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Some teams have star players, and some have several stars at the same position. Here are some of the SEC’s best units often led by stars recognized among the nation’s best.
5. Georgia offensive line: OT John Theus, a first-team all-SEC coaches selection, anchored a unit that was fourth in the SEC in rushing offense (194 yards per game) and second in sacks allowed (13). The unit helped RB Sony Michel become the 13th Georgia running back in history to rush for 1,000 yards, and RB Nick Chubb reach 100 rushing yards in 13 straight games, a school record.
4. Missouri defensive line: This could be expanded to the Tigers’ front seven with LB Kentrell Brothers, but the Missouri defense was anchored by DL Charles Harris. Harris’ 18.5 tackles for a loss is tied for most in the SEC, and Missouri as a team led the league in that category with 106. The future looks bright because freshman DL Walter Brady was second on the team with 12.5 tackles for a loss. Brady and Harris each had seven sacks, while another freshman, DL Terry Beckner, Jr., had three.
3. Georgia running backs: Not many teams could lose the caliber of player of Nick Chubb to a season-ending injury and not see much of a drop off. But that’s what happened at Georgia with Sony Michel. Throw in Keith Marshall, who announced his NFL Draft plans, and fourth-string fan favorite Brendan Douglas and the depth sets the Bulldogs apart. The quartet combined for 2,251 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Michel went for 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns after assuming the starting role following Chubb’s injury at midseason. What’s more, Michel, Chubb and Marshall each averaged five yards per carry.
2. Tennessee kick returners: Evan Berry and Cameron Sutton were in a class by themselves for the Vols this season. Berry averaged a nation-leading 38 yards on kick returns average with three TDs. Berry was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. Sutton was no slouch himself on punt returns with an average of more than 18 yards with two TDs.
1. Florida defensive backs: Two of the best players on Florida’s defense, which was second in the SEC and sixth-nationally in total defense, Vernon Hargreaves III and Jalen Tabor made the coaches all-SEC team. Tabor led the SEC in passes defended with 18, including 14 broken up and four interceptions. Hargreaves, who had four interceptions, was a finalist for the Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
