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SEC West ballhawks: Likely INT leaders in 2016 and surprise picks
By Joe Cox
Published:
As passing has become more prevalent in the SEC, more pressure and praise has gone to the guys who shut down the passing game.
Here’s a look at each SEC West team, projecting their likely interceptions leader in 2016 and offering a surprise pick as well.
Alabama
The Tide led the SEC with 19 interceptions in 2015, highlighted by safety Eddie Jackson, whose six interceptions tied him for the individual lead in the conference. The 6-foot, 194-pound Jackson is back, and as a preseason First-Team All-SEC pick, he has to be the odds-on favorite to be the Tide’s interceptions leader in 2016.
So who would qualify as a surprise? Cornerbacks Minkah Fitzpatrick (Second-Team) and Marlon Humphrey (Third-Team) were each All-SEC picks as well. Maybe safety Ronnie Harrison could be the upset pick. Harrison picked two passes off and deflected six more despite starting just one game last year as a true freshman. If he can project those numbers out into a full-time role, he could become the ballhawk of the Bama secondary.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks had 11 interceptions in 2015, led by safety Josh Liddell and cornerback DJ Dean with two picks each. Probably the likely leader for this season is cornerback Jared Collins. Collins has broken up 23 passes over the last two seasons, although he had just one interception in 2015. Still, he’s a solid veteran presence and could snag a couple of picks this year.
Safety Santos Ramirez is a surprise name to lead the secondary this year. Ramirez started three games and had an interception last year. At 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, he’s a rangy athlete who could make some big plays for the Razorbacks this fall.
Auburn
Auburn had 14 interceptions in 2015, tying them for third in the conference. The top returning name is Carlton Davis, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder who led the Tigers with three interceptions as a true freshman. But the biggest name in the secondary, and the player most likely to lead Auburn in 2016 is Johnathan Ford, who had two picks with his 118 tackles in 2015.
A surprise player for the interception honors could be redshirt freshman corner Javaris Davis, who has the speed and skills to make some big plays at the corner opposite Carlton Davis. Watch out for the Davis family in that secondary.
LSU
The Tigers had just 10 interceptions in 2015, near the bottom of the SEC standings. Safety Jamal Adams led the team with four picks and was chosen Second-Team All-SEC in the preseason. Cornerback Tre’Davious White had no interceptions but did break up seven passes and was chosen First-Team All-SEC this fall. Adams or White figure to be the Tigers’ secondary leaders in 2016.
A surprise candidate might be cornerback Kevin Toliver. The highly regarded 6-foot-2 Toliver had an interception and broke up five more passes in limited time as a freshman. He could blossom playing opposite White and become one of the conference’s interceptions leaders.
Mississippi
The Rebs finished second to Bama, picking off 15 passes in 2015. Safety Trae Elston led the team with four, but he graduated, and that leaves cornerback Tony Bridges with three interceptions as the team’s returning leading interceptor. Defensive back Tony Conner is perhaps the most likely leader in 2016 as he was sidelined for much of last year with injuries but showed excellent ball skills in his previous two seasons.
An upset pick to lead the Ole Miss secondary is cornerback Kendarius Webster. Webster, a 5-foot-11 junior, broke up a dozen passes last season although he intercepted only one. If he can bring down a couple more catches, he could lead the Rebs this year.
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs totaled 13 picks in 2015 and were led by safety Brandon Bryant, who snagged three interceptions. Bryant is a sophomore who led the team despite starting only the last eight games. He is the odds-on favorite to repeat for team honors in 2016.
Safety Kivon Coman might be a surprise choice to lead the squad. He intercepted just one pass last year but broke up seven others, and so with a little luck, the 6-foot-3 Coman could emerge as the top Dawg in the secondary for State.
Texas A&M
The Aggies totaled 11 interceptions in 2015 and hope to improve on that total this season. Junior cornerback Donovan Wilson is the top returning interceptor as he totaled five picks in 2015. Wilson starts the 2016 season as the nickel back. Safety Armani Watts had just one interception last year but did win Third-Team All-SEC honors.
A dark horse might be UCLA transfer Priest Willis, who will start at cornerback for the Aggies and was highly sought after as a recruit. Given the presence of a tough pass rush led by Myles Garrett, Willis may get many chances to snag errant throws this year.
Joe Cox is a columnist for Saturday Down South. He has also written or assisted in writing five books, and his most recent, Almost Perfect (a study of baseball pitchers’ near-miss attempts at perfect games), is available on Amazon or at many local bookstores.
