SEC: Montario Hardesty
After I pointed out recently that South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was the leader in total offense last season in conference games, several of you asked about the leaders in the other statistical categories in conference games only.
Here goes:
In rushing, Alabama’s Mark Ingram led the way with 128.8 yards per game, but Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon was right on his heels at 127 yards per game.
Interestingly enough, five of the top seven rushers from a year ago in SEC games are gone. The only two back are Ingram and Kentucky’s Derrick Locke, who averaged 84.4 yards per game.
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett was the passing leader in conference games. He threw for 273.6 yards per game. Garcia wasn’t far behind with an average of 263.1 yards per game.
Anybody want to venture a guess on who threw the most touchdown passes in SEC games?
That would be Georgia’s Joe Cox with 17. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead threw the most interceptions with 15.
Arkansas’ Greg Childs led the way in receiving yards per game (92.1), yards per catch (23) and most receiving yards (737) in conference games. Childs’ six touchdown catches were also tops among receivers in conference games.
Ole Miss’ Shay Hodge had the most catches (41), followed by LSU’s Brandon LaFell (39) and Florida’s Aaron Hernandez (38).
The top scorers among position players were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Kentucky quarterback/receiver Randall Cobb, both of whom scored 10 touchdowns.
Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster topped the league in all-purpose yardage with an average of 160.5 yards per game. The Kentucky twosome of Cobb and Locke were the next two. Cobb averaged 156.9 yards and Locke 156.8 yards.
Defensively, Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy led the league with 91 total tackles. Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran was second with 90. Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham had seven sacks in conference games to lead the way, while Georgia defensive end Justin Houston had 11 total tackles for loss to finish No. 1 in the category. Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas had 10 solo tackles for loss.
Alabama safety Mark Barron had six interceptions in SEC games to rank No. 1 in that category.
Here goes:
In rushing, Alabama’s Mark Ingram led the way with 128.8 yards per game, but Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon was right on his heels at 127 yards per game.
Interestingly enough, five of the top seven rushers from a year ago in SEC games are gone. The only two back are Ingram and Kentucky’s Derrick Locke, who averaged 84.4 yards per game.
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett was the passing leader in conference games. He threw for 273.6 yards per game. Garcia wasn’t far behind with an average of 263.1 yards per game.
Anybody want to venture a guess on who threw the most touchdown passes in SEC games?
That would be Georgia’s Joe Cox with 17. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead threw the most interceptions with 15.
Arkansas’ Greg Childs led the way in receiving yards per game (92.1), yards per catch (23) and most receiving yards (737) in conference games. Childs’ six touchdown catches were also tops among receivers in conference games.
Ole Miss’ Shay Hodge had the most catches (41), followed by LSU’s Brandon LaFell (39) and Florida’s Aaron Hernandez (38).
The top scorers among position players were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Kentucky quarterback/receiver Randall Cobb, both of whom scored 10 touchdowns.
Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster topped the league in all-purpose yardage with an average of 160.5 yards per game. The Kentucky twosome of Cobb and Locke were the next two. Cobb averaged 156.9 yards and Locke 156.8 yards.
Defensively, Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy led the league with 91 total tackles. Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran was second with 90. Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham had seven sacks in conference games to lead the way, while Georgia defensive end Justin Houston had 11 total tackles for loss to finish No. 1 in the category. Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas had 10 solo tackles for loss.
Alabama safety Mark Barron had six interceptions in SEC games to rank No. 1 in that category.
The NFL combine wraps up Monday and Tuesday, and already several former SEC players have helped themselves.
A few might have hurt themselves, too.
Auburn running back Ben Tate had a super workout session. Weighing 220 pounds, he turned in the third fastest 40-yard dash time among the running backs (4.43), was second among the running backs with a 40.5-inch vertical leap and tied for the most reps on the bench-press among running backs with 26. He also had a 10-4 broad jump, which tied Tennessee's Montario Hardesty for first among the running backs.
Hardesty, who had bulked up to 225 pounds, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and did 21 reps on the bench.
The defensive linemen and linebackers are working out on Monday, and Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens set the bar pretty high on the bench-press with 44 reps. His teammate, Geno Atkins, did 34 reps. As a comparison, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh did 32 reps.
Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson put up 31 reps Monday morning.
The strongest former SEC player of the combine was Arkansas offensive guard Mitch Petrus, who did 45 reps over the weekend. That tied a combine record (since 2000).
The fastest former SEC player was LSU return specialist Trindon Holliday, who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow didn't throw at the combine. He'll show off his new delivery at the Gators' pro day on March 17, but he did demonstrate what kind of athlete he is. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, fourth fastest among the quarterbacks, and tied Josh McCown's record for quarterbacks with a 38.5-inch vertical leap. Tebow's hands (10 1/8) also measured the largest of the quarterbacks.
One of the biggest surprises of the combine so far was that Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster didn't turn in a faster 40 time. Weighing 172 pounds, McCluster ran a 4.55, but did show off his strength with 20 reps on the bench-press.
LSU receiver Brandon LaFell also had a disappointing 40 time (4.6), while Ole Miss' Shay Hodge was even slower (4.63).
Some players chose not to run the 40 and/or work out because they were injured or simply wanted to wait until their school's pro day. Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez had a strained back and didn't run.
The defensive backs work out on Tuesday.
A few might have hurt themselves, too.
Auburn running back Ben Tate had a super workout session. Weighing 220 pounds, he turned in the third fastest 40-yard dash time among the running backs (4.43), was second among the running backs with a 40.5-inch vertical leap and tied for the most reps on the bench-press among running backs with 26. He also had a 10-4 broad jump, which tied Tennessee's Montario Hardesty for first among the running backs.
Hardesty, who had bulked up to 225 pounds, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and did 21 reps on the bench.
The defensive linemen and linebackers are working out on Monday, and Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens set the bar pretty high on the bench-press with 44 reps. His teammate, Geno Atkins, did 34 reps. As a comparison, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh did 32 reps.
Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson put up 31 reps Monday morning.
The strongest former SEC player of the combine was Arkansas offensive guard Mitch Petrus, who did 45 reps over the weekend. That tied a combine record (since 2000).
The fastest former SEC player was LSU return specialist Trindon Holliday, who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow didn't throw at the combine. He'll show off his new delivery at the Gators' pro day on March 17, but he did demonstrate what kind of athlete he is. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, fourth fastest among the quarterbacks, and tied Josh McCown's record for quarterbacks with a 38.5-inch vertical leap. Tebow's hands (10 1/8) also measured the largest of the quarterbacks.
One of the biggest surprises of the combine so far was that Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster didn't turn in a faster 40 time. Weighing 172 pounds, McCluster ran a 4.55, but did show off his strength with 20 reps on the bench-press.
LSU receiver Brandon LaFell also had a disappointing 40 time (4.6), while Ole Miss' Shay Hodge was even slower (4.63).
Some players chose not to run the 40 and/or work out because they were injured or simply wanted to wait until their school's pro day. Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez had a strained back and didn't run.
The defensive backs work out on Tuesday.
Overrated and underrated pro prospects
February, 16, 2010
2/16/10
10:12
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Matt Hayes of The Sporting News plays the underrated and overrated game with a few departing college players as they take their shot at pro football.
A couple of SEC players are on his list.
With the NFL combine scheduled for Feb. 24, we're certain to get a few more "underrated/overrated" reports.
But Hayes has Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton as his overrated quarterback and cites Crompton's accuracy problems and all the interceptions he threw during his career (22) as the big reason.
Crompton had no chance to be drafted before his senior season, but blossomed under Lane Kiffin and passed for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2009. For what it's worth, Kiffin was adamant even before Crompton's senior season that he could go as high as the third or fourth round in the draft.
Two other SEC players who were bracketed into the underrated category by Hayes were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Alabama offensive guard Mike Johnson.
Hardesty's a punishing runner with great moves. If he can stay healthy like he did during his senior season, he has a chance to be a very effective NFL runner. Johnson is one of those guys who'll play 12 years in the league. He's smart, tough, physical and plenty athletic for a guard.
Another guy I'd put on the underrated list from the SEC is Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis.
I don't know when he' ll be drafted or what kind of time he'll run at the combine, but he's a big, physical corner who can cover and has great ball skills. His coaches at Vanderbilt felt like he was a better overall pro prospect than D.J. Moore, who went in the fourth round last year to the Chicago Bears.
A couple of SEC players are on his list.
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Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesJonathan Crompton threw for 2,800 yards his senior season, but he had 13 interceptions too.
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesJonathan Crompton threw for 2,800 yards his senior season, but he had 13 interceptions too.But Hayes has Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton as his overrated quarterback and cites Crompton's accuracy problems and all the interceptions he threw during his career (22) as the big reason.
Crompton had no chance to be drafted before his senior season, but blossomed under Lane Kiffin and passed for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2009. For what it's worth, Kiffin was adamant even before Crompton's senior season that he could go as high as the third or fourth round in the draft.
Two other SEC players who were bracketed into the underrated category by Hayes were Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty and Alabama offensive guard Mike Johnson.
Hardesty's a punishing runner with great moves. If he can stay healthy like he did during his senior season, he has a chance to be a very effective NFL runner. Johnson is one of those guys who'll play 12 years in the league. He's smart, tough, physical and plenty athletic for a guard.
Another guy I'd put on the underrated list from the SEC is Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis.
I don't know when he' ll be drafted or what kind of time he'll run at the combine, but he's a big, physical corner who can cover and has great ball skills. His coaches at Vanderbilt felt like he was a better overall pro prospect than D.J. Moore, who went in the fourth round last year to the Chicago Bears.
SEC position battles to watch in the spring
February, 12, 2010
2/12/10
10:13
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Positions will be won and lost all across the SEC this spring.
And in some cases, nothing will be settled until preseason practice resumes in August.
Here are five position battles to keep an eye on as spring practice in the SEC gets under way on Feb. 25 with LSU kicking it off. Two months later, Arkansas and Kentucky will both shut it down on April 24 with their spring games:
1. Georgia quarterback: Joe Cox won’t be around to blame anymore. He’s gone after one year on the job, meaning this spring will be one big scrap for the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback job. Junior Logan Gray is one of the most athletic players on the team and will probably get first dibs on proving that he’s the guy. Whether or not he throws the ball well enough to play winning football in the SEC remains to be seen, which means it will probably come down between redshirt freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Both were on campus for spring practice a year ago and know the system. Mettenberger is a taller, pocket passer with a big arm, while Murray possesses the kind of versatility all coaches are looking for in a quarterback. The early indications are that Murray has that “it” factor and may be the one to beat.
2. Alabama cornerback: Not only is Alabama short one cornerback, but both starting cornerbacks from its national championship team are gone with Kareem Jackson leaving early for the NFL. Don’t feel too sorry for the Crimson Tide, because there’s a cache of talent waiting in the wings. Sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick has all sorts of potential after coming in last season as one of the top defensive back prospects in the country. He certainly isn’t lacking for confidence. Nick Saban also went out and signed two of the top cornerbacks prospects in the country this year in DeMarcus Milliner and John Fulton, and both players are already on campus and will go through spring practice. Don’t forget about LSU transfer Phelon Jones, either, and junior college newcomer DeQuan Menzie will arrive this summer.
3. Tennessee running back: Montario Hardesty was one of the most pleasant surprises in the league last season. He was a workhorse for the Vols after enduring injury concerns for much of his career. He led the SEC with 282 carries while rushing for 1,345 yards, which was 300 yards more than he’d gained in his first three seasons combined. The reality is that it may take a couple of players to replace his production. Sophomore Bryce Brown is a big, strong runner who showed flashes last season, but was probably overhyped coming out of high school when he was tabbed by some as the No. 1 prospect in the country. The guy to watch is junior Tauren Poole, who didn’t get much of a chance under the previous staff. He’s got to watch his fumbling. Redshirt freshman Toney Williams was extremely impressive last spring before tearing his ACL in summer workouts, while sophomore David Oku is a guy who can catch it and run it.
4. South Carolina weak side linebacker: It’s known more commonly around Columbia as Eric Norwood’s position, although the Gamecocks were able to move the three-time All-SEC selection around to different spots during his career. He provided so many big plays over the last couple of seasons that replacing him won’t be easy. One of the guys who will probably get the first shot is sophomore Reggie Bowens, who has great speed and has been trying to find the right position after coming to South Carolina as a safety. He was out the entire season two years ago with a shoulder injury and was plagued by knee problems last season. Junior Shaq Wilson had to move inside last season because of injuries in the middle, but also could end up moving back to the weak side. Tony Straughter and Quin Smith are two other guys to keep an eye on this spring.
5. Mississippi State running back: Few players in the league left bigger shoes to fill than Anthony Dixon when you consider how big a part of the Mississippi State offense he was last season. There’s no substitute for being able to turn around and hand the ball off to a bruising back the caliber of the 245-pound Dixon. With him gone, it’s going to be a free-for-all to see who emerges as the starter. Junior Robert Elliott has been one of those “potential” guys who may be due for a breakout season. He has great speed and acceleration, but just needs to do it on a consistent basis. Montrell Conner is a 215-pound speedster that redshirted last season. The Mississippi State staff is eager to see what he can do this spring, while junior college newcomer Vick Ballard is already enrolled and will go through spring practice. Ballard rushed for 1,728 yards and 22 touchdowns last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
And in some cases, nothing will be settled until preseason practice resumes in August.
Here are five position battles to keep an eye on as spring practice in the SEC gets under way on Feb. 25 with LSU kicking it off. Two months later, Arkansas and Kentucky will both shut it down on April 24 with their spring games:
1. Georgia quarterback: Joe Cox won’t be around to blame anymore. He’s gone after one year on the job, meaning this spring will be one big scrap for the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback job. Junior Logan Gray is one of the most athletic players on the team and will probably get first dibs on proving that he’s the guy. Whether or not he throws the ball well enough to play winning football in the SEC remains to be seen, which means it will probably come down between redshirt freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Both were on campus for spring practice a year ago and know the system. Mettenberger is a taller, pocket passer with a big arm, while Murray possesses the kind of versatility all coaches are looking for in a quarterback. The early indications are that Murray has that “it” factor and may be the one to beat.
2. Alabama cornerback: Not only is Alabama short one cornerback, but both starting cornerbacks from its national championship team are gone with Kareem Jackson leaving early for the NFL. Don’t feel too sorry for the Crimson Tide, because there’s a cache of talent waiting in the wings. Sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick has all sorts of potential after coming in last season as one of the top defensive back prospects in the country. He certainly isn’t lacking for confidence. Nick Saban also went out and signed two of the top cornerbacks prospects in the country this year in DeMarcus Milliner and John Fulton, and both players are already on campus and will go through spring practice. Don’t forget about LSU transfer Phelon Jones, either, and junior college newcomer DeQuan Menzie will arrive this summer.
3. Tennessee running back: Montario Hardesty was one of the most pleasant surprises in the league last season. He was a workhorse for the Vols after enduring injury concerns for much of his career. He led the SEC with 282 carries while rushing for 1,345 yards, which was 300 yards more than he’d gained in his first three seasons combined. The reality is that it may take a couple of players to replace his production. Sophomore Bryce Brown is a big, strong runner who showed flashes last season, but was probably overhyped coming out of high school when he was tabbed by some as the No. 1 prospect in the country. The guy to watch is junior Tauren Poole, who didn’t get much of a chance under the previous staff. He’s got to watch his fumbling. Redshirt freshman Toney Williams was extremely impressive last spring before tearing his ACL in summer workouts, while sophomore David Oku is a guy who can catch it and run it.
4. South Carolina weak side linebacker: It’s known more commonly around Columbia as Eric Norwood’s position, although the Gamecocks were able to move the three-time All-SEC selection around to different spots during his career. He provided so many big plays over the last couple of seasons that replacing him won’t be easy. One of the guys who will probably get the first shot is sophomore Reggie Bowens, who has great speed and has been trying to find the right position after coming to South Carolina as a safety. He was out the entire season two years ago with a shoulder injury and was plagued by knee problems last season. Junior Shaq Wilson had to move inside last season because of injuries in the middle, but also could end up moving back to the weak side. Tony Straughter and Quin Smith are two other guys to keep an eye on this spring.
5. Mississippi State running back: Few players in the league left bigger shoes to fill than Anthony Dixon when you consider how big a part of the Mississippi State offense he was last season. There’s no substitute for being able to turn around and hand the ball off to a bruising back the caliber of the 245-pound Dixon. With him gone, it’s going to be a free-for-all to see who emerges as the starter. Junior Robert Elliott has been one of those “potential” guys who may be due for a breakout season. He has great speed and acceleration, but just needs to do it on a consistent basis. Montrell Conner is a 215-pound speedster that redshirted last season. The Mississippi State staff is eager to see what he can do this spring, while junior college newcomer Vick Ballard is already enrolled and will go through spring practice. Ballard rushed for 1,728 yards and 22 touchdowns last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
This is when it really gets tough, because there’s not a lot of difference in the 10th best player in this league and the 20th best player.
Of the first 10 players to make the cut, five will be back next season.
Let’s see how many of these next 20 will be back.
Here we go with selections No. 20-16:
No. 20: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida: Versatile enough to play just about anywhere up front, Pouncey remained at center and was the anchor of the Gators’ offensive line this past season. Go back and count how many times he cleared the way for one of Tim Tebow’s key conversions on third or fourth down. Pouncey won’t be easily replaced -- on the field or off the field. He started in 39 games in three seasons and was one of the strongest leaders on the team. He’s giving up his senior season to turn pro.
No. 19: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama: As a junior, Johnson was overshadowed somewhat by first-team All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell. But this past season, with the Crimson Tide losing three starters up front, Johnson stepped up front and center as one of the most complete offensive linemen in the league. He was a consensus first-team All-American from his left guard position and anchored an offensive line that was rock-solid all season. All the while, Alabama went 14-0, won its first national title in 17 years and put up even better offensive numbers than it did a year ago.
No. 18: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: One of the comeback players of year nationally, Hardesty saved his best for his senior season. He’d been inundated with injuries through much of his career and really didn’t get much of a chance as a junior. But this past season, he plowed his way to 1,345 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Hardesty carried the ball an SEC-high 282 times and didn’t fumble a single time on a rushing attempt. Prior to this past season, Hardesty had never rushed for more than 387 yards in a season.
No. 17: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn: Tate was one of those guys who didn’t quite make the cut on the preseason list. He was hurt by how dysfunctional Auburn was on offense in 2008. That wasn’t a problem this past season. The Tigers fed him the ball, and he delivered. The 5-11, 218-pound senior rushed for a career-high 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and proved to be one of the toughest backs in the league to bring down. Despite carrying the ball 263 times, Tate lost just 44 yards all season. He also showed that he wasn’t just a power back and had three touchdown runs of 35 yards or longer.
No. 16: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: Williams had been a solid player for the Vols prior to this past season, but he certainly hadn’t risen to the level where he could be considered one of the top 30 players in the league. That all changed during his senior season. He was consistently the best interior defensive lineman in the league in 2009 and likely played his way into the first round of April’s NFL draft. Williams led all SEC defensive tackles with 70 total tackles and led the Vols with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He stuffs the run with the best of them, but is also an effective interior pass-rusher.
Of the first 10 players to make the cut, five will be back next season.
Let’s see how many of these next 20 will be back.
Here we go with selections No. 20-16:
No. 20: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida: Versatile enough to play just about anywhere up front, Pouncey remained at center and was the anchor of the Gators’ offensive line this past season. Go back and count how many times he cleared the way for one of Tim Tebow’s key conversions on third or fourth down. Pouncey won’t be easily replaced -- on the field or off the field. He started in 39 games in three seasons and was one of the strongest leaders on the team. He’s giving up his senior season to turn pro.
Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRETennessee running back Montario Hardesty broke through this season with 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns.
No. 19: Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama: As a junior, Johnson was overshadowed somewhat by first-team All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell. But this past season, with the Crimson Tide losing three starters up front, Johnson stepped up front and center as one of the most complete offensive linemen in the league. He was a consensus first-team All-American from his left guard position and anchored an offensive line that was rock-solid all season. All the while, Alabama went 14-0, won its first national title in 17 years and put up even better offensive numbers than it did a year ago.
No. 18: Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: One of the comeback players of year nationally, Hardesty saved his best for his senior season. He’d been inundated with injuries through much of his career and really didn’t get much of a chance as a junior. But this past season, he plowed his way to 1,345 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Hardesty carried the ball an SEC-high 282 times and didn’t fumble a single time on a rushing attempt. Prior to this past season, Hardesty had never rushed for more than 387 yards in a season.
No. 17: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn: Tate was one of those guys who didn’t quite make the cut on the preseason list. He was hurt by how dysfunctional Auburn was on offense in 2008. That wasn’t a problem this past season. The Tigers fed him the ball, and he delivered. The 5-11, 218-pound senior rushed for a career-high 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and proved to be one of the toughest backs in the league to bring down. Despite carrying the ball 263 times, Tate lost just 44 yards all season. He also showed that he wasn’t just a power back and had three touchdown runs of 35 yards or longer.
No. 16: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: Williams had been a solid player for the Vols prior to this past season, but he certainly hadn’t risen to the level where he could be considered one of the top 30 players in the league. That all changed during his senior season. He was consistently the best interior defensive lineman in the league in 2009 and likely played his way into the first round of April’s NFL draft. Williams led all SEC defensive tackles with 70 total tackles and led the Vols with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He stuffs the run with the best of them, but is also an effective interior pass-rusher.
- No. 21: Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia
- No. 22: Randall Cobb, QB/WR, Kentucky
- No. 23: Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss
- No. 24: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
- No. 25: Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
- No. 26: Malcolm Sheppard, DT, Arkansas
- No. 27: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
- No. 28: Terrence Cody, NG, Alabama
- No. 29: Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
- No. 30: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
The SEC will have 25 players on the South roster in the Under Armour Senior Bowl this year. That's more than any other conference in the country.
Of the 25 SEC representatives in this year’s game, 10 landed on All-American lists this season and 21 were named to All-SEC squads. It’s a group that includes the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year (Tim Tebow), Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Tebow), Special Teams Player of the Year (Javier Arenas) and Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner (Ciron Black).
This year's game will also feature four of the SEC’s five 1,000-yard rushers (Anthony Dixon, Ben Tate, Montario Hardesty and Dexter McCluster), its only 1,000-yard receiver (Shay Hodge), the league leader in scoring (Leigh Tiffin), the league leader in passing efficiency and points responsible for (Tebow) and the league leader in sacks (Antonio Coleman).
The game will be played Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. ET in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Here's a team-by-team list of the SEC players in the game:
ALABAMA
CB Javier Arenas
NG Terrence Cody
OG Mike Johnson
TE Colin Peek
K Leigh Tiffin
ARKANSAS
OG Mitch Petrus
AUBURN
DE Antonio Coleman
RB Ben Tate
FLORIDA
WR Riley Cooper
QB Tim Tebow
GEORGIA
DT Geno Atkins
DT Jeff Owens
KENTUCKY
CB Trevard Lindley
LSU
OT Ciron Black
LB Harry Coleman
WR Brandon LaFell
RB Charles Scott
MISSISSIPPI STATE
LB Jamar Chaney
RB Anthony Dixon
OLE MISS
WR Shay Hodge
OL John Jerry
RB Dexter McCluster
SOUTH CAROLINA
LB Eric Norwood
TENNESSEE
RB Montario Hardesty
DT Dan Williams
Of the 25 SEC representatives in this year’s game, 10 landed on All-American lists this season and 21 were named to All-SEC squads. It’s a group that includes the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year (Tim Tebow), Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Tebow), Special Teams Player of the Year (Javier Arenas) and Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner (Ciron Black).
This year's game will also feature four of the SEC’s five 1,000-yard rushers (Anthony Dixon, Ben Tate, Montario Hardesty and Dexter McCluster), its only 1,000-yard receiver (Shay Hodge), the league leader in scoring (Leigh Tiffin), the league leader in passing efficiency and points responsible for (Tebow) and the league leader in sacks (Antonio Coleman).
The game will be played Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. ET in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Here's a team-by-team list of the SEC players in the game:
ALABAMA
CB Javier Arenas
NG Terrence Cody
OG Mike Johnson
TE Colin Peek
K Leigh Tiffin
ARKANSAS
OG Mitch Petrus
AUBURN
DE Antonio Coleman
RB Ben Tate
FLORIDA
WR Riley Cooper
QB Tim Tebow
GEORGIA
DT Geno Atkins
DT Jeff Owens
KENTUCKY
CB Trevard Lindley
LSU
OT Ciron Black
LB Harry Coleman
WR Brandon LaFell
RB Charles Scott
MISSISSIPPI STATE
LB Jamar Chaney
RB Anthony Dixon
OLE MISS
WR Shay Hodge
OL John Jerry
RB Dexter McCluster
SOUTH CAROLINA
LB Eric Norwood
TENNESSEE
RB Montario Hardesty
DT Dan Williams
Here’s a look at the SEC seniors invited to participate in the NFL scouting combine Feb. 24-March 2 in Indianapolis. There will also be some underclassmen invited once the deadline passes for early entry into the draft.
LSU had the most players invited in the SEC with 11. Alabama was second with eight:
ALABAMA
CB Javier Arenas
NG Terrence Cody
DE Brandon Deaderick
OL Mike Johnson
TE Colin Peek
K Leigh Tiffin
DE Lorenzo Washington
S Justin Woodall
ARKANSAS
OL Mitch Petrus
DT Malcolm Sheppard
AUBURN
RB Ben Tate
FLORIDA
WR Riley Cooper
DE Jermaine Cunningham
RB/RS Brandon James
LB Brandon Spikes
QB Tim Tebow
GEORGIA
DT Geno Atkins
KENTUCKY
FB John Conner
LB Micah Johnson
CB Trevard Lindley
LB Sam Maxwell
DT Corey Peters
LSU
DE Rahim Alem
DT Charles Alexander
OT Ciron Black
LB Harry Coleman
CB Chris Hawkins
RS Trindon Holliday
WR Brandon LaFell
LB Perry Riley
RB Charles Scott
RB Keiland Williams
DT Al Woods
MISSISSIPPI STATE
RB Anthony Dixon
OLE MISS
CB Marshay Green
DE Greg Hardy
WR Shay Hodge
OL John Jerry
S Kendrick Lewis
RB Dexter McCluster
SOUTH CAROLINA
LB Eric Norwood
S Darian Stewart
TENNESSEE
RB Montario Hardesty
OT Chris Scott
DT Dan Williams
VANDERBILT
CB Myron Lewis
OT Thomas Welch
LSU had the most players invited in the SEC with 11. Alabama was second with eight:
ALABAMA
CB Javier Arenas
NG Terrence Cody
DE Brandon Deaderick
OL Mike Johnson
TE Colin Peek
K Leigh Tiffin
DE Lorenzo Washington
S Justin Woodall
ARKANSAS
OL Mitch Petrus
DT Malcolm Sheppard
AUBURN
RB Ben Tate
FLORIDA
WR Riley Cooper
DE Jermaine Cunningham
RB/RS Brandon James
LB Brandon Spikes
QB Tim Tebow
GEORGIA
DT Geno Atkins
KENTUCKY
FB John Conner
LB Micah Johnson
CB Trevard Lindley
LB Sam Maxwell
DT Corey Peters
LSU
DE Rahim Alem
DT Charles Alexander
OT Ciron Black
LB Harry Coleman
CB Chris Hawkins
RS Trindon Holliday
WR Brandon LaFell
LB Perry Riley
RB Charles Scott
RB Keiland Williams
DT Al Woods
MISSISSIPPI STATE
RB Anthony Dixon
OLE MISS
CB Marshay Green
DE Greg Hardy
WR Shay Hodge
OL John Jerry
S Kendrick Lewis
RB Dexter McCluster
SOUTH CAROLINA
LB Eric Norwood
S Darian Stewart
TENNESSEE
RB Montario Hardesty
OT Chris Scott
DT Dan Williams
VANDERBILT
CB Myron Lewis
OT Thomas Welch
Breaking down the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Thursday (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET) between Virginia Tech (9-3) and Tennessee (7-5):
WHO TO WATCH: Tennessee junior safety Eric Berry has been one of the best players in the country for the past two years and won the Thorpe Award this season as the top defensive back in the country. Under Monte Kiffin, Berry has been used a little differently than he was a year ago when he intercepted seven passes. He’s played a lot closer to the line of scrimmage in more of a linebacker role, and led all SEC defensive backs with 54 solo tackles. The reality is that he can play anywhere you want him to. The Vols will use him in man coverage. They will blitz him. They will let him roam. It's fitting this game is in Atlanta. Berry is from just a few miles down the road in Fairburn, Ga., and this will almost certainly be his final college game. He's expected to announce afterward that he's turning pro.
WHAT TO WATCH: Virginia Tech’s reputation on special teams is well-earned. Year in and year out, the Hokies are as good as anyone in the kicking game. Tennessee, meanwhile, struggled all season to cover kicks and was even worse when it came to getting kicks off. The Vols had four field goal attempts blocked (including one that would have beaten Alabama), not to mention an extra point and punt blocked. On top of it all, Tennessee lost its special teams coach, Eddie Gran, to Florida State. Lane Kiffin said it would be a game-time decision on who handles the Vols’ place-kicking. In other words, the Vols hope it doesn't come down to a kick.
WHY TO WATCH: The Vols (7-5) are trying to make their most convincing statement yet that they’re on their way back. Knocking off the No. 11 Hokies would be an impressive way to end Year 1 under Kiffin, who’s made a lot of noise off the field and created a lot of headlines with his mouth. But his team also played solid football for much of the season and was in every game it played with the exception of the 42-17 blowout loss to Ole Miss on Nov. 14. Kiffin and his staff appear to be recruiting at a torrid pace, and several high-profile prospects are either committed or have shown interest in the Vols. Ending the season with a win over a nationally ranked foe and getting to eight wins would be a huge momentum boost heading into the offseason and give Kiffin even more “street cred.”
PREDICTION: Both teams have strong running games and the kind of running backs who can take over the game in the second half. Senior Montario Hardesty has 1,306 rushing yards for the Vols, while freshman Ryan Williams has 1,538 yards for the Hokies. Giving Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin a month to prepare for a team is never a good thing, but Virginia Tech’s edge in special teams is difficult to ignore. Mobile quarterbacks have also given the Vols more problems, and Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor has excellent wheels. After four straight losses to SEC teams, the Hokies are due. Virginia Tech 28, Tennessee 21.
WHO TO WATCH: Tennessee junior safety Eric Berry has been one of the best players in the country for the past two years and won the Thorpe Award this season as the top defensive back in the country. Under Monte Kiffin, Berry has been used a little differently than he was a year ago when he intercepted seven passes. He’s played a lot closer to the line of scrimmage in more of a linebacker role, and led all SEC defensive backs with 54 solo tackles. The reality is that he can play anywhere you want him to. The Vols will use him in man coverage. They will blitz him. They will let him roam. It's fitting this game is in Atlanta. Berry is from just a few miles down the road in Fairburn, Ga., and this will almost certainly be his final college game. He's expected to announce afterward that he's turning pro.
WHAT TO WATCH: Virginia Tech’s reputation on special teams is well-earned. Year in and year out, the Hokies are as good as anyone in the kicking game. Tennessee, meanwhile, struggled all season to cover kicks and was even worse when it came to getting kicks off. The Vols had four field goal attempts blocked (including one that would have beaten Alabama), not to mention an extra point and punt blocked. On top of it all, Tennessee lost its special teams coach, Eddie Gran, to Florida State. Lane Kiffin said it would be a game-time decision on who handles the Vols’ place-kicking. In other words, the Vols hope it doesn't come down to a kick.
WHY TO WATCH: The Vols (7-5) are trying to make their most convincing statement yet that they’re on their way back. Knocking off the No. 11 Hokies would be an impressive way to end Year 1 under Kiffin, who’s made a lot of noise off the field and created a lot of headlines with his mouth. But his team also played solid football for much of the season and was in every game it played with the exception of the 42-17 blowout loss to Ole Miss on Nov. 14. Kiffin and his staff appear to be recruiting at a torrid pace, and several high-profile prospects are either committed or have shown interest in the Vols. Ending the season with a win over a nationally ranked foe and getting to eight wins would be a huge momentum boost heading into the offseason and give Kiffin even more “street cred.”
PREDICTION: Both teams have strong running games and the kind of running backs who can take over the game in the second half. Senior Montario Hardesty has 1,306 rushing yards for the Vols, while freshman Ryan Williams has 1,538 yards for the Hokies. Giving Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin a month to prepare for a team is never a good thing, but Virginia Tech’s edge in special teams is difficult to ignore. Mobile quarterbacks have also given the Vols more problems, and Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor has excellent wheels. After four straight losses to SEC teams, the Hokies are due. Virginia Tech 28, Tennessee 21.
Lunchtime links: Georgia not deterred
December, 24, 2009
12/24/09
12:15
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Our Christmas Eve edition of lunchtime links:
- Georgia isn't deterred by its bowl destination, and the Bulldogs insist they will be ready to play Monday in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl.
- Mark Ingram's imprisoned father has done his best to keep up with his Heisman Trophy winning son while awaiting federal sentencing.
- With Tennessee's school rushing record in sight, Montario Hardesty keeps the focus on the team.
- Auburn's Antoine Carter proves during the second half of the season that he has the stuff to replace Antonio Coleman.
- South Carolina won't get another shot at Iowa in the bowl game, but the similarities are many between Connecticut and the Hawkeyes.
- It's turning out to be a holiday homecoming of sorts for several of Kentucky's players.
- For nearly $89,000, you can have a 14-person suite on the 20-yard line for the Citi BCS National Championship game between Alabama and Texas. Of course, you're on your own as far as getting to Pasadena.
- The Cotton Bowl moves to the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium and is ready to rise again.
The 2010 Senior Bowl will have a definite SEC flavor.
Already, 10 SEC players have been announced as participants. The latest two were Tennessee teammates Montario Hardesty and Dan Williams.
Five Alabama players were selected -- offensive guard Mike Johnson, tight end Colin Peek, nose guard Terrence Cody, cornerback Javier Arenas and kicker Leigh Tiffin. Also selected were Auburn teammates Antonio Coleman and Ben Tate as well as Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon.
It hasn't been announced yet, but look for Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster to also get an invite.
Already, 10 SEC players have been announced as participants. The latest two were Tennessee teammates Montario Hardesty and Dan Williams.
Five Alabama players were selected -- offensive guard Mike Johnson, tight end Colin Peek, nose guard Terrence Cody, cornerback Javier Arenas and kicker Leigh Tiffin. Also selected were Auburn teammates Antonio Coleman and Ben Tate as well as Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon.
It hasn't been announced yet, but look for Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster to also get an invite.
The SEC's 10 best players nobody knew about
December, 17, 2009
12/17/09
11:00
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Every year, there are players who fly in under the radar to have big seasons.
We’ve gone through and picked the 10 best players in the SEC that you really didn’t know about when the 2009 season began that everybody knows about right now.
These guys all had major impacts on their team after playing limited roles the season before for various reasons. Some were hurt. Others were buried on the depth chart, and a few just simply came into their own. True freshmen and transfers were not included in this list, but redshirt freshmen were.
So here are the 10 best players in the SEC this season that went from anonymity to starring roles:
1. Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: He’d never rushed for more than 384 yards in a season and only carried the ball 76 times in 2008. But when finally given a chance, Hardesty showed he could stay healthy and also proved he was one of the best backs in the SEC with 1,306 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t lose a fumble, either, in an SEC-high 264 rushing attempts.
2. Mark Barron, S, Alabama: A fixture on special teams as a freshman, Barron developed into a star in his first season as a starter on defense and led the SEC with seven interceptions. He was a first-team All-SEC selection by the coaches and helped ease the loss of senior captain Rashad Johnson with his ball-hawking play at strong safety.
3. Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn: The Tigers were searching for playmakers at receiver, and Adams answered the call. The speedy sophomore tied for the SEC lead with 10 touchdown catches. He was third in the league with 855 receiving yards and fourth with 48 catches. That’s after catching a total of three passes, all against UT-Martin, as a freshman.
4. Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas: He was listed as a backup coming out of spring practice after catching 18 passes as a freshman, but exploded as a sophomore to finish third in the SEC in receiving yards per game (71.8). Childs caught seven touchdown passes and averaged 19.2 yards per catch.
5. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama: McElroy was about as unproven as it gets at the college level coming into the season. He’d never played a meaningful snap. That sure changed in a hurry. The steady junior directed an Alabama offense that improved in just about every category from last season, and then played his best game in the most important game, earning MVP honors in the 32-13 SEC championship game victory over Florida.
6. Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt: After playing in Reshard Langford’s shadow as a freshman, Richardson started all 12 games at strong safety as a sophomore and led all SEC defensive backs with 84 tackles. He established himself as one of the best tackling safeties in the league.
7. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia: With all of the grumbling about Georgia’s defensive problems, Houston’s big season was sort of lost in the shuffle. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound sophomore bounced back from a two-game suspension to start the season to finish second in the league with 7.5 sacks and also had 15 tackles for loss.
8. Corey Broomfield, CB, Mississippi State: Talk about making the most of your opportunities. Broomfield only started in three games for the Bulldogs, but finished with six interceptions and returned two of those for touchdowns. He redshirted his first year at Mississippi State in 2008, but is part of a nucleus of young talent in Starkville that has everybody in maroon so excited.
9. Sam Maxwell, LB, Kentucky: He went from dependable backup to one of Kentucky’s best big-play defenders as a senior. Maxwell was second on the team with 80 tackles and led all SEC linebackers with six interceptions and 13 passes defended from his strongside position. Unfortunately for Maxwell, he will miss the bowl game because of surgery to repair a torn labrum.
10. Eryk Anders, LB, Alabama: One of the most overlooked players on Alabama’s vaunted defense, Anders has made his senior season a memorable one. He has 12.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks, from his jack linebacker position. This coming from a guy who’d all but decided to transfer following the 2007 season.
We’ve gone through and picked the 10 best players in the SEC that you really didn’t know about when the 2009 season began that everybody knows about right now.
These guys all had major impacts on their team after playing limited roles the season before for various reasons. Some were hurt. Others were buried on the depth chart, and a few just simply came into their own. True freshmen and transfers were not included in this list, but redshirt freshmen were.
[+] Enlarge
Kim Klement/US PresswireMontario Hardesty rushed for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Kim Klement/US PresswireMontario Hardesty rushed for 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.1. Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: He’d never rushed for more than 384 yards in a season and only carried the ball 76 times in 2008. But when finally given a chance, Hardesty showed he could stay healthy and also proved he was one of the best backs in the SEC with 1,306 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t lose a fumble, either, in an SEC-high 264 rushing attempts.
2. Mark Barron, S, Alabama: A fixture on special teams as a freshman, Barron developed into a star in his first season as a starter on defense and led the SEC with seven interceptions. He was a first-team All-SEC selection by the coaches and helped ease the loss of senior captain Rashad Johnson with his ball-hawking play at strong safety.
3. Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn: The Tigers were searching for playmakers at receiver, and Adams answered the call. The speedy sophomore tied for the SEC lead with 10 touchdown catches. He was third in the league with 855 receiving yards and fourth with 48 catches. That’s after catching a total of three passes, all against UT-Martin, as a freshman.
4. Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas: He was listed as a backup coming out of spring practice after catching 18 passes as a freshman, but exploded as a sophomore to finish third in the SEC in receiving yards per game (71.8). Childs caught seven touchdown passes and averaged 19.2 yards per catch.
5. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama: McElroy was about as unproven as it gets at the college level coming into the season. He’d never played a meaningful snap. That sure changed in a hurry. The steady junior directed an Alabama offense that improved in just about every category from last season, and then played his best game in the most important game, earning MVP honors in the 32-13 SEC championship game victory over Florida.
6. Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt: After playing in Reshard Langford’s shadow as a freshman, Richardson started all 12 games at strong safety as a sophomore and led all SEC defensive backs with 84 tackles. He established himself as one of the best tackling safeties in the league.
7. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia: With all of the grumbling about Georgia’s defensive problems, Houston’s big season was sort of lost in the shuffle. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound sophomore bounced back from a two-game suspension to start the season to finish second in the league with 7.5 sacks and also had 15 tackles for loss.
8. Corey Broomfield, CB, Mississippi State: Talk about making the most of your opportunities. Broomfield only started in three games for the Bulldogs, but finished with six interceptions and returned two of those for touchdowns. He redshirted his first year at Mississippi State in 2008, but is part of a nucleus of young talent in Starkville that has everybody in maroon so excited.
9. Sam Maxwell, LB, Kentucky: He went from dependable backup to one of Kentucky’s best big-play defenders as a senior. Maxwell was second on the team with 80 tackles and led all SEC linebackers with six interceptions and 13 passes defended from his strongside position. Unfortunately for Maxwell, he will miss the bowl game because of surgery to repair a torn labrum.
10. Eryk Anders, LB, Alabama: One of the most overlooked players on Alabama’s vaunted defense, Anders has made his senior season a memorable one. He has 12.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks, from his jack linebacker position. This coming from a guy who’d all but decided to transfer following the 2007 season.
After creating a stir off the field leading up to his first season on the job, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin got off to a solid start on the field in his first tour through the SEC.
The Vols (7-5, 4-4) were a couple of disappointing home losses away from being a nine-win team. They’d love to have the UCLA and Auburn games back, where they simply didn’t play their best football. Kiffin was probably a little too conservative with his play-calling in the 19-15 loss to the Bruins, and Monte Kiffin’s defense didn’t have a lot of answers for Gus Malzahn’s spread offense in the 26-22 loss to the Tigers after losing middle linebacker Nick Reveiz the week before.
But during the second half of the season, with the notable exception of the 42-17 blowout loss to Ole Miss, Tennessee played its best football and seemed to get better as a team. Never was that more apparent than senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton’s transformation. He looked rattled during the first month of the season and was an interception machine, but settled down and wound up finishing second in the SEC with 26 touchdown passes.
Monte Kiffin’s defense held up well despite a glut of injuries at linebacker. Kicking woes cost the Vols in several games, in particular the 12-10 loss to Alabama. Tennessee had two field goals blocked in that game, including one as time expired that would have won the game.
If there’s such a thing as a quality loss in the SEC, the Vols had two of them this season against Alabama and Florida. Their best win was a 45-19 pasting of Georgia, but they also get a shot at No. 11 Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Montario Hardesty, RB. He’d battled injuries previously during his career and was also under-utilized, but Hardesty put together a sensational senior season with 1,306 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He carried the ball a league-high 264 times and didn’t lose a single fumble on a rushing attempt.
Defensive MVP: Eric Berry, S. His interception numbers declined, but that’s due mainly to the fact that the Vols used him in a different role than the previous season. Berry played closer to the line of scrimmage, almost like a linebacker, and finished second among SEC defensive backs with 83 tackles. He’s one of the most complete defensive players in the league.
Turning point: The Vols were 2-3 and coming off a home loss to Auburn when Georgia rolled into town the second week of October. Another home loss would have been devastating, but Tennessee delivered its best performance of the season in 45-19 rout of the Bulldogs and only lost twice more the rest of the way.
What’s next: Several of the seniors who were the backbone of this team are gone, and Berry is also probably gone. He’s projected to be one of the top picks in the NFL draft. Kiffin may also have to fight to keep some of his coaches. Eddie Gran and Frank Wilson have already bolted for other jobs, and there are rumblings that others may follow. The schedule only gets harder next season, and the Vols will be playing with a new quarterback. There's some good young talent in the program, but Kiffin has his work cut out.
The Vols (7-5, 4-4) were a couple of disappointing home losses away from being a nine-win team. They’d love to have the UCLA and Auburn games back, where they simply didn’t play their best football. Kiffin was probably a little too conservative with his play-calling in the 19-15 loss to the Bruins, and Monte Kiffin’s defense didn’t have a lot of answers for Gus Malzahn’s spread offense in the 26-22 loss to the Tigers after losing middle linebacker Nick Reveiz the week before.
But during the second half of the season, with the notable exception of the 42-17 blowout loss to Ole Miss, Tennessee played its best football and seemed to get better as a team. Never was that more apparent than senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton’s transformation. He looked rattled during the first month of the season and was an interception machine, but settled down and wound up finishing second in the SEC with 26 touchdown passes.
Monte Kiffin’s defense held up well despite a glut of injuries at linebacker. Kicking woes cost the Vols in several games, in particular the 12-10 loss to Alabama. Tennessee had two field goals blocked in that game, including one as time expired that would have won the game.
If there’s such a thing as a quality loss in the SEC, the Vols had two of them this season against Alabama and Florida. Their best win was a 45-19 pasting of Georgia, but they also get a shot at No. 11 Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Montario Hardesty, RB. He’d battled injuries previously during his career and was also under-utilized, but Hardesty put together a sensational senior season with 1,306 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He carried the ball a league-high 264 times and didn’t lose a single fumble on a rushing attempt.
Defensive MVP: Eric Berry, S. His interception numbers declined, but that’s due mainly to the fact that the Vols used him in a different role than the previous season. Berry played closer to the line of scrimmage, almost like a linebacker, and finished second among SEC defensive backs with 83 tackles. He’s one of the most complete defensive players in the league.
Turning point: The Vols were 2-3 and coming off a home loss to Auburn when Georgia rolled into town the second week of October. Another home loss would have been devastating, but Tennessee delivered its best performance of the season in 45-19 rout of the Bulldogs and only lost twice more the rest of the way.
What’s next: Several of the seniors who were the backbone of this team are gone, and Berry is also probably gone. He’s projected to be one of the top picks in the NFL draft. Kiffin may also have to fight to keep some of his coaches. Eddie Gran and Frank Wilson have already bolted for other jobs, and there are rumblings that others may follow. The schedule only gets harder next season, and the Vols will be playing with a new quarterback. There's some good young talent in the program, but Kiffin has his work cut out.
Consider this our SEC championship game week version of Hot and Not:
En Fuego
SEC championship game hype: The beauty of this game is that it really doesn’t need a lot of hype. It’s the matchup we’ve all been waiting for since October. It’s got it all -- two great defenses, two great coaches, two unbeaten teams, future NFL players all over the field and at stake a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Is it the biggest SEC game ever? It’s certainly one of the biggest and should provide great drama either way. Alabama gets a shot at redemption after last season’s bitter loss in Atlanta, and Florida gets a shot at college football immortality with a win in Atlanta and a second win a month later in the BCS National Championship.
Hot
Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon: Anybody take a gander at the SEC rushing leaders coming out of the final week of the regular season? Dixon ended his career as the SEC's leading rusher this season with 1,391 yards and an average of 125.6 yards per game. He passed Alabama’s Mark Ingram. I’m not sure there was a player more valuable to his team this season than Dixon.
Not
Clear thoughts: The missile-like collision between LSU’s Chad Jones and Arkansas’ Joe Adams at the goal line near the end of regulation last Saturday had to register on the Richter Scale. It was the hit of the year in the SEC. Jones was penalized for leading with his helmet, but replays appeared to show that he actually delivered the blow with his shoulder. Either way, something tells me both of those guys were loading up on aspirin the next few days.
Hot
Bowl scenarios: They seemingly change by the hour. At one point, there were discussions aimed at Tennessee going to the Cotton Bowl and perhaps Ole Miss to the Outback Bowl. Then Kentucky entered the Outback picture. The latest scuttlebutt has LSU going to the Capital One, Ole Miss to the Cotton, Auburn to the Outback and the Chick-fil-A trying to decide between Georgia and Tennessee.
Not
Gimmicky uniforms: Where does it end? Black jerseys. Black helmets. Gold helmets. New designs on the helmets. At this rate, we’re going to need a fashion expert covering the league.
Hot
SEC championship game tickets: If anybody has any extras, I’d like to have four on the 50-yard line, preferably up there in the club section where they serve you. What do you think those babies would bring? That said, the SEC is warning people to be on the lookout for counterfeit tickets.
Not
Alabama-Florida rematch: It’s a moot point unless Texas loses in the Big 12 championship game. Still, I just don’t see it happening, and really, it wouldn’t be fair to the team that wins this Saturday in Atlanta. You win a game of that magnitude and then have to turn around and beat that same team a month later to win the national title? I love SEC football as much as anybody, but that’s a bit much.
Hot
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty: So much for the durability concerns, huh? Hardesty has carried the ball an SEC-high 264 times this season for 1,306 yards and needs 159 yards in the bowl game to pass Travis Stephens as the Vols’ all-time single-season rushing leader. And oh yeah, Hardesty didn’t lose a fumble on a rushing attempt all season.
Not
Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead: He’s a better player than he’s shown, but there’s no getting around the fact that Snead has simply had a bad year. The interception he threw against Mississippi State that was returned for a touchdown was as poor a throw as you’ll see at this level. He wound up with 15 interceptions in eight SEC games.
Ice, Ice Baby
Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap: Pretty easy choice this week. Dunlap thrust himself to the front of the line thanks to his arrest on drunken driving charges early Tuesday morning. According to Gainesville police, the 290-pound Dunlap was slumped over in his car asleep with the clutch still in gear while sitting at a traffic light. Police said he had trouble conveying basic information and keeping his balance during sobriety tests. Let’s hope he’s a little more alert Saturday if he’s allowed to play. And hold the jokes about half-game suspensions.
En Fuego
SEC championship game hype: The beauty of this game is that it really doesn’t need a lot of hype. It’s the matchup we’ve all been waiting for since October. It’s got it all -- two great defenses, two great coaches, two unbeaten teams, future NFL players all over the field and at stake a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Is it the biggest SEC game ever? It’s certainly one of the biggest and should provide great drama either way. Alabama gets a shot at redemption after last season’s bitter loss in Atlanta, and Florida gets a shot at college football immortality with a win in Atlanta and a second win a month later in the BCS National Championship.
Hot
Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon: Anybody take a gander at the SEC rushing leaders coming out of the final week of the regular season? Dixon ended his career as the SEC's leading rusher this season with 1,391 yards and an average of 125.6 yards per game. He passed Alabama’s Mark Ingram. I’m not sure there was a player more valuable to his team this season than Dixon.
Not
Clear thoughts: The missile-like collision between LSU’s Chad Jones and Arkansas’ Joe Adams at the goal line near the end of regulation last Saturday had to register on the Richter Scale. It was the hit of the year in the SEC. Jones was penalized for leading with his helmet, but replays appeared to show that he actually delivered the blow with his shoulder. Either way, something tells me both of those guys were loading up on aspirin the next few days.
Hot
Bowl scenarios: They seemingly change by the hour. At one point, there were discussions aimed at Tennessee going to the Cotton Bowl and perhaps Ole Miss to the Outback Bowl. Then Kentucky entered the Outback picture. The latest scuttlebutt has LSU going to the Capital One, Ole Miss to the Cotton, Auburn to the Outback and the Chick-fil-A trying to decide between Georgia and Tennessee.
Not
Gimmicky uniforms: Where does it end? Black jerseys. Black helmets. Gold helmets. New designs on the helmets. At this rate, we’re going to need a fashion expert covering the league.
Hot
SEC championship game tickets: If anybody has any extras, I’d like to have four on the 50-yard line, preferably up there in the club section where they serve you. What do you think those babies would bring? That said, the SEC is warning people to be on the lookout for counterfeit tickets.
Not
Alabama-Florida rematch: It’s a moot point unless Texas loses in the Big 12 championship game. Still, I just don’t see it happening, and really, it wouldn’t be fair to the team that wins this Saturday in Atlanta. You win a game of that magnitude and then have to turn around and beat that same team a month later to win the national title? I love SEC football as much as anybody, but that’s a bit much.
Hot
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty: So much for the durability concerns, huh? Hardesty has carried the ball an SEC-high 264 times this season for 1,306 yards and needs 159 yards in the bowl game to pass Travis Stephens as the Vols’ all-time single-season rushing leader. And oh yeah, Hardesty didn’t lose a fumble on a rushing attempt all season.
Not
Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead: He’s a better player than he’s shown, but there’s no getting around the fact that Snead has simply had a bad year. The interception he threw against Mississippi State that was returned for a touchdown was as poor a throw as you’ll see at this level. He wound up with 15 interceptions in eight SEC games.
Ice, Ice Baby
Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap: Pretty easy choice this week. Dunlap thrust himself to the front of the line thanks to his arrest on drunken driving charges early Tuesday morning. According to Gainesville police, the 290-pound Dunlap was slumped over in his car asleep with the clutch still in gear while sitting at a traffic light. Police said he had trouble conveying basic information and keeping his balance during sobriety tests. Let’s hope he’s a little more alert Saturday if he’s allowed to play. And hold the jokes about half-game suspensions.
The SEC league office has announced its top performers for the final week of the regular season. There were co-offensive players of the week and co-defensive linemen of the week:
OFFENSE
Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: Rushed for 179 yards on 39 carries and three touchdowns -- all career highs -- as Tennessee defeated Kentucky 30-24 in overtime.
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida: Completed 17-of-21 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 90 rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns in Florida’s 37-10 win over Florida State.
DEFENSE
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama: Registered a team-high 12 total tackles with a sack, another half-tackle for loss and a pass deflection in Alabama’s 26-21 win at Auburn.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Josh Jasper, PK, LSU: Tied a school record with four field goals, including a 41-yarder with four seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime, in LSU’s 33-30 win over Arkansas. Jasper’s 36 yard field goal in overtime was the eventual game-winner.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Mike Pouncey, G, Florida: Graded out at 96 percent and had three knockdown blocks in Florida’s 37-10 win over Florida State. The 96 percent grade earned Pouncey a Champion’s mark at Florida, a status he has earned in each game this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Pernell McPhee, E, Mississippi State: Credited with five total tackles and a quarterback pressure in Mississippi State’s 41-27 win over Ole Miss. McPhee led a defensive front that held Ole Miss to just 90 yards rushing and forced four turnovers.
Ladi Ajiboye, T, South Carolina: Collected four tackles, including three solo stops, as South Carolina defeated Clemson 34-17. Ajiboye was instrumental in holding Clemson’s C.J. Spiller to just 18 yards rushing on nine carries.
FRESHMAN
Washaun Ealey, RB, Georgia: Rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 20 carries in Georgia’s 30-24 win at No. 7 Georgia Tech. Ealey had 139 of his rushing yards before the half on 12 carries.
OFFENSE
Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee: Rushed for 179 yards on 39 carries and three touchdowns -- all career highs -- as Tennessee defeated Kentucky 30-24 in overtime.
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida: Completed 17-of-21 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 90 rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns in Florida’s 37-10 win over Florida State.
DEFENSE
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama: Registered a team-high 12 total tackles with a sack, another half-tackle for loss and a pass deflection in Alabama’s 26-21 win at Auburn.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Josh Jasper, PK, LSU: Tied a school record with four field goals, including a 41-yarder with four seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime, in LSU’s 33-30 win over Arkansas. Jasper’s 36 yard field goal in overtime was the eventual game-winner.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Mike Pouncey, G, Florida: Graded out at 96 percent and had three knockdown blocks in Florida’s 37-10 win over Florida State. The 96 percent grade earned Pouncey a Champion’s mark at Florida, a status he has earned in each game this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Pernell McPhee, E, Mississippi State: Credited with five total tackles and a quarterback pressure in Mississippi State’s 41-27 win over Ole Miss. McPhee led a defensive front that held Ole Miss to just 90 yards rushing and forced four turnovers.
Ladi Ajiboye, T, South Carolina: Collected four tackles, including three solo stops, as South Carolina defeated Clemson 34-17. Ajiboye was instrumental in holding Clemson’s C.J. Spiller to just 18 yards rushing on nine carries.
FRESHMAN
Washaun Ealey, RB, Georgia: Rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 20 carries in Georgia’s 30-24 win at No. 7 Georgia Tech. Ealey had 139 of his rushing yards before the half on 12 carries.
What a wild end to the regular season with a couple of overtime games, Alabama rallying to beat Auburn with a clutch drive and Georgia taking down No. 7 Georgia Tech.
The helmet sticker decisions this week were tough, but here goes:
Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain: He’s the best defensive player on perhaps the best defense in the country. McClain was a rock for the Crimson Tide on Friday in their 26-21 win over Auburn. He finished with a game-high 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. His sack of Chris Todd on third down capped a huge three-and-out for Alabama in the fourth quarter, and McClain was also the one who spiked down Auburn’s last-ditch pass in the end zone on the final play of the game.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow: Talk about going out in style. Tebow bid farewell to the Swamp with three touchdown passes and two touchdown runs. It was an emotional Saturday in Gainesville, and even Tebow had tears in his eyes before the game. But he played one of his most complete games of the season and finished with 311 yards of total offense in the 37-10 rout of Florida State.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen: His proclamation Saturday that Mississippi State’s program was the one in the state on the rise was more than just bold talk. Mississippi State whipped Ole Miss 41-27 and did so with a bunch of younger players (Chris Relf, Charles Mitchell, Corey Broomfield and Chad Bumphis) all playing key roles. The Bulldogs played a killer schedule this season and just missed becoming bowl eligible. Mullen and his staff did a terrific job of maximizing their talent, and the future certainly looks bright in Starkville.
Georgia’s offensive line: Georgia was looking for something to hang its hat on and found it in an offensive line that played its best football of the season Saturday in a 30-24 upset of No. 7 Georgia Tech on the road. The Bulldogs bullied the Yellow Jackets up front. Washaun Ealey had 183 rushing yards and Caleb King 166 yards in a dominant display of power football.
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty: It’s been a memorable senior season and a memorable close to his senior season for Hardesty, who established a career high for the second straight week. He had 179 yards rushing on 39 carries and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime in a 30-24 win over Kentucky. Hardesty now has 1,306 yards for the season, which ranks as the fifth best single-season rushing total in school history. The school record is 1,464 yards, which was set by Travis Stephens in 2001.
The helmet sticker decisions this week were tough, but here goes:
Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain: He’s the best defensive player on perhaps the best defense in the country. McClain was a rock for the Crimson Tide on Friday in their 26-21 win over Auburn. He finished with a game-high 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. His sack of Chris Todd on third down capped a huge three-and-out for Alabama in the fourth quarter, and McClain was also the one who spiked down Auburn’s last-ditch pass in the end zone on the final play of the game.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow: Talk about going out in style. Tebow bid farewell to the Swamp with three touchdown passes and two touchdown runs. It was an emotional Saturday in Gainesville, and even Tebow had tears in his eyes before the game. But he played one of his most complete games of the season and finished with 311 yards of total offense in the 37-10 rout of Florida State.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen: His proclamation Saturday that Mississippi State’s program was the one in the state on the rise was more than just bold talk. Mississippi State whipped Ole Miss 41-27 and did so with a bunch of younger players (Chris Relf, Charles Mitchell, Corey Broomfield and Chad Bumphis) all playing key roles. The Bulldogs played a killer schedule this season and just missed becoming bowl eligible. Mullen and his staff did a terrific job of maximizing their talent, and the future certainly looks bright in Starkville.
Georgia’s offensive line: Georgia was looking for something to hang its hat on and found it in an offensive line that played its best football of the season Saturday in a 30-24 upset of No. 7 Georgia Tech on the road. The Bulldogs bullied the Yellow Jackets up front. Washaun Ealey had 183 rushing yards and Caleb King 166 yards in a dominant display of power football.
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty: It’s been a memorable senior season and a memorable close to his senior season for Hardesty, who established a career high for the second straight week. He had 179 yards rushing on 39 carries and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime in a 30-24 win over Kentucky. Hardesty now has 1,306 yards for the season, which ranks as the fifth best single-season rushing total in school history. The school record is 1,464 yards, which was set by Travis Stephens in 2001.
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.
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