SEC spring sneak peek: How will Bama, LSU and the rest

is that the national championship

will continue to go through the SEC, which has produced the last 4 nationwide champs( 3 various teams) and 13 of the last 17 national champs.Kirby Smart and Georgia have taken the belt away from Alabama with back-to-back national titles. The Dawgs are wanting to end up being just the junior varsity in history to win three successive consentaneous nationwide titles.

Minnesota pulled that off in 1934,’35, and ’36– which’s it.Alabama will enter the 2023 season with a quarterback not called Bryce Young. Tennessee and LSU, both of whom made big moves a year earlier, get a possibility to show that they’re here to remain, while Hugh Freeze is back in the SEC as Auburn’s head coach and Zach Arnett takes control of as Mississippi State’s head coach after the death of Mike Leach last December.Alabama will not be the only SEC group changing its starter or facing some uncertainty at quarterback, the most essential position on the field. Add Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee to that list. And while all eyes are on Georgia and the juggernaut Smart has actually integrated in Athens, everybody in college football will likewise

be enjoying Tuscaloosa to see how Nick Saban and Alabama respond. The Crimson Tide have actually never ever gone three straight seasons under Saban (going back to 2007)without winning a nationwide championship.As spring practices get under method, Chris Low (West)and Harry Lyles Jr.( East )break down the leading storyline and newcomer to look for each group in the SEC. WEST DEPARTMENT Top story: There’s a lot that’s new within the Alabama football program, beginning with offensive organizer Tommy Rees and protective planner Kevin Steele, although this will be Steele’s third stint working under Saban at Alabama. Rees, who comes by from Notre Dame, will be breaking in a brand-new quarterback with the loss of Young to the NFL. And whether Ty Simpson or Jalen Milroe wins the job, Rees would like to take some pressure off his quarterback by running the ball more regularly. Among Steele’s concerns will be developing more negative plays on defense after the Tide completed next-to-last in the SEC last season in forced turnovers(14). Alabama will likewise be looking for a finisher on defense with Will Anderson Jr. heading to the NFL. Enter Dallas Turner as the top candidate to fill that role.Newcomer to enjoy: Alabama was missing out on a deep vertical hazard in its passing game last season, and junior college transfer Malik Benson has whatever it requires to fill that void after revealing great speed, sure hands and sound route-running in the practices leading up to the Tide’s bowl game last season. Top story: After a harsh schedule a year back, Arkansas aims to rebound in 2023 with some brand-new pieces in location. The Razorbacks still managed to win 7 games last season after winning nine in 2021. They have two brand-new planners– Dan Enos on offense and Travis Williams on defense– and will have an overall of five new position coaches. Likewise, Ben Sowders comes in as the Hogs’new strength and conditioning coach. Fifth-year senior KJ Jefferson is back at quarterback after making huge strides each of his past 2 seasons. It will be

interesting to see what the offense looks like under Enos and how he uses Jefferson, who passed for 2,658 backyards and ran for 640 lawns a year back. Williams will be aiming to strengthen a group that ended up 124th nationally a year ago in total defense (464.8 lawns per game). Beginner to enjoy: Arkansas led the SEC with 42 sacks last season, and Missouri transfer Trajan Jeffcoat is a great addition as a defensive end/pass-rusher after starting for the Tigers each of the past 3 seasons. The Hogs are transitioning from a three-man front to a 4-2-5 base under Williams and can use any assistance they can get up front to take some heat off a secondary that had a hard time a year back.

Hugh Freeze’s return to the SEC provides Auburn another opportunity at a fresh start. John Reed/USA TODAY Sports Top storyline: Freeze is back in the SEC as Auburn’s 3rd head coach in the previous 4 seasons. The program never ever recovered after the university-directed examination into Bryan Harsin’s relationships with players and coaches following the 2021 season, so the Tigers are beginning over– again. Deciding on a quarterback will be a concern, and Freeze has a strong performance history of developing quality quarterbacks. Robby Ashford, who started the last nine games a year ago, would seem to be a fit in brand-new offensive planner Phillip Montgomery’s system, which includes a heavy dosage of run-pass alternative plays. There’s always an opportunity another quarterback could become available in the transfer portal after spring practice. Either way, the Tigers have to find a method to throw the ball better after completing with nine goal passes and 12 interceptions last season and completing last in the SEC in passing offense.Newcomer to see: When Auburn has been at its finest, the Tigers have actually often been menacing in the defensive line. That’s what makes Kentucky move Justin Rogers so important to this defense. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound tackle has actually improved each year he’s been in the SEC and ought to be a staple in the middle of the Auburn defensive front. Leading storyline: Expectations are skyrocketing on the Bayou for the 2023 season after the Tigers made it to the SEC championship game in Brian Kelly’s very first season at the helm. There’s a lot to like about this LSU group, starting with the return of Jayden

Daniels at quarterback. He progressed a year ago after moving from Arizona State, and one of the things to enjoy this spring is the development of his young, skilled offending line. The core five returns in advance, and some assistance is on the method through the 2023 finalizing class, however the Tigers requirement to establish some depth. They played a set of true freshmen, Will Campbell and Emery Jones, at take on last season, and Jones has the capability to move within to safeguard if required. On the other side of the ball, a

great deal of eyes will be on defensive lineman Maason Smith and how much he has the ability to do this spring after tearing his ACL in the season opener last year.Newcomer to watch: LSU’s cornerback room from a year ago was eliminated, that makes previous first-class hire and Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris a key addition. Syracuse transfer Darian Chestnut and Ohio State transfer JK Johnson are 2 more newcomers in the secondary anticipated to play essential roles. Leading story: The abrupt passing of Leach last December left a somber cloud over the whole Mississippi State campus. The school acted quickly in promoting Arnett to permanent head coach. The good news is that he’s not beginning over. As Leach’s defensive organizer, Arnett understands the players and the program, which was 4-4 in SEC play each of the previous 2 seasons.

It’s constantly excellent to have a skilled quarterback returning, particularly one like Will Rogers, who already owns school records of 10,689 passing backyards and 82 touchdown passes. Under new coordinator Kevin Barbay, the Bulldogs will move far from the Air Raid offense they ran under Leach and embrace more of a well balanced offense with various groupings, movements and shifts. Rogers most likely won’t throw as much as he did the last 3 seasons, but Barbay has already struck it off with his senior quarterback as they head down a various road offensively.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Beginner to see: Mississippi State has 15 high school early enrollees/college transfers on campus this term. Rogers is plainly the man at quarterback, however Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright could be a valuable property in specific bundles. Safety Isaac Smith might be an early factor as a freshman. Mississippi State vanquished LSU to get Smith, one of the top recruits in the state of Mississippi. Leading storyline: Some schools enter into the spring searching for a quarterback. Ole Miss goes into this spring attempting to arrange through its quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart was the Rebels’starter last season after transferring from USC. He will have his hands complete keeping the task, as Lane Kiffin brought in Spencer Sanders from Oklahoma State and Walker Howard

from LSU. Sanders was

a four-year starter and first-team All-Big 12 choice in 2021. Howard is a former five-star recruit who attempted simply four passes a year ago as a freshman. All three are skilled and have somewhat various capability. Sanders has been a really reliable runner at quarterback throughout his profession, which might pair perfectly with an Ole Miss hurrying game that has actually averaged at least 210 backyards in all 3 of Kiffin’s seasons. Quinshon Judkins led the SEC

with 1,567 hurrying backyards last season as a freshman.Newcomer to enjoy: The Rebels brought in a couple of transfers to assist on defense, however the huge offseason acquisition was defensive organizer Pete Golding, who oversaw the Alabama defense the previous four seasons. Golding wish to steady an Ole Miss defense that gave up too many long running plays last season. Leading storyline: Nobody in College Station wishes to go through what the Aggies did a year earlier. They completed 5-7, lost in the house to Appalachian State, lost six straight games at one point and had a handful of their most desired signees from the No. 1-ranked 2022 signing class get in trouble off the field and ultimately leave the program. So discovering some solidarity and restoring their focus will be paramount for the Aggies this spring. Gifted quarterback Conner Weigman is back, and Texas A&M got a pleasant surprise when receiver Ainias Smith chose to go back to school. What will the offense appear like in 2023 after a dreadful year last season? After calling his own plays in the past, Jimbo Fisher didn’t sit pat this offseason. He generated former Arkansas and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino, among the very best playcallers in the

company, and is turning those tasks over to him.Newcomer to view: Texas A&M added what should be instant aid at cornerback in the website with the addition of North Carolina’s Tony Grimes, a previous five-star hire who played the past 3 seasons for the Tar Heels. And on offense, freshman running back Rueben Owens has the flexibility and speed to fit completely into Petrino’s offense. Owens signed with Texas A&M after initially committing to Louisville. EAST DEPARTMENT Leading storyline: The Gators are going to have fresh faces on the offensive line after losing four beginners, including O’Cyrus Torrence, who will likely be the very first guard taken in the NFL draft next month. The Gators hit the transfer website, acquiring takes on Damieon

George Jr. from Alabama and Kiyaunta Goodwin from Kentucky, along with Baylor guard Micah Mazzccua. The Gator faithful need to feel great in the abilities of offending organizer Rob Sale and offending line coach Darnell Stapleton to get this group together, given their track record with Billy Napier’s fantastic offensive lines at Louisiana, which produced numerous NFL draft picks.Newcomer to watch: Quarterback Graham Mertz, who transfers in from Wisconsin.

He will be competing with Jack Miller to be the Gators’starter this season behind that offending line. Is Carson Beck ready to fill the shoes of Stetson Bennett for the two-time protecting national champs? Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images Top storyline: Georgia is losing one of its most well known players ever in quarterback Stetson Bennett, who transformed from a walk-on to a Heisman candidate. Redshirt junior Carson Beck and redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff appear to be in line to compete for Bennett’s old gig, with the chance to lead Georgia’s bid for a three-peat. Offending coordinator Todd Monken left for the NFL, but a familiar face in Mike Bobo takes over a task he’s got plenty of experience in; he was Georgia’s OC from 2007 to 2014 and was an offensive analyst for the Bulldogs last season.Newcomer to see: 2 players who will be type in guaranteeing a smooth transition at quarterback will be pass receivers Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett, a set of transfers from Mississippi State and Missouri, respectively. Having Brock Bowers readily available to whoever wins the quarterback fight will be terrific, but the Bulldogs have lacked a stable, healthy large getting corps the last number of seasons. Top story: Who stands apart in the running game? Kentucky has actually always discovered a way to run the football throughout its existing streak of bowl looks, whether it was with Chris Rodriguez, Lynn Bowden, Benny Snell or Boom Williams. This spring, we should see Rodriguez’s backup from the last two seasons, JuTahn McClain, get plenty of reps. McClain likewise had 18 receptions out of the backfield in 2022, but with Ray Davis moving in from Vanderbilt, he’s going to have competition. And it will not be easy for McClain, as Davis was one of just four SEC rushers to break the 1,000-yard mark last season.Newcomer to view: Quarterback Devin Leary transfers in from NC State, where his 2022 season was cut short due to injury after a monster 2021. Mark Stoops had success with his last transfer QB in Will Levis, and it would be reasonable to expect more with Leary, who should delight in tossing to the profoundly gifted Barion Brown. Leading storyline: The possible emergence of Jake Garcia. The majority of eyes go to quarterback competitors when spring ball rolls around, but the Tigers genuinely have an intriguing case on their hands. Miami transfer Garcia is going to be the only healthy quarterback the Tigers anticipate to complete for their starting job entering into the spring. Last season’s starter, Brady Cook, is recuperating from surgical treatment on a torn labrum and won’t be throwing in the spring. The other quarterback, Sam Horn, strained his forearm pitching for Missouri’s baseball team, however is expected to toss at some time. For now, it appears Garcia has an opportunity to get more associates than he otherwise would.Newcomer to view: Offensive planner Kirby Moore is available in from Fresno State, where he led the Bulldogs to the top offense in the Mountain West, averaging 402.6 backyards and 30.6 points per game. Missouri’s offense had a hard time in 2022 and was ranked 88th in the country in points per game, sandwiched in between Central Michigan and Vanderbilt. Leading storyline: The defensive end position and its depth(or lack thereof)is one to enjoy. Shane Beamer has actually mentioned this offseason that the team’s depth on the edge isn’t where he ‘d like it to be. The Gamecocks lost Jordan Burch and Gilber Edmond to the transfer portal, which will leave it up to the likes of Terrell Dawkins, Tyreek Johnson, Jordan Strachan and Bryan Thomas to step up. Strachan missed most of the 2022 season due to a torn ACL, but is the most knowledgeable of the group. With another portal window yet to come, this group might look various after spring ball.Newcomer to see: Nyckoles Harbor. Ranked 39th in the ESPN 300, it’s not a stretch to state Harbor might be

the best inbound professional athlete in college football. With a frame that has numerous anticipating him to either play the edge or at tight end, he likewise has unbelievable speed, running a 10.32 in the 100 meters. Top storyline: The veteran vs. the glossy

new quarterback. Joe Milton is entering his third year with Tennessee (his 6th total in college football)and reminded everybody in the Orange Bowl against Clemson what he can with his absolute cannon of an arm. Milton finished that game with 251 backyards through the air and 3 goal passes. However incoming freshman Nico Iamaleava has plenty of buzz behind him as the 23rd player in the ESPN 300 and the fourth-ranked quarterback. No matter who wins the task, there will be plenty of pressure changing Hendon Hooker, who made Tennessee the story of college football for a huge portion of 2022 and led the Vols to their very first win over Alabama in

15 years.Newcomer to enjoy: Offending planner Joey Hazle must theoretically offer a smooth transition with Alex Golesh pursued investing the last few seasons with Josh Heupel (including 2020 at UCF ). Hazle has actually worked with Heupel for years now as he’s developed as a coach. Top story: Will we see the required enhancements to get Vandy back to postseason play? The 2022 recruiting class got much praise, with AJ Swann belonging of that group. In his very first season, Swann finished simply over 58 %of his passes for 1,274 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Improvements from him, combined with connection on the offending line, will be big for this team. Protective back Jaylen Mahoney stated Tuesday that the first spring practice this year compared to last year was much better under coach Clark Lea, who enters his third year with the Commodores. “We’ve improved a lot, “Mahoney said. “It’s a lot much faster. Faster pace, we know what’s going on as players, we’re not simply on the field puzzled and things like that.” If that pace keeps up, it’ll be a big increase for Vanderbilt’s 2023 outlook.Newcomer to watch: Cornerback Martel Hight is the Commodores’highest-ranked recruit in the ESPN 300, being available in at No. 274. He’s noted as the 25th-best player in the state of Georgia, and his development will be crucial for the group’s future success.