Learn the ABCs of the 2015 SEC football season
With the start of the college football season just around the corner, it's a perfect time for an A-B-C lesson on the SEC from Tennessean professor (err, columnist) Dave Ammenheuser.
A: A'Shawn Robinson
The data: Alabama's 6-foot-4, 312-pound junior defensive end from Fort Worth, Texas.
Why he's our A: Cheating a bit by using A'Shawn's first name for the A. After two back-to-back outstanding seasons, he is one of several athletic Crimson Tide defensive linemen. Played 27 games with 15 starts over the past two seasons; he can play multiple positions. Led Alabama with 5.5 sacks as a freshman. Heavy contender for All-SEC and All-America honors.
Other A's worth mentioning: Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen, LSU offensive tackle Vadal Alexander.
B: Derek Barnett
The data:Tennessee's 6-foot-3, 268-pound sophomore defensive end from Brentwood Academy.
Why he's our B: Barnett has already established himself as one of the elite defensive lineman in the SEC. He started 10 games in his freshman season, making 72 tackles including 10 sacks. He has 20 tackles for a loss.
Other Bs worth mentioning: Florida defensive end Jonathan Bullard
C: Nick Chubb
The data: Georgia's 5-foot-10, 210-pound sophomore running back from Cedartown, Ga.
Why he's our C: Preseason All-SEC and All-America running back selection. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year and named to many national freshman All-America teams. He rushed for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns during his first season. He was second in the SEC with 119.0 yards per game, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
Other Cs worth mentioning: South Carolina wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, Arkansas running back Alex Collins, Ole Miss defensive back Tony Conner
D: Joshua Dobbs
The data: Tennessee's 6-foot-3, 212-pound junior quarterback from Alpharetta, Ga.
Why he's our D: If the Vols are going to take another step forward this season, then Dobbs must be the team leader on the field. He must replicate the success he enjoyed after he stepped into the starting role a year ago. In his first two seasons, he has played in 11 games, completing 184-of-298 passes for 1,901 yards. He has more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). That ratio must change.
Other D's worth mentioning: LSU wide receiver Travin Dural
E: Evan Engram
The data: Ole Miss' 6-foot-3, 227-pound junior tight end from Powder Springs, Ga.
Why he's our E: One of the nation's top tight ends, he's on several preseason All-America lists. He already ranks in the top four in Ole Miss' history in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for a tight end. He is coming off a 38-catch, 662-yard season. Led the nation's tight ends with 17.4 yards per catch. Vanderbilt fans remember him well: He had seven catches for 112 yards against the Commodores.
Other E's worth mentioning: Missouri center Evan Boehm
F: Leonard Fournette
The data: LSU's 6-foot-1, 230-pound sophomore running back from New Orleans.
Why he's our F: Quickly established himself as one of the conference's top running backs as a freshman when he rushed for an LSU freshman record 1,034 yards. Played all 13 games, making six starts. Finished sixth in the SEC with 79.5 rushing yards per game and was also fourth in kickoff returns. His breakaway speed is one of the reasons that NFL.com lists him as one of college football's "scariest players."
Other F's worth mentioning: Georgia sophomore linebacker Leonard Floyd
G: Myles Garrett
The data: Texas A&M's 6-foot-5, 260-pound sophomore defensive lineman from Arlington, Texas.
Why he's our G: Consensus freshman All-America and All-SEC selection, the Aggies named him their defensive MVP. He led the team with 11 sacks and 12.5 tackles for losses. He had 50 tackles, second-most among defensive linemen. The 11 sacks also set a freshman SEC record. Already among the top defensive end pro prospects in the country.
Other G's worth mentioning: LSU tight end Dillon Gordon
H: Jalen Hurd
The data: Tennessee's 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore running back from Beech High School.
Why he's our H: Tough decision between him and Alabama running back Derrick Henry. However, Hurd is arguably more important to the Vols' potential success this season. He's coming off a 190-carry, 899-yard season. He also had 35 receptions for 221 yards. He had seven touchdowns, five on the ground. If he can stay healthy, he's due to have a big season.
Other H's worth considering: Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Georgia fullback Quayvon Hicks
I: Isaiah McKenzie
The data: Georgia's 5-foot-8, 170 pound sophomore wide receiver and kick returner from Miami.
Why he's our I: Had to cheat and make the I the first name. One of the SEC's top kick returners, he returned two punts for a touchdown and one kickoff for a touchdown in 2014. He also had six receptions for 67 yards and seven rushes for 78 yards. He figures to be more involved in the Bulldogs' offense this season.
Other I's worth mentioning: Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi
J: Jeremy Johnson
The data: Auburn's 6-foot-5, 240-pound junior quarterback from Montgomery, Ala.
Why he's our J: If Johnson has a strong season, the Tigers could return to the top of the SEC West. In two college seasons, he has passed for 828 yards and nine touchdowns. He'll be asked to do much more than that in his junior season.
Other J's worth mentioning: Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins, Alabama defensive back Eddie Jackson
K: Ryan Kelly
The data: Alabama's 6-foot-5, 297-pound senior center from West Chester, Ohio.
Why he's our K: Returning to the center spot for a third season, Kelly is a strong contender for the Rimington Trophy, which goes annually to college football's top center. He must help stabilize an offensive line that lost three starters to the NFL. He has played 31 games, 21 of them starts for the Crimson Tide.
Other K's worth mentioning: Texas A&M punter Drew Kaiser, Auburn offensive lineman Alex Kozan
L: Laremy Tunsil
The data: Ole Miss' 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman from Lake City, Fla.
Why he's our L: Cheated a bit, using the initial from his first name. But he had to make this team. One of the SEC's top offensive linemen, the Rebels need him healthy if they are going to make any noise in the SEC West. He fractured a fibula and dislocated an ankle in the Peach Bowl against TCU (the same injuries that teammate Laquon Treadwell sustained earlier in the season against Auburn).
Other L's worth considering: Open to suggestions from our readers.
M: Jalen Mills
The data: LSU's 6-foot, 194-pound senior safety from DeSoto, Texas.
Why he's our M: There were many choices, but Mills is the key to the Tigers' defense. He's started every game during his collegiate career. He has 186 total tackles, including 13 pass breakups. He also has six interceptions, but just one in his junior season as opponents began throwing to the other side of the field. He's aggressive against the run, which will be needed against the SEC West's top running backs.
Other M's worth considering: Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk, Kentucky kicker Austin MacGinnis, Auburn linebacker Cassanova McKinzy, Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison
N: Robert Nkemdiche
The data: Ole Miss' 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive tackle from Loganville, Ga.
Why he's our N: Arguably one of college football's top prospects. On many of the country's preseason All-America lists and also on the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) preseason watch lists. He had 35 tackles, including two sacks, as he helped lead a defense that allowed just 16 points per game last season.
Other N's worth mentioning: Tennessee wide receiver Marquez North
O: O.J. Howard
The data: Alabama's 6-foot-6, 242-pound junior tight end from Prattville, Ala.
Why he's our O: There are not a lot of players with a last name starting with O in the SEC, thus we went with the first name. O.J. Howard has caught 31 passes for 529 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons. If the Crimson Tide are going to offer a balanced offensive attack, he will need to produce bigger numbers this season.
Other O's worth mentioning: Vanderbilt kicker Tommy Openshaw
P: Dak Prescott
The data: Mississippi State's 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior quarterback from Haughton, La.
Why he's our P: Arguably the top returning quarterback in the conference, Prescott has been selected for several preseason All-America teams. He has completed 418-of-691 passes for 5,583 yards with 18 interceptions and 41 touchdowns. He has also rushed 374 times for 1,931 yards. He has accounted for 75 touchdowns (41 passes, 31 rushing and three receiving). If MSU is going to challenge in the SEC West, Prescott must have a Heisman-worthy season.
Other P's worth mentioning: Vanderbilt center Spencer Pulley
Q: Quincy Mauger
The data: Georgia's 6-foot, 200-pound junior free safety from Marietta, Ga.
Why he's our Q: C'mon, how many Q's do you think there are in the SEC? Quincy is the best. One of the conference's top defensive backs, he has started 14 games in his first two seasons with 108 tackles and five interceptions. He'll be counted on more this season to become a leader of the Bulldogs' defense.
Other Q's worth mentioning: Kentucky defensive back Cody Quinn
R: Reggie Ragland
The data: Alabama's 6-foot-2, 252-pound senior linebacker from Madison, Ala.
Why he's our R: Many Rs to choose from, but Ragland is the choice. The hard-hitting linebacker is one of college football's best defenders. He could've gone to the NFL after last season, but he chose to return to Alabama for his senior season. He has played 38 career games with 120 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss. Barring injury, Ragland will be on many postseason All-America teams and be picked high in the 2016 NFL draft.
Other R's worth mentioning: Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed, Mississippi State cornerback Will Redmond
S: Cam Sutton
The data: Tennessee's 6-foot-1, 189-pound junior defensive back from Jonesboro, Ga.
Why he's our S: Listed on several publications' preseason All-America teams, Sutton is an important cog on the Vols. He's one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC and also one of the most dangerous punt returners. He had 37 tackles last season and 16 passes defended, which ranked fourth in the SEC. He also had 14 punt returns for 158 yards, including a 76-yard return for a touchdown.
Other S's worth mentioning: Vanderbilt tight end Steve Scheu
T: Laquon Treadwell
The data: Ole Miss' 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior wide receiver from Crete, Ill.
Why he's our T: Although he missed the final four games in 2014 because of a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle, he already has compiled some of the biggest receiving totals in school history. He has 120 catches for 1,240 yards and 10 touchdowns in 22 games. If he's fully recovered, he could be one of the biggest receiving threats in the SEC. In 2013 he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches.
Other T's worth mentioning: Kentucky center John Toth, Georgia offensive lineman John Theus, Arkansas offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola
U: U decide
The data: After searching and analyzing, columnist Dave Ammenheuser could not come up with a worthy name for the letter U. What do you think? If you have an idea, leave a comment on the webpage. Or you can send him an email at dammenheus@tennessean.com and he'll list the choices here soon.
V: Vernon Hargreaves III
The data: Florida's 5-foot-11, 198-pound junior defensive back from Tampa, Fla.
Why he's our V: V's another tough letter in the SEC, but Vernon Hargreaves is an easy choice. One of the top defenders in college football, Hargreaves was on many postseason All-America teams after the 2014 season and is on many 2015 preseason lists. He has 22 career starts with 88 tackles, six interceptions and 24 pass breakups.
Other V's worth mentioning: Could not find another V worth listing. Any reader suggestions?
W: D'haquille Williams
The data: Auburn's 6-foot-2, 224-pound senior wide receiver from LaPlace, La.
Why he's our W: One of college football's top receivers, Williams had 45 receptions for 730 yards in 2014. He had four 100-yard games, emerging as a starter for the Tigers during the second half of the season. He transferred to Auburn from Mississippi Gulf Coast where he had 118 catches for 2,028 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Other W's worth mentioning: Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb, Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams.
X: X-factor: Darrius Sims
The data:Vanderbilt's 5-foot-9, 188-pound junior wide receiver and kick returner.
Why he's our X: He's Vanderbilt's special weapon, capable of scoring a touchdown whenever he touches the ball. He proved that against South Carolina in 2014, when he became the first SEC player in conference history to return two kicks for touchdowns in the same game. The kick returns went for 91 and 100 yards. He also scored a touchdown on defense, returning a 13-yard interception for a touchdown. He also played running back and wide receiver for the Commodores.
Other X's worth considering: Are there others? Send me your suggestions.
Y: Avery Young
The data: Auburn's 6-foot-6, 305-pound junior offensive lineman from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Why he's our Y: Started all 13 games last season for Auburn. Will anchor a line that should provide protection for one of conference's elite offenses. Can play any of the offensive line positions, starting games in 2014 at right guard, left guard, right tackle and left tackle.
Other Y's worth mentioning: Looking for more. Suggestions?
Z: Mason Zandi
The data: South Carolina's 6-foot-9, 313-pound offensive lineman from Chapin, S.C.
Why he's our Z: Zandi was one of few choices at Z. He's one of the conference's biggest players. He will get the opportunity to be a regular starter on the Gamecocks' offensive line. At left tackle, he will need to have a strong season to help protect quarterback Connor Mitch.
Other Z's worth mentioning: The challenge is there. Give me other suggestions.
Go online at tennessean.com/sports to find out other players Dave Ammenheuser considered for each position. Reach Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.