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Jarrett Stidham ranked as SEC’s best player by ESPN, 18 total SEC players named in top 50
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As we inch closer to the start of the season, ESPN released their Top 50 players in college football heading into the 2018 season. The SEC was represented a total of 18 times, led by Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham, who came in at No. 10 overall. The junior threw for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, leading the Tigers to a 10-4 record and a first-place finish in the SEC West.
Here are where the other SEC players were placed:
11. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
He may have only played in one game, but it was an important one. After saving Alabama in the National Championship, ESPN seems high on what the true sophomore can do this season.
13. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
The senior has rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons and also recorded 11 touchdowns in 2017.
16. Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State
Although he’s coming off of a gruesome leg injury, Fitzgerald is talented and experienced, he could be a Heisman dark horse this season.
17. Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
The 6-foot-7, 300 pound Davis recorded 69 tackles last season and earned All-SEC honors as well. ESPN is expecting a repeat performance out of the junior lineman.
26. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Brown went off for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and is one of the most talented receivers in the SEC.
27. Devin White, LB, LSU
ESPN says that White will probably be the first linebacker taken in the 2019 NFL draft. He recorded 133 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2017.
29. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Simmons had 12 tackles for loss in 2017 and should dominate inside for this Bulldogs defense.
30. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Fromm threw for 2,699 yards and led Georgia to the National Championship game in 2017 before falling to Tagovailoa and Alabama in overtime. Like Tagovailoa, he too will be a true sophomore who will have to deal with lofty expectations, the difference is that he now has a full season under his belt.
31. Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama
Williams has 29 career starts and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2016. There is no doubt that he’s one of the best blockers in the country.
33. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Swift averaged 7.6 yards per carry as a freshman last season and now with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb gone, it’s his time to shine.
35. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The senior QB threw for almost 4,000 yards last year and is a potential top pick in next year’s NFL draft.
37. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Greedy picked off quarterbacks five times last year and is expected to have a big-time sophomore season.
39. Greg Little, OL, Ole Miss
Little is one of the best linemen in the country and is considered to be a potential first-round pick.
41. Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Brown is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound monster who posted four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in his sophomore season. It will be hard to run up the middle against the Tigers this year.
45. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
As a junior, Sweat tied for the SEC lead in sacks and tackles for loss. As a senior, he again will be one of the leaders on this Bulldogs defense.
47. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Samuel is one of the most exciting players in the country and can do it all as an offensive weapon. Whether catching passes, rushing the football or returning kicks, Samuel has been successful at everything asked of him.
49. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
Wilson had 40 tackles as a sophomore last season and led the team in interceptions with four.
Jordan Dajani covers SEC football for Saturday Down South and is a University of Tennessee graduate. He also has experience working in the NBA and with ESPN.
