SEC East faster, stronger than last year’s class

By Cody Porter

South Carolina

Key Returner: Alshon Jeffery, WR

Key Loss: Chris Culliver, CB (San Francisco 49ers)

Who to Watch: Marcus Lattimore, RB

The ol’ ball coach should have all the pieces to the puzzle this upcoming season as the Gamecocks, who have lost very little dating back to their Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Florida State, look to redeem themselves from their SEC Championship blowout at the hands of Auburn. With the exception of running back Trent Richardson of Alabama, the Gamecocks bring the most firepower to the table in running back Marcus Lattimore and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Stephen Garcia, who is back for what seems to be his eighth season of eligibility, will once again take center for the team unless he gets on Spurrier’s bad side … again. The Gamecocks’ defense should be back in typical fashion along with their newest weapon, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the number one player in this most recent recruiting class.

Georgia

Key Returner: Aaron Murray, QB

Key Loss: A.J. Green, WR (Cincinnati Bengals)

Who to Watch: Caleb King, RB

A.J. Green is no longer a part of the fraternal order of NCAA merchandisers that caused him to miss the Bulldogs first four games of the 2010 season. He is now receiving his punishment as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Where does this leave Georgia? They actually are sitting pretty with the return of quarterback Aaron Murray, who now has a season under his belt. Murray should expect to see more passing opportunities than he did last season after the dismissals of veteran running backs Caleb King and Washaun Ealey. Fans are still excited, though, as running back Isaiah Crowell, the nation’s top running back of the 2011 recruiting class, should get his opportunity to prove his worth. Georgia’s defense returns seven starters including leading tackler, safety Baccari Rambo. Freshman All-SEC defensive lineman Kwame Geathers will assist Rambo on the defensive side after earning MVP honor’s during the spring.

Florida

Key Returner: Jeff Demps, RB

Key Loss: Urban Meyer, head coach (ESPN)

Who to Watch: Matt Elam, DB

Florida as usual should have plenty of playmakers on each side of the ball, but the question is, how will the offense transition to a pro-style offense implemented by new offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss. The new head honcho in Gainesville, Will Muschamp, brought in Weiss who will hope to turn John Brantley into the quarterback that many expected to see upon the departure of Tim Tebow during the Urban Meyer era. Though for these players, one season may not be enough time to take in the change, expect the Gators to return to the top in the coming seasons.

Kentucky

Key Returner: Danny Trevathan, LB

Key Loss: Randall Cobb, WR (Green Bay Packers)

Who to Watch: Brian Adams, WR

The Cats look to fight their way to the top this coming season despite losing top playmaker Randall Cobb to the NFL. The defense, the Cats weakness during the 2010 season, should be their strength this upcoming football season with the return of leading tacklers linebacker Danny Trevathan and safety Winston Guy in co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter’s new scheme. In addition to the defense, the offensive line with such returning names as Larry Warford, Stuart Hines and Billy Joe Murphy, should be one of the best that UK fans have seen in quite some time, helping quarterback Morgan Newton and other members of the offense get through the motions of gameplay for the first few weeks of the season.

Tennessee

Key Returner: Tauren Poole, RB

Key Loss: Luke Stocker, TE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Who to Watch: Justin Hunter, WR

Well, well, well, look who we have here. The Tennessee Volunteers, under the direction of head coach Derek Dooley, hope to not be disappointed yet again this season under the circumstances that cost them their bowl game against UNC and a regular season game against LSU.  Come November, UK students should expect to see Tyler Bray taking snaps from center for the Vols, barring injury. Once a young team, Tennessee returns 13 starters, seven on offense and six on defense. The defense, with mainstays linebacker Herman Lathers and defensive tackle Malik Jackson, should be the focal point for the team as the offense works out the kinks under offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who groomed Drew Brees at Purdue. The early part of the season should help get the team going with a rather easy schedule, other than a showdown with Florida.

Vanderbilt

Key Returner: Larry Smith, QB

Key Loss: John Stokes, LB

Who to Watch: Casey Hayward, CB

Quarterback Larry Smith will once again take center for the Commodores on offense, but they may look to the defense and cornerback Casey Hayward to help the team rise to the top of the SEC. Hayward was second in the SEC in interceptions and was the league leader in pass deflections, the definition of a ball hawk. Linebacker Chris Marve, the active leader in career stops at Vanderbilt, will join him. Marve played the second half of last season injured, but still managed 80 tackles. As impressive as those two may seem, it was safety Sean Richardson that led the team in tackles last season, finishing fourth in the SEC for solo tackles. Vandy may have finally found it’s defensive equivalent to the offense of Jay Cutler and Earl Bennett, but it’s early and if I were a Vandy fan, I wouldn’t count my chickens until they hatch.