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Replacing significant contributors has long been a part of college football.
As soon as a player turns into a difference-maker, he’s gone in the blink of an eye due to either the NFL draft or graduation.
It then becomes the responsibility of the “next man up” to keep the program moving forward.
Here is one player on each of the SEC rosters that will be asked to “step up” and fill a much-needed role in the 2015 season:
Alabama: WR ArDarius Stewart
Someone has to replace Heisman-finalist WR Amari Cooper in Lane Kiffin’s offense. After a nice spring showing, the Crimson Tide is hopeful that Stewart will be the guy that is up to the task.
“I think his confidence is growing,” Nick Saban told 247Sports on Thursday. “And I think he’s the next guy that we need to sort of be the man when it comes to playing receiver and playing with consistency.”
Arkansas: RB Alex Collins
Collins is already a proven playmaker in this conference, but the season-ending injury to starting RB Jonathan Williams will put more of the burden of the running game on Collins’ shoulders this season. If the Razorbacks are going to contend for the SEC West this season, it is now on Collins to be the “feature back” in the Arkansas offense.
Auburn: QB Jeremy Johnson
Even though the preseason discussion about Johnson’s upside has many folks anticipating an All-SEC caliber performance, the truth is that Johnson still has plenty to prove once taking snaps that actually count. If the Tigers are going to win the SEC championship this season, it will be because Johnson stepped up and lived up to the hype.
Florida: RB Kelvin Taylor
Matt Jones graduated and Adam Lane transferred, leaving a clear path to the starting RB role with the Gators for the son of former Florida great Fred Taylor. If the Gators are going to have a successful transition to Jim McElwain’s style of offense with a young quarterback under center, it will be because Taylor stepped up and became the lead back that coaches have always envisioned him to be.
Georgia: DL Sterling Bailey
Questions abound on the defensive front for Georgia. Several talented youngsters are expected to add depth to the rotation, but the Bulldogs still need a veteran presence. After playing in 28 games, including 10 starts, senior Sterling Bailey may step into a more prominent role.
Kentucky: TE C.J. Conrad
With Patrick Towles now entrenched as the Wildcats starter at QB, new Kentucky offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is now focused on putting players around him in position to make some plays. Conrad, a freshman, may be ready to step in right away and give the Wildcats a pass-catching threat they haven’t seen since Jacob Tamme.
If you look for potential, I think this kid can be as good as advertised,” tight ends coach Vince Marrow told the Herald-Leader. “He has all the tools. He’s a good blocker, good size.”
LSU: WR Malachi Dupre
If the Tigers can get consistent quarterback play, they may get surprising production out of a talented receiving corp. While most of the attention is on deep threat Travin Dural, don’t be surprised if Dupre makes a huge step forward in his sophomore season.
Mississippi State: CB Will Redmond
The time is now for a Will Redmond breakout season Entering his final year with the Bulldogs, Redmond will get one final chance to turn his elite measurables into an All-SEC caliber performance. Mississippi State would welcome that type of season after giving up a league-worst 272.8 yards per game through the air in 2014.
Missouri: DE Charles Harris
During the last two seasons, Missouri has had major production out of its pass rushing defensive ends. Last year, it was Shane Ray and Markus Golden, the year before it was Michael Sam and Kony Ealy. Is Harris ready to step up and become the next great Tigers pass rusher?
“Pressure builds diamonds,” Harris told the Columbia Missourian. “Make diamonds.”
Ole Miss: CB Tony Bridges
Replacing All-American CB Senquez Golson is a tall order, but JUCO transfer Tony Bridges may be up to the task. After an impressive showing during spring ball, Ole Miss fans feel at ease about the prospects of Bridges filling a hole vacated by a cornerback that picked off 10 passes in 2014.
South Carolina: DE Marquavius Lewis
The Gamecocks had their worst defensive performance of the Steve Spurrier era last season. Lewis, a newcomer as a JUCO transfer, is expected to bring the pass rush that was missing in 2014 after the departure of former No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney. While comparing his production to Clowney may be setting him up for disappointment, it is fair to say South Carolina is counting on him to step up.
Tennessee: DT Kahlil McKenzie
Tennessee features some of the nation’s top edge rushes with Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt. The Vols are looking for players to step up on the interior of the defensive line. True freshman Khalil McKenzie may be the guy to plug that hole for the Vols right away.
“There’s some times on the football field where you’re watching him and you just go, ‘Wow,’” Vols defensive line coach Steve Stripling told 247Sports.
Texas A&M: S Justin Evans
Evans, who is a new arrival from junior college, won a starting safety job outright during spring practice. New defensive coordinator John Chavis is going to be looking for players to step up and give a new identity to this defense, and Evans may be just the man to lead the charge.
Vanderbilt: WR Trent Sherfield
Even before starting wide receiver C.J. Duncan went down with a season-ending injury in fall camp, the Commodores were in search of someone to step up at this position. Sherfield arrived as one of the Commodores’ top prospects in 2014, but received just three touches as a freshman. He has a good chance to grab a starting role in Andy Ludwig’s offense and potentially lead Vanderbilt in receiving yardage this season.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
