Are They Up Next?

By: Ruben Conyers Jr. 

With the 2019 College Football season around corner, we’ve seen many players throughout the SEC make tremendous strides during the 2018 season. However, some players feel as though they have even more to prove as the 2019 season approaches. Some players were already ready for the NFL Draft based on statistics and performances, but have decided to remain in college for an extra year because they feel as though they haven’t reached their full potential. There is a lot of talent offensively and defensively spread throughout the SEC. I have taken the top five offensive players and top five defensive players, and give my case for why I think these young men are on the way to having a breakout year. Here are the players that teams should be on the lookout for on both sides of the ball: 

Offense

1. Jared Pinkney: Vanderbilt – TE 

Jared Pinkney was one of the players who could’ve been eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft, but turned it down to remain at Vanderbilt for an additional year. He had quite the season with a total of 50 receptions, 774 receiving yards, averaging around 15.5 yards per reception, and 7 receiving touchdowns. He has excellent size for a tight end and is a reliable pass-catcher. A very smart player who knows his position and can read zone defense very well. 

2. Saahdiq Charles: LSU – OL 

Saahdiq Charles did miss a few games early in the 2018 season, but eventually returned and took complete control of the left tackle spot for the LSU Tigers. He never missed a snap during the last six SEC games that LSU played. He was trying to find his way during the 2018 season, but looks to make a statement against rivals this year. During his two years at LSU, he has started in 3 different positions (left tackle, right tackle, and right guard). He is a powerful offensive lineman who just has the ability to dominate the opposing team’s defensive linemen. 

3. Quartney Davis: Texas A&M – WR 

Quartney Davis was a huge factor in how the Aggies performed once Jimbo Fisher took over the head coaching spot. This guy had a pretty solid season finishing with 43 receptions, 546 total yards, 7 touchdowns, and an average of 13 yards per snap. He really made a statement vs Alabama with a total of 5 receptions for a total of 59 yards, and caught 3 passes for a total of 24 yards vs Kentucky. Davis also set a career high with 9 receptions for a total of 127 yards vs South Carolina.

There is no question that Davis is a very dangerous weapon for the Texas A&M Aggies on the offensive side of the ball. The Aggies were already a great defensive team last year, but if he can make those small yet necessary changes in his game (which I believe there isn’t very much for him to improve on), Texas A&M will be one of those teams to shock a lot of people this upcoming season. 

4. Jake Bentley: South Carolina – QB 

With Jake Bentley entering his senior year, let’s take a look at what he’s done for the Gamecocks so far and what’s expected of him coming into the 2019 season. Bentley currently owns a total record of 19-13 as a starter for the Gamecocks, including a 10-7 SEC record.

This young man has the potential to be one of the all-time greats at South Carolina, as he currently ranked 2^nd in completion percentage (62.8), 3^rd in both completion of passes (610) and touchdown passes (54), 4^th in passing yards (7,385), passing attempts (972), and he’s responsible for helping the team achieve 62 touchdowns. Also, as he enters his final campaign, he ranks 5^th in total offense. With him achieving a total of 19 wins as a starting quarterback for South Carolina, he needs one more win to be the 6^th quarterback in Gamecock history to achieve 20 wins or better.

Of course, South Carolina has lost a few games last season that they could’ve won (mainly due to Bentley being injured). However, if Bentley can stay healthy, South Carolina will most definitely turn a lot of heads and be a top 5 team in the SEC East with their style of play this season. 

5. Feleipe Franks: Florida – QB 

Feleipe Franks had an outstanding run during the 2018 season by playing all 13 games as the starting quarterback last season. Franks threw a total of 2,457 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions throughout the entire season and he’s only looking to get better. Totaling 350 rushing yards on 110 carries and tying a team-high 7 rushing touchdowns. Florida finished with an astonishing 10-3 record on the season and was the 6^th ranked team in the country, according to the USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

Franks became the first Gator quarterback since 2010 to start every single game throughout the season, meaning this guy knows how to stay healthy and take enough care of his body. The 7 rushing touchdowns that he had as mentioned earlier left him shy of Tim Tebow (2006) and Jimmy Fisher (1979) for the 6^th most rushing touchdowns by a Gators quarterback in just a single season.

I personally believed that Franks was draft-ready last year, but he doesn’t seem to think that himself. And that’s okay. All we know is that Florida is a team that has championship aspirations and that everyone must prepare for this season. 

Defense 

1. Dylan Moses: Alabama – LB 

If you know anything about Alabama football, it’s that they mainly focus on defense and that they’re a prime example of the quote, “Defense wins championships.” They’re known for producing a heavy supply of dominant linebackers for the NFL Draft. If Dylan Moses can repeat his success from last year there is no question he will be a legit first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

When it comes to the 40-yard dash, this guy ran a 4.46 which isn’t bad at all. He also has the size to make some pretty hard hits to go along with that type of speed. He also made 86 tackles with 10 tackles being made for a loss of yards for the other teams. That is very impressive for a linebacker, and makes him a perfect fit for Coach Nick Saban’s defense.

2. De’Jon Harris, Arkansas LB 

With De’Jon Harris leading the SEC in tackles last season with an impressive number of 118 tackles during the 2018 season, the reason why I have him placed 2^nd is because of how bad Arkansas’ defense struggled as a whole last season. Finishing the 2018 season with a record of 2-10 (0-8 SEC). With John Chavis as the defensive coordinator for the Arkansas Razorbacks, it’s clear that he must make some changes in his defensive playbook to avoid a repeat of last season.

Defense is the main reason why Arkansas lost so many games. There were 3 games against Colorado State, Texas A&M, and LSU that could’ve been theirs for the taking, but of course the defense wasn’t up to par. When I look at De’Jon Harris, however, I see a well-oiled defensive machine. But he can’t do it all by himself. He’s arguably one of the very best at avoiding blockers and tracking down the ball. Harris could make tremendous strides during the 2019 season; all he needs is a little support from his fellow teammates. 

3. Cale Garrett: Missouri – LB

Much like De’Jon Harris, Cale Garrett has made a case for himself as being another linebacker who can read the offense and manipulate it. There is absolutely no questioning what he did for the Missouri Tigers last season. Garret made over 100 tackles for 2 seasons in a row and is looking to do it for a 3^rd consecutive season. With Terez Hall and Terry Beckner Jr., now in the NFL, Garrett will now become a vocal leader in the locker room. Though he’s been overlooked the past 2 years, this upcoming season can really be his time to shine and really show NFL scouts everything he’s capable of. This is one guy that I’m most definitely looking forward to watching this season.  

4. T.J. Brunson: South Carolina – LB 

With myself being a South Carolinian and a die-hard Gamecock fan, I couldn’t leave out T.J. Brunson and what he did for the Gamecocks during the 2018 season. Last season, he made 106 tackles and 4 sacks while playing AND starting in all 13 games. What really makes him so valuable to the team is the simple fact that he was one of very few starting players on the Gamecocks squad who could stay healthy. Of course, I honestly feel like if the Gamecocks didn’t get bit by the injury bug so viciously, we would’ve won more game than we did last season by only finishing just 7-6 on the year. Imagine how much of a star Brunson will be if the entire team comes back healthy and plays real Gamecock football. The Gamecocks will be a problem for many teams this season, no doubt in my mind. 

5. Erroll Thompson: Mississippi State – LB 

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have lost many defensive players to the NFL Draft. Those players were Jeffery Simmons, Montez Sweat, Gerri Green, and Johnathan Abram. However, that doesn’t mean that the Bulldogs defense is left high and dry. Erroll Thompson now has an opportunity to get his name out there even more. This season, he’ll be playing alongside OLB Willie Gay Jr., with that combination on the front-line Mississippi State should have an advantage defensively.

Thompson is already the type of linebacker that anyone would want on their team.

A hardworking, heavy-hitting LB who leaves it on the field every single game, win or lose. He can literally do just about anything from shooting gaps up the middle to stopping runs. He can do everything you ask of him as a football player, the only way up from there is being a vocal presence in the locker room and not hesitate to hold guys accountable.

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Ruben Conyers Jr. is a senior at University of South Carolina, and he plans to graduate in December with a BA in Political Science with a minor in Art Studio. He is working on following his passion of talking about sports, and hopes to travel as a sports writer for the NFL or NBA one day.