SEC Top Football Players per School Spanning the Arkansas Era

[jbcarol]

Just a One Man Band: Picking the All-Saban All-American team

Quarterback: AJ

Running back: Derrick Henry — [Thought to be moved to the defensive side of the ball, emerged over the top high school running back in four other states (apparently where the internet had not yet been deployed) in Bama's recruiting class to win the Heisman]

Running back: Mark Ingram — [Two back set]

Wide receiver: Amari Cooper

Tight end: OJ None! Alabama hasn't had a first-team all-American tight end. Ever.

Center: Ryan Kelly — [Lakota West (or East) 3-star]

Guard: Chance Warmack

Guard: Arie Kouandjio — Cyrus' bro

Tackle: Barrett Jones — [Got in AJ's face that time]

Tackle: Andre Smith

DL: Mt. Cody, hero of "Rocky Block."

DL: A'Shawn Robinson

DL: Jonathan Allen

Linebacker: Reuben Foster

Linebacker: Rolando McClain — [solid citizen, product of the process]

Linebacker: Dont'a Hightower  — Hightower would have been a four-year starter, if not for his knee injury in 2009. [I would have been if not for speed, height, strength, academic, and citizenship concerns, and a nagging criminal record.]

Linebacker: C.J Mosley

Safety: Landon Collins

Safety: Mark Barron

Cornerback: Dee Milliner

Cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick

*No place kick return First Team All-Americans during Saban's Bama tenure

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/807235579394060293

Most of the time when Stafford's exploits are discussed, the fourth-quarter comebacks are front and center.

For good reason.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell
‏@Michael_Carvell

Auburn football: Carlson misses the Groza

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/806980737211703296

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/807319191384707075

Alabama (2)
RB Mark Ingram – 2009
Stats: 271 carries for 1,658 yards, 17 TDs; 32 receptions for 334 yards, 3 TDs
RB Derrick Henry – 2015
Stats: 395 carries for 2,219 yards, 28 TDs

Auburn (3)
QB Pat Sullivan – 1971
Stats: 182-325 for 2,262 yards, 21 TDs, 12 INTs
RB Bo Jackson – 1985
Stats: 309 carries for 1,915 yards, 18 TDs
QB Cam Newton – 2010
Stats: 185-280 for 2,854 yards, 30 TDs, 7 INT; 264 carries for 1,473 yards, 20 TDs

Florida (3)
QB Steve Spurrier – 1966
Stats: 193-328 for 2,172 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs; rushing TD
QB Danny Wuerffel – 1996
Stats: 225-394 for 3,931 yards, 39 TDs, 14 INTs
QB Tim Tebow – 2007
Stats: 234-350 for 3,286 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs; 210 carries for 895 yards, 23 TDs

Georgia (2)
HB Frank Sinkwich – 1942
Stats: 1,392 passing yards, 795 rushing yards, 27 total TDs
RB Herschel Walker – 1982
Stats: 363 carries for 1,855 yards, 17 TDs

LSU (1)
HB Billy Cannon – 1959
Stats: 145 carries for 607 yards, 5 TDs; 14 catches for 200 yards; 15 punt returns for 239 punt returns, TD

South Carolina (1)  [Not in SEC at the time]
RB George Rogers — 1980
Stats: 324 carries for 1,894 yards, 14 TDs

A&M (2)
HB John David Crow – 1957  [Not in SEC at the time]
Stats: 129 carries for 562 yards, 6 TDs; 5 interceptions on defense
QB Johnny Manziel – 2012
Stats: 295-434 for 3,706 yards, 26 TDs, 9 INTs; 201 carries for 1,410 yards, 21 TDs

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/807238640216616960

Noticeably absent? A representative from the SEC. It's the first time since 2005 that the SEC hasn't had a player in New York City among the finalists, and during that 10-year stretch, the conference has had five players win the award. It's no coincidence that the league won eight of the 10 national championships in that same span.

So where did all the SEC's stars go in 2016?

Sure, there was some late buzz for Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts to at least earn an invitation to the ceremony. And some would argue that if any defensive player should have gone, it should have been Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette was the odds-on favorite to win the award. Most believed Fournette deserved to be a finalist the year before, and he was all but guaranteed a trip to New York City this year, right?

Wrong.

Nick Chubb burst back onto the scene with 32 carries for 222 yards and two touchdowns in Georgia's win over North Carolina in the season opener, but like Fournette, he battled injuries most of the year.

Chubb, who was one of the SEC's best backs before tearing his ACL last year, only reached the 100-yard mark in four games.

Chad Kelly said he was the best quarterback in the nation. Ole Miss senior led the league in passing the year before, and with the Rebels flying under the radar as a darkhorse contender in the West, there were some who believed that Kelly could make a run at the Heisman.

Those dreams came to an end.

Myles Garrett was considered a possible candidate.

Garrett, like the others, missed some time due to injury and played the majority of the season at less than 100 percent.

To win the Heisman Trophy, it's necessary to stay healthy.

Lamar Jackson and his Louisville team were a serious contender for the playoff before losing its final two games.

The stars of the SEC couldn't stay healthy. And outside of Alabama, who were the league's contenders? Every other team finished with at least four losses.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/808079738774454272

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/808185719663554560

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/808107399332659201

I do too but it was toward the guy texting and driving on the 10

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/808497301840953345

It was like the time Pluto scolded Jupiter for embarrassing the solar system.

Imagine Archie being in a dilemna in which he had to choose between his children: "Okay, with Cooper out..."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/808817193010024448

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/809106075861581829

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/809780661984882688

Lead back of the "Gur-Shall" tandem, Todd Gurley may be #2 tailback in UGa history.

Nick Chubb is projected to get a say in that in 2017.

A season after gaining 1,106 rushing yards on 229 carries as a rookie, there was a lot of talk about the former Georgia Bulldog threatening Eric Dickerson's 2,105 single-season rushing mark.

Keith Stone [not the smooth player for Florida Gators]

https://twitter.com/CodyHasek1/status/809627839595184128

https://twitter.com/TG3II/status/809634094795485184

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/809832924719828992

No word on whether he can play in the Hog game

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/809856890750439424

https://twitter.com/KeysAdvocate/status/809992164382035972

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/811096635145064448

Super Bowl III, quarterback Joe Namath led the New York Jets to a 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts after famously guaranteeing an improbable win.

Jets were 18-point underdogs as the AFL champions. The Green Bay Packers of the NFL had dispatched the AFL champ with 25- and 19-point victories in the first two Super Bowls.

Namath joined New York out of Alabama in 1965 and became the face of the AFL. He was the league's Player of the Year in 1968 and 1969. In between, he was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl III on Jan. 12, 1969.

"Winning the championship, especially in team sports, it takes more than one guy," Namath said. "Being a part of a group that worked so hard for so long, going through the valleys, the tough times, staying together and then reaching that peak together -- we did it, and that's one of the things that I cherish."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KNARFWONGAR/status/811298653025501184

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/811572897735208960

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/811569438352875520

Some players from then-SEC schools selected for the Pro Bowl:

* Indicates starter

AFC Pro Bowl Roster

Wide receiver: Amari Cooper*, Raiders; A.J. Green, Bengals

Center: Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers [apparently he can center the ball in the NFL]

Defense end: Jadeveon Clowney, Texans

Interior linemen: Geno Atkins*, Bengals

Inside/middle linebacker: Dont'a Hightower*, Patriots; C.J. Mosley, Ravens [Roll Tide]

Free safety: Reggie Nelson, Raiders

Strong safety: Eric Berry*, Chiefs

NFC Pro Bowl Roster

Wide receiver: Julio Jones*, Falcons; Odell Beckham*, Giants; Mike Evans, Buccaneers

Tackle: Jason Peters, Eagles

Tight end: Jordan Reed, Redskins

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Interior linemen: Fletcher Cox, Eagles

Cornerback: Janoris Jenkins*, Giants; Patrick Peterson*, Cardinals

Free safety: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Packers

Strong safety: Landon Collins*, Giants

Return specialist: Cordarrelle Patterson*, Vikings

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/811685773472886784

[jbcarol]

Nick Cole ‏@NickColeSports Dec 26

Ralph Webb just set new Vanderbilt single-season rushing record at 1,201+ yards. Previous record holder: Zac Stacy (1,193 yards in 2011).

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/814553699003617280

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/AdamSparks/status/814149821128970241

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/wesrucker247/status/814989914584547328

Nebraska QB Ryker Fyfe on Vols' Derek Barnett: He's a good player, as much as I hate to say it, because he talks a lot of trash out there.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JasonHButt/status/814982809727172608

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/814980206825967616

Vols single-season record for rushing scores by a quarterback with 12

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/814897464289488896

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/mzenitz/status/815228990835159040

Did John Parker have to dial it back?

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/theadvocatebr/status/815336160633430016

[jbcarol]

Only 25 former SEC players named to Pro Bowl

AP recently released their "Pro Bowl" selections for 2016.  This listing is the official one:

Alabama (6): Amari Cooper, Dont'a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Julio Jones, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Landon Collins

Florida (4): Maurkice Pouncey, Reggie Nelson, Jordan Reed, Janoris Jenkins

Georgia (3): Geno Atkins, A.J. Green, Thomas Davis

Texas A&M (3): Von Miller, Mike Evans, Michael Bennett

LSU (2): Odell Beckham, Patrick Peterson

Mississippi State (2): Dak Prescott, Fletcher Cox

Tennessee (2): Eric Berry, Cordarelle Patterson

Arkansas (1): Jason Peters

South Carolina (1): Jadeveon Clowney

Vanderbilt (1): Casey Heyward

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/817786028773806082

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/818158895759785984

Eighty-eight players and 27 coaches from the SEC have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and the ballot for the Class of 2017 included 10 players and two coaches from the conference.

The SEC players among the 75 NCAA FBS nominees on the Class of 2017 ballot were:

Lomas Brown, Florida, offensive tackle, 1981-84: Brown won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's best blocker and was a consensus All-American in 1984

Tim Couch, Kentucky, quarterback, 1996-98: As a senior, Couch set SEC records for pass completions with 400, passing yards with 4,275, completion percentage at .723 and yards of total offense at 4,151. He became the first SEC player with more than 4,000 yards of total offense in a season, but that's the only one of those stats that doesn't still stand as the best in league history. Couch finished fourth in the 1998 Heisman Trophy balloting and was the first player selected in the 1999 NFL Draft.

Brad Culpepper [joined his wife Monica on "Survivor"], Florida, defensive tackle, 1988-91: A consensus All-American in 1991, Culpepper was a team captain for Florida's SEC championship team that season.

Bobby Humphrey, Alabama, running back, 1985-88: Humphrey left as Alabama's record-holder for rushing yards in a game, season and career.

E.J. Junior, Alabama, defensive end, 1977-1980: A three-time All-SEC selection, Junior was a unanimous All-American in 1980

Peyton Manning, Tennessee, quarterback, 1994-97: Manning was the SEC Player of the Year in 1997, when he led the Volunteers to the conference championship. He also won the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, earned the Campbell Trophy as college football's top scholar-athlete and finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy that season. He remains Tennessee's all-time leader in quarterback victories, passing yards and touchdown passes...

Buddy McClinton, Auburn, defensive back, 1967-69: The Montgomery native was a consensus All-American safety in 1969, when he intercepted a school-record nine passes...

Larry Seivers, Tennessee, wide receiver, 1974-76: Seivers is one of the few SEC players who has been a consensus All-American more than once.

Matt Stinchcomb [SEC Network], Georgia, offensive tackle, 1995-98: Stinchcomb was a consensus All-American and winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy...

Jackie Walker, Tennessee, linebacker, 1969-71: Walker was the first black player to captain an SEC football team and the first black SEC player selected as a first-team All-American, which he was in 1970 and 1971. In his career, Walker returned his 11 career interceptions for 281 yards and an SEC-record five TDs.

Danny Ford of Arkansas joined Spurrier as the SEC coaches on the ballot.

SEC members Arkansas and Texas A&M also have players on the ballot, but those players - defensive tackle Dan Hampton for the Razorbacks and linebacker Dat Nguyen of the Aggies - pre-date those schools' membership in the SEC. Former South Carolina coach Jim Carlen, another pre-SEC nominee, also is on the ballot.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a player must have been named a first-team All-American by a selector used  by the NCAA in determining the consensus All-American team, be at least 10 years but not more than 50 years removed from his final college season, and no longer be an active pro player...

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/818274406560657408

Odell Beckham, Jr. reportedly warmed up shirtless and punched a hole in the lockerroom wall.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/818468915907010560

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/818863442429886466

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/819607730084311043

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/819574833302437891

Would know

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/819966247865643009

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/820292484660133888

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/820381400486576128

"I played for the Boys Club in Mt. Vernon (N.Y.), and the club I grew up with, we were called the Red Raiders. I wanted to go to Texas Tech because they were the Red Raiders. Which got me involved with Texas football, so I started watching Texas — the University of Texas, all of them. Then I landed with the Cowboys and I ain't stopped since."

https://twitter.com/WPGC/status/806538261766279168

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/TeshaunTh/status/820994591490973696

7. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

As Heisman candidate Leonard Fournette battled injuries all season, Guice took advantage of his opportunities and flourished, finishing with an 83.3 rushing grade that ranked seventh among running backs. He was a big-play threat waiting to happen as 58.6 percent of his yards came on breakaway (15-plus yard) runs

9. Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama

It was an impressive sight to see a true freshman at the helm of an Alabama team coached by Nick Saban

Other names to watch include but are not limited to:

Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Arden Key, Edge, LSU
Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
Nick Chubb, Georgia

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Tomas_Verde/status/818644840934244354

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/BretBielema/status/823253723359178754

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/823364096565383168

Atlanta Falcons' SEC players in the Super Bowl
Name    Position    School
Jalen Collins    CB    LSU
Patrick DiMarco    FB    South Carolina
Josh Harris    LS    Auburn
Tyson Jackson    DE    LSU
Deion Jones    LB    LSU
Julio Jones    WR    Alabama
Jake Matthews    OT    Texas A&M
Keanu Neal    S    Florida
Brian Poole    CB    Florida
Courtney Upshaw    LB    Alabama
New England Patriots' SEC Players in the Super Bowl
Name    Position    School
David Andrews    C    Georgia
Martellus Bennett    TE    Texas A&M *(Was in the Big 12 when Bennett played)
Brandon Bolden    RB    Ole Miss
Justin Coleman    CB    Tennessee
Trey Flowers    DE    Arkansas
Dont'a Hightower    LB    Alabama
Cyrus Jones    CB    Alabama
Jonathan Jones    CB    Auburn
Brandon King    DB    Auburn
Barkevious Mingo    LB    LSU
Malcolm Mitchell    WR    Georgia

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/824350858548826116

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/825082443342475264

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/SEC/status/826218461487460352

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/826653727771738112

[jbcarol]

Chris Low ‏@ClowESPN 16h16 hours ago

Line of the day from former LSU great @JacobHester22, who was a 2-star. "I was rated so low it knocked LSU from 1 to 2 in the rankings."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/827290988225974274

Arkansas: Don Hutson (Alabama WR)


Bettmann: Getty Images

Colorado: Dan Skipper (Arkansas OL)

Florida: Tim Tebow (Florida QB)

Georgia: Herschel Walker (Georgia RB)

Kentucky: Sonny Collins (Kentucky RB)

Louisiana: Peyton Manning (Tennessee QB)

Mississippi: Archie Manning (Ole Miss QB)

Missouri: Sheldon

New Jersey: Art Still (Kentucky DE)

North Dakota: Derek Abney (Kentucky WR)

Oklahoma: Felix Jones (Arkansas RB)

Oregon: James Whalen (Kentucky TE)

Pennsylvania: Joe Namath (Alabama QB)


Getty Images

Texas: Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M QB)

Vermont: None