Eli Manning returned to Ole Miss for his senior season and is one of the top quarterbacks in college football, following in the steps of his brother Peyton and his father Archie. Manning will attempt to keep the Rebels afloat after back-to-back seasons with disappointing endings. He is a sure first-round draft pick in 2004. He would get Heisman consideration if the Rebs had any type of defense.
Auburn running back Carnell Williams had high hopes entering the 2003 season. But the Tigers’ inability to pass the ball has allowed defenses to stack the box with eight and nine guys, stifling Williams’ ability to find a hole. If Auburn can find a passing attack, Williams has the potential to lead the SEC in rushing this season. If not, Williams may continue to average 30 or 40 yards per game.
Shaud Williams does it all for Alabama. He plays running back, he returns punts, he returns kicks and he is a great receiver out of the backfield. His 1,586 all-purpose yards last year was the fifth best in ‘Bama history. He averaged a mind-boggling 7.1 yards per carry last season.
Michael Clayton is the best overall player in the SEC. He plays receiver, safety and holder. He can do it all. If the LSU passing game stays on its course, he will break the 1,000-yard barrier on his way to the NFL.
Georgia receiver Fred Gibson returns as one of the top receivers in the country. He is a big, physical guy who uses his size and speed to his advantage.
Arkansas tackle Shawn Andrews is the most dominant lineman in college football. He is a mammoth (6-foot-5, 371 pounds) and bulldozes anything in his way.
Justin Smiley has been one of the best linemen in the SEC during the past few years, and the Crimson Tide are looking for him to keep up his consistent play. He has started every game of his two-year career.
LSU linemen Ben Wilkerson and Stephen Peterman are two of the best linemen in the country and anchor the best offensive line in the SEC. Peterman is arguably the best guard in college football and Wilkerson is one of the best centers when healthy.
Antonio Hall had 74 knockdown blocks a year ago and a season-high 14 pancake blocks against LSU last season. He protects Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen’s blind side and is one of the top three linemen in the conference.
Tight end Ben Watson caught 31 passes a year ago for Georgia. He may be David Greene’s second-favorite target this season.
Georgia kicker Billy Bennett led the SEC in scoring last season with 130 points. He owns a 78 percent field goal percentage.
David Pollack led the SEC with 14 sacks, 23 tackles-for-loss and 35 quarterback hurries. He also blocked a punt and a field goal and intercepted two passes. He will be the best defensive player in the SEC once again. Georgia coach Mark Richt held Pollack out of the Bulldogs’ Spring Game because he said Pollack was “on another level from the rest of the team.” Have you ever heard anything like that before?
DeMarco McNeil is the big body on the Auburn defensive line that will plug up holes allowing the Tigers’ great linebackers to make plays. Too bad they’re on the field the entire game.
Anthony Bryant steps in after the Crimson Tide lost their other three starters on the defensive line. He hopes to make as much noise as they did last year.
LSU’s Marcus Spears has huge upsize and potential. If he can stay healthy, he will be one of the top ends in the country.
Karlos Dansby and Dontarrius Thomas are the heart and soul of Auburn’s linebacking corps which is the best in the nation.
Dansby’s speed and intensity make him one of the best ever at Auburn (rivaling Takeo Spikes), and Thomas has been a consistent tackling machine his entire career. Once again, if only they were not on the field the entire game…
Tony Bua may be the most versatile defensive player in the league. At only 5-foot-11, 218 pounds, Bua registered 282 tackles through his first three seasons at linebacker. But since Arkansas lost all-everything safety Ken Hamlin, the Razorbacks have experimented with Bua at free safety, where he will begin the season.
Lawrence Richardson has been one of the top cover-corners in the league the past two seasons. For the past two years he has led the Razorbacks in pass deflections.
Corey Webster led the SEC with seven interceptions in his first season on defense, and the junior will be a dynamic playmaker for Saban’s defense.
Florida safety Guss Scott led the Florida secondary with 102 tackles last season and created five turnovers.
Rashad Baker picked off five passes last year and is one of the top safeties in the nation this season.