SEC: Chris Marve
2011 record: 6-7
2011 conference record: 2-6
Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 3
Top returners:
WR Chris Boyd, WR Jordan Matthews, QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, OG Ryan Seymour, C Wesley Johnson, LB Archibald Barnes, Chase Garnham, DT Rob Lohr, CB Trey Wilson
Key losses:
TE Brandon Barden, OT Kyle Fischer, DE Tim Fugger, LB Chris Marve, CB Casey Hayward, S Sean Richardson
2011 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Zac Stacy* (1,193 yards)
Passing: Jordan Rodgers* (1,524 yards)
Receiving: Jordan Matthews* (778 yards)
Tackles: Chris Marve (91)
Sacks: Tim Fugger (8)
Interceptions: Casey Hayward (7)
Spring answers
1. Finding more leaders: Vanderbilt coach James Franklin wanted to leave spring with more leaders than started with. By his accounts, a few veterans stepped up with guys like Marve, Fugger, Hayward and Fischer gone. Franklin said that if the Commodores were going to build off of last season's success, some veterans had to step up and take hold of the team. Guys like Jordan Rodgers, Chase Garnham, Walker May, Trey Wilson and Zac Stacy really expanded their roles as leaders and will be leaned on even more this fall.
2. Marve's replacement: Finding someone to take over for Marve in the locker room was one thing, but filling his position on the field is another. Exiting the spring, Franklin thinks he found the perfect player for the job in Garnham. He moved from the outside to the middle and really excelled at Marve's old position. Garnham was one of the Vanderbilt's most consistent defensive players this spring and the coaches expect to perform this fall.
3. More playmakers: The Commodores return much of their offense this season, but it sounds like the coaches found a few more players. People know about Stacy and receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but a few other players caught the coaches' eyes like redshirt freshmen Josh Grady and Kris Kentera, who were former quarterbacks. Grady showed his versatility by playing all over the field at receiver, running back and as a wildcat quarterback. It looks like Kentera earned some playing time at H-back this fall, helping to take pressure off Matthews and Boyd.
Fall questions
1. Offensive line: Spring practices have not addressed any of the issues the Commodores have on the offensive line. Ryan Seymour and Chase White began spring by rehabbing injuries, leaving Vandy with just nine healthy bodies up front. As spring went on, Franklin said there were times when his team sometimes had just seven linemen to work with. It was bad enough that Vandy rarely went through practices with a full offensive line taking reps. Six true freshmen linemen will enroll at Vandy this fall, but there's no question this unit is the biggest worry for the Commodores.
2. Quarterback consistency: While Rogers made improvements to his game, he still showed the inconsistency that frustrated Franklin last season. There's no question he has the athletic ability to be a solid starter in this league, but he sometimes fails to stand tall in the pocket and deliver solid throws when things collapse around him. That kind of play really hurt Vandy's offense last season. He was pushed by 2009 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Austyn Carta-Samuels during the spring and the battle is expected to continue through fall camp.
3. Warren Norman's health: After missing all of the 2011 season with a knee injury, Norman returned to the practice field this spring. Though he was non-contact, he showed some improvement in his mobility. It's still unclear how healthy Norman will be and if really complement Stacy in the running game. Rising sophomore Jerron Seymour is the one other returning running back that registered carries last season.
2011 conference record: 2-6
Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 3
Top returners:
WR Chris Boyd, WR Jordan Matthews, QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, OG Ryan Seymour, C Wesley Johnson, LB Archibald Barnes, Chase Garnham, DT Rob Lohr, CB Trey Wilson
Key losses:
TE Brandon Barden, OT Kyle Fischer, DE Tim Fugger, LB Chris Marve, CB Casey Hayward, S Sean Richardson
2011 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Zac Stacy* (1,193 yards)
Passing: Jordan Rodgers* (1,524 yards)
Receiving: Jordan Matthews* (778 yards)
Tackles: Chris Marve (91)
Sacks: Tim Fugger (8)
Interceptions: Casey Hayward (7)
Spring answers
1. Finding more leaders: Vanderbilt coach James Franklin wanted to leave spring with more leaders than started with. By his accounts, a few veterans stepped up with guys like Marve, Fugger, Hayward and Fischer gone. Franklin said that if the Commodores were going to build off of last season's success, some veterans had to step up and take hold of the team. Guys like Jordan Rodgers, Chase Garnham, Walker May, Trey Wilson and Zac Stacy really expanded their roles as leaders and will be leaned on even more this fall.
2. Marve's replacement: Finding someone to take over for Marve in the locker room was one thing, but filling his position on the field is another. Exiting the spring, Franklin thinks he found the perfect player for the job in Garnham. He moved from the outside to the middle and really excelled at Marve's old position. Garnham was one of the Vanderbilt's most consistent defensive players this spring and the coaches expect to perform this fall.
3. More playmakers: The Commodores return much of their offense this season, but it sounds like the coaches found a few more players. People know about Stacy and receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but a few other players caught the coaches' eyes like redshirt freshmen Josh Grady and Kris Kentera, who were former quarterbacks. Grady showed his versatility by playing all over the field at receiver, running back and as a wildcat quarterback. It looks like Kentera earned some playing time at H-back this fall, helping to take pressure off Matthews and Boyd.
Fall questions
1. Offensive line: Spring practices have not addressed any of the issues the Commodores have on the offensive line. Ryan Seymour and Chase White began spring by rehabbing injuries, leaving Vandy with just nine healthy bodies up front. As spring went on, Franklin said there were times when his team sometimes had just seven linemen to work with. It was bad enough that Vandy rarely went through practices with a full offensive line taking reps. Six true freshmen linemen will enroll at Vandy this fall, but there's no question this unit is the biggest worry for the Commodores.
2. Quarterback consistency: While Rogers made improvements to his game, he still showed the inconsistency that frustrated Franklin last season. There's no question he has the athletic ability to be a solid starter in this league, but he sometimes fails to stand tall in the pocket and deliver solid throws when things collapse around him. That kind of play really hurt Vandy's offense last season. He was pushed by 2009 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Austyn Carta-Samuels during the spring and the battle is expected to continue through fall camp.
3. Warren Norman's health: After missing all of the 2011 season with a knee injury, Norman returned to the practice field this spring. Though he was non-contact, he showed some improvement in his mobility. It's still unclear how healthy Norman will be and if really complement Stacy in the running game. Rising sophomore Jerron Seymour is the one other returning running back that registered carries last season.
Our look at the SEC's most productive returning players in 2012 continues with a look at the top tacklers.
Past producers:
The SEC returns three of the top 10 tacklers from 2011, but don't let that fool you. There's still a lot of quality out there on those SEC defenses. Last season's tackling king, Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan, is gone, and so are his 143 tackles. But the league's No. 2 tackler is back.
Here's a look at the top tackler returning in the SEC:
Cameron Lawrence, LB, Mississippi State: He was second in the SEC with 123 tackles and had 50 solo stops. He also averaged 9.5 tackles per game. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder found ways to take down opposing offensive players by roaming all over the field for the Bulldogs. Lawrence started on the outside, but made his presence known on many different areas of the field with his speed and relentless attitude. Lawrence picked up right were he left off this spring, and the coaches expect him to be just as valuable this fall. It'll be tough to stop Lawrence from taking the tackling crown in 2012.
The SEC returns two more of its top tacklers:
Those three will certainly get their chances to fight for the crown, but there are other players to keep an eye on as well this fall. Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are gone at Alabama, but that means Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley will have the chance to take some of that lost production.
Missouri linebacker Andrew Wilson was a stud last season with his team-high 98 tackles, so he'll definitely be in the race this season. So will South Carolina's Devonte Holloman, as he moves back to the Spur position that he lost last season to Antonio Allen, who led the Gamecocks in tackles. Georgia's Jarvis Jones will also take a crack at it. He was the best when it came to making plays behind the line of scrimmage last season, but you better believe offenses will look to protect the backfield more against him. That means he'll have more opportunities to make plays past the line, and he's just as deadly when he isn't rushing the passer.
Ole Miss linebacker Mike Marry had a solid season in 2011, accumulating 81 total tackles. He's turned into a better player, and with the Rebels lining up in all sorts of different defensive formations, he'll be moving all around the field to make plays. Also, keep tabs on Arkansas linebacker Alonzo Highsmith and defensive end/linebacker Tenarius Wright. Highsmith had a tremendous 2011 season, racking up 80 tackles, and with the team's top tacklers gone, expect his production to increase. And if Wright stays at linebacker, he'll have more opportunities to add to his tackling numbers.
Two other players to watch out for are Texas A&M linebacker Jonathan Stewart and Vanderbilt linebacker Chase Garnham. Stewart led the Aggies with 98 tackles last season, and Garnham moves into Chris Marve's spot in the middle. A spot where Marve registered a team-high 91 tackles.
Past producers:
The SEC returns three of the top 10 tacklers from 2011, but don't let that fool you. There's still a lot of quality out there on those SEC defenses. Last season's tackling king, Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan, is gone, and so are his 143 tackles. But the league's No. 2 tackler is back.
Here's a look at the top tackler returning in the SEC:
Cameron Lawrence, LB, Mississippi State: He was second in the SEC with 123 tackles and had 50 solo stops. He also averaged 9.5 tackles per game. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder found ways to take down opposing offensive players by roaming all over the field for the Bulldogs. Lawrence started on the outside, but made his presence known on many different areas of the field with his speed and relentless attitude. Lawrence picked up right were he left off this spring, and the coaches expect him to be just as valuable this fall. It'll be tough to stop Lawrence from taking the tackling crown in 2012.
The SEC returns two more of its top tacklers:
- Daren Bates, LB, Auburn: He registered 104 tackles, including 59 solo, and averaged eight tackles a game.
- Jonathan Bostic, LB, Florida: He registered 94 tackles, including 60 solo, and averaged 7.2 tackles a game.
Those three will certainly get their chances to fight for the crown, but there are other players to keep an eye on as well this fall. Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are gone at Alabama, but that means Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley will have the chance to take some of that lost production.
Missouri linebacker Andrew Wilson was a stud last season with his team-high 98 tackles, so he'll definitely be in the race this season. So will South Carolina's Devonte Holloman, as he moves back to the Spur position that he lost last season to Antonio Allen, who led the Gamecocks in tackles. Georgia's Jarvis Jones will also take a crack at it. He was the best when it came to making plays behind the line of scrimmage last season, but you better believe offenses will look to protect the backfield more against him. That means he'll have more opportunities to make plays past the line, and he's just as deadly when he isn't rushing the passer.
Ole Miss linebacker Mike Marry had a solid season in 2011, accumulating 81 total tackles. He's turned into a better player, and with the Rebels lining up in all sorts of different defensive formations, he'll be moving all around the field to make plays. Also, keep tabs on Arkansas linebacker Alonzo Highsmith and defensive end/linebacker Tenarius Wright. Highsmith had a tremendous 2011 season, racking up 80 tackles, and with the team's top tacklers gone, expect his production to increase. And if Wright stays at linebacker, he'll have more opportunities to add to his tackling numbers.
Two other players to watch out for are Texas A&M linebacker Jonathan Stewart and Vanderbilt linebacker Chase Garnham. Stewart led the Aggies with 98 tackles last season, and Garnham moves into Chris Marve's spot in the middle. A spot where Marve registered a team-high 91 tackles.
Six SEC teams finished the 2011 season ranked in the top 20 nationally in total defense.
It was most of the usual suspects, too -- Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
But right there at No. 18 nationally was Vanderbilt. First-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop came in and did a masterful job. He inherited some veteran leaders and mixed in his aggressive, innovative approach, and the Commodores played the kind of defense that steered them to their fifth bowl appearance in school history.
Shoop has a sharp mind for the game. For that matter, he has a sharp mind -- period. He earned his degree in economics at Yale while playing both football and baseball. He also coached at Yale as an assistant and served as the head coach at Columbia from 2003-05.
He knows his stuff, and just as importantly, his players know that he knows his stuff.
So when he looked them in the eye this spring and told them that last season’s defensive performance wasn’t good enough, they sat straight up and listened … and then took that as their challenge on the practice field.
“I told our guys, ‘What does 18th in the country in total defense get you? Sixth in the SEC,’” Shoop recounted. “That’s where we were. That’s what it gets you, a 2-6 conference record. This is big-boy football. When you look at it in the grand scheme of things, we have a long way to go.”
Not only that, but some of the Commodores’ top playmakers on defense from a year ago have departed. Middle linebacker Chris Marve is gone, and so are cornerback Casey Hayward, safety Sean Richardson and defensive end Tim Fugger.
“This 2012 version of the Vanderbilt defense will be different,” Shoop said. “We’re searching for leadership. We’re still going to be running to the ball as well as anybody in the country, and pressure. We’re a high-pressure defense. But some new playmakers are going to have to emerge.”
The good thing is that Shoop likes what he saw this spring. Up front, Walker May and Rob Lohr are both poised for big seasons, and Chase Garnham made a nice transition to middle linebacker after playing on the outside last season. Trey Wilson has a chance to be that next premier Vanderbilt cornerback, and Shoop thought safety Javon Marshall was one of the more underrated players in the SEC last season. Lohr and Marshall missed the spring while recovering from injuries.
Shoop thinks some of the incoming freshmen will have to help, particularly in the defensive line. The Commodores played 10 guys up front last season, and there wasn’t a guy on the defensive line who played more than 45 snaps a game.
Freshman linebacker Darreon Herring enrolled early and went through spring practice, which is a rarity at Vanderbilt. Shoop also thinks incoming freshman linebacker Jake Sealand can help this fall.
Vanderbilt had 29 takeaways last season, which was fourth in the SEC. It also scored five defensive touchdowns. Shoop said it’s imperative that the unit is equally opportunistic in 2012.
“Takeaways are the great equalizer,” Shoop said. “They can turn a bad defense into a good one, a good one into a great one, and a great one into a championship defense.”
While some of the faces will be different, Wilson said the way the Commodores play defense next season will be exactly the same.
“We can’t be focused on making mistakes,” said Wilson, who had three interceptions last season. “If you’re going to do it, do it full speed. The worst mistake you can make on a football field is slowing down and letting a play happen.
“We have a lot of guys who played last year, so it’s not like they’re new guys.”
It was most of the usual suspects, too -- Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
But right there at No. 18 nationally was Vanderbilt. First-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop came in and did a masterful job. He inherited some veteran leaders and mixed in his aggressive, innovative approach, and the Commodores played the kind of defense that steered them to their fifth bowl appearance in school history.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Mark HumphreySafety Javon Marshall is expected to be among Vanderbilt's defensive leaders entering next season.
AP Photo/Mark HumphreySafety Javon Marshall is expected to be among Vanderbilt's defensive leaders entering next season.He knows his stuff, and just as importantly, his players know that he knows his stuff.
So when he looked them in the eye this spring and told them that last season’s defensive performance wasn’t good enough, they sat straight up and listened … and then took that as their challenge on the practice field.
“I told our guys, ‘What does 18th in the country in total defense get you? Sixth in the SEC,’” Shoop recounted. “That’s where we were. That’s what it gets you, a 2-6 conference record. This is big-boy football. When you look at it in the grand scheme of things, we have a long way to go.”
Not only that, but some of the Commodores’ top playmakers on defense from a year ago have departed. Middle linebacker Chris Marve is gone, and so are cornerback Casey Hayward, safety Sean Richardson and defensive end Tim Fugger.
“This 2012 version of the Vanderbilt defense will be different,” Shoop said. “We’re searching for leadership. We’re still going to be running to the ball as well as anybody in the country, and pressure. We’re a high-pressure defense. But some new playmakers are going to have to emerge.”
The good thing is that Shoop likes what he saw this spring. Up front, Walker May and Rob Lohr are both poised for big seasons, and Chase Garnham made a nice transition to middle linebacker after playing on the outside last season. Trey Wilson has a chance to be that next premier Vanderbilt cornerback, and Shoop thought safety Javon Marshall was one of the more underrated players in the SEC last season. Lohr and Marshall missed the spring while recovering from injuries.
Shoop thinks some of the incoming freshmen will have to help, particularly in the defensive line. The Commodores played 10 guys up front last season, and there wasn’t a guy on the defensive line who played more than 45 snaps a game.
Freshman linebacker Darreon Herring enrolled early and went through spring practice, which is a rarity at Vanderbilt. Shoop also thinks incoming freshman linebacker Jake Sealand can help this fall.
Vanderbilt had 29 takeaways last season, which was fourth in the SEC. It also scored five defensive touchdowns. Shoop said it’s imperative that the unit is equally opportunistic in 2012.
“Takeaways are the great equalizer,” Shoop said. “They can turn a bad defense into a good one, a good one into a great one, and a great one into a championship defense.”
While some of the faces will be different, Wilson said the way the Commodores play defense next season will be exactly the same.
“We can’t be focused on making mistakes,” said Wilson, who had three interceptions last season. “If you’re going to do it, do it full speed. The worst mistake you can make on a football field is slowing down and letting a play happen.
“We have a lot of guys who played last year, so it’s not like they’re new guys.”
Seeing a Vanderbilt defense without Chris Marve in the middle at linebacker will be weird, but the Commodores will have to get used to life without him next season.
OUT: LB Chris Marve. From the time he was a redshirt freshman, Marve has been a force in that Vanderbilt defense. He produced on the field and off the field and was one of those leaders that nobody questioned. He led the Commodores with 91 total tackles last season, including 8.5 for loss. Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said one of the reasons the Commodores were so good on defense in his first season was because Marve bought into Shoop, which filtered down to the rest of the players on defense. Any time the Commodores were tweaking things on defense, Shoop said all he had to do was tell Marve what he wanted and that Marve would see to it on the practice field that the Commodores got it down. Marve finished with 80 or more tackles in all four of his seasons and was a three-time All-SEC selection.
IN: Chase Garnham. Despite a lingering groin injury that kept him out of three full games and parts of two others, Garnham put together a stellar sophomore season last year. He finished with 51 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss, but moves over from his outside linebacker spot to the middle. Having played alongside Marve last season, Garnham made sure he picked up as many pointers as possible, and the Vanderbilt coaches have been very pleased with the way Garnham has performed in the middle this spring. He's smart, instinctive and a sure tackler. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Garnham is also an excellent athlete and has been timed as fast as 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. Nobody expects Garnham to step right in and be the heartbeat of the defense the way Marve was for the past three seasons, but Garnham has everything it takes to be a very productive middle linebacker in this league.
OUT: LB Chris Marve. From the time he was a redshirt freshman, Marve has been a force in that Vanderbilt defense. He produced on the field and off the field and was one of those leaders that nobody questioned. He led the Commodores with 91 total tackles last season, including 8.5 for loss. Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said one of the reasons the Commodores were so good on defense in his first season was because Marve bought into Shoop, which filtered down to the rest of the players on defense. Any time the Commodores were tweaking things on defense, Shoop said all he had to do was tell Marve what he wanted and that Marve would see to it on the practice field that the Commodores got it down. Marve finished with 80 or more tackles in all four of his seasons and was a three-time All-SEC selection.
IN: Chase Garnham. Despite a lingering groin injury that kept him out of three full games and parts of two others, Garnham put together a stellar sophomore season last year. He finished with 51 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss, but moves over from his outside linebacker spot to the middle. Having played alongside Marve last season, Garnham made sure he picked up as many pointers as possible, and the Vanderbilt coaches have been very pleased with the way Garnham has performed in the middle this spring. He's smart, instinctive and a sure tackler. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Garnham is also an excellent athlete and has been timed as fast as 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. Nobody expects Garnham to step right in and be the heartbeat of the defense the way Marve was for the past three seasons, but Garnham has everything it takes to be a very productive middle linebacker in this league.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- I've been on Vanderbilt's campus for much of the day and spent some time with the Commodores' coaches and players.
There's no question a new energy surrounds this program, and there's certainly not a feeling of contentment just because Vanderbilt went to a bowl game last season in James Franklin's first year on the job.
"We were 6-7. We had a losing record," Vanderbilt senior cornerback Trey Wilson said. "We expect a lot more out of ourselves than that, and we're going back to work to make sure we get a lot more out of next season. Nobody around here is satisfied."
Franklin is bringing in the highest-rated signing class in school history. Most of those guys won't be on campus until the summer, but Franklin envisions even more competition for positions than last season.
And he means everywhere.
"We still don't have the depth we need, but we're going to have competition," Franklin said. "I want everybody in the program to feel like there's no favoritism and no politics. Even for the guys who played last year, and they have a leg up, but you're going to have to earn your job every day. That's important, and getting these freshmen in here and allowing them to have an opportunity to compete and play will help us."
One of the hottest battles could be at quarterback. Jordan Rodgers stepped in at midseason a year ago and provided a huge boost to the offense, but Austyn Carta-Samuels is eligible after transferring from Wyoming and is pushing hard this spring.
"The sky's the limit for us with the competitive nature that coach Franklin has created," said Carta-Samuels, whose grandfather, Tom, played baseball at Vanderbilt. "That's why I came here, and you know you're going to get an opportunity to play if you're the best player."
Carta-Samuels had 2,094 yards in total offense in 2010 and started 11 games that season for Wyoming. He said he visited Vanderbilt out of high school and that there's no comparison in the caliber of players here now as compared to 2008 when he was visiting.
Two of the Commodores' priorities this spring, according to Franklin, are throwing the ball more accurately than they did last season on offense and not giving up as many big plays on defense. They completed just 51.7 percent of their passes, and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said they gave up 46 big plays (a running play of at least 15 yards or passing play of at least 25 yards).
Shoop said the Commodores' goal is no more than two big plays per game.
"Where we fell short was we gave up too many big plays," Shoop said. "Five percent of the snaps against us accounted for one-third of the total offense."
Replacing middle linebacker Chris Marve and his leadership will also be a chore. Shoop said a key to the Commodores' success last season (they finished 18th nationally in total defense) was the way Marve bought into Shoop and his defense.
Junior Chase Garnham is moving into Marve's middle linebacker spot, but it will take several players to fill the leadership void created by Marve's departure. Defensive end Walker May, defensive tackle Rob Lohr, safety Javon Marshall and Wilson are all ready to take that step.
"We're light years ahead of where we were last year," Shoop said. "Our first group out there practicing right now ... I like the way they're practicing. Our second group, those guys are a lot of redshirt guys and scout-team guys. They're figuring it out."
Freshman linebacker Darreon Herring is an early enrollee and going through spring practice. Shoop thinks he has an excellent chance to be in the rotation next season. The same goes for freshman linebacker Jake Sealand, who will be on campus this summer.
There's no question a new energy surrounds this program, and there's certainly not a feeling of contentment just because Vanderbilt went to a bowl game last season in James Franklin's first year on the job.
[+] Enlarge
Jeremy Brevard/US PresswireJordan Rodgers enters Vanderbilt's spring practices as the returning starting quarterback, but he won't be without some competition.
Jeremy Brevard/US PresswireJordan Rodgers enters Vanderbilt's spring practices as the returning starting quarterback, but he won't be without some competition.Franklin is bringing in the highest-rated signing class in school history. Most of those guys won't be on campus until the summer, but Franklin envisions even more competition for positions than last season.
And he means everywhere.
"We still don't have the depth we need, but we're going to have competition," Franklin said. "I want everybody in the program to feel like there's no favoritism and no politics. Even for the guys who played last year, and they have a leg up, but you're going to have to earn your job every day. That's important, and getting these freshmen in here and allowing them to have an opportunity to compete and play will help us."
One of the hottest battles could be at quarterback. Jordan Rodgers stepped in at midseason a year ago and provided a huge boost to the offense, but Austyn Carta-Samuels is eligible after transferring from Wyoming and is pushing hard this spring.
"The sky's the limit for us with the competitive nature that coach Franklin has created," said Carta-Samuels, whose grandfather, Tom, played baseball at Vanderbilt. "That's why I came here, and you know you're going to get an opportunity to play if you're the best player."
Carta-Samuels had 2,094 yards in total offense in 2010 and started 11 games that season for Wyoming. He said he visited Vanderbilt out of high school and that there's no comparison in the caliber of players here now as compared to 2008 when he was visiting.
Two of the Commodores' priorities this spring, according to Franklin, are throwing the ball more accurately than they did last season on offense and not giving up as many big plays on defense. They completed just 51.7 percent of their passes, and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said they gave up 46 big plays (a running play of at least 15 yards or passing play of at least 25 yards).
Shoop said the Commodores' goal is no more than two big plays per game.
"Where we fell short was we gave up too many big plays," Shoop said. "Five percent of the snaps against us accounted for one-third of the total offense."
Replacing middle linebacker Chris Marve and his leadership will also be a chore. Shoop said a key to the Commodores' success last season (they finished 18th nationally in total defense) was the way Marve bought into Shoop and his defense.
Junior Chase Garnham is moving into Marve's middle linebacker spot, but it will take several players to fill the leadership void created by Marve's departure. Defensive end Walker May, defensive tackle Rob Lohr, safety Javon Marshall and Wilson are all ready to take that step.
"We're light years ahead of where we were last year," Shoop said. "Our first group out there practicing right now ... I like the way they're practicing. Our second group, those guys are a lot of redshirt guys and scout-team guys. They're figuring it out."
Freshman linebacker Darreon Herring is an early enrollee and going through spring practice. Shoop thinks he has an excellent chance to be in the rotation next season. The same goes for freshman linebacker Jake Sealand, who will be on campus this summer.
Schedule: Vanderbilt begins spring practice Friday at 5:15 p.m. ET and concludes with the Black and Gold Spring Game on April 14, in Vanderbilt Stadium. Coach James Franklin has decided to open all 14 of Vanderbilt's spring practices to fans.
What's new: Franklin added two new assistants during the offseason. George Barlow comes over from New Mexico to coach the Commodores' defensive backs and serve as the defensive recruiting coordinator, while Josh Gattis left Western Kentucky to coach Vandy's wide receivers and will serve as the offensive recruiting coordinator. Vanderbilt will also see more of transfer quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, who came from Wyoming last season, after being the Mountain West's Freshman of the Year in 2009. After sitting out 2011, Carta-Samuels will compete with Jordan Rodgers for the starting quarterback spot. Joining the battle is early enrollee Patton Robinette.
On the mend: Running back Warren Norman sat out all of the 2011 season with a knee injury and will be limited for most of the spring. Offensive linemen Ryan Seymour and Chase White, safety Javon Marshall, fullback Marc Panu, linebacker Tristan Strong, and running back Jerron Seymour won't go through contact this spring. Offensive lineman Mylon Brown, who was suspended due to violation of team rules and wide receiver Brady Brown, who decided not to return to the team, are not on the spring roster.
Questions: Vanderbilt must replace four key starters and leaders from last year's defense. Gone are linebacker Chris Marve, cornerback Casey Hayward, defensive end Tim Fugger and safety Sean Richardson. Marve, Richardson and Hayward were Vandy's top three tacklers last year, while Fugger led the Commodores with eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Hayward is also tied for first in school history with 15 career interceptions. Vandy will also enter spring with a thin offensive line, with only nine healthy bodies to work with up front. With Seymour and White rehabing and Brown suspended, the Commodores likely won't have two full lines to work with. Also, can the Commodores continue to play and practice with the new confidence Franklin instilled in last year's team? That will be key for Vandy because the Commodores will likely receive more attention this spring, so keeping that edge will go a long way.
On the move: Outside linebacker Chase Garnham is expected to move inside and play at Marve's spot at middle linebacker. Josh Grady is moving from quarterback to wide receiver, while Kris Kentera is also moving from the quarterback spot and will work at tight end/H-back this spring.
Key battle: Rodgers had his ups and downs last year as the Commodores' quarterback, but his downs stuck out in Vandy's bowl loss to Cincinnati. He completed 4-of-14 passes and threw an interception in the first half. Now, Rodgers will have a fight on his hands this spring with Carta-Samuels and Robinette. Carta-Samuels proved he has the talent to push Rodgers after some success at Wyoming, while Robinette will certainly benefit from enrolling early. Vanderbilt returns most of its offensive production from last season, including running back Zac Stacy and wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but the quarterback play has to be more consistent in 2012. Rodgers made the offense go for most of the year, but his struggles held Vandy back at times.
Don't forget about: Vandy has one of the most productive running backs in the SEC from a year ago lining up in its backfield once again. Stacy was third in the league in rushing last season (1,193) and was second with 14 rushing touchdowns. He was Vandy's most consistent offensive player last year and really helped add big-play ability when the Commdores had the ball. Stacy broke Vandy's single-season rushing record in the final game of the regular season when he rushed for 184 yards against Wake Forest. He will enter the season eighth on the school's list in career rushing yards (2,002) and trails career leader Frank Mordica by 630 yards.
Breaking out: The Commodores have a few players who could turn some heads this spring. Sophomore defensive tackle Barron Dixon has a big lower body and is built like your typical SEC defensive tackle. He didn't play much last year, but with holes up front, he'll have a chance to grab a spot this spring. Also, redshirt freshman Derek King has a chance to really compete in Vanderbilt's secondary. He sat out last season, but with Hayward and Richardson gone, he has a shot to earn some playing time. Keep an eye on offensive guard Jake Bernstein because Vandy needs a lot of help on the offensive line and the redshirt freshman will be called upon often this spring.
All eyes on: There will be a lot of attention paid to the quarterback spot this spring. Rodgers is the favorite heading into spring, but he'll really have to show improvement in his composure and his decision-making in order to leave spring as the starter. He's extremely talented and athletic, but he has to get the mental side down in order to develop heading into the 2012 season. The good thing is that Vanderbilt returns enough weapons to help in that department. Also, Norman should get more attention paid his way as well. He was one of Vandy's best offensive and special teams weapons when he was healthy, so making sure he makes improvements in his speed this spring will be key. Adding him back to the offense this fall will be big for the Commodores.
What's new: Franklin added two new assistants during the offseason. George Barlow comes over from New Mexico to coach the Commodores' defensive backs and serve as the defensive recruiting coordinator, while Josh Gattis left Western Kentucky to coach Vandy's wide receivers and will serve as the offensive recruiting coordinator. Vanderbilt will also see more of transfer quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, who came from Wyoming last season, after being the Mountain West's Freshman of the Year in 2009. After sitting out 2011, Carta-Samuels will compete with Jordan Rodgers for the starting quarterback spot. Joining the battle is early enrollee Patton Robinette.
On the mend: Running back Warren Norman sat out all of the 2011 season with a knee injury and will be limited for most of the spring. Offensive linemen Ryan Seymour and Chase White, safety Javon Marshall, fullback Marc Panu, linebacker Tristan Strong, and running back Jerron Seymour won't go through contact this spring. Offensive lineman Mylon Brown, who was suspended due to violation of team rules and wide receiver Brady Brown, who decided not to return to the team, are not on the spring roster.
Questions: Vanderbilt must replace four key starters and leaders from last year's defense. Gone are linebacker Chris Marve, cornerback Casey Hayward, defensive end Tim Fugger and safety Sean Richardson. Marve, Richardson and Hayward were Vandy's top three tacklers last year, while Fugger led the Commodores with eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Hayward is also tied for first in school history with 15 career interceptions. Vandy will also enter spring with a thin offensive line, with only nine healthy bodies to work with up front. With Seymour and White rehabing and Brown suspended, the Commodores likely won't have two full lines to work with. Also, can the Commodores continue to play and practice with the new confidence Franklin instilled in last year's team? That will be key for Vandy because the Commodores will likely receive more attention this spring, so keeping that edge will go a long way.
On the move: Outside linebacker Chase Garnham is expected to move inside and play at Marve's spot at middle linebacker. Josh Grady is moving from quarterback to wide receiver, while Kris Kentera is also moving from the quarterback spot and will work at tight end/H-back this spring.
Key battle: Rodgers had his ups and downs last year as the Commodores' quarterback, but his downs stuck out in Vandy's bowl loss to Cincinnati. He completed 4-of-14 passes and threw an interception in the first half. Now, Rodgers will have a fight on his hands this spring with Carta-Samuels and Robinette. Carta-Samuels proved he has the talent to push Rodgers after some success at Wyoming, while Robinette will certainly benefit from enrolling early. Vanderbilt returns most of its offensive production from last season, including running back Zac Stacy and wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but the quarterback play has to be more consistent in 2012. Rodgers made the offense go for most of the year, but his struggles held Vandy back at times.
Don't forget about: Vandy has one of the most productive running backs in the SEC from a year ago lining up in its backfield once again. Stacy was third in the league in rushing last season (1,193) and was second with 14 rushing touchdowns. He was Vandy's most consistent offensive player last year and really helped add big-play ability when the Commdores had the ball. Stacy broke Vandy's single-season rushing record in the final game of the regular season when he rushed for 184 yards against Wake Forest. He will enter the season eighth on the school's list in career rushing yards (2,002) and trails career leader Frank Mordica by 630 yards.
Breaking out: The Commodores have a few players who could turn some heads this spring. Sophomore defensive tackle Barron Dixon has a big lower body and is built like your typical SEC defensive tackle. He didn't play much last year, but with holes up front, he'll have a chance to grab a spot this spring. Also, redshirt freshman Derek King has a chance to really compete in Vanderbilt's secondary. He sat out last season, but with Hayward and Richardson gone, he has a shot to earn some playing time. Keep an eye on offensive guard Jake Bernstein because Vandy needs a lot of help on the offensive line and the redshirt freshman will be called upon often this spring.
All eyes on: There will be a lot of attention paid to the quarterback spot this spring. Rodgers is the favorite heading into spring, but he'll really have to show improvement in his composure and his decision-making in order to leave spring as the starter. He's extremely talented and athletic, but he has to get the mental side down in order to develop heading into the 2012 season. The good thing is that Vanderbilt returns enough weapons to help in that department. Also, Norman should get more attention paid his way as well. He was one of Vandy's best offensive and special teams weapons when he was healthy, so making sure he makes improvements in his speed this spring will be key. Adding him back to the offense this fall will be big for the Commodores.
Our Monday stroll around the SEC:
- Coming out of the SEC athletic directors' meetings, it sounds like there's momentum to keep permanent cross-divisional rivalries such as Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee.
- LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger is adjusting to more responsibility.
- One of LSU's running backs could get a look at wide receiver.
- Dave Matter of The Columbia (Mo.) Tribune has a Q&A with Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.
- Former Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve is ready to tackle a career in law.
- New Kentucky receivers coach Pat Washington adjusts to another new locale.
- Alabama coach Nick Saban dismisses Trent Richardson's knee injury as very minor.
- New Auburn defensive backs coach Willie Martinez is in assessment mode.
- Georgia cracks top prospect Robert Nkemdiche's top 5 along with Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Ole Miss.
SEC recruiting needs: Eastern Division
January, 25, 2012
Jan 25
10:30
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Now that you've seen the recruiting needs for the SEC Western Division teams, it's time to check what teams in the East needed to focus on when it came to recruiting for the 2012 class:
FLORIDA
Offensive line: There's no getting around how much Florida's offensive line struggled in 2011. Florida doesn't lose a lot from its line, but the Gators need more talent. There are a lot of questions surrounding this position and getting qualities bodies is a must.
Running back: Florida loses seniors Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, and will enter the fall with unproven players in Mike Gillislee and Mack Brown. As Florida continues to move closer to a more traditional/pro-style offense, the Gators also need to add size to the position.
Wide receiver: Again, this is a position in which the Gators need to improve in the talent category. Florida lost just one senior from last year's squad, but unproven players lurk. What Florida needs to get in this class is a true playmaker at receiver. There is hope that Quinton Dunbar, Andre Debose and Frankie Hammond can step up, but some solid competition won't hurt.
GEORGIA
Offensive line: Georgia loses three starters in Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones and Justin Anderson. The Bulldogs would like to add a few more big bodies up front in this class to help with all that unproven depth.
Linebacker: In Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense, linebackers are extremely important. The Bulldogs will likely lose a couple bodies at outside linebacker next year, including star Jarvis Jones, and would like to add a couple of true playmakers at that position in this class.
Wide receiver: Come 2013, Georgia will have taken some hits at its wide receiver depth. There is young talent in Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Conley and Michael Bennett, but veterans like Tavarres King, Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten will be gone. Adding a couple standouts at wide receiver in this class would be nice.
KENTUCKY
Offensive playmakers: Whether it comes at quarterback, wide receiver, running back or tight end, the Wildcats need to find players who can make plays when they get the ball in their hands. Kentucky's offense was hard to watch all season because there was no one who could consistently move the ball.
Offensive line: Kentucky loses three starters -- Chandler Burden, Stuart Hines and Billy Joe Murphy -- from its offensive line and needs to load up here in this class. There is a handful of young players at each offensive line position, but the Wildcats need to think about adding more for the future.
Defensive back: Veterans are leaving the Wildcats' secondary, so it's time to stock up. Winston Guy, Taiedo Smith, Randall Burden and Anthony Mosley will all be gone, meaning the Wildcats are in need of adding some depth to both the cornerback and safety positions.
MISSOURI
Running back: Leading rusher Henry Josey suffered a severe knee injury toward the end of the 2011 season and the Tigers have some veterans jam packed at the top of the depth chart at the position. Getting help to add to future rosters would really help this offense as it moves to the SEC.
Defensive line: The Tigers are losing three starters along the defensive line and 10 players from 2011 will be gone by the end of next season. There are some youngsters there, but it's time to getting into restocking mode along the defensive line. Also, this is where games are won and lost in the SEC. Finding more athleticism here is crucial.
Offensive line: Like the defensive line, Missouri will lose three starters here. There are some bodies to fill in for now, but you can never have too many offensive linemen and now that the Tigers are headed to the SEC, getting some bigger, more athletic linemen will be key to survival in this jungle.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Defensive line: The Gamecocks have gotten a ton of production from here lately, but South Carolina will lose two starters in Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson. South Carolina might want to add to defensive end the most, with Ingram leaving and Devin Taylor getting ready to depart in a year.
Linebacker: Over the next two years, the Gamecocks will lose some quality players at linebacker and even the spur position. A handful of veterans occupy the depth chart at linebacker, so that means South Carolina needs to add a few quality bodies for the future.
Defensive back: South Carolina's depth in its defensive backfield could be considered thin. The Gamecocks are down two starters at cornerback and will lose solid players in D.J. Swearinger and DeVonte Holloman in 2013.
TENNESSEE
Running back: The Vols never figured out how to run the ball last year and will now turn to a group of unproven running backs. Marlin Lane has the talent to excel, but he needs to be more consistent. Finding a couple talented backs in this class would help this position tremendously.
Defensive tackle: The Vols need some help inside, and now that they are moving to the 3-4, getting quality nose guards is a must for Tennessee. Adding some girth inside will be very important in order to improving this position.
Defensive back: Tennessee will say goodbye to quite a bit of their defensive backs in the next couple of years, so getting a head start on adding to players to both safety and corner would be a plus.
VANDERBILT
Offensive line: The Commodores return the bulk of their offensive line next year, but after that, Vanderbilt will be pretty thin and very young up front. Adding four or five bodies to the offensive line would go a long way for Vanderbilt.
Linebacker: Vanderbilt loses one starter, in Chris Marve, here for next season, but the year after will see a lot of turnover at the position, with four rising seniors on the roster.
Defensive end: Two starters — Tim Fugger and T.J. Greenstone — are gone and Vanderbilt will lose a handful more after the 2012 season. Getting some help at this position is another must for coach James Franklin.
FLORIDA
Offensive line: There's no getting around how much Florida's offensive line struggled in 2011. Florida doesn't lose a lot from its line, but the Gators need more talent. There are a lot of questions surrounding this position and getting qualities bodies is a must.
Running back: Florida loses seniors Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, and will enter the fall with unproven players in Mike Gillislee and Mack Brown. As Florida continues to move closer to a more traditional/pro-style offense, the Gators also need to add size to the position.
Wide receiver: Again, this is a position in which the Gators need to improve in the talent category. Florida lost just one senior from last year's squad, but unproven players lurk. What Florida needs to get in this class is a true playmaker at receiver. There is hope that Quinton Dunbar, Andre Debose and Frankie Hammond can step up, but some solid competition won't hurt.
GEORGIA
Offensive line: Georgia loses three starters in Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones and Justin Anderson. The Bulldogs would like to add a few more big bodies up front in this class to help with all that unproven depth.
Linebacker: In Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense, linebackers are extremely important. The Bulldogs will likely lose a couple bodies at outside linebacker next year, including star Jarvis Jones, and would like to add a couple of true playmakers at that position in this class.
Wide receiver: Come 2013, Georgia will have taken some hits at its wide receiver depth. There is young talent in Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Conley and Michael Bennett, but veterans like Tavarres King, Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten will be gone. Adding a couple standouts at wide receiver in this class would be nice.
KENTUCKY
Offensive playmakers: Whether it comes at quarterback, wide receiver, running back or tight end, the Wildcats need to find players who can make plays when they get the ball in their hands. Kentucky's offense was hard to watch all season because there was no one who could consistently move the ball.
Offensive line: Kentucky loses three starters -- Chandler Burden, Stuart Hines and Billy Joe Murphy -- from its offensive line and needs to load up here in this class. There is a handful of young players at each offensive line position, but the Wildcats need to think about adding more for the future.
Defensive back: Veterans are leaving the Wildcats' secondary, so it's time to stock up. Winston Guy, Taiedo Smith, Randall Burden and Anthony Mosley will all be gone, meaning the Wildcats are in need of adding some depth to both the cornerback and safety positions.
MISSOURI
Running back: Leading rusher Henry Josey suffered a severe knee injury toward the end of the 2011 season and the Tigers have some veterans jam packed at the top of the depth chart at the position. Getting help to add to future rosters would really help this offense as it moves to the SEC.
Defensive line: The Tigers are losing three starters along the defensive line and 10 players from 2011 will be gone by the end of next season. There are some youngsters there, but it's time to getting into restocking mode along the defensive line. Also, this is where games are won and lost in the SEC. Finding more athleticism here is crucial.
Offensive line: Like the defensive line, Missouri will lose three starters here. There are some bodies to fill in for now, but you can never have too many offensive linemen and now that the Tigers are headed to the SEC, getting some bigger, more athletic linemen will be key to survival in this jungle.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Defensive line: The Gamecocks have gotten a ton of production from here lately, but South Carolina will lose two starters in Melvin Ingram and Travian Robertson. South Carolina might want to add to defensive end the most, with Ingram leaving and Devin Taylor getting ready to depart in a year.
Linebacker: Over the next two years, the Gamecocks will lose some quality players at linebacker and even the spur position. A handful of veterans occupy the depth chart at linebacker, so that means South Carolina needs to add a few quality bodies for the future.
Defensive back: South Carolina's depth in its defensive backfield could be considered thin. The Gamecocks are down two starters at cornerback and will lose solid players in D.J. Swearinger and DeVonte Holloman in 2013.
TENNESSEE
Running back: The Vols never figured out how to run the ball last year and will now turn to a group of unproven running backs. Marlin Lane has the talent to excel, but he needs to be more consistent. Finding a couple talented backs in this class would help this position tremendously.
Defensive tackle: The Vols need some help inside, and now that they are moving to the 3-4, getting quality nose guards is a must for Tennessee. Adding some girth inside will be very important in order to improving this position.
Defensive back: Tennessee will say goodbye to quite a bit of their defensive backs in the next couple of years, so getting a head start on adding to players to both safety and corner would be a plus.
VANDERBILT
Offensive line: The Commodores return the bulk of their offensive line next year, but after that, Vanderbilt will be pretty thin and very young up front. Adding four or five bodies to the offensive line would go a long way for Vanderbilt.
Linebacker: Vanderbilt loses one starter, in Chris Marve, here for next season, but the year after will see a lot of turnover at the position, with four rising seniors on the roster.
Defensive end: Two starters — Tim Fugger and T.J. Greenstone — are gone and Vanderbilt will lose a handful more after the 2012 season. Getting some help at this position is another must for coach James Franklin.
The beat writers covering Auburn’s football program do a neat thing every season and honor one of the Tigers’ players with a “Good Guy” Award.
Quarterback Clint Moseley was the winner this season.
The award is meant to recognize a player who is consistently congenial and professional in his interactions with the media and gives interviews that are both candid and thoughtful.
Taking the Auburn beat guys’ lead, I want to pay tribute to the 10 players in the SEC this season who topped my list as being the best interviews and were always willing to fill your notebook up with compelling material.
Here goes:
Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette: The son of a prominent Little Rock attorney, it’s no surprise that Bequette was always a straight shooter. He speaks as well as he rushes the passer, and that’s saying something.
Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin: He had one of the quotes of the year after the Bulldogs rebounded from their 0-2 start. “After that South Carolina loss, people were throwing us out with the trash,” Boykin said.
Kentucky linebacker/safety Winston Guy: Just get him going, and there’s no telling where it may lead or how long it may last. One thing’s for sure: It won’t be boring.
Alabama offensive tackle Barrett Jones: The guy plays a violin, makes straight A’s and goes on mission trips to Haiti during his spring break. Even when you’re not talking football, he always has something interesting to say.
Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett: ESPN college football analyst Mark May had better beware, because the loquacious Lockett has made it known that he’s gunning for May’s job.
Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve: When Marve is finished snuffing out ball-carriers on the football field, he’ll be in a court room somewhere litigating cases.
LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery: Of all the players in the SEC, Montgomery was the most fearless when talking to the media. He’ll tell you precisely what’s on his mind and doesn’t hold anything back.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson: For a guy that was inundated with media attention, Richardson never changed. He was always willing to talk, always willing to provide insight and always pleasant despite being swamped by interview requests.
LSU receiver Russell Shepard: OK, he waffled there at the end on whether or not he was going to return to LSU next season, but Shepard’s a go-to guy after games. He’s smart, witty and always willing to speak his mind.
Alabama center William Vlachos: One of the toughest guys in the league and one of the funniest, Vlachos is a sports writer’s dream. A lot of times, he writes your story for you with the stories he tells.
Quarterback Clint Moseley was the winner this season.
The award is meant to recognize a player who is consistently congenial and professional in his interactions with the media and gives interviews that are both candid and thoughtful.
Taking the Auburn beat guys’ lead, I want to pay tribute to the 10 players in the SEC this season who topped my list as being the best interviews and were always willing to fill your notebook up with compelling material.
Here goes:
Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette: The son of a prominent Little Rock attorney, it’s no surprise that Bequette was always a straight shooter. He speaks as well as he rushes the passer, and that’s saying something.
Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin: He had one of the quotes of the year after the Bulldogs rebounded from their 0-2 start. “After that South Carolina loss, people were throwing us out with the trash,” Boykin said.
Kentucky linebacker/safety Winston Guy: Just get him going, and there’s no telling where it may lead or how long it may last. One thing’s for sure: It won’t be boring.
Alabama offensive tackle Barrett Jones: The guy plays a violin, makes straight A’s and goes on mission trips to Haiti during his spring break. Even when you’re not talking football, he always has something interesting to say.
Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett: ESPN college football analyst Mark May had better beware, because the loquacious Lockett has made it known that he’s gunning for May’s job.
Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve: When Marve is finished snuffing out ball-carriers on the football field, he’ll be in a court room somewhere litigating cases.
LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery: Of all the players in the SEC, Montgomery was the most fearless when talking to the media. He’ll tell you precisely what’s on his mind and doesn’t hold anything back.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson: For a guy that was inundated with media attention, Richardson never changed. He was always willing to talk, always willing to provide insight and always pleasant despite being swamped by interview requests.
LSU receiver Russell Shepard: OK, he waffled there at the end on whether or not he was going to return to LSU next season, but Shepard’s a go-to guy after games. He’s smart, witty and always willing to speak his mind.
Alabama center William Vlachos: One of the toughest guys in the league and one of the funniest, Vlachos is a sports writer’s dream. A lot of times, he writes your story for you with the stories he tells.
We officially said goodbye to the 2011 season Monday night and crowned the Alabama Crimson Tide as college football's new champions. Now, it's time to shift our focus to 2012. Here's to hoping the Mayans were wrong:
1. Alabama: The defense will get hit the hardest by graduation and the NFL draft, but Alabama's offense should be better. While it's almost a forgone conclusion that junior running back Trent Richardson will declare for the NFL draft, Alabama returns a veteran offensive line, has a good set of up-and-coming receivers and has some pretty talented running backs to work with, including pounder Eddie Lacy. Oh, and that quarterback ain't too bad, either.
2. LSU: The Tigers might have come up short in the big one, but it's not like LSU is going anywhere. That defense that ranked second nationally was made up by a slew of youngsters. LSU returns double-digit starters next year, including most of its front seven. A major bright spot for this team is that former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger will now get his chance, and has skill that Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee lacked.
3. Georgia: The Bulldogs might return more starters next year than LSU. After surpassing expectations and challenging LSU for the SEC title, the Bulldogs should enter next fall as the favorites in the SEC East. Stud quarterback Aaron Murray returns and so do most of his weapons. With arguably the easiest schedule (again) in the SEC, Mark Richt will be expected to take his Dawgs back to Atlanta.
4. South Carolina: There won't be any sleeping on the Gamecocks in 2012. After getting 11 wins for only the second time in school history, South Carolina should compete for the SEC East for the third straight year. The Gamecocks return a slew of talent, especially on defense, and saw tremendous improvement in quarterback Connor Shaw. Also, running back Marcus Lattimore should be back and healthy after his devastating season-ending knee injury.
5. Arkansas: The Razorbacks will lose a lot of key players that have helped Arkansas get to where it is under Bobby Petrino. Defensively, five seniors will say goodbye, while the offense will lose three NFL wide receivers. However, that offensive line, which grew up as the season progressed, will be much better and star running back Knile Davis should be back and healthy. Quarterback Tyler Wilson is back, so there shouldn't be much dip in the passing game even with some new faces at receiver.
6. Auburn: Those youngsters on the Plains will be more mature and much improved in 2012. That has to be a scary thought for other SEC members. Auburn doesn't lose much from its 2011 team and gets a great addition to the defensive side of the ball in new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Offensively, there are weapons everywhere, but the key will be finding the right quarterback ... again.
7. Florida: Will Muschamp's first year as the Gators' head coach didn't go as planned, but there is still a lot of talent in Gainesville, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Florida loses just one starter on defense and should have one of the fastest, most aggressive defensive units around the SEC. Getting that offense going will be key to Muschamp's second year, but with all that turnover, it should be a fresh start for this unit.
8. Missouri: This new group of Tigers enters 2012 as a factor in the SEC East. Missouri returns nearly everyone from 2011, including quarterback James Franklin and running back Henry Josey, who both put up solid numbers in 2011. The Tigers will no doubt hit some snags as they transition into their new home, but with all the talent that returns, Missouri won't be a pushover in its first year in the SEC.
9. Tennessee: Derek Dooley has the pieces in place on both sides of the ball to compete in the SEC East. That young defense won't be so young in 2012 and quarterback Tyler Bray returns with his deep-threat sidekicks at wide receiver. With a solid offensive line, the next step for Tennessee is to find a consistent running back to help take the pressure off of the passing game. There's a lot of pressure on Dooley to get things done, and he has the talent to in 2012.
10. Texas A&M: The Aggies have the pleasure of entering the SEC as a Western Division team. That's not exactly a warm welcome. It doesn't help that Texas A&M is losing a ton from its 2011 team. There could be six NFL draft picks who won't be back in College Station next season. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and top safety Trent Hunter are gone, and so is receiver Jeff Fuller. Christine Michael should do well as Cyrus Gray's replacement at running back, but the core of this team will be gone.
11. Vanderbilt: Year 1 of the James Franklin era was a success and there shouldn't be a lot of drop-off for the Commodores next season. Vandy loses top defenders Chris Marve, Tim Fugger and Casey Hayward, but a lot of veterans return on that side of the ball. Jordan Rodgers is back at quarterback, Zac Stacy returns at running back and wide receivers Chris Boyd and Jordan Matthews will be back. Running back and specialist Warren Norman should be back too and the offensive line returns four starters.
12. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs lose a lot on both sides of the ball in 2012, but should have a top cornerback combo in Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield. Losing Fletcher Cox up front will leave a hole on the defensive line and saying goodbye to linebacker Brandon Wilson won't be easy. Tyler Russell will probably get the first crack at quarterback for the Bulldogs, but he will be without his safety net in running back Vick Ballard. The good thing is that the receivers are back, but this team will have to grow up in a hurry.
13. Kentucky: The offensive line will have some missing pieces in 2012 and the defense loses six starters, including star linebacker Danny Trevathan. Maxwell Smith and Morgan Newton will battle at quarterback, but with how 2011 ended, Smith might have the advantage. This team struggled mightily on offense and the problem was that there wasn't a lot of improvement throughout the year. The offseason should be dedicated to find ways to get this offense moving.
14. Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze steps into a tough situation at Ole Miss. His first order of business needs to be improving the discipline on this team. It was awful in 2011, and if Ole Miss wants to improve it has to clean that up. The defense should get a boost with leader D.T. Shackelford returning from his season-ending knee injury and offensive playmakers Jeff Scott, Donte Moncrief and Nickolas Brassell are back. The offensive line loses some key components, and the quarterback situation is far from figured out.
1. Alabama: The defense will get hit the hardest by graduation and the NFL draft, but Alabama's offense should be better. While it's almost a forgone conclusion that junior running back Trent Richardson will declare for the NFL draft, Alabama returns a veteran offensive line, has a good set of up-and-coming receivers and has some pretty talented running backs to work with, including pounder Eddie Lacy. Oh, and that quarterback ain't too bad, either.
2. LSU: The Tigers might have come up short in the big one, but it's not like LSU is going anywhere. That defense that ranked second nationally was made up by a slew of youngsters. LSU returns double-digit starters next year, including most of its front seven. A major bright spot for this team is that former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger will now get his chance, and has skill that Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee lacked.
3. Georgia: The Bulldogs might return more starters next year than LSU. After surpassing expectations and challenging LSU for the SEC title, the Bulldogs should enter next fall as the favorites in the SEC East. Stud quarterback Aaron Murray returns and so do most of his weapons. With arguably the easiest schedule (again) in the SEC, Mark Richt will be expected to take his Dawgs back to Atlanta.
4. South Carolina: There won't be any sleeping on the Gamecocks in 2012. After getting 11 wins for only the second time in school history, South Carolina should compete for the SEC East for the third straight year. The Gamecocks return a slew of talent, especially on defense, and saw tremendous improvement in quarterback Connor Shaw. Also, running back Marcus Lattimore should be back and healthy after his devastating season-ending knee injury.
5. Arkansas: The Razorbacks will lose a lot of key players that have helped Arkansas get to where it is under Bobby Petrino. Defensively, five seniors will say goodbye, while the offense will lose three NFL wide receivers. However, that offensive line, which grew up as the season progressed, will be much better and star running back Knile Davis should be back and healthy. Quarterback Tyler Wilson is back, so there shouldn't be much dip in the passing game even with some new faces at receiver.
6. Auburn: Those youngsters on the Plains will be more mature and much improved in 2012. That has to be a scary thought for other SEC members. Auburn doesn't lose much from its 2011 team and gets a great addition to the defensive side of the ball in new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Offensively, there are weapons everywhere, but the key will be finding the right quarterback ... again.
7. Florida: Will Muschamp's first year as the Gators' head coach didn't go as planned, but there is still a lot of talent in Gainesville, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Florida loses just one starter on defense and should have one of the fastest, most aggressive defensive units around the SEC. Getting that offense going will be key to Muschamp's second year, but with all that turnover, it should be a fresh start for this unit.
8. Missouri: This new group of Tigers enters 2012 as a factor in the SEC East. Missouri returns nearly everyone from 2011, including quarterback James Franklin and running back Henry Josey, who both put up solid numbers in 2011. The Tigers will no doubt hit some snags as they transition into their new home, but with all the talent that returns, Missouri won't be a pushover in its first year in the SEC.
9. Tennessee: Derek Dooley has the pieces in place on both sides of the ball to compete in the SEC East. That young defense won't be so young in 2012 and quarterback Tyler Bray returns with his deep-threat sidekicks at wide receiver. With a solid offensive line, the next step for Tennessee is to find a consistent running back to help take the pressure off of the passing game. There's a lot of pressure on Dooley to get things done, and he has the talent to in 2012.
10. Texas A&M: The Aggies have the pleasure of entering the SEC as a Western Division team. That's not exactly a warm welcome. It doesn't help that Texas A&M is losing a ton from its 2011 team. There could be six NFL draft picks who won't be back in College Station next season. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and top safety Trent Hunter are gone, and so is receiver Jeff Fuller. Christine Michael should do well as Cyrus Gray's replacement at running back, but the core of this team will be gone.
11. Vanderbilt: Year 1 of the James Franklin era was a success and there shouldn't be a lot of drop-off for the Commodores next season. Vandy loses top defenders Chris Marve, Tim Fugger and Casey Hayward, but a lot of veterans return on that side of the ball. Jordan Rodgers is back at quarterback, Zac Stacy returns at running back and wide receivers Chris Boyd and Jordan Matthews will be back. Running back and specialist Warren Norman should be back too and the offensive line returns four starters.
12. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs lose a lot on both sides of the ball in 2012, but should have a top cornerback combo in Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield. Losing Fletcher Cox up front will leave a hole on the defensive line and saying goodbye to linebacker Brandon Wilson won't be easy. Tyler Russell will probably get the first crack at quarterback for the Bulldogs, but he will be without his safety net in running back Vick Ballard. The good thing is that the receivers are back, but this team will have to grow up in a hurry.
13. Kentucky: The offensive line will have some missing pieces in 2012 and the defense loses six starters, including star linebacker Danny Trevathan. Maxwell Smith and Morgan Newton will battle at quarterback, but with how 2011 ended, Smith might have the advantage. This team struggled mightily on offense and the problem was that there wasn't a lot of improvement throughout the year. The offseason should be dedicated to find ways to get this offense moving.
14. Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze steps into a tough situation at Ole Miss. His first order of business needs to be improving the discipline on this team. It was awful in 2011, and if Ole Miss wants to improve it has to clean that up. The defense should get a boost with leader D.T. Shackelford returning from his season-ending knee injury and offensive playmakers Jeff Scott, Donte Moncrief and Nickolas Brassell are back. The offensive line loses some key components, and the quarterback situation is far from figured out.
Melvin Ingram picked to go out in style
December, 27, 2011
12/27/11
1:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
It's always tough to say goodbye, but Melvin Ingram's well wishers think he'll do it the right way.
With more than 7,600 votes cast, South Carolina's defensive end was picked in our poll to be the senior to go out in style in his bowl game by receiving 33 percent of the vote.
I like that pick. He's a stud on the field and makes quarterbacks' lives miserable in the backfield. He had 44 tackles, with 13.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks. And you can't forget he also had three touchdowns.
He's one of the most athletic ends in the SEC and he should be pretty excited to end his South Carolina career against a team that loves to run the ball and try to get to the edge as much as possible. Nebraska might want to be careful trying to get around his side.
Coming in second was Arkansas wide receiver Jarius Wright, who grabbed 31 percent of the vote. While I like readers picking Ingram, I actually have to side with Wright for this category. I think he'll have a fine farewell at the AT&T Cotton Bowl. He was one of the best receivers in the SEC this season and should be pretty pumped to go up against a Kansas State defense that ranks 104th nationally. If I had a fantasy team for the bowl season, I'd love to have Wright on my team ...
Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw took home 27 percent of the vote, while Florida running back Chris Rainey received 5 percent and Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve had 4 percent.
Upshaw should be pretty jacked up to play LSU again. Forget that it's the national championship game, he wants to help Alabama's defense absolutely stuff the Tigers' offense. When talking to Upshaw and his linebacker pals they expressed just how upset they were with playing so well against LSU in a losing effort. Let's just say, they weren't happy one bit about getting shown up back in November.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/John AmisGameocks DE Melvin Ingram not only can sack quarterbacks, he can also score touchdowns.
AP Photo/John AmisGameocks DE Melvin Ingram not only can sack quarterbacks, he can also score touchdowns.I like that pick. He's a stud on the field and makes quarterbacks' lives miserable in the backfield. He had 44 tackles, with 13.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks. And you can't forget he also had three touchdowns.
He's one of the most athletic ends in the SEC and he should be pretty excited to end his South Carolina career against a team that loves to run the ball and try to get to the edge as much as possible. Nebraska might want to be careful trying to get around his side.
Coming in second was Arkansas wide receiver Jarius Wright, who grabbed 31 percent of the vote. While I like readers picking Ingram, I actually have to side with Wright for this category. I think he'll have a fine farewell at the AT&T Cotton Bowl. He was one of the best receivers in the SEC this season and should be pretty pumped to go up against a Kansas State defense that ranks 104th nationally. If I had a fantasy team for the bowl season, I'd love to have Wright on my team ...
Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw took home 27 percent of the vote, while Florida running back Chris Rainey received 5 percent and Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve had 4 percent.
Upshaw should be pretty jacked up to play LSU again. Forget that it's the national championship game, he wants to help Alabama's defense absolutely stuff the Tigers' offense. When talking to Upshaw and his linebacker pals they expressed just how upset they were with playing so well against LSU in a losing effort. Let's just say, they weren't happy one bit about getting shown up back in November.
Kicking it with Vanderbilt's Chris Marve
December, 27, 2011
12/27/11
9:31
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
If there were such a thing as Mr. Vanderbilt, Chris Marve would be a runaway winner.
He’s been a model for what every coach hopes he’s getting when that coach signs a player out of high school.
Marve, who’s already earned his undergraduate degree, has produced in the classroom. He’s produced on the football field. He’s produced in the locker room, and he’s produced in the community.
Ten tackles away from 400 for his career, Marve is one of nine seniors on Vanderbilt’s team who will play in his second bowl game when the Commodores take on Cincinnati on Saturday in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s the first senior class in Vanderbilt school history to make it to two bowl games.
Marve joins tight end Brandon Barden, offensive tackle Kyle Fischer, defensive end Tim Fugger, defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone, cornerback Casey Hayward, safety Sean Richardson, quarterback Larry Smith and receiver Udom Umoh in earning that distinction.
Having earned All-SEC honors every season he’s played at Vanderbilt, Marve took some time recently to reflect on his career, where this Vanderbilt program is headed under James Franklin and what it took to get to this point:
You’re ending your career in your hometown of Memphis. How special is that, and were you able to get enough tickets?
Chris Marve: I’m still looking for tickets. I got as many as I could. I think I’ll probably have 100 people there from a combination of family, friends, former coaches, their families and people I went to school with. I have a huge support system in Memphis.
Being part of the first senior class in school history to go to two bowl games, how much pride do you take in what you guys accomplished this season?
What kind of statement would that be for the program?
CM: There’s no doubt in my mind that beating Cincinnati would be a huge statement for Vanderbilt football. We’re trying to change how Vanderbilt football is viewed. It hasn’t been easy, but that’s what makes it so special. We’ve worked for everything we’ve gotten.
You’ve been such a strong leader for the Commodores. How do you view your role as a leader?
CM: You do, and others follow. I’ve really tried hard to set an example for the younger guys, how it’s done and how hard you have to work if you’re going to make any progress in this league.
How do you want this senior class to be remembered?
CM: I want people to recognize my class, but I want them to recognize the entire 2011 Vanderbilt team even more. The seniors wouldn’t be where we are without everybody on this team. I think we’ll all look back on this team and how we changed the culture of Vanderbilt football.
How far away is Vanderbilt from being the kind of program that’s going to bowl games every year and contending for the East championship?
CM: Not far away at all. We’re going to keep working, and we’re going to get there. I know a lot of people think we never will, but we will, and there’s no doubt that coach Franklin is the man to get us there. For a sport that requires team cohesiveness, his coaching style is perfect. I don’t see anything but greatness for Vanderbilt football.
Does this season make the struggles of the last two seasons worth it all, and would you do anything differently if you could?
CM: I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. We say it all the time. Vanderbilt is the whole package. It’s great football, a great learning environment and a beautiful city to live in. It exposed me to a lot of things, and I’ll forever be grateful for my time here.
He’s been a model for what every coach hopes he’s getting when that coach signs a player out of high school.
Marve, who’s already earned his undergraduate degree, has produced in the classroom. He’s produced on the football field. He’s produced in the locker room, and he’s produced in the community.
[+] Enlarge
Don McPeak/US PresswireSenior LB Chris Marve hopes to get the Commodores a win in front of his hometown crowd in Memphis.
Don McPeak/US PresswireSenior LB Chris Marve hopes to get the Commodores a win in front of his hometown crowd in Memphis.Marve joins tight end Brandon Barden, offensive tackle Kyle Fischer, defensive end Tim Fugger, defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone, cornerback Casey Hayward, safety Sean Richardson, quarterback Larry Smith and receiver Udom Umoh in earning that distinction.
Having earned All-SEC honors every season he’s played at Vanderbilt, Marve took some time recently to reflect on his career, where this Vanderbilt program is headed under James Franklin and what it took to get to this point:
You’re ending your career in your hometown of Memphis. How special is that, and were you able to get enough tickets?
Chris Marve: I’m still looking for tickets. I got as many as I could. I think I’ll probably have 100 people there from a combination of family, friends, former coaches, their families and people I went to school with. I have a huge support system in Memphis.
Being part of the first senior class in school history to go to two bowl games, how much pride do you take in what you guys accomplished this season?
Bowl Overview
Get the rundown on all 35 postseason bowl games. Bowl Overview
• First Takes » Analysis » Schedule
What kind of statement would that be for the program?
CM: There’s no doubt in my mind that beating Cincinnati would be a huge statement for Vanderbilt football. We’re trying to change how Vanderbilt football is viewed. It hasn’t been easy, but that’s what makes it so special. We’ve worked for everything we’ve gotten.
You’ve been such a strong leader for the Commodores. How do you view your role as a leader?
CM: You do, and others follow. I’ve really tried hard to set an example for the younger guys, how it’s done and how hard you have to work if you’re going to make any progress in this league.
How do you want this senior class to be remembered?
CM: I want people to recognize my class, but I want them to recognize the entire 2011 Vanderbilt team even more. The seniors wouldn’t be where we are without everybody on this team. I think we’ll all look back on this team and how we changed the culture of Vanderbilt football.
How far away is Vanderbilt from being the kind of program that’s going to bowl games every year and contending for the East championship?
CM: Not far away at all. We’re going to keep working, and we’re going to get there. I know a lot of people think we never will, but we will, and there’s no doubt that coach Franklin is the man to get us there. For a sport that requires team cohesiveness, his coaching style is perfect. I don’t see anything but greatness for Vanderbilt football.
Does this season make the struggles of the last two seasons worth it all, and would you do anything differently if you could?
CM: I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. We say it all the time. Vanderbilt is the whole package. It’s great football, a great learning environment and a beautiful city to live in. It exposed me to a lot of things, and I’ll forever be grateful for my time here.
In keeping with our senior theme, here’s a look at our All-SEC team this season comprised solely of seniors:
OFFENSE
QB: Jarrett Lee, LSU
RB: Chris Rainey, Florida
RB: Vick Ballard, Mississippi State
WR: Jarius Wright, Arkansas
WR: Joe Adams, Arkansas
TE: Aron White, Georgia
OL: Cordy Glenn, Georgia
OL: Will Blackwell, LSU
OL: Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina
OL: Kyle Fischer, Vanderbilt
C: William Vlachos, Alabama
DEFENSE
DL: Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DL: Josh Chapman, Alabama
DL: Jake Bequette, Arkansas
LB: Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
LB: Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
LB: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB: Jerry Franklin, Arkansas
CB: DeQuan Menzie, Alabama
CB: Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt
S: Antonio Allen, South Carolina
S: Mark Barron, Alabama
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Blair Walsh, Georgia
P: Ryan Tydlacka, Kentucky
RS: Marquis Maze, Alabama
OFFENSE
QB: Jarrett Lee, LSU
RB: Chris Rainey, Florida
RB: Vick Ballard, Mississippi State
WR: Jarius Wright, Arkansas
WR: Joe Adams, Arkansas
TE: Aron White, Georgia
OL: Cordy Glenn, Georgia
OL: Will Blackwell, LSU
OL: Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina
OL: Kyle Fischer, Vanderbilt
C: William Vlachos, Alabama
DEFENSE
DL: Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
DL: Josh Chapman, Alabama
DL: Jake Bequette, Arkansas
LB: Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
LB: Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
LB: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB: Jerry Franklin, Arkansas
CB: DeQuan Menzie, Alabama
CB: Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt
S: Antonio Allen, South Carolina
S: Mark Barron, Alabama
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Blair Walsh, Georgia
P: Ryan Tydlacka, Kentucky
RS: Marquis Maze, Alabama
For the third straight season on the SEC blog, we pay homage to the top seniors in the league.
We changed it up a little bit this year and didn’t pick one senior on all 12 teams. Instead, we picked the 12 best seniors -- period. These guys all rose above and beyond in terms of on-the-field production, leadership and their impact on their teams.
There were a lot of tough calls and a lot of terrific seniors in the league this season, meaning several deserving players were left off. We looked hard at how players fared against league competition, their consistency and whether or not they were able to make it through the whole season.
Here’s introducing our 2011 SEC Super Seniors. They’re listed in alphabetical order:
Arkansas WR/RS Joe Adams: He was Mr. Versatility for the Hogs, scoring touchdowns running, receiving and returning punts this season. Adams earned consensus All-America honors as a punt returner and all-purpose player. He returned three punts for touchdowns and also finished among the SEC league leaders with 49 catches for 630 yards.
South Carolina S Antonio Allen: Playing the hybrid “Spur” position in the Gamecocks’ defense, Allen led the team with 81 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. He was everywhere the ball was -- forcing four fumbles, recovering three fumbles and intercepting three passes. He scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and earned second-team All-America honors by the Associated Press.
Alabama S Mark Barron: Widely considered the top safety in college football, Barron was second on Alabama’s team with 66 total tackles and the anchor of one of the top defensive backfields in the country. He was a consensus first-team All-America selection and one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in America.
LSU OG Will Blackwell: He moved from right guard to left guard this season after missing most of 2010 with a broken leg and was named first-team All-American by a couple of different services. Blackwell was a driving force in the Tigers’ bruising running game, which averaged an SEC-leading 220.4 rushing yards against league competition.
Georgia OT Cordy Glenn: A fixture up front for Georgia and one of the highest rated offensive line prospects in the SEC, Glenn has started the past 46 games for the Bulldogs. He settled in this season as one of the best left tackles in the SEC after playing left guard in 2010. He earned third-team All-America honors by the Associated Press and was a consensus first-team All-SEC selection.
Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward: One of the top cover cornerbacks in the league, Hayward was a Walter Camp second-team All-American. He tied for the SEC lead with 14 passes defended and tied for third in the league with five interceptions. He routinely went up against the other team’s best receiver, won a lot more battles than he lost, and was a big reason the Commodores were able to play so aggressively on defense.
South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram: Already one of the league’s most feared pass-rushers, Ingram showcased his athleticism in the Georgia game with his 68-yard touchdown run on a fake punt. He became just the third South Carolina player in history to earn consensus All-America honors, Ingram tied for fourth in the SEC in both tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (8.5).
Vanderbilt LB Chris Marve: The rock of the Vanderbilt defense for each of the past three seasons from his middle linebacker position, Marve led the Commodores with 84 total tackles this season, including seven for loss. His leadership was invaluable this season as the Commodores made it back to a bowl game for the second time in four years. He earned second-team All-SEC honors for the third straight season.
Kentucky LB Danny Trevathan: The SEC’s most consistent defender over the past two seasons, Trevathan has led the league in total tackles each of the past two seasons, finishing with 143 this season. He led all linebackers nationally with five forced fumbles, was second among all linebackers with four interceptions and led the Wildcats with 11.5 tackles for loss. While he didn’t get the publicity that some linebackers around the country did, Trevathan matches up to any of them on the field.
Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw: Picking out Alabama’s most valuable defender would be a difficult task. The Crimson Tide have about four or five candidates. Upshaw would certainly be in that conversation, and it’s a no-brainer that he was the Crimson Tide’s top big-play defender. He’s second in the SEC with 17.5 tackles for loss and tied for fourth with 8.5 sacks. He also led the Crimson Tide with 11 quarterback hurries.
Alabama C William Vlachos: A three-year starter at center with 39 straight starts, Vlachos was a first-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches and Associated Press this season. He was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the top center in the country. He consistently graded out as one of Alabama’s top offensive linemen this season, and helped pave the way for 27 100-yard rushers during his 39 starts.
Arkansas WR Jarius Wright: Already one of the Hogs’ most productive receivers, Wright took his game to another level this season as far as making things happen after the catch. He turned into the SEC’s best all-around receiver and set school records with 63 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wright averaged 16.3 yards per catch and also became the Hogs’ all-time leader in receptions with 165.
We changed it up a little bit this year and didn’t pick one senior on all 12 teams. Instead, we picked the 12 best seniors -- period. These guys all rose above and beyond in terms of on-the-field production, leadership and their impact on their teams.
[+] Enlarge
Nelson Chenault/US PresswireReceiver Joe Adams delivered a lot of explosive plays for Arkansas this season.
Nelson Chenault/US PresswireReceiver Joe Adams delivered a lot of explosive plays for Arkansas this season.Here’s introducing our 2011 SEC Super Seniors. They’re listed in alphabetical order:
Arkansas WR/RS Joe Adams: He was Mr. Versatility for the Hogs, scoring touchdowns running, receiving and returning punts this season. Adams earned consensus All-America honors as a punt returner and all-purpose player. He returned three punts for touchdowns and also finished among the SEC league leaders with 49 catches for 630 yards.
South Carolina S Antonio Allen: Playing the hybrid “Spur” position in the Gamecocks’ defense, Allen led the team with 81 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. He was everywhere the ball was -- forcing four fumbles, recovering three fumbles and intercepting three passes. He scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and earned second-team All-America honors by the Associated Press.
Alabama S Mark Barron: Widely considered the top safety in college football, Barron was second on Alabama’s team with 66 total tackles and the anchor of one of the top defensive backfields in the country. He was a consensus first-team All-America selection and one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in America.
LSU OG Will Blackwell: He moved from right guard to left guard this season after missing most of 2010 with a broken leg and was named first-team All-American by a couple of different services. Blackwell was a driving force in the Tigers’ bruising running game, which averaged an SEC-leading 220.4 rushing yards against league competition.
Georgia OT Cordy Glenn: A fixture up front for Georgia and one of the highest rated offensive line prospects in the SEC, Glenn has started the past 46 games for the Bulldogs. He settled in this season as one of the best left tackles in the SEC after playing left guard in 2010. He earned third-team All-America honors by the Associated Press and was a consensus first-team All-SEC selection.
Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward: One of the top cover cornerbacks in the league, Hayward was a Walter Camp second-team All-American. He tied for the SEC lead with 14 passes defended and tied for third in the league with five interceptions. He routinely went up against the other team’s best receiver, won a lot more battles than he lost, and was a big reason the Commodores were able to play so aggressively on defense.
South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram: Already one of the league’s most feared pass-rushers, Ingram showcased his athleticism in the Georgia game with his 68-yard touchdown run on a fake punt. He became just the third South Carolina player in history to earn consensus All-America honors, Ingram tied for fourth in the SEC in both tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (8.5).
Vanderbilt LB Chris Marve: The rock of the Vanderbilt defense for each of the past three seasons from his middle linebacker position, Marve led the Commodores with 84 total tackles this season, including seven for loss. His leadership was invaluable this season as the Commodores made it back to a bowl game for the second time in four years. He earned second-team All-SEC honors for the third straight season.
Kentucky LB Danny Trevathan: The SEC’s most consistent defender over the past two seasons, Trevathan has led the league in total tackles each of the past two seasons, finishing with 143 this season. He led all linebackers nationally with five forced fumbles, was second among all linebackers with four interceptions and led the Wildcats with 11.5 tackles for loss. While he didn’t get the publicity that some linebackers around the country did, Trevathan matches up to any of them on the field.
Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw: Picking out Alabama’s most valuable defender would be a difficult task. The Crimson Tide have about four or five candidates. Upshaw would certainly be in that conversation, and it’s a no-brainer that he was the Crimson Tide’s top big-play defender. He’s second in the SEC with 17.5 tackles for loss and tied for fourth with 8.5 sacks. He also led the Crimson Tide with 11 quarterback hurries.
Alabama C William Vlachos: A three-year starter at center with 39 straight starts, Vlachos was a first-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches and Associated Press this season. He was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the top center in the country. He consistently graded out as one of Alabama’s top offensive linemen this season, and helped pave the way for 27 100-yard rushers during his 39 starts.
Arkansas WR Jarius Wright: Already one of the Hogs’ most productive receivers, Wright took his game to another level this season as far as making things happen after the catch. He turned into the SEC’s best all-around receiver and set school records with 63 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wright averaged 16.3 yards per catch and also became the Hogs’ all-time leader in receptions with 165.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and survived the clean-up operation. Here are some SEC links to relax with:
- LSU's Les Miles is a coach for all seasons, writes Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana News.
- His style is different, but the results have been the same for Alabama offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
- Chip Towers of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has a Q&A with Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.
- Vanderbilt's Chris Marve will finish his college career at home.
- Tennessee coach Derek Dooley needs to win over more than just recruits, writes John Adams of The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
- Mississippi State senior linebacker Brandon Wilson has turned into a natural leader.
- Auburn arrives in Atlanta for the week leading up to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
- His legacy still undetermined, Florida quarterback John Brantley prepares for his final game.
- Arkansas' football team is making the most of its holiday break.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
Edward Aschoff
Aschoff joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years covering the University of Florida for The Gainesville Sun. He grew up in Oxford, Miss., before attending UF, graduating with a B.S. in journalism.
SEC TEAM COVERAGE
RECRUITING NATION
Florida: GatorNation
Follow everything Florida at GatorNation: Florida Gators football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
• GatorNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
RECRUITING NATION
Georgia: DawgNation
Follow everything Georgia at DawgNation: Georgia Bulldogs football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
• DawgNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
