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Spring football oftentimes takes on a greater meaning than it really is, especially in football crazy SEC country. But that’s certainly OK; we like it, too, and we like that you like it.
Spring 2016 has come and gone, and throughout the conference a lot of good, quality work got done. Here are a few guys who stood tall this spring in workouts, scrimmages and spring games:
SEC East
Jeff George, Preston Williams and Jason Croom, Tennessee: With nine starters back on offense and many of them being held out of a lot of contact all spring, it was a good time for depth to emerge in Knoxville. Receivers Jeff George and Preston Williams took full advantage of the extra work, as did Jason Croom, whose conversion to tight end is going smoothly. George, a junior college transfer, made a ton of eye-popping catches all spring, including a dramatic TD catch over the top of DB Darrell Miller in the spring game. He’s going to be a big boost in the red zone in the fall, as is Croom, who is adjusting well to his move inside to tight end. Williams is making the most of his second season, getting things done that he didn’t last year as a freshman. The highly touted four-star recruit seems prepped to make a big splash in 2016.
Jacob Eason, Georgia: OK, let’s be serious here. This Jacob Eason thing is going to happen in Athens, and it will happen soon. The kid can play, and he’s already proved that this spring. While he should have been at his high school prom, Eason was instead throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ spring game, completing 19 of 29 passes and looking good doing it. The kid has all the tools, and he’s going to be a star. Sure, there will be growing pains, but let’s be real. He needs to be the starter when September rolls around, and every day forward for the next three years. This is a new day in Athens under Kirby Smart, and it’s going to be defined by how well Eason plays at quarterback.
Eddy Pineiro, Florida: Gator fans are head-over-heels in love with their new kicker, Eddy Pineiro. It’s crazy really, because he’s just a kicker. But after last year’s nightmare on special teams – the worst display ever in the kicking game by a major program in my eyes, last in PAT percentage and field goal percentage among major schools – it’s understandable why the Gators would embrace him so. He didn’t disappoint in his first public appearance either, basically taking over the spring game with makes from 52 and 56 yards. Hopefully, the Gators have found their man.
SEC West
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M: For all the craziness that has swirled around the Aggies’ football program since last fall – and there’s been a whole lot of it – the area of biggest concern has been at quarterback. First, five-star recruits Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray left the program within days of each other, and it seemed like a rudderless ship was sinking over in College Station. It seemed like the walls were starting to cave in on Kevin Sumlin’s program. But this spring, they’ve done everything right. Transfer QB Trevor Knight (Oklahoma) has come in and immediately hit the ground running. He played well all spring, his teammates took him in immediately, and so did his coaches. The best move of the spring was anointing Knight as the starter for next fall, so some calmness can roll over campus and the Aggies can get back to work with a steady hand at the helm.
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas: The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive end was basically unblockable all spring. His goal coming into the spring was to be the best player on the field in Fayetteville, and he certainly was. “I know this. He’s playing the best football he’s played, certainly in my time,” Razorbacks defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. “If he stays on that path, good things will certainly happen for him.” How good was he? In one spring scrimmage, he was so good that he was disrupting practically every offensive play. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema actually took him off the field, so the offense could try to get something accomplished. That’s quite a compliment.
Cooper Bateman, Alabama: In the very crowded quarterback race at Alabama, the belief coming into the spring was that Cooper Bateman, because of his experience, was probably the leader in the clubhouse to take over the reins for the defending national champions. He didn’t disappoint in the spring, playing well enough to maintain that lead and put his stamp on the job come September, even despite some wobbly moments in the spring game against Alabama’s No. 1 defense. Bateman has a lot working for him. He has the most experience, he can run a little when he has to and he knows the offense. The fight is a long way from over, but Bateman seems to have maintained his spot at the front of the line so far. It’s not over yet, though.
Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist and author who is covering SEC football for Saturday Down South.
