MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015 |
THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
3C
Your guide to SEC Media Days O
ver the more than three decades since it began, the SEC Media Days has become the unofficial start of the countdown to fall football. The event includes print, online, radio and television media blanketing the four-day event with wall-to-wall coverage from the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover. SEC Media Days is not open to the public, but that doesn’t prevent fans from crowding into the lobby in hopes of nabbing an autograph or picture of their favorite players and coaches. Here is a quick guide to understanding SECMD and how best to follow the action:
How it works
Track the action
Each day, coaches and players from each of the league’s 14 teams will rotate through various rooms on the convention floor of the Wynfrey, meeting at designated times with print, broadcast and Internet media. The in-state Auburn Tigers kick off the event today, followed by Florida and first-year coach (and former Alabama offensive coordinator) Jim McElwain, with Vanderbilt closing out the day. Four teams go Tuesday: South Carolina, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Tennessee. Alabama leads Wednesday, followed by Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas. Georgia kicks off the final day, with Ole Miss and LSU following. Alabama will bring three seniors in center Ryan Kelly, linebacker Reggie Ragland and running back Kenyan Drake, along with head coach Nick Saban.
Tidesports.com and Tuscaloosanews.com will have wall-to-wall coverage each day. Tidesports.com is a premium subscription website, but some content will be available for free. Tuscaloosanews.com is also paywallprotected, with non-subscribers able to look at five content items per month without charge. Tidesports.com members can discuss SEC Media Days on our “Talk of Champions” forum and get exclusive breaking news on UA athletics and football recruiting. Reports from each coach’s appearance, player features, video and photo galleries will be posted as quickly as possible throughout SEC Media Days. Other features will look at the best quotes of each day, the worst questions from the media and the buzz of each session. Be sure to check out Tidesports.com’s SEC Media Days Central hub page, which will provide the latest content as it is posted. A link can be found on the site’s front page.
More in store Newly-minted SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey gives his first state-of-the-conference remarks today at 11:30 a.m. to open SECMD. Steve Shaw, the SEC coordinator of football officials, addresses any new rule changes or officiating procedures on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Alabama running back Kenyan Drake missed most of last season. He’s back for the 2015 campaign and will be at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
Tweet central The Tidesports.com staff will be utilizing Twitter throughout the SEC Media Days. Follow the staff to get as-it-happens reports throughout the event:
CECIL HURT Sports Editor www.twitter.com/ CecilHurt
AARON SUTTLES Alabama beat writer www.twitter.com/ AaronSuttles
TOMMY DEAS Executive Sports Editor www.twitter.com/ tommydeas
BEN JONES Tidesports.com managing editor www.twitter.com/ BW_ Jones
JOEY CHANDLER Staff writer www.twitter.com/ Joey_TNews
ALESSANDRA DELROSE Video links www.twitter.com/ Amdelrose
TIDESPORTS.COM www.twitter.com/ TideSports
TODAY’S TEAMS
TUESDAY’S TEAMS
WEDNESDAY’S TEAMS
THURSDAY’S TEAMS
AUBURN
SOUTH CAROLINA
ALABAMA
GEORGIA
When: 11:30 a.m.- 2:20 p.m Head Coach: Gus Malzahn 2014 Record: 8-5 SEC: 4-4 Players attending ■ Jeremy Johnson (QB, 6-5, 240, Jr., Montgomery) 2014 season: Played in seven games. Started season opener against Arkansas and went 12-for-16 for 243 yards in the first half. First Auburn quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards in a half since Cam Newton in 2010. ■ Jonathan Jones (DB, 5-10, 181, Sr., Carrollton, Ga.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games at cornerback. Had six interceptions, ranking ninth nationally and fifth-most in a season at Auburn. ■ Kris Frost (LB, 6-2, 240, Sr., Matthews, N.C.) 2014 season: Finished with 87 total tackles and 59 solo stops. Had a career-high 14 tackles in win over South Carolina.
When: 9 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Head Coach: Steve Spurrier 2014 record: 7-6 SEC: 3-5 Players attending ■ Elliott Fry (PK, 6-0, 158, Jr., Frisco, Texas) 2014 season: Ranked third in the SEC with 105 points and fifth in the league in points per game at 8.1. Connected on 72 percent of field goals (18-of-25) and all 51 extra-point attempts. ■ Pharoh Cooper (WR, 5-11, 208, Jr., Havelock, N.C.) 2014 season: Led team in all receiving categories and was fourth with 200 yards rushing. ■ Skai Moore (LB, 6-2, 218, Jr., Cooper City, Fla.) 2014 season: Played in 12 games. Led the team with 93 tackles, 52 of which were unassisted. Ranked 10th in the conference at 7.8 tackles per game.
When: 9 a.m.-noon Head Coach: Nick Saban 2014 Record: 12-2 SEC: 7-1 Players attending ■ Reggie Ragland (LB, 6-2, 252, Sr., Madison) 2014 season: Recorded 95 tackles, ranking second on the team. Bypassed the NFL draft to return for his senior season. Semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s best linebacker. ■ Kenyan Drake (RB, 6-1, 210, Sr., Powder Springs, Ga.) 2014 season: Had 22 carries for 112 yards before breaking his leg in the fifth game of the season at Ole Miss. ■ Ryan Kelly (OL, 6-5, 297, Sr., West Chester, Ohio) 2014 season: Started for the second consecutive year at center. Part of an offensive line that surrendered just 16 sacks on the season to rank second in the SEC and 14th nationally.
When: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Head Coach: Mark Richt 2014 record: 10-3 SEC: 6-2 Players attending ■ Malcolm Mitchell (WR, 6-1, 195, Sr., Valdosta, Ga.) 2014 season: Played in eight games, three of which he started. Held back by injuries the last two seasons. Finished with 31 receptions and 248 receiving yards and three touchdowns. ■ John Theus (OT, 6-6, 303, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Helped Georgia to a conference-leading 257.8 yards rushing per game. ■ Jordan Jenkins (OLB, 6-3, 253, Sr., Hamilton, Ga.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Finished with 70 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Recovered two fumbles and recorded 24 quarterback hurries.
TEXAS A&M
KENTUCKY
OLE MISS
When: 9 a.m.- 12:20 p.m. Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin 2014 Record: 8-5 SEC: 3-5 Players attending ■ Mike Matthews (C, 6-2, 290, Sr., Missouri City, Texas) 2014 season: Made 10 starts for the Aggies at center. Missed a pair of games due to injury. Named to Rimington Trophy watch list. ■ Germain Ifedi (OT, 6-5, 325, Jr., Houston, Texas) 2014 season: Started 10 games at right tackle. Missed the Auburn and Missouri games due to injury. ■ Julien Obioha (DL, 6-4, 270, Sr., New Orleans) 2014 season: Finished with 45 tackles, including five for loss and one sack.
When: 9 a.m.-noon Head Coach: Mark Stoops 2014 Record: 5-7 SEC: 2-6 Players attending ■ Melvin Lewis (DT, 6-4, 342, Sr., Compton, Calif.) 2014 season: Played in all 12 games at defensive tackle. Finished with 37 total stops, 14 of which were solo. Recorded 2.5 tackles for loss, forced one fumble. ■ Jordan Swindle (OT, 6-7, 309, Sr., St. Johns, Fla.) 2014 season: Started every game, mostly at right tackle. Started season opener against UT-Martin at left tackle. ■ A.J. Stamps (S, 6-0, 197, Sr., Vicksburg, Miss.) 2014 season: Started all 12 games. Finished with 56 total tackles. Finished with a team-leading four interceptions.
When: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Head Coach: Hugh Freeze 2014 Record: 9-4 SEC: 5-3 Players attending ■ Evan Engram (TE, 6-3, 227, Jr., Powder Springs, Ga.) 2014 season: Led all tight ends in the league with 662 receiving yards and was second with 38 catches. Averaged 17.4 yards per catch. ■ Mike Hilton (DB, 5-9, 184, Sr., Fayetteville, Ga.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Intercepted three passes. Led the Rebels with 71 tackles. ■ C.J. Johnson (LB, 6-2, 225, Sr., Philadelphia, Miss.) 2014 season: Served as captain for all 13 games. Had four sacks and totaled 38 tackles.
FLORIDA
MISSISSIPPI STATE
MISSOURI
LSU
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m. Head Coach: Jim McElwain 2014 record: 7-5 SEC: 4-4 Players attending ■ Jonathan Bullard (DE, 6-3, 277, Sr., Shelby, N.C.) 2014 season: Started all 12 games on the defensive line. Finished with 2.5 sacks and 52 total tackles. ■ Brandon Powell (WR, 5-9, 181, So., Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 2014 season: Played in 11 games, started twice. Finished with 15 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown. Had 16 caries for 70 yards and one touchdown. ■ Vernon Hargreaves III (DB, 5-11, 198, Jr., Tampa, Fla.) 2014 season: Started all 12 games. Led team and conference with 13 pass breakups. Finished with three interceptions and 50 total tackles.
When: 1-4 p.m. Head Coach: Dan Mullen 2014 Record: 10-3 SEC: 6-2 Players attending ■ Dak Prescott (QB, 6-2, 230, Sr., Haughton, La.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Broke 12 school singleseason records. Rushed for 989 yards and 14 touchdowns. Averaged 265.3 passing yards per game. ■ Taveze Calhoun (DB, 6-1, 180, Sr., Morton, Miss.) 2014 season: Started at corner in all 13 games. Had 53 tackles. Ranked eighth in the SEC in pass breakups with nine. ■ Ryan Brown (DE, 6-6, 266, Sr., New Orleans) 2014 season: Started 12 games at defensive end. Finished with 39 tackles. Had seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
When: 1-4 p.m. Head Coach: Gary Pinkel 2014 record: 11-3 SEC: 7-1 Players attending ■ Kenya Dennis (DB, 5-11, 200, Sr., Leland, Miss.) 2014 season: Played in all 14 games. Finished with 61 total tackles. Recorded 4.5 tackles for loss. Finished with one interception, nine pass break-ups, 10 passes defended and one forced fumble. ■ Maty Mauk (QB, 6-0, 100, Jr., Kenton, Ohio) 2014 season: Played in all 14 games. Finished with 2,648 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. Had a 53.4 percent completion rate. ■ Evan Boehm (C, 6-3, 320, Sr., Lee’s Summit, Mo.) 2014 season: Started all 14 games, including 40th consecutive start against Minnesota in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jeremy Johnson takes over as the starting quarterback for Auburn this season.
When: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Head Coach: Les Miles 2014 Record: 8-5 SEC: 4-4
Players attending ■ Leonard Fournette (RB, 6-1, 230, So., New Orleans) 2014 season: Set a school freshman rushing record with 1,034 yards. Had five 100-yard rushing games. Led the league in all-purpose yards with an average of 137.4 yards per game. ■ Vadal Alexander (OT, 6-6, 320, Sr., Buford, Ga.) 2014 season: Had a streak of 32 straight starts until he missed week 11 against Arkansas. Played 757 offensive snaps and had 75.5 knockdowns. ■ Kendell Beckwith (LB, 6-2, 245, Jr., Clinton, La.) 2014 season: Switched to middle linebacker in week seven against Florida. Finished the season with 77 tackles, 7.5 tackles and two sacks.
— Capsules by Kayla Howard and Kelly Ward
VANDERBILT
TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m. Head Coach: Derek Mason 2014 record: 3-9 SEC: 0-8 Players attending ■ Ralph Webb (RB, 5-10, 200, So., Gainesville, Fla.) 2014 season: Broke freshman team records with 907 yards rushing on 212 attempts. Averaged 75.8 yards per game. ■ Nigel Bowden (ILB, 6-1, 245, So., Macon, Ga.) 2014 season: Started in 11 games. Only missed Mississippi State due to injury. Finished with 78 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. ■ Spencer Pulley (OL, 6-4, 300, Sr., Germantown, Tenn.) 2014 season: Started 12 games at right guard. Earned All-SEC consideration. Registered 28 pancake blocks and 10 domination blocks.
When: 1-4 p.m. Head Coach: Butch Jones 2014 record: 7-6 SEC: 3-5 Players attending ■ Joshua Dobbs (QB, 6-3, 212, Jr., Alpharetta, Ga.) 2014 season: Played in six games, five of which he started. In his five starts, Tennessee was 4-1. Finished with 1,675 total yards of offense, an average of just over 279 per game. ■ Curt Maggitt (LB/DL, 6-3, 246, Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) 2014 season: Played in all 13 games and started 10. Finished with 48 tackles and a team-best 11 sacks. ■ Cameron Sutton (DB, 6-1, 189, Jr., Jonesboro, Ga.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Finished with 37 tackles and four tackles for loss.
When: 1-4 p.m. Head Coach: Bret Bielema 2014 Record: 7-6 SEC: 2-6 Players attending ■ Jonathan Williams (RB, 6-0, 224, Sr., Allen, Texas) 2014 season: Started 11 games and appeared in all 13. Completed the season with 211 carries for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns. ■ Brandon Allen (QB, 6-2, 210, Sr., Fayetteville, Ark.) 2014 season: Started all 13 games. Threw the fewest interceptions in the SEC, with five. ■ Keon Hatcher (WR, 6-2, 210, Sr., Owasso, Okla.) 2014 season: Started 12 games and appeared in all 13. Has caught a pass and converted a first down in 17 consecutive games dating back to 2013.
Leonard Fournette rushed for 1,034 yards as a freshman in 2014.