Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The top 25 players: SEC

I have to find a new way to pass the time before the CFB season actually starts. What better way to do so than to list the top 25 players from every conference.

I'll do a conference a day until I break down all 1-a conferences.

Of course, I will be starting things off with the greatest thing to hit CFB since JoePa's broken leg: The SEC.

1.Tim Tebow - QB Florida- Of course the reigning Heisman trophy winner would get the number one spot. Who in the SEC could be better than the best player in the land?
2. Percy Harvin - WR Florida- I had a tough choice between Harvin and Knowshon Moreno. I went with Harvin because of his versatility. He is dangerous in the open field, and is among the fastest players in the nation.
3. Knowshon Moreno - RB Georgia - Again, Moreno could have easily been the number 2 player behind Tebow on this list. If Moreno could develop more as a pass catcher coming out of the backfield, we may have back to back Sophomore Heisman trophy winners.
4. Eric Berry - DB Tennessee - Eric Berry is the best defensive player in the SEC. He may be the best defensive player in the nation. If the Vols hope to make it back to the SEC title game, they will need to rely on Berry and their defense.
5. Greg Hardy- DL Ole Miss - Often overlooked because he plays for the woeful Rebels, Greg Hardy has consistently been one of the better defensive linemen in the nation.
6.Michael Oher - OL Ole Miss- Working against Hardy in practice has enabled Oher to take on all opposing pass rushers in the SEC. He's my choice as the top offensive lineman in the conference.
7. Matthew Stafford - QB Georgia- I have a feeling that this spot may be a little too generous for Stafford. However, he is the QB for the team that is expected to win it all. If he can build upon last year's success, Stafford could be moving up.
8. Brandon LaFell - WR LSU- LaFell will be hindered by the QB situation in Baton Rouge. Whoever Les Miles calls on will have one of the better receivers to throw to in Brandon.
9. Captain Munnerlyn - DB South Carolina- Munnerlyn is a straight up play maker for this Gamecocks defense. Who would have ever thought that a Steve Spurrier coached team would be stronger on the defensive side of the ball?
10. Brandon Spikes- LB Florida- Spikes is a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski award this season. He is a consensus pick to be the top LB in a very good SEC class.
11. Anthony Dixon - RB Mississippi St. - There's just something about Anthony Dixon that I really like. His running style is a thing of beauty. He might be my favorite non-Gator player in the nation.
12. Andre Smith - OL Alabama - Smith is HUGE. Of all the players listed on here, Smith may have the best NFL potential.
13. Keiland Williams - RB LSU - Williams may lose a little bit of his touches this season to speedster Trindon Holliday, but he is still among the best at his position.
14. Jonathan Luigs - OL Arkansas - Luigs is another top NFL prospect from the SEC West. Now I see why the West always has better ground games than the East.
15. Derek Pegues - DB Mississippi St. - The Bulldog defense should once again be very solid this season. Pegues will be a big reason for that.
16. Jasper Brinkley - LB South Carolina - Brinkley is coming off an injury-plagued season. Before last year he was among the best LB's in the nation. I look for him to return to his old form this year.
17. Ricky Jean-Francois - DL LSU - Francois also missed most of last year for the Bayou Bengals. He did come back in time to play against Ohio St. in the BCS National Championship. Ask any Buckeye fan how good he is.
18. Gino Atkins - DL Georgia- The best defensive player on one of the better defensive units in the nation. If Atkins can stay out of trouble, he will have a monster year.
19. Rolando McClain - LB Alabama - McClain will lead the Tide's defense as they try to climb back to respectability under Nick Saban.
20. Kenny McKinley - WR South Carolina - McKinley has been underrated his whole career in Columbia. With an uncertain QB situation brewing for the Gamecocks, that probably won't change.
21. Cornelius Ingram - TE Florida - Ingram is perhaps the most freakishly athletic player in the conference. I expect (and hope) Ingram will have a huge year for the Gators.
22. Anthony Parker - OL Tennessee - Even when Tennessee struggles, their running game is always good. A big part of that recently has been offensive linemen like Anthony Parker.
23. Jamar Chaney - LB Mississippi St. - Chaney made some of the biggest plays last year from the LB position. Sylvester Croom's defense looks to lead the way for the Bulldogs to make it back to back bowl berths.
24. Rico McCoy - LB Tennessee - I admit I'm still a little skeptical about McCoy. However, Rico has the skill set to be one of the best at his position.
25. Mike Wallace - WR Ole Miss - I really expect big things from Wallace this year. Like McKinley at South Carolina, Wallace has been underrated his entire career.

Next up: Whatever the hell conference I feel like doing next.

1 comment:

-]~W:I:L:L~[- said...

Good post, Tebow kicks butt.