Prepare yourself to read something recorded for the first time ever in human history. A phrase so shocking it may be best if you sign off on a waiver in the comments clearing us of anything that may happen to your heart and/or brain.
2015 NFL Draft: SEC has good talent even in down year
After producing the top two picks in this year’s draft, college football’s best conference is relatively short on pro prospects.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ready? Ahem.
The SEC is down this year.
At least in regard to draft-eligible talent, that is. Sure, the SEC is probably going to have the most players picked in the draft much like it has every year since 2007. But in regard to top-level talent, the conference isn't as good this year. That's what happens when you have four quarterbacks drafted and no Jadeveon Clowney or Jake Matthews.
Of course, between now and the draft, a lot will change. At this time last year, almost no one knew who Greg Robinson was and the left tackle went on to become the No. 2 pick in the draft.
Heading into the season, the SEC’s top prospect is another offensive tackle in Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi. He’s moving over to the left side this season, but has the footwork and quickness to do fine there. Ogbuehi is a good athlete for the position and can get out on the move. But his ranking is based on an assumption of a smooth transition and playing with more strength. That’s Ogbuehi’s biggest question for this season. If his lower body is stronger, he should at worst be a top five pick.
After Ogbuehi, the SEC's best may be Alabama safety Landon Collins. He's the latest top safety for the Crimson Tide, following players like Mark Barron and HaHa Clinton-Dix. Collins is a good athlete who has shown he can come down and play the run. Collins has to get better in coverage, and will be forced to be this season without Clinton-Dix in the deep center.
Even after having eight players taken in this year's draft, Alabama is loaded. Wide receiver Amari Cooper may be the top wide receiver prospect in the draft. He's not a giant wide out at just 6-foot-1, but he rounds crisp routes, makes people miss after the catch and has good hands. Guard Arie Kouandjio is a powerful phone booth blocker. Linebacker Trey DePriest is a thumper in the middle and a Brandon Spikes-like player. Running back T.J. Yeldon has shown he can be a good lead back who runs with good balance and agility. Yeldon has fumble issues, though, and in what should be a loaded running back class, that could knock Yeldon down a spot or two.
That running back group is paced by SEC players. The position hasn't been picked in the first round the last two seasons, but Georgia's Todd Gurley could change that trend. If he's healthy, expect people to say he's the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. Gurley is a strong runner with speed. He can bowl defenders over and get back up to his top gear in a hurry. South Carolina running back Mike Davis isn't as big as Gurley, but he's shifty and keeps good balance through the hole. He's an asset in the run game as well. In a loaded backfield, Jonathan Williams may not get as many carries, but zone schemes will love his quick burst and cut skills.
Even without Clowney, the SEC has plenty of pass rushing talent as well. Florida's Dante Fowler is a versatile speed guy who can line up on the line or in space rushing the edge. At 261 pounds, Fowler is strong enough to shed blocks as well. Missouri may have lost Kony Ealy and Michael Sam, but the Tigers have another great pair in Markus Golden and Shane Ray. Ray could be a real star. He has wide receiver speed and as Bruce Feldman pointed out, is generally a freak. Golden could play either end or linebacker and like Ray has a good burst and closing speed. Much of the same can be said about Kentucky's Bud Dupree, a combo end/linebacker with speed and closing skill. Wildcats end Za'Darius Smith is a personal favorite who can win with his length. He just needs refinement in technique. Arkansas' Trey Flowers is a traditional 4-3 end who has good strength and just enough burst.
Georgia’s Leonard Floyd is another explosive pass rusher at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. Right now, though, he’s more athlete than anything and needs to get stronger to beat blockers at the point of attack. His first step quickness is the best in the conference, and maybe the entire country.
Up front, the SEC’s best defensive tackle is Auburn’s Gabe Wright. He’s a gap-shooting tackle who can get into the backfield in a hurry. Wright is a high motor player who can close on the ball carrier quickly.
There's more than just Ogbuehi at tackle in the conference. LSU's La'el Collins somewhat surprisingly returned to Baton Rouge. He's a powerhouse on the left side and may have a future in the NFL as a right tackle or guard. Alabama right tackle Austin Shepherd doesn't have a lot of flash, but he simply doesn't give up much pressure. He didn't allow a sack until the Sugar Bowl last season. Keep an eye on A&M's Germain Ifedi. Expectations for him are high following his move from guard to right tackle this season.
South Carolina has the conference's best offensive line with tackle Corey Robinson and guard A.J. Cann. Robinson is a monstrous blocker who can push bull rushers around. Cann is a three-year starter who can handle powerful defensive tackles up the middle.
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney flashes first-round talent at times. He's a big linebacker at 6-foot-5 and 249, leading many to believe he's an outside linebacker at the next level. He's shown for the Bulldogs, though, that he can stick in the middle.
LSU cornerback Jalen Mills will have the eyes of scouts because of his length and skill as a press coverage cornerback. Some teams may even view him as a safety. Arkansas coaches have raved about corner Tevin Mitchell, but he had an up-and-down junior season.
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