White, LSU DB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee

RS Christian Kirk, Texas A&M AP Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd, Tennessee RB Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt WR Malachi Dupre, LSU WR Fred Ross, Mississippi State TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss OL Martez Ivey, Florida OL William Clapp, LSU OL David Sharpe, Florida OL Alphonse Taylor, Alabama C Brandon Kublanow, Georgia

SPECIALISTS

P Johnny Townsend, Florida PK Adam Grifﬁth, Alabama

CALVIN RIDLEY wide receiver

DEFENSE

DL Montravius Adams, Auburn DL Bryan Cox, Florida DL Davon Godchaux, LSU DL Charles Harris, Missouri LB Tim Williams, Alabama LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt LB Jarrad Davis, Florida DB Jamal Adams, LSU DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama DB Tony Conner, Ole Miss DB Dominick Sanders, Georgia

RS Evan Berry, Tennessee AP Alvin Kamara, Tennessee

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE

QB Brandon Harris, LSU RB Stanley Williams, Kentucky WR Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M WR Drew Morgan, Arkansas TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas OL Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M OL Jashon Robertson, Tennessee OL Braden Smith, Auburn OL Javon Patterson, Ole Miss C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama

SPECIALISTS

P Trevor Daniel, Tennessee PK Elliott Fry, South Carolina

DEFENSE

DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss DL Deatrich Wise, Arkansas DL Cece Jefferson, Florida DL A.J. Jefferson, Mississippi St. LB Lorenzo Carter, Georgia LB Richie Brown, Mississippi State LB Arden Key, LSU DB Marcus Maye, Florida DB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama DB Johnathan Ford, Auburn DB Armani Watts, Texas A&M

RS Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia AP Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia

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NAME GAME This year’s crop of fun, odd and interesting monikers By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

hat’s more fun to say: James White or Chidi Okeke? Okeke, the offensive tackle from LSU, easily wins that contest over the Texas A&M running back. (No offense, James.) This year’s batch of SEC names are full of fun ones like Okeke: Riley Ridley of Georgia, JoJo Kemp of Kentucky, and Will Paulhill of A&M. One name seems especially popular this year. Here’s a sample: Tre Threat (Auburn), Tre Brown (Mississippi State), Trey LaForge (LSU), Trey Gallman (LSU), Trey Derouen (South Carolina), Tre Herndon (Vanderbilt), Trey Baldwin (Missouri), Tray Matthews (Auburn), Tre Dunn (Alabama), Tre Williams (Auburn) and another Tre Williams (Missouri). There are a few name-based scenarios to ponder, if pondering is your thing: · Has A&M’s Christian Kirk has ever talked Star

“ AP photo

Jacob Trump, I hear good things. I know football. I have all the best footballs.

Trek with Tiberias Lampkin of Mississippi State? · Who would win a debate or dance-off between Arkansas’ Armon Watts and A&M’s Armani Watts? · And not to get too political, but we must point out that Missouri’s Jacob Trump is on the same team as Harley Whitehouse. As the All-Name Team rules dictate, players can only be honored for one season. And so we bid a fond farewell to last year’s crew: Adonis Thomas (Alabama), Prince Tega Wanogho (Auburn), Hootie Jones (Alabama), Boone Niederhofer (A&M), Damore’ea Stringfellow (Ole Miss), Shy Tuttle (Tennessee), T.V. Williams (Kentucky), Riley Lovingood (Tennessee), Rivers Bedenbaugh (South Carolina), Taiwan Johnson (Arkansas), Ralph David Abernathy IV (Tennessee), Shattle Fenteng (Georgia), Kivon Coman (Mississippi State), Shakenneth Williams (Georgia), Laszlo Toser (Tennessee), Xavier Dampeer (Auburn) and Egidio DellaRipa (Vanderbilt). Check out this year’s top 20 names on the next page.

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1 2 3 SEC ALL-NAME 4 5 TEAM 6 7 8 9 10

Nigel Warrior Tennessee Devin Dingle South Carolina

Lloyd Cushenberry III LSU Giovanni LaFrance Arkansas

Alex Essex Georgia

Here are our 20 selections for this year’s team. All are how they are listed in the teams’ media guides.

Kingsley Keke Texas A&M

Lester Cotton Alabama Boosie Whitlow South Carolina Kyle LeStrange Georgia Ditalian Tobler Kentucky

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Jalen Dread South Carolina Delando Crooks Vanderbilt

Prince Micheal Sammons Auburn Willie Hibbler Ole Miss

Harry Gornto V Florida Alexy Jean-Baptiste Arkansas

Tank Davis Texas A&M Dexter Wideman South Carolina

Albert Okwuegbunam Missouri Devin Grimm Florida

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SEC MIX TAPE

The 2016 playlist for players, coaches and personalities

usic can apply to just about anything — even oddball coaches, obsessed fans and entitled quarterbacks. Here’s this year’s playlist for Texas A&M, SEC teams and an old former conference foe. The 12th Man on game day Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good by Don Williams (1981): It’s silly for Aggies to seek the assistance of The Man Upstairs when it comes to football. He clearly has better things to do. But if you’ve ever hit your knees to pray for a victory, you know what I’m talking about. Lyrics: “Lord, I hope this day is good/I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood/I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should/But Lord, I hope this day is good.” Les Miles Don’t You Want Me? by The Human League

(1981): What a bizarre ending to 2015 for the LSU coach. Despite his years of success, he seemed to be all but fired as he went into the final game of the year (against A&M). The Tigers won (dang it) and Miles avoided the axe. Good call, LSU. But what a peculiar way of doing it. Lyrics: “Don’t, don’t you want me?/You know I can’t believe it when I hear that you won’t see me/Don’t, don’t you want me?/You know I don’t believe you when you say that you don’t need me.” Noel Mazzone Fixing a Hole by The Beatles (1967): Like John

Chavis and the A&M defense a year ago, Mazzone is tasked with bringing the A&M offense back from the dead. And Aggies everywhere ask, “Where it will go?” Lyrics: “I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in/And stops my mind from wandering/Where it will go?/I’m filling the cracks that ran through the door/And kept my mind from wandering/Where it will go?”

Prince AP photo

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

Art Briles and Ken Starr The Truth by Prince (1997): The chaos at Baylor has been brutal, with horrible failures in leadership and in basic human decency. This is a biting acoustic track from the late pop star. Lyrics: “Questionnaire: What did you stand for?/Questionnaire: Who did you save?/… When it gets right down to it/ You take more than you gave.”

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CITY OF B RYAN The Good Life, Texas Style.

Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash (1972): After The Great Quarterback Exodus of 2015 — one of the weirder scenarios in A&M football history — fingers are crossed for a drama-free year. The good news, to borrow from Verbal Kint: And like that … they’re gone. Lyrics: “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone/I can see all obstacles in my way/ Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind/It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day.”

the rear-view mirror. Fair or not, consecutive 8-5 seasons — with quick rises into the top 10 and swift tumbles out of it — are enough for some to start questioning the temperature under Sumlin’s posterior. Lyrics: “You’ve got to get yourself together/ You’ve got stuck in a moment and now you can’t get out of it/Don’t say that later will be better/

Jim Turner and Jeff Banks How to Be Dumb by Elvis Costello (1991): The A&M assistant coaches certainly stepped in it with the sexist slideshow at the “Chalk Talk for Women” event in July. It’s shocking that a “BAD IDEA!” alert never sounded off in their heads. Lyrics: “Now you know how to be dumb/Are you ready to take your place in the modern museum of mistakes?/ Don’t you know how to be dumb?/Like a building thrown up overnight in one of those reverse earthquakes.” Kevin Sumlin Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of by U2 (2000): Texas A&M’s success in 2012 is getting further away in

2016

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Public Enemy AP photo

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Now you’re stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it.” Hugh Freeze Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man by Public Enemy (1990): Ole Miss raised some eyebrows several years ago when it suddenly became a recruiting powerhouse. That led to “A-HA!” reactions as reports of NCAA violations have surfaced. Mr. Freeze appears to have his hands full. Lyrics: “I can’t do nothing for ya man/ You got all these people on your back now/I can’t do nothing for ya man/Flavor Flav got problems of his own/I can’t do nothing for ya man/Go lean on Shell’s ‘Answer Man’/I can’t do nothing for ya man/You jumped out of the jelly into a jam.” Myles Garrett Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5 (1971): Yes, we know that the Aggies’ best defensive end in years will almost certainly leave after his junior year and become a top pick in the NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean we can’t cross all available fingers for one more year. Let a fan dream. Lyrics: “Even though the pain and heartache seem to follow me wherever I go/Though I try and try to hide my feelings, they always seem to show/Then you try to say you’re leaving me/ And I always have to say no/Tell me why is it so?”

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Knight Life h wit

1. Bobby Knight: Legendary basketball coach at Indiana and Texas Tech; expert chair thrower. Knight’s notes: “Bobby Knight has always scared me to death. We’re going to have to put him at the top of the list. He’s a really good coach, but scares the heck out of me. Almost made me quit playing sports as a young child.” 2. Phil Knight: Co-founder and former CEO of Nike; major supporter of his alma mater, Oregon. Knight’s notes: “Gotta put Phil Knight second. A powerful guy as well. That’s more of a political answer there.”

Trevor Knight

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

hen it comes to last names, “Knight” is among the better ones. Whether it brings to mind medieval warriors, superheroes or even a talking car, it’s a pretty strong surname. Count Texas A&M’s new quarterback Trevor Knight as appreciative of his good fortune. “It’s a great last name,” he says. “Thank you, dad. Thank you, ancestors.” We approached Knight with a series of other Knights, and asked him to rank them. Though he wasn’t familiar with every last one of them — sorry, Monty Python fans — he was good-natured in giving us his Knight power rankings.

3. The Dark Knight, aka Batman: The superhero in his moodiest mode, thanks to Frank Miller’s comics and Christopher Nolan’s film trilogy. Knight’s notes: “Let’s go with the Dark Knight third. I like Batman. I’m not like an avid Batman-er.” 4. Knight Rider: The cheesy ’80s crimefighter-and-talking-car show, starring David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight. Knight’s notes: “I have seen Knight Rider. There’s been many an edited picture with my face and his face, and I kinda have to know him by default.” 5. Ted Knight: Comedic actor best known for his role as Judge Smails in Caddyshack, along with The Mary

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Tyler Moore Show and Too Close for Comfort. Knight’s notes: “I’m really not a Caddyshack guy, but I have seen it once or twice, and you’ve gotta put Ted Knight in there.” 6. Gladys Knight: Legendary soul singer, known for Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us and If I Were Your Woman, along with her fantastic Pips. Knight’s notes: “That’s definitely sixth.” 7. Wayne Knight: Character actor best known for his role as Newman on Seinfeld. Also Jurassic Park, Space Jam and Basic Instinct. Knight’s notes: “Wayne Knight is classic. We’ll go with seventh on him.” 8. The Black Knight: The brave but foolish (and eventually limbless) knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. “It’s just a flesh wound!” Knight’s notes: Alas, he has not seen Monty Python’s comedic masterpiece. But he’s only 22. There’s still time. 9. Jordan Knight: Singer for ’80s boy band New Kids on the Block. Knight’s notes: A blunt answer for this particular Knight: “Last.” From top left clockwise: Bobby Knight, Wayne Knight, The Dark Knight, Jordan Knight, Gladys Knight, Phil Knight, Ted Knight, ‘Knight Rider’, The Black Knight AP photos

Jurassic Talk h wit

Myles Garrett

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

yles Garrett’s love of dinosaurs is no secret. Like quarterback sacks and poetry, dinosaurs are among his favorite things, and the Texas A&M star defensive end has even given reporters assignments to go study up on his favorite extinct beasts. It all started with Jurassic Park, Garrett says, Steven Spielberg’s classic 1993 film about the miraculous (and poorly executed) revival of dinosaurs. It was the first movie Garrett can recall watching as a child, and he was hooked. That fascination naturally included playing with dinosaur toys, and his childhood favorite was the Tyrannosaurus rex. But as he got older and learned more about it, the T-Rex wasn’t all that he had originally thought. Among the T-Rex’s “overrated” elements, Garrett says, were its “baby arms,” and that it was often more of a scavenger than a hunter. So it got bumped by the Spinosaurus on Garrett’s dino rankings. “Some studies are saying they actually hunted in packs,” Garrett says of the T-Rex. “I don’t think that would be the same with Spinosaurus, which would go solo, eat fish or crocodiles or whatever it could get its hands on. And it didn’t have baby arms.” We wanted to dig a little deeper into Garrett’s dinosaur love. He obliged in an interview with his top five, including how he hopes to model his game after one dinosaur in particular.

1. Spinosaurus: National Geographic calls this “the biggest and the baddest among meat-eating dinosaurs.” Garrett quickly named it his favorite. Garrett’s take: “[It’s] unknown, sort of. Has a big sail. It’s the largest quadruped. It’s fast. It’s kind of adaptable, it could go on water and land.” 2. Deinonychus: Encyclopedia Britannica calls this beast “a fast, agile predator whose large brain enabled it to perform relatively complex movements during the chase and kill.” Garrett’s take: “It’s what Jurassic Park raptors were based off of. Intelligence, quickness.” 3. Triceratops: The three-horned trike was elephant-sized and an herbivore, according to Live Science. It fended off its nemesis — the T-Rex — with those killer horns, which helped it to earn a spot on Garrett’s list. Garrett’s take, short and sweet: “Great defense.” 4. Dilophosaurus: In the original Jurassic Park movie, it’s the festive little lizard thing that spits the sludge of death all over Wayne “Newman” Knight.* (Garrett clarifies that they didn’t really do that in real life.) Garrett’s take: “It had frills that came out the side of his neck, the side of his head, and it was colorful. From Jurassic Park, the book, it had a weird call. It made a sound like an owl.” 5. Velociraptor: These are “the bite-sized” versions of Deinonychus, Garrett says. They were portrayed as highly intelligent, even communicative, in all four Jurassic movies. Garrett’s take: “That’s how I want my game to be: precise moves. In any moment, you can get the blow that will take you out of the game.”

Spinosaurus (above left), Triceratops (left) and Velociraptor (right), as shown by toys made by Schleich.

* We acknowledge the odd quirk of Wayne Knight appearing on consecutive pages in a magazine about SEC football. We didn’t plan it that way. Newman!

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FOOTBALL SEASON HOROSCOPES How will the stars align this fall? By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

vorite used bookstore. You will put it down, then immediately wash your hands. Twice.

eading horoscopes can be a fun part of a morning routine. Why not see how someone you’ve never met believes how your day will go? But when it comes to college football, we wanted to aim a bit bigger. So we set out to find someone to scan the stars and planet alignments for the entire season. Enter the mysterious and completely made-up astrologer Esmerelda von Zoltar, who provided this oddly specific soothsaying.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Though nonbelievers will frown upon it, you will applaud Leonard Fournette’s affection for Pokemon Go. But the LSU running back’s Heisman Trophy bid will end, largely because of his insistence on looking for Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff as he approaches the line of scrimmage.

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Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your birthday coincides with the start of football season. Make sure all friends and family members know this, and instruct them to plan birthday gifts accordingly. This includes enough bean dip and Funyuns to last until the bowl games are over.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You will be puzzled by the actions of Jake Hubenak. The Aggie quarterback will respond to his role backing up Trevor Knight by going all “Weird Al” on the team’s quarterback carousel. His spoof of choice? Paul Simon’s 1975 classic 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover: “Just go on in exile, Kyle/It wasn’t much of a thrill, Hill/Don’t be a beguiler, Kyler/Just listen to me/Good luck on your endeavor, Trevor/I’m not jealous whatsoever/You’ll soon catch a break, Jake/And start at QB.”

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Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your appreciation of Dave South will grow when someone intercepts his notes mid-broadcast and inserts rap lyrics. “And Trevor Knight, the Oklahoma transfer, just hit the east side of the LBC on a mission trying to find Mr. Warren G.”

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Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Fashion favors you this fall. Follow closely the sartorial skills of South Carolina coach Will Muschamp, right down to the pleated khakis and white sneakers. Also try to perfect the art of Muschamp’s barbaric yawps on the sidelines, as this will make you popular at parties.

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Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You will get a chuckle out of the news in Fort Worth, when TCU quarterback and former Aggie player Kenny Hill celebrates a big win over Texas by passing out in a plate of enchiladas at Joe T. Garcia’s. His punishment: Untie and retie Gary Patterson’s shoes on the sidelines every 90 seconds.

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Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your commentary during games is starting to wear thin with your family and friends. Think

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Have you considered wearing a visor? We need to do something with that head of yours. Just look at Kevin Sumlin. No visor? Average-looking guy. With it? That’s one good-looking dude.

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of something more clever to say when your team is on defense than “Git ’im!” And stop yelling “boo-yah!” whenever your team scores. Consider instead “Scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the fandango?!?” Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You will finally find an ounce of sympathy for former Aggie QB and current Oklahoma sitter-outter Kyler Murray, when Sooner starter Baker Mayfield announces he’ll return for his senior year. On a positive note, Murray will go home for the holidays and finally hit the 5-foot mark on his bedroom-door growth chart.

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Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You will pick up a heavily discounted copy of Art Briles’ book Beating Goliath: My Story of Football and Faith at your fa-

Cancer ( June 21-July 22): You deeply despise narcissism, and so you will actively root against Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly after his “I’m the best quarterback in the nation” routine from SEC Media Days. He will continue this throughout the season, boasting of other things at which he rules, including making PB&J sandwiches, doing “the sprinkler” dance and burping the ABCs.

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Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22): You will watch in disbelief as Lee Corso finally loses it on ESPN GameDay, when the show travels to Boise State for its October game against BYU. He’ll pick the Broncos to win, then pull out a Godfather-esque horse head, to the horror of all who see it.

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SEC 2016 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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