All-SEC Football Players and Their Ratings out of High School

[jbcarol]

al.com's 2013 All-SEC Pre-Season Football Team

Center
Travis Swanson, Arkansas

AL.com's SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive linemen
Chris Smith, Arkansas

AL.com's preseason All-SEC team was selected by the following staff: Kevin Scarbinsky, Don Kausler Jr., Joel A. Erickson, Andrew Gribble, Brandon Marcello, Randy Kennedy, Mike Herndon, Mark Inabinett, Tommy Hicks, Matt Scalici, Drew Champlin, Nick Birdsong.

Jon Solomon (Solomon's Wisdom) was noticeably absent from the list.

[jbcarol]

2013 PRE-SEASON MEDIA DAYS ALL-SEC TEAM

(243 voters - most voters in SEC Media Days history / * - Ties)

OFFENSE

First-Team
QB - Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M (119)
RB - T.J. Yeldon, Alabama (221)
RB - Todd Gurley, Georgia (206)
WR - Amari Cooper, Alabama (194)
WR - Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (106)
TE - Arthur Lynch, Georgia (148)
OL - Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama (193)
OL - Jake Matthews, Texas A&M (176)
OL - Anthony Steen, Alabama (109)
OL - Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State (88)
C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas (92)

Second-Team
QB - AJ McCarron, Alabama (67)
RB - Tre Mason, Auburn (15)
RB - *LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State (12)
RB - *Keith Marshall, Georgia (12)
WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss ( 46)
WR - Mike Evans, Texas A&M (33)
TE - Rory Anderson, South Carolina (33)
OL - Antonio Richardson, Tennessee (76)
OL - Jon Halapio, Florida (51)
OL - Chris Burnette, Georgia (50)
OL - Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee (50)
C - Reese Dismukes, Auburn (33)

Third-Team
QB - Aaron Murray, Georgia (52)
RB - *Matt Jones, Florida (5)
RB - *Jeff Scott, Ole Miss (5)
RB - *Alfred Blue, LSU (5)
WR - Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (28)
WR - Jarvis Landry, LSU (19)
TE - Brian Vogler, Alabama (18)
OL - La'el Collins, LSU (37)
OL - Josh Williford, LSU (30)
OL - Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt (18)
OL - *A.J. Cann, South Carollina (14)
OL - *Zach Fulton, Tennessee (14)
C - *James Stone, Tennessee (30)
C - *Jonotthan Harrison, Florida (30)

DEFENSE

First-Team
DL - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina (223)
DL - Dominique Easley, Florida (162)
DL - Anthony Johnson, LSU (127)
DL - Chris Smith, Arkansas (56)
LB - C.J. Mosley, Alabama (231)
LB - A.J. Johnson, Tennessee (107)
LB - Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss (94)
DB - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama (203)
DB - Craig Loston, LSU (135)
DB - Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida (117)
DB - Deion Belue, Alabama (77)

Second-Team
DL - Xzavier Dickson, Alabama (49)
DL - Ed Stinson, Alabama ( 39)
DL - Dee Ford, Auburn (38)
DL - Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama (31)
LB - Adrian Hubbard, Alabama (66)
LB - Jordan Jenkins, Georgia (64)
LB - Lamin Barrow, LSU (29)
DB - Damian Swann, Georgia (70)
DB - Andre Hal, Vanderbilt (69)
DB - Marcus Roberson, Florida (50)
DB - Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama (36)

Third-Team
DL - Garrison Smith, Georgia (26)
DL - Daniel McCullers, Tennessee (23)
DL - Alvin Dupree, Kentucky (23)
DL - C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss (22)
LB - Ronald Powell, Florida (24)
LB - Tahj Jones, LSU (20)
LB - *Trey DePriest, Alabama (16)
LB - *Avery Williamson, Kentucky (16)
DB - E.J. Gaines, Missouri (34)
DB - Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss (25)
DB - Jalen Mills, LSU (22)
DB - Chris Davis, Auburn (20)

SPECIALISTS

First-Team
P - Kyle Christy, Florida (108)
PK - Carey Spear, Vanderbilt (100)
RS - Odell Beckham Jr., LSU (74)
AP - Bruce Ellington, South Carolina (69)

Second-Team
P - Cody Mandell, Alabama (54)
PK - Cody Parkey, Auburn (71)
RS - Bruce Ellington, South Carolina (62)
AP - Odell Beckham Jr., LSU (44)

Third-Team
P - Steven Clark, Auburn (33)
PK - Zach Hocker, Arkansas (39)
RS - Andre Debose, Florida (53)
AP - Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida (36)


Since 2000, Arkansas' Darren McFadden is the only unanimous selection to the SEC Media Days Team, collecting all 80 votes.

[jbcarol]

Top Athletes counting for SEC Team Rankings in '08

Will Hill            UF  6.1

NYG safety Will Hill gets a four-game NFL suspension for Adderall.

Safety Will Hill of the New York Giants has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

[jbcarol]

Top wide receivers counting for SEC team rankings from '13 class

Laquon Treadwell  OM  6.1
Marquez North     Vols  6.0
Robert Foster     Bama 6.0
Demarcus Robinson UF 6.0
Alvin Bailey           UF  6.0
Tony Stevens       AU  5.9
Earnest Robinson   AU  5.9
Ahmad Fulwood     UF  5.9
Jordan Cunningham VU 5.8
Fred Ross            MS  5.8
Sebastian Larue  A&M  5.8
Reggie Davis       UGa  5.8
John Diarse         LSU  5.8
Kyrion Parker      A&M  5.8
Raheem Falkins  Bama  5.8
Paul Harris         Vols   5.8
Quincy Adeboyejo OM  5.8
Kevin Spears       LSU  5.8
Eddie Jackson   Bama  5.7
Marqui Hawkins     UF  5.7
Alex Montgomery  UK  5.7
Carlos Burse        VU  5.7
Ryan Jenkins      Vols  5.7
Latevius Rayford  VU  5.7
Uriah LeMay       UGa  5.7
Derrick Jones       OM  5.7
DeAndre Woods    VU  5.7
Ryan Timmons      UK  5.7
J'Mon Moore        MU  5.7
Rico Johnson      UGa  5.7

Rico Johnson#7 ‏@Ric_DhaKidd 34m
Unfortunately NCAA didn't take my two online classes but I'm still rockin wit DawgNation to the death of me see yall at the top!

[jbcarol]

Don't care too much for the pre-season All-SEC teams. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team QB  Johnny Manziel,  A&M  5.7  Kerrville Tivy

Second-Team QB  AJ McCarron, Bama 5.9  Mobile St. Paul's

Third-Team QB Aaron Murray, Georgia 6.0 Tampa Plant   

[jbcarol]

Missouri Football Recruiting, 2010-2014: The Great Eastern Migration

how has Missouri's recruiting emphasis changed since it moved from the Big 12 to the SEC?

And, beyond that, how has the quality of the recruits the program is attracting changed?

Morrison is a former Auburn beat writer then based in Opelika.  He created interactive maps (at link) to map Mizzou recruiting.

[jbcarol]

Top Strongside Defensive Ends counting for SEC team rankings from '12

Jonathan Bullard  UF  6.1
Channing Ward   OM  6.0
Trent Taylor        UT  5.7
Darius Philon      Ark  5.7
Quinteze Williams UF 5.7
AJ Jefferson        MS  5.7
Polo Manukainiu A&M 5.7
Bryan Cox, Jr.     UF  5.7
Langston Newton UK 5.6
Jhaustin Thomas SC 5.6

Freshman Aggie football player Polo Manukainiu was killed in a car accident overnight.

The 19-year-old Manukainiu was a passenger in an SUV that crashed outside of Cuba, New Mexico.  His 14-year-old brother and a former high school teammate (who was an incoming freshman at Utah) were also killed.  The other two passengers in the vehicle were injured in the accident as well.

Alcohol was not involved in the accident.

[jbcarol]

Top running backs counting for SEC team rankings from '13 class

Derrick Henry  Bama  6.0
Kelvin Taylor      UF  6.0
A. Tenpenny  Bama  6.0
Tyren Jones   Bama  6.0
Alex Collins     Hogs  5.9
Johnathan Ford  AU  5.8
AJ Turman       UGa  5.8
Jordan Wilkins   OM  5.8
David Williams  USC  5.8
Kailo Moore      OM  5.8
James White   A&M  5.7 
Adam Lane      UF   5.7
Peyton Barber  AU   5.7
Jamari Smith   USC  5.7
Jabo Lee        Vols  5.7

Jabo Lee was released from his LOI with the Vols and has enrolled at Temple.

[jbcarol]

Top Safeties counting for SEC Team Rankings in '11

Hasean Clinton-Dix  Bama  6.1
Erique Florence          AU   5.9

Erique Florence has enrolled at Troy.

Ha Ha was chosen number 19 preseason SEC player by the ESPN SEC Blog, one spot ahead of Chris Smith.

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama         6.1 Daphne

First-Team RB Todd Gurley, Georgia         6.0 Tarboro

Second-Team RB Tre Mason, Auburn        5.8 Lake Worth Park Vista

Second-Team RB LaDarius Perkins, State  5.8 Greenville St. Joe's

Second-Team RB Keith Marshall, Georgia  6.0 Raleigh Millbrook

Third-Team RB Matt Jones, Florida           5.8 Seffner Armwood

Third-Team RB Jeff Scott, Ole Miss          5.5 Archbishop Carroll

Third-Team RB Alfred Blue, LSU              5.6 Boutte Hahnville

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team WR - Amari Cooper, Alabama (194)        6.0 Miami
First-Team WR - Jordan Matthews, Vandy (106)     5.5 Madison (Al) Academy
First-Team TE - Arthur Lynch, Georgia (148)         5.9 Dartmouth, MS

Second-Team WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (46)   5.8 Raleigh, MS
Second-Team WR - Mike Evans, Texas A&M (33)     5.5 Galveston Ball
Second-Team TE - Rory Anderson, So. Car. (33)     5.6 Powder Springs McEachern

Third-Team WR - Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (28)      6.0 Valdosta as a CB
Third-Team WR - Jarvis Landry, LSU (19)               6.1 Lutcher             
Third-Team TE - Brian Vogler, Alabama (18)           5.8 Columbus (Ga) Brookstone

[jbcarol]

Top cornerbacks counting for SEC team rankings from '13 class

Vernon Hargreaves III  UF  6.1
Tre'Davious White     LSU  6.1
Maurice Smith        Bama  5.9
Rashard Robinson    LSU   5.8

LSU signee Rashard Robinson's NCAA eligibility still pending review

[jbcarol]

Top athletes counting for SEC team rankings from '13 class

Ricky Seals-Jones      A&M  6.0
ArDarius Stewart     Bama  6.0
Kendell Beckwith        LSU  5.9
Jason Smith                 AU  5.8

Former McGill-Toolen star, Auburn signee Jason Smith enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community college, according to MGCCC head coach Steve Campbell.

He is expected to redshirt at MGCCC this year, play next year and, and if all goes well, enroll at Auburn at mid-year. If that happens, Smith would have three years to play three with the Tigers.

"He is here," Campbell said. "(Auburn coach Gus) Malzahn wants us to redshirt him for a year, then play him for a year."

The Press-Register 2013 Offensive Player of the Year was expected to participate in Auburn's quarterback race this fall along with Jeremy Johnson, Nick Marshall, Jonathan Wallace and Kiehl Frazier.

It's an example of one contribution to an impressive Team Recruiting Ranking leading to failure to perform on the field. Not necessarily the fault of the Recruiting Service(s) on this one.

[jbcarol]

SEC Recruiting Base

Lists number of NFL picks by School over the last 20 years and 4 and 5-star recruits over the last 5 years.

[jbcarol]

Update:

Top Offensive Tackles counting for SEC team rankings from '09

D.J. Fluker  Bama  6.1
Xavier Nixon  UF   6.0
Chris Faulk   LSU  6.0  2011 2nd Team All-SEC [left school for family issues]
Austin Long  UGa  5.9

...

Travis Swanson Ark  5.6


Austin Long's football career at Georgia is over

The beleaguered senior offensive lineman from Memphis has lost his academic eligibility

Long ,22, came to UGA as one of the most highly-touted members of the 2009 recruiting class. He graduated from Briarcrest Christian [The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game] in Memphis as a consensus high school All-American and 5-star prospect as an offensive tackle. But he underwent two back surgeries before ever taking a snap for the Bulldogs.

Austin Long's father Tim was the offensive line coach at Briarcrest. Michael Lewis wrote that it was Tim Long who got the nerve to suggest to Hugh Freeze that they run every play behind Michael Oher's ample rear. Freeze liked the razzle dazzle. Lewis also reported that this was after Leigh Anne Touhy [Family Edition] chewed Freeze out after an early season loss to a rival.

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team
OL - Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama (193)        6.1 Dematha '11     
OL - Jake Matthews, Texas A&M (176)       6.0 Elkins '10
OL - Anthony Steen, Alabama (109)          5.7 Clarksdale Lee '09         
OL - Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State (88)  5.5 Amite County '09
C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas (92)           5.6 Kingwood '09 as an OT

Second-Team
OL - Antonio Richardson, Tennessee (76)   5.9 Pearl-Cohn '11
OL - Jon Halapio, Florida (51)                  5.6 St. Pete Catholic '09 as an OG
OL - Chris Burnette, Georgia (50)             6.0 LaGrange Troup '09 as an OG
OL - Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee (50)        5.9 North Gwinnett '10
C - Reese Dismukes, Auburn (33)             5.9 Spanish Fort '11

Third-Team
OL - La'el Collins, LSU (37)                      6.1 Redemptorist '11
OL - Josh Williford, LSU (30)                    5.5 Dothan Houston '09 as an OG
OL - Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt (18)        5.7 Montgomery Bell '09
OL - *A.J. Cann, South Carolina (14)         5.8 Bamberg-Erhardt '08 as an OC 
OL - *Zach Fulton, Tennessee (14)            5.7 Homewood Flossmoor '10 as an OG
C - *James Stone, Tennessee (30)            5.8 Maplewood '10 as an OG
C - *Jonotthan Harrison, Florida (30)         5.8 Groveland Southlake '09 as an OG

[jbcarol]

The 2013 SEC Coaches' Pre-Season All-SEC Football Team is listed below:

OFFENSE
First-Team
QB - Aaron Murray, Georgia
RB - Todd Gurley, Georgia
RB - T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
WR - Amari Cooper, Alabama
WR - Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
TE - Arthur Lynch, Georgia
OL - Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
OL - Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
OL – Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
OL - Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas

Second-Team
QB - Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
RB - LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State
RB - Tre Mason, Auburn
WR - Mike Evans, Texas A&M
WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
TE - Rory Anderson, South Carolina
OL - Anthony Steen, Alabama
OL - Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee
OL - Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt
OL - *A.J. Cann, South Carolina
OL - *Chris Burnette, Georgia
OL - *Zach Fulton, Tennessee
OL - *Jon Halapio, Florida
C - Reese Dismukes, Auburn

Third-Team
QB - AJ McCarron, Alabama
RB - Alfred Blue, LSU
RB - Keith Marshall, Georgia
WR - *Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
WR - *Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
WR - *Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
TE - *Brian Vogler, Alabama
TE - *C.J. Uzomah, Auburn
OL - La'el Collins, LSU
OL - David Hurd, Arkansas
OL - Justin Britt, Missouri
OL - Aaron Morris, Ole Miss
C - James Stone, Tennessee

DEFENSE
First-Team
DL - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
DL - Dominique Easley, Florida
DL - Anthony Johnson, LSU
DL - Chris Smith, Arkansas
LB - C.J. Mosley, Alabama
LB - A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
LB - Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
DB - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
DB - Craig Loston, LSU
DB - Andre Hal, Vanderbilt
DB - Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida

Second-Team
DL - Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
DL - Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
DL - *Ed Stinson, Alabama
DL - *Xzavier Dickson, Alabama
DL - *Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama
LB - Lamin Barrow, LSU
LB - Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
LB - Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
DB - Damian Swann, Georgia
DB - Marcus Roberson, Florida
DB - E.J. Gaines, Missouri
DB - Deion Belue, Alabama

Third-Team
DL - *Dee Ford, Auburn
DL - *C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss
DL - *Ronald Powell, Florida
DL - *Alvin Dupree, Kentucky
DL - *Denico Autry, Mississippi State
LB - Avery Williamson, Kentucky
LB - Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
LB - *Ronald Powell, Florida
LB - *Trey DePriest, Alabama
DB - Deshazor Everett, Texas A&M
DB - Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State
DB - Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama
DB - Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss

SPECIALISTS
First-Team
PK - Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
P - Kyle Christy, Florida
RS - Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
AP – Bruce Ellington, South Carolina

Second-Team
PK - Cody Parkey, Auburn
P - *Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss
P - *Cody Mandell, Alabama
P - *Steven Clark, Auburn
RS - Marcus Murphy, Missouri
AP - Odell Beckham Jr., LSU

Third-Team
PK - *Andrew Baggett, Missouri
PK - *Zach Hocker, Arkansas
P - Michael Palardy, Tennessee
RS - Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
AP - LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

* - Ties
http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/246428/coaches-preseason-all-sec-football-team-announced.aspx

Jeff Schultz ‏@JeffSchultzAJC 23h
Still waiting for @JManziel2 Tweet: "Bull**** like preseason coaches' team is why I can't wait to leave SEC." (Sorry. Too easy.)

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team WR - Amari Cooper, Alabama (194)        6.0 Miami
First-Team WR - Jordan Matthews, Vandy (106)     5.5 Madison (Al) Academy
First-Team TE - Arthur Lynch, Georgia (148)         5.9 Dartmouth, MS

Second-Team WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (46)   5.8 Raleigh, MS
Second-Team WR - Mike Evans, Texas A&M (33)     5.5 Galveston Ball
Second-Team TE - Rory Anderson, So. Car. (33)     5.6 Powder Springs McEachern

Third-Team WR - Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (28)      6.0 Valdosta as a CB
Third-Team WR - Jarvis Landry, LSU (19)               6.1 Lutcher             
Third-Team TE - Brian Vogler, Alabama (18)           5.8 Columbus (Ga) Brookstone

Third Team Coaches not included on Media Preseason Team
WR - *Odell Beckham Jr., LSU  5.9 Isidore Newman [Sean Tuohy] '11
WR - *D Green-Beckham, MU   6.1 Springfield Hillcrest '12 [No. 1 overall]
TE - *C.J. Uzomah, Auburn      5.7 North Gwinnett

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters. Here's how they were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team
OL - Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama (193)        6.1 Dematha '11     
OL - Jake Matthews, Texas A&M (176)       6.0 Elkins '10
OL - Anthony Steen, Alabama (109)          5.7 Clarksdale Lee '09         
OL - Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State (88)  5.5 Amite County '09
C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas (92)           5.6 Kingwood '09 as an OT

Second-Team
OL - Antonio Richardson, Tennessee (76)   5.9 Pearl-Cohn '11
OL - Jon Halapio, Florida (51)                  5.6 St. Pete Catholic '09 as an OG
OL - Chris Burnette, Georgia (50)             6.0 LaGrange Troup '09 as an OG
OL - Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee (50)        5.9 North Gwinnett '10
C - Reese Dismukes, Auburn (33)             5.9 Spanish Fort '11

Third-Team
OL - La'el Collins, LSU (37)                      6.1 Redemptorist '11
OL - Josh Williford, LSU (30)                    5.5 Dothan Houston '09 as an OG
OL - Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt (18)        5.7 Montgomery Bell '09
OL - *A.J. Cann, South Carolina (14)         5.8 Bamberg-Erhardt '08 as an OC 
OL - *Zach Fulton, Tennessee (14)            5.7 Homewood Flossmoor '10 as an OG
C - *James Stone, Tennessee (30)            5.8 Maplewood '10 as an OG
C - *Jonotthan Harrison, Florida (30)         5.8 Groveland Southlake '09 as an OG

Third-Team 2013 SEC Coaches' Pre-Season All-SEC Football Team not included on Media Team:

OL - David Hurd, Arkansas    Not rated in 2009 out of West Monroe
OL - Justin Britt, Missouri      5.4 Lebanon, MO
OL - Aaron Morris, Ole Miss   5.6 Frisco Centennial

[jbcarol]

Top Rated Upperclass QBs who did not make the preseason All-SEC Teams

Top Pro Style QBs counting for SEC Team Rankings in '09
Zach Mettenberger UGa 5.9  (x-fer LSU bwo CC)
Tyler Russell  MS    5.8
Mossakowski  UK    5.8  (he's gone)

Top Dual Threat QB's counting for SEC team rankings from '10
Barry Brunetti  WVU  5.8  Transfer to Ole Miss
Trey Burton       UF   5.7  Switched to HB/TE
Connor Shaw     SC   5.7

Top Pro Style QBs counting for SEC Team Rankings in '10
Phillip Simms  Bama  5.9  (transferred twice)
Zach Lee         LSU    5.9 (talkin' baseball)

Top Dual Threat QB's counting for SEC team rankings from '11
Jacoby Brissett  UF  5.9  Transfer
Kiehl Frazier    AUB  5.9  Switch to safety

Top Pro Style QBs counting for SEC Team Rankings in '11
Jeff Driskel         UF  6.0
Christian LaMay UGa 5.9  (suspended for senior year of HS; Jeremy Hill offense)

[jbcarol]

Some of the Top Rated Upperclassmen WRs who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:

Trovon Reed    AUB   6.0
DeAndrew White Bama 5.9
Chris Dunkley    UF    5.9  x-fer to USF
Kadron Boone   LSU   5.9
Vincent Sanders OM   5.9
Matt Milton      Vols   5.9  x-fer to UofL
Nick Brassell Ole Miss 5.9 DNQ
Marvin Shinn   Bama  5.9 x-fer to USA
Bradley Sylve  Bama  5.9 R-SO DB

[jbcarol]

Some of the Top Rated RBs from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:

David Oku         UT  5.9  '09 Transferred to Ark. St.
Jarvis Giles       SC   5.9  '09 Transferred to Florida Tech
Dontae Aycock  AU  5.9 '09 Dismissed from Auburn, arrested in '12
Ben Axon         SC  5.8  '09  Transferred to Western by way of Butler CC
Mike Dyer       AUB  6.1  '10 Transfer to UofL bwo Ark St. and Ark Baptist
Rajion Neal       UT  5.8  '10
Mack Brown      UF  5.8  '10
Rajaan Bennett  VU  5.8 '10 Killed trying to protect his mom in murder-suicide
Ken Malcome    UGa 5.8 '10 Transferred to So. Illinois
Corey Grant   Bama  5.8 '10 Transferred to Auburn
Jakhari Gore   LSU    5.8 '10 Transferred to FIU
Isaiah Crowell  UGa  6.1 '11 Transferred to Alabama State
Dee Hart       Bama  6.1 '11
Mike Blakely      UF  6.0 '11 Transferred to then from Auburn
Kenny Hilliard   LSU  5.9 '11
Quan Bray     AUB   5.8 '11
Marlin Lane     Vols  5.8 '11

[jbcarol]

Some of the Top Rated OL from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:

Tackles
Austin Long       UGa  5.9 '09  Son of OL coach Tim Long [Blind Side: Evolution of a Game], academic casualty
JerQuari Schofield UT 5.8 '09 Academic casualty
Brandon Moore Bama 5.8 '09 Switched to D-line

Shon Coleman  Auburn  6.1 '10 Playing this season after battling cancer
Chaz Green        UT     6.0  '10 Out for season with injury at Florida
Ian Silberman     UF     5.9 '10
Brent Benedict   UGa    5.9 '10  Transferred to VaTech
Arie Kouandjio  Bama   5.9 '10 Brother is pre-season 1st Team
Damien Robinson MSt   5.8 '10
Evan Washington LSU   5.8 '10
Cam Feldt         Ark     5.8 '10  Transferred to UNT
Christian Westerman AU 6.0 '11 Transferred to Ariz. St.
Brandon Shell       SC   5.9 '11
Brey Cook            Ark  5.8 '11
Aaron Morris  Ole Miss  5.8 '11
Cameron Clear      UT   5.8 '11 Convicted thief transferred to A&M

Guards
AJ Harmon          UGa  6.0 '08 Transferred to Alabama State
Clay Spencer        LSU  5.8 '08 Medical scholarship at end of football career
Nick Alajajian        UF   5.9 '09 Medical scholarship ...
Colby Berna         Ark   5.8 '09 Medical scholarship ...
Dallas Lee          UGa   5.8 '09
Carneal Ainsworth LSU  5.8 '09  Left team freshman year
Stavion Lowe      LSU   5.8 '09  SMU by way of Tyler CC
Eric Mack           AUB  5.8 '10  Shot in the University Heights incident
Corey White        LSU  5.8 '11  Transferred to Southern U.
Trip Thurman        UF   5.8 '11
Trai Turner         LSU   5.8 '11
Marcus Jackson    UT   5.8 '11 

Centers
Both highly rated upperclass centers made pre-season All-SEC teams.

[jbcarol]

The misses at QB and RB are visible but there were a large number of "misses" at tackle and guard over the last five years.

[jbcarol]

Some of the Top Rated TEs from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:


Matt Branch       LSU  5.9 '08 Took medical scholarship
Gerald Christian   UF  5.9 '10 transferred to UofL
Alex Smith          UK  5.8 '10 transferred to GaSt.
Travis Dickson   LSU  5.8 '10 Jr. for LSU
A.C. Leonard       UF  5.9  '11 transferred to Tennessee St.
Brandon Fulse     AU  5.8 '11 Jr. for AU

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters, but it's a reference point. Here's how their D-line members were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team
DL - Jadeveon Clowney, So Car (223) 6.1 '11 SDE Rock Hill #1 overall
DL - Dominique Easley, Florida (162)   6.1 '10 DT Staten Island, injured #7   
DL - Anthony Johnson, LSU (127)      6.1 '11 DT O. Perry Walker
DL - Chris Smith, Arkansas (56)        5.7 '10 WDE West Rowan

Second-Team
DL - Xzavier Dickson, Bama (49)       5.9 '11 WDE Griffin
DL - Ed Stinson, Bama ( 39)             5.8 '09 WDE South Dade
DL - Dee Ford, Auburn (38)              5.6 '09 OLB St. Clair County
DL - Jeoffrey Pagan, Bama (31)        6.0 '11 SDE Asheville

Third-Team
DL - Garrison Smith, Georgia (26)      5.9 '10 DT Douglass
DL - Daniel McCullers, Tenn (23)       5.9 '12 DT Ga. Military (Juco)
DL - Alvin Dupree, Kentucky (23)      5.6 '11 TE Wilkinson County, Ga.
DL - C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss (22)       6.1 '11 ILB Philadelphia (MS Burning)

Coaches All-SEC D-Line Selections not on the media listing:

Second-Team
DL - Kelcy Quarles, So Carolina        5.9 '10 DT Greenwood, SC

Third-Team
DL - *Ronald Powell, Florida            6.1 '10 WDE Rancho Verde #1 overall
DL - *Denico Autry, Miss State       6.0 '12 SDE Scooba (E. Ms. CC Juco)

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Defensive Lineman from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams (if still in league):

SDEs
2008
Toby Jackson UGa  5.9  Went Juco, starred at UCF, Dallas Cowboy rookie
Chase Clement LSU 5.9  Switched to TE. NYG practice squad
Brandon Lewis Bama 5.8 Switched to TE, Saban elected him not to return for Sr. season
Glenn Harbin Bama 5.8  Switched to Jack LB, then baseball, then out of athletics

2009
Craig Drummond Ole Miss 5.9 "... is a fine young man," Nutt said. "What makes it tough"
Michael Brockers LSU       5.8 St. L. Rams
William Ming      Bama     5.8  Saban elected not to return him for R-Sr. season
Duane Chisolm    SC        5.8 Did not pan out

2010
JR Ferguson  LSU  6.0  RS-Jr for LSU
Alfy Hill      Bama 5.9  Academic NQ, JucO, commited to SC but ineligible
Jordan Allen LSU  5.9  Jr. for LSU
Jalen Fields  UGa  5.8  Ga. Military and then Ragin' Cajuns
Dexter Morant UG 5.8   Left UGa in Feb. after playing sparingly, academics

2011
DJ Pettway       Bama 5.8  East Mississippi CC

WDEs
2010
T.J. Stripling    UGa  6.0
Corey Miller       UT  5.9
Jacques Smith   UT  5.9
Lynden Trail      UF  5.9
Carlos Thompson OM 5.8
Craig Sanders  AUB 5.8
J.C. Copeland  LSU  5.8
Kaleb Eulls      MS   5.8  All-SEC Freshman Team
Neiron Ball       UF   5.8
Justin Maclin   LSU  5.8

2011
Ray Drew           UGa  6.1
Jermauria Rasco  LSU  5.8

DTs
2009
Gary Brown          UF  6.1
Chris Davenport  LSU  6.1
Abry Jones         UGa  5.9
Darrington Sentimore  Bama  5.9
Josh Downs       LSU  5.9
Josh Boyd          MSt  5.9
Corey Gaines      OM  5.9
DeQuinta Jones  Ark  5.8
Derrick Lott       UGa  5.8
Jamar Travis       AU  5.8
Quinton Dial   Bama  5.8

2010
Jeffrey Whitaker  AU  5.9
Calvin Barnett    Ark  5.9
Mike Thornton   UGa  5.8
Byran Jones       Ark  5.8
Kenneth Carter   AU  5.8
Carlton Martin    OM  5.8

2011
Phillip Dukes         SC  5.8
Gabe Wright         AU  5.8
Mickey Johnson    LSU  5.8
P.J. Jones            MSt  5.8
LaMichael Fanning Bama 5.8
Chris Mayes        UGa  5.8

[jbcarol]

Top Athletes counting for SEC Team Rankings in '11

Nick Marshall  UGa  5.8
Cody Prewitt    OM  5.8

Vincent Dallas Vols 5.7

Dallas left the Tennessee team per Coach Butch Jones.

Dallas had 13 kickoff returns and had caught two passes in games in 2013. Tennessee had worked to move him to DB in the offseason, more than once, but did not pull the trigger.

[jbcarol]

Top Offensive Tackles counting for SEC team rankings from '11

Cyrus Kouandjio  Bama  6.1  All-SEC Freshmen Team
La'El Collins         LSU   6.1
Christian Westerman AU 6.0
Brandon Shell        SC   5.9
Antonio Richardson  UT  5.9
Brey Cook             Ark  5.8
Aaron Morris   Ole Miss  5.8
Cameron Clear       UT   5.8
Mike Matulis          SC   5.7
Zach DeBell         UGa  5.7
Xzavier Ward       UGa  5.7
Watts Dantzler    UGa  5.7
Darrian Miller        UF   5.7
Alan Posey           UT   5.7

Alan Posey left Tennessee yesterday per Butch Jones. The R-So. had played in two games in 2013, one in 2012.

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters, but it's a reference point. Here's how their linebackers were rated coming out of high school:
First-Team
LB - C.J. Mosley, Alabama (231)        5.9 '10 Theodore OLB
LB - A.J. Johnson, Tennessee (107)   5.8 '11 Gainesville, GA ILB
LB - Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss (94) NR '11 Loganville Grayson

Second-Team
LB - Adrian Hubbard, Alabama (66)    5.8 '10 Norcross WDE
LB - Jordan Jenkins, Georgia (64)      6.0 '12 Hamilton, GA WDE
LB - Lamin Barrow, LSU (29)            5.7 '09 John Ehret ILB

Third-Team
LB - Ronald Powell, Florida (24)        6.1 '10 #1 overall, 3rd Team LB and DE
LB - Tahj Jones, LSU (20)               5.6 '09 Sulphur OLB
LB - *Trey DePriest, Alabama (16)   5.8 '11 Springfield, OH OLB
LB - *Avery Williamson, Kentucky (16)  5.6 '10 Milan OLB
LB - Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State  5.5 '11 Tunica Rose Fort ATH

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/72360/drew-growing-into-five-star-billing

Ray Drew doesn't like to use the word "doubt" when asked whether his belief that he could become Georgia's team leader in sacks, like he is today, ever wavered. But if there is a leading reason for the philosophical approach the former five-star prospect has taken toward his football career, it's the lack of instant results that marked his first two seasons in college.

"I wouldn't say doubt is the word, but I believe that everyone coming into college, unless you just come in and you're a freshman All-American and you're playing every snap from the time you get here until the time you leave, I believe that there is a wall that every player hits that they'll ask the question, 'Well did I make the right decision?' or maybe 'Am I as good as I thought I was?' or maybe 'I should have done something else,' " Drew said...

After juggling outside linebacker and defensive end responsibilities in his first season and struggling to adapt to his role on the defensive line for much of his sophomore campaign, Drew is finally starting to touch the potential that ESPN talent evaluators saw in naming him as the nation's No. 13 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive end in the 2011 signing class.

Not that every Bulldog is necessarily happy about Drew's status as the team's sack leader.

"We can't let Ray lead us in sacks," laughed outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins. "We gave them sacks away because we're coming off the edge and he steps up right into Ray's hands. But I can't discredit Ray. He definitely came a long way and he's always a fighter, he understands the plays and he understands what to do and he's just balling out there. But we can't let him have the lead by the end of the season."

With only one sack to his credit so far, Jenkins has a lot of sacking to do if he is to catch up to Drew.

[jbcarol]

http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2013/2013_Midseason/SEC.html

Phil Steele's midseason All-SEC Teams

Swanson, Chris Smith and Hocker are first team.

Henry and Flowers are second team.

Collins and Lake make third team.

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Inside Linebackers from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams (if still in league):

2009
Tana Patrick 6.0 Bama  5th year senior, reserve
Jerod Askew 6.0 Vols    Dismissed from the program
Austin Moss  5.8 Ark     Transfer

2010
Jake Holland 5.8 AU     Senior

2011
CJ Johnson        6.1 OM     Junior, injured out for season
Ramik Wilson    5.8 UGa  Junior
Amario Herrera 5.8 UGa Junior
Graham Stewart 5.8 UF Transfer to UConn

[jbcarol]

Jason McIntyre ‏@jasonrmcintyre 23h
Just for kicks, I looked up Mike Evans, the A&M stud WR, on Rivals. Unranked. Offers from ... Colorado State, Tulane http://rivals.yahoo.com/tamu/football/recruiting/player-Mike-Evans-100117 ...

[jbcarol]

Bama DE Jeoffrey Pagan reminisces about his days as a 180-pound wide receiver

Pre-season All-SEC Second Team DE was a 6.0-rated SDE coming out of high school.

Pagan, who wears No. 8, revealed that he was a wide receiver a few years and many, many pounds ago.

"I was about a buck-80, 200 and I was No. 1," said Pagan, an Asheville, N.C., product who is now listed at 290 pounds. "I changed schools my junior year and, being a transfer, I couldn't really pick the number that I wanted."

Through the rest of his high school career, Pagan wore No. 81. He said he vowed to return to single digits when he graduated to college ball, even though he was now packing on the pounds and playing on the defensive line.

Pagan originally wanted No. 2, but that was owned by linebacker Tana Patrick. No. 8 was open because wide receiver Julio Jones had moved on to the NFL.

"That was the only number that I saw on the roster," Pagan said. "I was like 'that's the number that I want.'"

Pagan shares his number with wide receiver Robert Foster. Earlier this month, Saban joked about his players' fascination with single-digit numbers...

Pagan said his teammates don't believe that he used to be roughly 100 pounds lighter and capable of running fly patterns.

Asked if he still has the hands to play the position, Pagan didn't hesitate.

"Oh yeah."

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/10/alabama_de_jeoffrey_pagan_remi.htm

[jbcarol]

Sammy Khan, Jr. implicates Coach Sherman for A&M's young defense

Aggies currently have 11 freshmen in their defensive two-deep depth chart. Two true freshmen (defensive tackle Isaiah Golden and linebacker Darian Claiborne) are starting.

In 2010, the Aggies signed seven defensive players and two more that were offensive players but eventually moved to defense. Defensive end Damontre Moore turned out to be a star, but declared for early entry into the 2013 NFL draft...

The 2011 class -- the final class signed by former head coach Mike Sherman -- brought 13 defensive players. Deshazor Everett, a cornerback with ability to play safety, is currently the defense's best player. Safeties Howard Matthews and Floyd Raven (despite his mom forging his signature on an LOI faxed to Houston Nutt) and linebacker Steven Jenkins also emerged as starters out of that group... Five players in that group are no longer with the program.

The 2012 class, the first one Sumlin signed after essentially two months on the job, had some holdovers that committed to the program under Sherman. It is a mixed bag...

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Outside Linebackers from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams (if still in league):

2009
The top five rated OLBs out of HS have played on Sundays
DT Shakelford  5.8  OM OLB out of Decatur has batted injury, back for 5th year

2010
LaDarius Owens  5.9  AU Bessemer OLB is a Jr. for Auburn

2011
Brent Calloway  6.0  Bama  Russellville OLB ran afoul of the law
Curt Maggitt      5.8  Vols    West Palm Beach OLB, Jr. for Vols, injured

[jbcarol]

Taking Stock of Bama's Recruiting: Running Backs

Graduating seniors: None.

Underclassmen: Jalston Fowler (Jr), Dee Hart (So), T.J. Yeldon (So), Kenyan Drake (So), Derrick Henry (Fr), Altee Tenpenny (Fr), Alvin Kamara (Fr), Tyren Jones (Fr).

Possible early NFL Draft entrants: None likely.

What Alabama needs: "Alabama isn't anticipated to lose a single running back from a group that currently features eight players who were all four-stars or better in high school. That doesn't mean Nick Saban will turn down a commitment from one of the nation's top backs, but it's likely he won't be stockpiling the position with four like he did in 2013." - Andrew Gribble

2014 commitments:
Bo Scarbrough, 6-foot-2/225 lbs, IMG Academy/Bradenton, FL
...
Top Targets:
Leonard Fournette, 6-foot-1/226 lbs, St. Augustine/New Orleans, LA
...
"Roc" Thomas, 5-foot-11/196 lbs, Oxford...

Down the line...: Alabama holds an early commitment from one of the top players in the state for 2015 in Vigor running back Desherrius Flowers...

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/10/taking_stock_of_alabamas_recru_2.html

That's a lot of top rated TB.

[jbcarol]

Don't care much for the pre-season All-SEC teams and their 243 voters, but it's a reference point. Here's how their DBs were rated coming out of high school:

First-Team
DB - Hasean Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama (203)  6.1 '11 S Dr. Phillips, #7 nation
DB - Craig Loston, LSU (135)            6.1 '09 S Eisenhower #20 nation (overall)
DB - Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida (117)   5.8 '11 CB Pensacola Pineforest #147
DB - "Neion" Deion Belue, Alabama (77)  5.6 '10 CB Tuscumbia Fran Deshler

Second-Team
DB - Damian Swann, Georgia (70)   5.9 '11 CB Atlanta Grady #47 nation
DB - Andre Hal, Vanderbilt (69)       5.6 '10 CB Port Allen   
DB - Marcus Roberson, Florida (50)  6.0 '11 CB St. Thomas Aquinas #37
DB - Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama (36)   5.6 '11 ILB Tuscaloosa Northridge (injured)

Third-Team
DB - E.J. Gaines, Missouri (34)        5.7 '10 CB Independence, Mo
DB - Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss (25)  5.5 '09 CB Miami
DB - Jalen Mills, LSU (22)               5.6 '12 CB Desoto
DB - Chris Davis, Auburn (20)         5.5 '10 CB Woodlawn

Coaches Third Team (excluded from media teams)
DB - Deshazor Everett, Texas A&M       5.6 '11 S Deridder, La.
DB - Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State   5.6 '09 ATH Jackson

[tigerinhogtown]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/emptying-the-notebook-pinkel-at-his-best/article_f96df8e6-09b8-5d45-9b1d-ece047874ca7.html

Look no further than Missouri's depth chart. If the SEC standings were based on teams' accumulation of four- and five-star recruits, the Tigers would be fighting off Kentucky for sixth place in the Eastern Division. Instead, Mizzou's evaluation process and player development have never produced better results. Just check out the collection of two-star recruits and overlooked prospects that contributed to Saturday's win. Wideout L'Damian Washington. Left tackle Justin Britt. Left guard Max Copeland. Right guard Connor McGovern. Defensive end Michael Sam. Defensive tackle Harold Brantley. Linebacker Donovan Bonner. Cornerback Randy Ponder. Safety Matt White. None were widely recruited or recruited at all.

[HiggiePiggy]

Ok.

[jbcarol]

Kipp Adams ‏@KippLAdams 4 Nov
An offer is only an offer if you can call the head coach and commit....even then it only counts if you get NLI papers.

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Cornerbacks from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams (if not already playing on Sunday):

2009
Dre Kirkpatrick  6.1  Bama   Bengals
Janzen Jackson  6.1  Vols     x-fer to McNeese St. / Argonauts
Darius Winston  6.1  Hogs    Completed eligibility in four seasons
Branden Smith  6.1  UGa     Argonauts
Eric Gordon       5.9  Vols     Had planned to be a red shirt senior
Reggie Taylor    5.8  AUB     Did not qualify

[jbcarol]

Buddy Quarles, the father of Gamecock DT Kelcy Quarles says Kelcy will leave South Carolina after his junior season to place his name it the draft.

Edged out Clowney as first to officially make a statement in that direction.

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter ‏@Dave_Matter 4h
Mizzou releases infograph & video on D-end Michael Sam, semifinalist for both Bednarik & Lombardi awards.


5.4-rated WDE out of Hitchcock.

[jbcarol]

Sometimes there is a misconception and sometimes correct perception on how many of the commits for schools are 4- or 5-star rated.  MrSEC tabulated the current verbal into categories ranked by school for '14.

4- and 5-star blue-chippers

School     Commits     4- & 5-stars
  Tennessee  29     17
  Alabama     22     16
  Georgia     17     13
  Texas A&M 17     11
  Florida     14     9
  LSU             15     9
  Auburn     16     8
  Kentucky     25     8
  S. Carolina 14     7
  Ole Miss     20     5
  Vanderbilt     20     5
  Arkansas     16     2
  Miss. State 18     2
  Missouri     25     1

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Cornerbacks from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams (if not already playing on Sunday):

2010

Demarcus Dee Milliner  6.1  Bama  Bennie and the Jets
Joshua Shaw               6.0  UF      Transferred to USC Trojans
Jaylen Watkins            6.0  UF      Switched to safety, now a "better tackler"
John Fulton                 5.9  Bama  Could not contain A&M's Mike Evans
Vic Hampton               5.9  SC      Still playing for SC
Cody Riggs                 5.9  UF      See Jaylen Watkins
Honey Badger             5.8  LSU    After 2nd chance and expulsion he plays for Cards
Tristen Holt                5.8  Mizzou Removed from the program in 2011

Large number of highly rated DBs are going to select SEC schools. Of the '10 class, Dee and Badger are playing on Sunday. None of the other survivors are all-league material at the moment.

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Cornerbacks from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:

2011
Malcolm Mitchell  6.0  UGa  Has played both ways at UGa
Floyd Raven        5.8  A&M  Mom forged his signature and faxed it to Nutt
Tevin Mitchell      5.8  Hogs Working on that open field tackle
Justin Coleman    5.8  Vols  Had a pick against Bobby Petrino's team
David Jenkins      5.8  LSU  Transferred to TCU, kicked off team; burglary charge
Jermaine Whitehead 5.8 AU A leading tackler for Auburn 

[jbcarol]

Some of those Top Rated Safeties from the Upperclass who did not make one of the preseason All-SEC Teams:

2009
Rod Woodson  5.9  Bama  Saban agreed the Olive Branch DB show go elsewhere
Darren Myles  5.9  Vols    Dooley kicked Myles off team; Bar Knoxville debacle

2010
Matt Elam          6.1 Gators  Ravens
Alec Ogletree     6.0  UGa    StL Rams
Jarrick Williams  5.9  Bama  Bama Special Teams POTW last week
Eric Reid            5.9  LSU    49ers
Jordan Haden     5.8  UF      Younger bro of Joe Haden transferred
Eddrick Loften    5.8  Vols    Arrested at Hutchinson CC, vehicle burglary
Nick Perry         5.8  Bama  Sometimes starter; shoulder injury in Sept. '13

2011
Erique Florence  5.9  AU    Transfer to Troy
Corey Moore      5.9  UGa  Ejected for targetting v. AppSt.
Jonathan Rose   5.8  AU    Sent home he landed at Nebraska
Jabari Gorman   5.8  UF    Jr. at UF; not injured and out for season
Sheldon Royster 5.8  SC   Transfer to Rutgers
Howard Matthews 5.8 A&M  14 tackles and a pick v. Vandy
Robenson Therezie 5.8 AU Starting for AU
Chris[tion] Jones 5.8  Bama  Big return man for Bama
Pat Martin         5.8  Vols     Left the program as a freshman

[jbcarol]

Georgia's "Dream Team" Class of 2011

Georgia was coming off a disappointing 6-7 season when the Dream Team signed with the Bulldogs. They had the nation's top tailback and No. 4 overall prospect in Isaiah Crowell, another five-star talent in Ray Drew, the No. 1 tight end in Jay Rome and a large group including Malc Mitchell, John Jenkins, Amarlo Herrera, Chris Conley and Damian Swann who would contribute soon after becoming Bulldogs.

Crowell was named the SEC's Freshman of the Year in his lone season on campus – he was dismissed in the summer of 2012 after a weapons possession arrest and is now starring at Alabama State – and the Bulldogs won their first SEC East championship since 2005.

They played in a second straight SEC championship game at the end of last season and fell only a few yards short of playing for a BCS title – with multiple Dream Team members playing key roles on a team that would finish fifth nationally.

"I think we've actually got a good resume being here," said Swann, now in his second season as a starting cornerback. "We beat Auburn twice, we beat Florida three times, we've been to the SEC championship two times since I've been here. We're 1-1 in a bowl game. I think with the resume that my class has put together, I think it's actually one to look at, and I think we're continuing to improve it and make it better."

Linebacker Ramik Wilson leads the SEC with 92 tackles, with Herrera's 79 stops ranking fourth. Drew is sixth in the league with six sack (sic). Wideouts Mitchell, Conley and Justin Scott-Wesley have all flashed star potential, although injuries have struck all three players this season. Center David Andrews, also a second-year starter, is one of the leaders of the Bulldogs' offensive line.

And junior college transfer John Jenkins is already in the NFL – the New Orleans Saints picked him in the third round of this year's draft – after solidifying the middle of the Bulldogs' defensive line in 2011 and 2012.

The Georgia journey ended early for several members of the class. Nick Marshall, Sanford Seay and Chris Sanders [all at Auburn] were all dismissed together and Crowell followed them out the door a few months later. Safety Quintavious Harrow left shortly after his former Carver-Columbus teammate and close friend Crowell.

In all, seven members of the 26-man signing class are either gone or never enrolled at Georgia at all (in the case of linebacker Kent Turene)...

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/74482/dream-teams-bond-faces-unusual-test