Ad Disclosure
Every year, players burst on to the scene with big games or big seasons and become stars in the SEC.
This season, the likes of Nick Chubb and Leonard Fournette solidified their stardom at this level. With the SEC’s season over and we start to take an early look at 2015, who are the next players that will take the next step in the SEC and become bonafide stars?
Dark-horse SEC stars in 2015
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M: The true freshman showed glimpses of greatness in 2014, and with more continuity at quarterback, is primed for a breakout sophomore campaign. Noil caught 44 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns during his first season in College Station and showed his explosiveness in the kick return game. Noil — a SEC All-Freshman team selection — led A&M in all-purpose yardage, punt return yards and kickoff return yards in 2014. The native of New Orleans, La., set a school record for single game catches by a freshman during his 11-reception, 105-yard effort against Ole Miss.
Brice Ramsey, Georgia: Ramsey, a redshirt freshman in 2014, is expected to take over for the departed Hutson Mason. While we haven’t seen much from the Camden County product during his two seasons in Athens, Ramsey certainly possesses the upside to be a star quarterback in the SEC. As a senior in high school, Ramsey threw for nearly 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns to just three interceptions. This season, mostly in mop-up time, Ramsey completed 24-of-39 passes for 333 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. With a big offseason, Ramsey could insert himself into the conversation as one of the SEC’s best signal-callers.
Ricardo Louis, Auburn: The rising senior on the receiving end of the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” in 2013 against Georgia, for which he earned himself an ESPY nomination, is poised for a massive senior season on the Plains. Louis caught 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 220 yards and a score on the ground in 2014. The Miami, Fla., native is versatile on the perimeter of the field and looks to step into the big play role left vacant by Sammie Coates. Louis had plays of 40 yards, 75 yards and 66 yards this season but needs to be more consistent in 2015.
Tony Conner, Ole Miss: The only defensive prospect on your list, Conner returns to an Ole Miss secondary that loses cornerback Senquez Golson and safety Cody Prewitt. As a freshman in 2013, Conner finished third on the team in tackles while starting all 12 games. Conner’s versatility in the secondary allows him to be a force stopping the run and pass. The Batesville, Miss., product is positioned to become the next star in the Landshark defense.
Malachi Dupre, LSU: As the No. 2 receiver in the Class of 2014, Dupre arrived in Baton Rouge touted. Dupre caught just 14 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns in 2014. The sophomore’s breakout game came in the loss to Mississippi State when he hauled in four passes for 120 yards and two scores. At 6-foot-3, 187-pounds, Dupre has the physical tools to become a star in 2015, but the quarterback position needs to be answered for the Tigers.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
