In the SEC East, Georgia leads the way, but who follows?
A while back I ranked the potential starting quarterbacks in the entire SEC from Mike White to Bryce Young. Now, I’m going to focus on each teams supporting cast for their quarterback. Rather than rank the entire conference this focuses on each division within the conference. Starting with the SEC East here’s where I see each team’s offensive firepower ranked (RB, TE, WR).
No. 7 Vanderbilt Commodores
It’s going to be tough for Vanderbilt to win football games and produce on the offensive side of the ball in 2022. Last year, the Commodores scored 15.8 points per game which was 128th out of 130 teams in FBS football. But, if they have anything going for them Rocko Griffin, Patrick Smith, and Re’Mahn Davis return in the backfield. Will Sheppard and Devin Boddie Jr. were two of Vanderbilt’s four top receivers and starting tight end Ben Bresnahan returns as well.
No. 6 Missouri Tigers
The biggest addition to the Tigers’ offense is 5-star recruit Luther Burden. The third-ranked high school player in the nation gives the Tigers’ passing game more juice and excitement. Alongside Burden returns the Tigers’ leading receiver, Chritauskie Dove. Dominic Lovett, Chance Luper, Barrett Banister, and Mookie Cooper also return some experience as well in the receiving core.
Replacing Tyler Badie, who had an all-time great season, is Columbia native Nathaniel Peat. One thing you’ll notice about Peat is his speed and his ability in the return game as he led the Pac-12 in kick return yards a year ago. Also, Truman State transfer Cody Schrader comes over from Kirksville, Mo after rushing for 2,108 yards and 25 scores in 2021. Elijah Young is in the mix as well returning as the Tigers’ second-leading rusher.
No 5. Florida Gators
Even with Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis going to the NFL, one thing the Gators should be able to do in 2022 is run the football, especially with a mobile QB. Montrell Johnson, Lorenzo Lingard, and Demarkcus Bowman should all see plenty of action this fall. Johnson comes over from Louisiana with Napier. As a true freshman Johnson led the third-best Sun-Belt rushing attack with 838 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Gators lost Jacob Copeland to Maryland but recently picked up Arizona State’s leading receiver Ricky Pearsall. Justin Shorter returns after tying Copeland with a team-high 41 receptions. Xzavier Henderson, Trent Whittemore, and Ja’Quavion Fraziars round out the receiving room.
It’s going to be interesting to see what the offensive-minded Billy Napier does in Gainesville. After a successful run in Louisiana, he comes to Florida with some pieces to work with.
No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats
Replacing Wan’Dale Robinson’s production in the passing game is going to be tough for the Wildcats. Hopefully, Virginia Tech transfer Teyvion Robinson can fill the hole after leading the Hokies with 44 receptions and 5 touchdowns. Alabama transfer Javon Baker and DeMarcus Harris will get opportunities as well with Josh Ali gone.
Fortunately for Mark Stoops squad, there’s no question in the running back room. The Wildcats return the one-two punch of Christopher Rodriguez Jr. and Kavosiey Smoke. Rodriguez Jr. was the second most productive rusher (behind Badie) in the SEC last season with 1,378 yards and 10 scores while Smoke added 416 yards and 4 scores as well. JuTahn McClain and La’Vell Wright add depth to the room also.
At tight end, Big blue returns an experienced group of Izayah Cummings, Brenden Bates, Jordan Dingle, and Keaton Upshaw who missed all of 2021.
No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks
Antwane Wells Jr. comes over from James Madison after recording 83 receptions for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. Arkansas State transfer Corey Rucker was also productive last season with 59 receptions, 826 yards, and 9 scores. They’ll join Josh Vann who was the Gamecocks leading receiver last year as well as Dakereon Joyner, Xavier Legette, and Ahmarean Brown.
Marshawn Lloyd and Juju McDowell are going to help fill the void left by Kevin Harris and Zaquandre White. Joining them is Christian Beal-Smith who comes from Wake Forest after being the leading rusher on a talented offensive group.
At tight end, Austin Stonger comes over with Spencer Rattler from Norman. To pair along with Stonger is the swiss army knife Jaheim Bell who was one of the more productive tight ends in the SEC last season with 30 receptions, 497 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Jaheim Bell led SEC TEs last season in:
🥇 Yards per Reception – 16.3
🥇 Yards After Catch per Reception – 11.8pic.twitter.com/kMAO56jwcL— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 20, 2022
Like Vanderbilt, South Carolina wasn’t too great at putting points on the board. At 22.6 points per game, the Gamecocks ranked 104th of 130 FBS teams in 2021. That being said the offense should be a lot more productive this season. Rattler’s arrival as well as a few transfers should help elevate the offense in Columbia, SC.
No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee’s up-tempo offense was fun to watch in 2021. Josh Heupel turned the Volunteers into one of the more high-flying units and fortunately a lot of production is returning in Rocky Top.
The Volunteers return 5 of their top 7 receiving leaders from 2021. Cedric Tillman had a breakout season in 2021 with 64 receptions, 1,081 yards (2nd in SEC), and 12 scores (13th in the SEC). Jalin Hyatt and Jimmy Calloway are going to get more opportunities with Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton going to the NFL. Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren also return as Tennessee’s top two tight ends from a year ago.
Running back Jabari Smalls had a strong ending to the 2021 campaign. Over Tennessee’s last three games Smith rushed for 356 yards and 5 scores with a 6.8 yards per carry average. Jaylen Wright and Len’Neth Whitehead showed flashes in 2021 while 4-star recruit Justin Williams-Thomas should be in the mix as well.
Rocky Top is going to put up points and yards in 2022. With Heupel and quarterback Hendon Hooker leading the offense, this is going to be a fun bunch to watch.
No 1. Georgia Bulldogs
In the receiving core, the speedy Ladd McConkey and Adonai Mitchell showed that they could be dangerous weapons in 2021. Let’s also not forget that Kearis Jackson battled injury last season but led the Bulldogs in receiving yards in 2020. Arian Smith and Dominick Blaylock are also named to keep an eye out for.
The biggest threat in the Bulldogs’ passing attack is tight end Brock Bowers. As a true freshman during Georgia’s title run, Burton became not only Georgia’s top weapon but the most elite tight end in SEC. The 6’4″ 230-pound tight end led the Bulldogs with 56 ‘receptions, 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also in the tight end room is Arik Gilbert, who had an impressive 2020 season, and the 6’7″ 265-pound Darnell Washington.
Brock Bowers in 2021:
▫️888 receiving yards
Most by a P5 TE since 2018 🐶pic.twitter.com/JWLbHVe92O
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 11, 2022
Kenny McIntosh takes over as running back No. 1 with Zamir White and James Cook gone to the NFL. McIntosh not only is a powerful running threat but also in the receiving game totaling 22 receptions for 242 yards in 2021. Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards both return off seasons of 45+ carries a year ago. Running Back U as always continues in Athens.
Despite losing White, Cook, Jermaine Burton, and George Pickens the Bulldogs’ offense is still one of the more feared in the SEC. For a team that was dominant defensively, the offense complements them very well. Kirby Smart’s team has weapons all over and this team will beat you in multiple ways.
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