SEC 2021

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strength up front Kenyon Green, DeMarvin Leal lead in the trenches for Texas A&M Pages 7 and 30

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CULTURE CHANGE Texas A&M could be an annual contender thanks to Fisher’s leadership

T

exas A&M might not beat Nick Saban this year or next year, but it’s going to happen.

Jimbo Fisher put Saban and Alabama on notice during the offseason by saying the Aggies were “going to beat his a-while he’s there, don’t worry.”

It would have sufficed for Fisher to guarantee victory, but he wanted to be clear. He’s here to win championships and he wants everyone connected with the program thinking the same.

He expects it to happen, so everyone in the program needs to get on board.

There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness. One is a defining trait, the other a fault. Fisher oozes with confidence.

ROBERT He’s got the track record and national championship to validate it. A&M in the last three CESSNA decades has often talked a good game, but failed to deliver.

A&M had plenty of swagger when it won at Alabama in 2012. Former coach Kevin Sumlin believed his spread offense could win in the Southeastern Conference. It helped that he had the nation’s best player in quarterback Johnny Manziel, but the Aggies also had a slew of outstanding players, including eight starters on that team who were drafted. It was no fluke A&M beat the defending national champions and snapped Alabama’s 13-game winning streak.

It was a magical memory for Aggies, but it was a gut punch to Saban and everyone connected with his program. The Crimson Tide responded by winning the national championship that year.

And they’ve added three more since. A&M failed to capitalize after beating Alabama and finishing 11-2, underachieving for five straight years.

Fisher has changed the culture. He went 9-4 in his first season, but the acid test came after slipping to 8-5. It was only natural for fans to fear the worst, having suffered through three straight unranked 8-5 seasons under Sumlin, who was fired before he had a chance to make it four straight in the 2017 Belk Bowl against Wake Forest.

Sumlin’s 8-5 seasons were a trend. Fisher’s 8-5 season — the second worst season in his career — was only growing pains.

Last year’s team set the standard with a 9-1 record and No. 4 ranking.

A&M has everything in place to repeat or top that this season.

The Aggies return 15 starters. There are multiple playmakers on both sides of the football and the reserves are just as talented.

More importantly, everyone is on the same page. Except for a handful of fifth- and sixth-year players, the roster is made up of Fisher recruits. The older ones helped set the standard and now the younger ones are following their lead. The players mirror Fisher when they speak, they just do it a lot slower. They know what to expect and work just as hard as their coach.

Sixth-ranked A&M is poised to become a contender for the College Football Playoff not just this year, but every year. That’s somewhat amazing considering A&M’s last back-to-back Top

4

Jimbo Fisher went 9-4 in his first season at Texas A&M, followed by an 8-5 year, before moving up with a 9-1 season in 2020.

10 finishes were in 1993 and ’94. And since then, A&M’s only other Top 10 finishes were 2012 and last year.

Fisher has changed the culture in only three years. The next step is making the CFP, and the best way to do that is beat Alabama. Fisher expects everyone connected with the program to think and work toward being the equivalent of Alabama. That starts with him.

That’s why he had fun shortly after he arrived when A&M Chancellor John Sharp gave him a national championship plaque without a date. The national media had a field day with it, considering A&M hasn’t won a national championship since 1939, and its last conference championship was in 1998. But no one’s laughing now.

It’ll take more than a blank plaque and smart aleck comment to beat Saban, who takes everyone and everything seriously.

That’s why he’s won seven national championships. He’s probably still mad Manziel and the Aggies beat him in 2012, though Alabama still won the national championship that year.

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AP photo

Saban and Fisher come from the same mold. Saban knows firsthand what makes Fisher tick. Fisher was Saban’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU from 2000-04 when the Tigers were 48-16, winning the 2003 national championship.

Saban, who has never lost to an assistant, is 4-0 against Fisher, outscoring him 168-82. Needless to say, Saban got the last word in when asked about Fisher predicting a future victory over his former boss.

“In golf?” Saban said.

Not in golf — that’s a gentleman’s game with no contact.

Fisher and Saban were born to coach football. They’re hands-on, passionate people. They play for keeps, always have, always will. They say what they mean and then do it.

Fisher’s matter-of-fact swagger is a refreshing change for the Aggies. Now it’s up to the players and everyone else connected with the program to have their coach’s back.

Robert Cessna’s email address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com.

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TAKING THE NEXT STEP

Green continues his trajectory while leading A&M’s young line

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com Leading into the final week of the regular season last year, Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green said he felt he was undeserving of All-American status. Despite the Aggies’ 7-1 record at the time and national praise, the sophomore felt like he had made mistakes.

“I feel like I’ve got so much work to do,” he said in December. “I messed up a couple of times during a game, so I’ve got to cut that out.”

The rest of the country saw his humility as just that, bestowing him consensus All-American status, including a first-team nod on the Football Writers Association of America and the Sporting News lists.

He was the only Aggie starting lineman who was not a senior.

This season, the Aggies will look to Green for a repeat performance, this time at left tackle, with less of a margin of error as A&M’s only returning offensive line starter.

“We had a great season last year, but we focus on this season and what we can do this year,” Green said. “We’ve got to make sure we can win every game this year, make sure we can get to the common goal again and get to the national championship.”

Head coach Jimbo Fisher believes Green is one of the best pure football players in the country.

“He’s learning,” Fisher said in the spring. “He’s getting better and better and he’s going against some good [defensive] ends, so every time he thinks he gets real good, they can do some things. But he’s working them, too. He’s a big presence and he’s athletic. He’s learning, and a very intelligent guy.”

In two seasons with the Aggies, Green has started all 23 games with a hype that preceded his first appearance in Aggieland.

As a highly decorated high school talent, he helped Atascocita High School average 460 yards per game and reach the third round of the playoffs his senior season.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman entered A&M as a five-star commit and the top talent in the state in the 2019 recruiting class.

There was very little learning curve at the next level. In his first collegiate game, he earned the start at right guard, where he aided Isaiah Spiller and Jashaun Corbin to 100-yard rushing performances.

In SEC play, the run game took center stage against Mississippi State (441 yards) and South Carolina (319 yards), behind Green and his veteran linemates.

He earned the top offensive newcomer team Eagle photo by Cassie Stricker Continued on Page 8 Kenyon Green led the Texas A&M offensive line in 2020, which allowed an SEC-best 0.7 sacks per game and 5.45 yards per carry.

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7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS ON OFFENSE Isaiah Spiller

Junior running back

Spiller emerged as one of the SEC’s top running backs in 2020, rushing for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns. He battled through minor injuries and proved to be tough to tackle, often gaining yards after first contact. With a new quarterback and four new starters on the offensive line, the Aggies will lean into Spiller’s experience and strength to maintain a balanced approach in 2021.

Jalen Wydermyer Junior tight end

Wydermyer has become one of the nation’s top tight ends and was named a Mackey Award finalist after leading the Aggies in receptions and scoring six touchdowns last season. Wydermyer’s size and athleticism continue to challenge defenders, and he was a top target on third-down passes. Wydermyer projects to continue his upward track this season.

Kenyon Green Junior right guard

As the only returning starter on the offensive line, the Aggies will need Green to

continue playing at an All-American level. The two-year starter is sliding out from guard to tackle this season, looking to become the key bookend on A&M’s offensive line. He will be the leader of an inexperienced unit.

Ainias Smith

Junior wide receiver

Smith’s role expanded in 2020 as he played two roles, with 564 yards and six touchdowns receiving and 293 yards and four scores on the ground. With the emergence of Devon Achane at running back, Smith projects to spend most of his time at inside receiver. He is arguably the Aggies’ most dynamic player on offense and gives defenders trouble with his footwork and route running.

Chase Lane

Sophomore wide receiver

Lane became a reliable target at outside receiver for the Aggies in 2020, making nine starts. He only caught two touchdown passes, but averaged 14.1 yards per catch.

Lane’s emergence out wide gives A&M depth and experience at receiver heading into the 2021 season.

— Alex Miller

Eagle photo by Michael Miller

Jalen Wydermyer led the Aggies in receptions and scored six touchdowns last season.

Continued from Page 7

award after that freshman season, then earned offensive MVP honors and spring offensive MVP honors in the following year. The A&M offensive line finished second only to Alabama in the Joe Moore Award race.

In 2020, the unit allowed an SEC-best 0.7 sacks per game, 3.8 tackles for loss allowed and 5.45 yards per carry. The Aggies also led the SEC in negative play percentage, 5.99%, and finished third in pressure percentage, 24.46% of plays, according to SECStatCat. com.

With all of the future NFL talent that surrounded him, Green stood out as the cream of the crop in the Aggie trenches, and the offense’s key cog.

“When you have a guy like Kenyon Green, who is kind of your go-to guy in big situations where you can tell they want to put him in a key blocking spot ... that is huge,” former Alabama Outland Trophy winner and ESPN Radio analyst Barrett Jones said last fall. “I think every great play caller I’ve been around understands that, especially in obvious running situations, you call plays for certain blocks by certain players.”

“It’s huge and that continuity is hard to overestimate,” he continued.

Eagle photo by Michael Miller Most of the early mock 2022 NFL drafts Kenyon Green protects quarterback Kellen Mond in A&M’s victory over Florida in September 2020.

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SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

have Green joining the ranks of many Aggie offensive linemen to earn a first-round selection.

ProFootball Network had Green going as high as No. 15. ESPN tabbed Green as the Aggies’ top prospect heading into the 2021 season and a potential first-rounder. Pro Football Focus named Green the eighth-best player out of the SEC in this year’s draft class and called him “the single most athletic tackle in the country.”

Should the Aggies reach their lofty expectations for the 2021 season, a year after finishing No. 4 in the country, it may be Green’s last season in Aggieland. And just as the Aggies are expected to continue growth in the fourth year under Fisher, offensive line experts expect Green to continue his positive trajectory in his junior season.

“I honestly think he’s really just cracking the surface of what he can become,” Jones said.

“And that’s saying a lot, because I think he’s one of the best guards in the country this year, but I still think he can improve even more.”

While the pressure is on for both the Aggies and Green, the situation feels similar to every week in the grind of the SEC, he said.

“It’s different than last year, but there’s pressure everywhere,” he said. “There’s pressure with each team in the SEC. You’ve just got to deal with that and keep going.”

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ALABAMA (2020 RECORD: 13-0) Nick Saban (261-65-1; 170-23 in 14 seasons at Alabama) • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

A FAMILIAR REFRAIN: ONCE AGAIN, TIDE RELOADS, AIMS FOR TITLE

KEY PLAYERS WR John Metchie III (right, 55 receptions, 916 yards, 6 TDs) RB Brian Robinson Jr. (483 yards, 5.3 avg., 6 TDs), CB Josh Jobe (55 tackles, 2 sacks, 11 PBU), DB Malachi Moore (44 tackles, 3 INTs, 6 PBU), OL Chris Owens (38 games played), OLB Chris Allen (41 tackles, 6 sacks, 13 TFL), DL Phil Mathis (31 tackles, 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), QB Bryce Young (13-of-22, 156 yards), WR Slade Bolden (24 receptions, 270 yards, 1 TD)

QB Young has weapons at WR, RB; O’Brien takes over offensive reins

QUOTABLE I’ve been pleased so far with the way our players have embraced the new roles and new responsibilities, how the new faces on our team have worked hard to develop in a way that they can have enough consistency in performance to have success and develop the confidence they need to be able to have success. We’re going to be a work in progress as we focus on improvement, and that’s going to be critical to our success.

Nick Saban, head coach

HALL OF FAME

It’s become routine. Alabama suffers heavy personnel losses and still is the team to beat in the Southeastern Conference.

The Crimson Tide had to replace six NFL first-round picks and five assistant coaches who helped win a sixth national championship in 12 seasons. Yet the media covering SEC Media Days picked Alabama to win the league by almost a 2-1 margin over Georgia.

“The challenge is you’ve got to rebuild with a lot of new players who will be younger, have new roles, less experience, and how do they respond to these new roles?”

Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

“That’s why rebuilding is a tremendous challenge. That’s why it’s very difficult to repeat.”

Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young leads the new starters. He played in nine games last season, completing 13 of 22 passes for 156 yards as a backup to Mac Jones.

Many people expect him to make a big impact, as evidenced by earning almost a million dollars in name, image and likeness agreements.

Weapons at his disposal include wide receiver John Metchie III and running back Brian Robinson Jr. Metchie had 55 receptions for 916 yards, and his 16.7-yard average was almost a yard better than Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

Robinson has rushed for 1,361 yards in his career with 15 touchdowns as a backup to the departed Najee Harris.

Alabama returns two in the offensive line, including junior Evan Neal who has made 26 starts.

The offense, which became more quarterback-oriented when Lane Kiffin was the coordinator from 2014 to 2016, might add some NFL tweaks with former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone the offensive line coach.

“We’re not changing offenses,” Saban said. “We’ve got a good offense. We’ve got a good system.

We’ve got a good philosophy. Bill has certainly added to that in a positive way, and we’ll probably continue to make some changes.”

Concern about the offense having early growing pains is tempered by a defense with nine returning starters.

The Crimson Tide allowed only 19.4 points per game last year to rank 13th. It returns at least two players at every level of the unit, including four defensive backs led by Malachi Moore, who was a second-team All-SEC pick.

Jordan Battle, Josh Jobe and Daniel Wright are the other returning defensive backs.

BRIAN ROBINSON JR. AP photos

SCHEDULE 9/4 vs. Miami

QB Ken Stabler threw for 2,196 yards and 18 touchdowns in two years as the starter for the Crimson Tide under head coach Bear Bryant. In 1967, he was a first-team All-American and led the SEC in pass completions (103), passing attempts (178), passing touchdowns (9) and passing efficiency rating (117.2).

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

9/25 vs. Southern Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/16 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

11/13 vs. New Mexico State Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/11 vs. Mercer Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/2 vs. Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/23 vs. Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/20 vs. Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/18 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/9 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/6 vs. LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/27 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

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ARKANSAS (2020 RECORD: 3-7) Sam Pittman (3-7 in one season at Arkansas) • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)

RAZORBACKS AIM TO BUILD ON PITTMAN’S ENCOURAGING DEBUT

KEY PLAYERS S Jalen Catalon (99 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 PBU), RB Trelon Smith (right, 710 yards, 5.3 avg., 5 TDs), WR Treylon Burks (51 receptions, 820 yards, 7 TDs), LB Grant Morgan (111 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), S Joe Foucha (60 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs), CB Hudson Clark (47 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PBU), QB KJ Jefferson (20-of-41, 295 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs), LT Myron Cunningham (20 games played)

Nineteen starters, 23 seniors return for team that made strides in 2020

QUOTABLE Obviously, the older folks in the state of Arkansas are revved up about the Texas game. I read something where at one point during that rivalry, if you had Arkansas tags and you crossed into the Texas border on an away game, that you were not going to be sold any gas until you got back into Arkansas. Now, whether that’s true or not I don’t know. But if it is true, now that’s a rivalry.

Sam Pittman, head coach

HALL OF FAME Arkansas Athletics

Arkansas needed a big man to turn things around, and former Razorback offensive line coach Sam Pittman delivered encouraging results in a short time.

In his first season as a head coach, Pittman won three games, and lost three more by a field goal or less.

More improvement is expected with 19 starters and both coordinators returning.

“I want to tell you we love this football team,” Pittman said. “They believe in being a blue-collar, hardworking, tough, physical group of men. We’ll be better.”

Optimism skyrocketed considering Arkansas had been 1-23 in the previous three seasons in Southeastern Conference play. The Razorbacks have 23 seniors, 11 of whom took advantage of a second senior season because of COVID-19.

Three of those super seniors are offensive linemen Myron Cunningham, Ty Clary and Dalton Wagner, who team up with sophomore Brady Latham and junior Ricky Stromberg to bring back the entire starting unit.

They suffered growing pains as Arkansas rushed for less than 120 yards five times last year.

Protection also was a problem for the offensive line, allowing 3.4 sacks per game to rank 115th in the country. The unit has to be better, especially when your head coach is a line coach.

Arkansas’ offense will change with sophomore quarterback KJ Jefferson, a dual threat. Jefferson played in five games last season, completing 20 of 41 passes for 295 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, along with 67 yards rushing on 28 carries with two touchdowns.

Arkansas has receivers to help Jefferson. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Treylon Burks averaged 16.1 yards per catch on 51 receptions. Other tall targets are 6-5, 209-pound Trey Knox, who has 17 starts in the last two seasons, and 6-5, 255-pound tight end Hudson Henry, who made the All-SEC freshman team.

Running back Trelon Smith added 22 receptions for 159 yards and was the team’s best rusher with 134 carries for 710 yards.

The Razorbacks are primed for improvement on defense. Ten starters are back from a unit that allowed 451.7 yards per game (ranked 106th) and 34.9 points per game (98th).

Arkansas averaged only five tackles for loss last season with 14 sacks.

If Arkansas can get more pressure from the defensive line, that will free up linebackers Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool to cause even more havoc. They combined for 212 tackles last season, including 14 for losses.

They also broke up 10 passes and defended 11 more.

KJ JEFFERSON AP photos

SCHEDULE

RB Lance Alworth in his career collected 1,917 yards and 10 touchdowns in both rushing and receiving. He was named an All-American in 1962 and was the MVP of the Cotton Bowl in 1961, and elected to the Razorback All-Century team in 1994.

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9/18 vs. Georgia Southern Razorback Stadium

10/9 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/6 vs. Mississippi State Razorback Stadium

11/28 vs. Missouri Razorback Stadium

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AUBURN (2020 RECORD: 6-5) Bryan Harsin (76-24; first season at Auburn) • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

KEY PLAYERS QB Bo Nix (right, 214-of-357, 2,415 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INTs), RB Tank Bigsby (834 yards, 6.0 avg., 5 TDs), LB Zakoby McClain (113 tackles, 3 sacks, 5.5 TFL), LB Owen Pappoe (93 tackles, 4 sacks), CB Roger McCreary (45 tackles, 3 INTs, 6 PBU), RB Shaun Shivers (276 yards, 4.5 avg., 1 TD), DE Colby Wooden (42 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks), S Smoke Monday (73 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INTs)

QUOTABLE I want to be in that stadium with 90,000 people going crazy, because I’ve heard nothing but how the environment is, and I got a chance to experience that in a bad way when I was at Arkansas State. So I’ve got a little taste of that, and now those folks are going to be on our side. And I want to be able to be part of a program that, when you win, your fans go crazy and go downtown and we toilet paper trees. I mean, how awesome is that?

Bryan Harsin, head coach

HALL OF FAME

A NEW ERA BEGINS: HARSIN LOOKS TO BOOST OFFENSIVE APPROACH Former Vanderbilt coach Mason takes over as defensive coordinator Success for Auburn first-year head coach Bryan Harsin could hinge on whether junior quarterback Bo Nix can bounce back from a pedestrian sophomore season. Coach Gus Malzahn was fired after the Tigers finished a disappointing 6-5.

“I knew coaches would come and go, but obviously Auburn is there to stay,” Nix said. “I chose Auburn because I wanted to go and grow as a person and just grow as a player, and I knew Auburn would do that for me.”

Nix had seen the effects of coaching changes, because Malzahn had tweaked the staff in the last two seasons.

“This will be my third different offense [and] third different offensive coordinator,” Nix said. “But it’s exciting because I’ve gotten to learn and grow with each individual coach.”

Nix’s latest teachers are Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, a pair of former college quarterbacks. They have Nix taking more snaps under center.

“I found I really enjoyed going under center,” Nix said. “It provided a different vantage point, a different way of seeing things. I felt like it literally got me closer to the ball, so I was closer to the defense. I can keep my eyes up the whole time.”

Nix didn’t like what he saw a lot of the time last year. Auburn aver-

aged only 25.1 points per game to rank 89th in the country, and its 382.8 yards per game ranked 77th.

Auburn expects improved line play with all starters returning.

Auburn has the backs to produce if there’s room to run. Tank Bigsby averaged 6 yards a carry last season to make the All-SEC freshman team. Senior Shaun Shivers has averaged 4.9 yards in 187 career carries.

Nix will be working with inexperienced receivers as the Tigers replace Anthony Schwartz, Seth Williams and Eli Stove, who all rank in the school’s top 10 career reception leaders.

Auburn started 5-2 last season, but slipped in going 1-3 to end the year. The Tigers had a tough time getting off the field, allowing 50.3% on third-down conversions. That ranked 121st.

The Tigers do return eight defensive starters led by linebackers Zakoby McClain and Owen Pappoe, who combined for 206 tackles. They will be tutored by former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason, who was defensive coordinator at Stanford before coming to the SEC. Auburn has a solid secondary with returning cornerback Roger Mc- TANK BIGSBY Creary and safety Smoke Monday, AP photos complemented by West Virginia transfer Dreshun Miller.

SCHEDULE

C Frank “Gunner” Gatski joined the Auburn football team for his senior season after fighting in World War II. He played his first three seasons at Marshall, but found when he returned from war that the school had disbanded the football program. He went on to play a decade-long NFL career.

9/4 vs. Akron Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/25 vs. Georgia State Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/16 at Arkansas Razorback Stadium

11/13 vs. Mississippi State Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/11 vs. Alabama State Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/2 at LSU Tiger Stadium

10/30 vs. Ole Miss Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/20 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

9/18 at Penn State Beaver Stadium

10/9 vs. Georgia Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/6 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/27 vs. Alabama Jordan-Hare Stadium

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LSU (2020 RECORD: 5-5)

SEASON OUTLOOK Ed Orgeron (61-41; 45-14 in five seasons at LSU) • Tiger Stadium (102,321)

TIGERS HOPE TO MAKE QUICK TRIP BACK UP TO TITLE CONTENTION

KEY PLAYERS CB Derek Stingley Jr. (27 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 5 PBU), QB Max Johnson (88-of-150, 1,069 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT), RB Tyrion Davis-Price (right, 446 yards, 4.3 avg., 3 TDs), LB Damone Clark (63 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack), WR Kayshon Boutte (45 receptions, 735 yards, 5 TDs), LB Micah Baskerville (55 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 FF), RB John Emery Jr. (378 yards, 5.0 avg., 3 TDs), DE Ali Gaye (32 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2 sacks)

QB Johnson takes over lead role after Brennan’s arm injury

QUOTABLE We have a lot of guys returning. We have an experienced team. We have a very good team. A very good coaching staff coming back, and I love the mindset of this football team and the leadership of the football team. ...

We brought back Jake Peetz and DJ Mangas to run Joe Brady’s offense of 2019, one of the most prolific offenses in the history of football, and that’s what we’re going to. I think those guys are going to do a tremendous job.

Ed Orgeron, head coach

HALL OF FAME

LSU fell from the top quickly, but it might not take the Tigers long to rebound.

The Tigers closed last season with victories over sixth-ranked Florida and Ole Miss to salvage a 5-5 season, building momentum for 2021.

“That says something’s going on in the locker room,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “Our players believe in each other. I think with all those things at the end, we ended up being an ascending program.”

LSU, coming off a national championship season, opened the 2020 season with a 44-34 loss to Mississippi State. It was the first of three setbacks to unranked teams, putting the Tigers in danger of their first losing season since 1999.

LSU had to overcome more than the slow start on the field.

Two former players in the program were accused of violence against women, and another report said nine players had been accused of sexual misconduct and dating violence with little disciplinary action taken.

Orgeron declined to comment on those specific issues during SEC Media Days, citing an ongoing investigation.

Football-wise, the Tigers are in position for success with 21 players returning who made at least

two starts.

LSU expected a quarterback battle between senior Myles Brennan and sophomore Max Johnson, but Brennan broke his left arm earlier this month. Both threw for 1,000 yards last season.

“Obviously, Max is going to be our starter, but he’s got to have a great camp,” Orgeron told the Baton Rouge Advocate on Aug. 3. “The depth chart is etched in sand. He knows he’s got to perform, but I believe in Max just like I believe in Myles.”

LSU lost two of its top three leading receivers, but big plays are expected from Jaray Jenkins and Kayshon Boutte, who averaged 17.3 and 16.3 yards respectively, while combining for 68 receptions. LSU also returns its top two leading rushers in Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery Jr., who combined for 824 yards and six touchdowns.

LSU was involved in several shootouts last season because the defense allowed 492 yards per game to rank 124th in the country. Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was fired after one season, replaced by Daronte Jones, who was an assistant in the NFL for the past five seasons. He inherits a group led by senior end Glen Logan and junior cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

KAYSHON BOUTTE AP photos

SCHEDULE

In 2007, DL Glenn Dorsey collected 69 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, earning SEC defensive player of the year, the Bronco Nagurski Award, the John Outland Trophy, the Ronnie Lott Trophy and the Vince Lombardi Award. He was also named a consensus All-American.

9/4 at UCLA Rose Bowl

9/25 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

10/16 vs. Florida Tiger Stadium

11/13 vs. Arkansas Tiger Stadium

9/11 vs. McNeese State Tiger Stadium

10/2 vs. Auburn Tiger Stadium

10/23 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/20 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Tiger Stadium

9/18 vs. Central Michigan Tiger Stadium

10/9 at Kentucky Kroger Field

11/6 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/27 vs. Texas A&M Tiger Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

17

MISSISSIPPI STATE (2020 RECORD: 4-7) Mike Leach (143-97; 4-7 in one season at Mississippi State) • Davis Wade Stadium (61,337)

LEACH AIMS TO TAKE AIR RAID HIGHER AFTER STUMBLING IN 2020

KEY PLAYERS RB Jo’quavious Marks (312 yards, 4.5 avg., 3 TDs), WR Jaden Walley (52 receptions, 718 yards, 2 TDs), LB Aaron Brule (77 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 PBU), WR Austin Williams (right, 43 receptions, 372 yards, 3 TDs), CB Martin Emerson (72 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 11 PBU), WR Malik Heath (37 receptions, 307 yards, 3 TDs), QB Will Rogers (239-of-346, 1,976 yards, 11 TDs, 7 INTs)

Sophomore QB Rogers has weapons with trio of receivers, RB Marks

QUOTABLE That’s one of the greatest places to play on Earth. ... That’s one of the Carnegie Halls of football there. I mean, that Kyle Field, first of all, it’s gigantic and holds a ton of people. The grass is impeccable. And of course, the Aggies are always highly motivated. It’s a fun place to play.

I’ve got some great memories of our games at Kyle Field over the years.

Yeah, it was a fantastic experience. It helped that we won most of them.

Mike Leach, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Mike Leach showed glimpses of what his Air Raid offense could do in his first year at Mississippi State, but growth was stifled by the elimination of spring drills because of COVID-19, which also altered the fall season.

“Really good football, it’s a byproduct of routine, and when you break up the routine, I think it’s difficult,” Leach said.

“In our case, of course, it was difficult because of a new staff and a very young team. So perhaps it was even more disruptive.”

The Bulldogs have had routine since the end of the season, which has benefitted eight offensive returning starters led by sophomore quarterback Will Rogers.

“True freshmen don’t start very often [at quarterback] and part of the reason is they’re true freshmen,” Leach said. “But in Will’s case, we needed a guy that could go out there and play. I thought he did a very good job, especially as far as being composed, and at times looked more experienced, certainly, than he was.”

Mississippi State had experience at quarterback last season with Stanford graduate transfer K.J. Costello, who threw for 623 yards and five touchdowns in a 4434 victory over defending national champ LSU to open the season.

But the Bulldogs dropped the next four games, scoring a total of 30 points, and Costello lost his job.

The Bulldogs broke even in Rogers’ six starts, ending with a victory over Missouri and an Armed Forces Bowl win over Tulsa.

The offense should be more explosive

because of wide receivers Jaden Walley, Malik Heath and Austin Williams, who combined for 132 receptions for 1,397 yards and eight touchdowns.

Also back is running back Jo’quavious Marks, who had 312 yards rushing and caught a teamhigh 60 passes.

The Bulldogs return seven defensive starters from a unit that allowed a respectable 398.7 yards and 28.1 points per game to rank 52nd and 58th in the country, respectively.

Mississippi State also came up with 18 turnovers, but was hampered by an offense that had 25.

The strength of the defense is the secondary, with cornerbacks Martin Emerson and Emmanuel Forbes, along with safeties Londyn Craft and Collin Duncan, who combined for 35 starts.

Forbes had five interceptions, and the group broke up 23 passes and defended another 32 with 11 each by Emerson and Forbes.

Leach will make his first trip to Kyle Field since 2008, when he coached Texas WILL Tech. The Red Raiders were 7-3 against Texas A&M during Leach’s tenure.

ROGERS AP photos

SCHEDULE

Photo courtesy of Mississippi State

DB Johnthan Banks won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2012 thanks to 63 tackles and four interceptions. He would total 15 interceptions in his career and earn multiple All-America nods.

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9/4 vs. Louisiana Tech Davis Wade Stadium

9/25 vs. LSU Davis Wade Stadium

10/23 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/13 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/11 vs. NC State Davis Wade Stadium

10/2 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/30 vs. Kentucky Davis Wade Stadium

11/20 vs. Tennessee State Davis Wade Stadium

9/18 at Memphis Liberty Bowl Stadium

10/16 vs. Alabama Davis Wade Stadium

11/6 at Arkansas Razorback Stadium

11/25 vs. Ole Miss Davis Wade Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

OLE MISS (2020 RECORD: 5-5) Lane Kiffin (66-39; 5-5 in one season at Ole Miss) • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)

HELP WANTED ON DEFENSE AFTER REBELS’ STRUGGLES LAST YEAR

KEY PLAYERS QB Matt Corral (231-of326, 3,337 yards, 29 TDs, 14 INTs), RB Jerrion Ealy (right, 745 yards, 5.1 avg. 9 TDs), OL Nick Broeker (22 games), WR Dontario Drummond (25 receptions, 417 yards, 7 TDs), DL Sam Williams (40 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks), LB Lakia Henry (62 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), S AJ Finley (62 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 PBU), CB Keidron Smith (64 tackles, 1 INT, 6 PBU)

QB Corral, running back corps should keep Kiffin happy on offense

QUOTABLE Got a lot of good players coming back on offense, led by the quarterback. ...

I think he played as well as anybody in the country at times. Last year, in the notes coming in, reading them, I guess he was first in the country in total offense per game last year, which I didn’t even realize. So it shows the level he can play at. Now he’s got to do it more consistent.

Lane Kiffin, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Ole Miss’ offense packed plenty of punch in head coach Lane Kiffin’s first season, but half the time it couldn’t overcome a porous defense.

Only two FBS teams averaged more yards per game than Ole Miss, yet the Rebels could only break even at 5-5. Ole Miss averaged 36 points in the losses, but it allowed an average of 47. For the season, Ole Miss ranked No. 117 in scoring defense and No. 126 in total defense.

“I think, if you look around the country, first-year staffs really struggled, especially on defense,” Kiffin said.

Ole Miss returns co-defensive coordinators D.J. Durkin and Chris Partridge, and nine returning starters who had the benefit of spring drills. That wasn’t the case last year because of COVID-19. Ole Miss defensive back Jaylon Jones said the players understand the schemes better.

“Just to know what your brother on the right has, and just knowing everybody’s job [has made things better],” Jones said. “Us coming as a unit, putting the pressure on ourselves, and knowing that if we do our job and let the D-line get to the quarterback, this defense could be real good.”

Ole Miss, which ranked 97th in turnover margin and 98th in sacks last season, expects to be more disruptive with defensive lineman Sam Williams and safety AJ Finley leading

the way. Williams had eight tackles for loss, four of them sacks. Finley had three interceptions.

Linebacker Chance Campbell and defensive back Otis Reese were added through the transfer portal.

Campbell had 43 tackles at Maryland last season in only four games to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten. Reese, who transferred from Georgia, became eligible for the final three games last season, making 24 tackles.

The offense has to replace AllAmerica wide receiver Elijah Moore, who had a school-record 86 receptions. But eight other starters return including record-setting quarterback Matt Corral, who averaged 384.9 yards of offense per game to lead the country. Ole Miss also returns everyone who helped it average 206.9 yards rushing to lead the Southeastern Conference, led by junior running backs Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner. Along with Corral, they combined for 1,672 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

The Rebels also return four linemen, including three-year starter Ben Brown and Jeremy James, who earned freshman All-America honors after not allowing a sack or quarterback hit in approximately the last 300 pass plays of the season. The unit added center Orlando Umana, a transfer from Utah who has started 26 games.

MATT CORRAL AP photos

SCHEDULE Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

10/2 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/23 vs. LSU Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/13 vs. Texas A&M Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/11 vs. Austin Peay Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/9 vs. Arkansas Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/30 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/20 vs. Vanderbilt Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/18 vs. Tulane Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/16 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

11/6 vs. Liberty Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/25 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

9/6 vs. Louisville

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss

In 1949, RB Kayo Dottley was a first-team All-American, and still holds the Rebels’ single-season rushing record with 1,312 yards.

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

19

TEXAS A&M (2020 RECORD: 9-1) Jimbo Fisher (109-33; 26-10 in three seasons at Texas A&M) • Kyle Field (102,733)

AGGIES LOOK TO TAKE NEXT STEP WITH QUALITY DEPTH, STRONG ‘D’

KEY PLAYERS DL DeMarvin Leal (37 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks), OL Kenyon Green (23 games played), RB Isaiah Spiller (1,036 yards, 5.5 avg. 9 TDs), TE Jalen Wydermyer (right, 46 receptions, 506 yards, 6 TDs), RB Devon Achane (364 yards, 8.5 avg. 4 TDs), WR Ainias Smith (43 receptions, 564 yards, 6 TDs), LB Aaron Hansford (49 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks), S Leon O’Neal Jr. (48 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 PBU)

New quarterback, revamped O-line are primary question marks for A&M

QUOTABLE We have a tremendous university, tremendous facilities, tremendous backing by our administration to allow us to do the things we need to do to be successful and be the best state in all the union as far as being able to have football players from the state of Texas. High school football is second to none. Very blessed to be there. We’re excited to see where we’re going to go, what we’re going to do, and the challenges that lay forth.

Jimbo Fisher, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Texas A&M wasn’t good enough to beat Alabama last year, but the Aggies feel better about their chances this year.

“They make us a better team, knowing we have to play well to play with them and come out victorious on them,” Aggie head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “That’s our ultimate goal and what we want to do. We feel confident in ourselves.”

A&M played with confidence last year at Alabama, wiping out a 14-point deficit, but Alabama answered with 21 points for a 35-14 halftime lead. The last score came after A&M failed to convert a fourth down, and the Crimson Tide went 64 yards in less than a minute.

The game was over for all intents and purposes, but not A&M’s season. The Aggies rebounded to win eight straight, capped by a 41-27 Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina. A&M expects to build on that with 15 returning starters and quality depth after a trio of top 10 recruiting classes.

Offensive lineman Kenyon Green is a returning All-American, while tight end Jalen Wydermyer, running back Isaiah Spiller and defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal made various preseason All-America teams. They are part of a junior class that includes wide receiver Ainias Smith and safety Demani Richardson, who have combined for 32 career starts.

The offensive line and quarterback are question marks. Four newcomers will join Green, who moves to left tackle.

Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson is

vying for the other tackle spot, while sophomore Layden Robinson and freshman Aki Ogunbiyi are penciled in at guards with junior Luke Matthews at center.

“We lost a lot of the experience, but the guys we have are very, very talented,” Fisher said.

If they can open holes, Spiller and sophomore Devon Achane can do the rest. Spiller had 1,036 yards rushing with nine touchdowns to earn All-SEC honors. Achane came on late, including 140 yards rushing on 12 carries with two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl.

Redshirt freshman Haynes King was named the starting quarterback on Aug. 25 over redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada.

“I feel very comfortable with both guys,” Fisher told ESPN 97.5. “I think both guys can win and play well.”

The defense is in great position with nine starters returning for coordinator Mike Elko’s fourth season.

Tackle Jayden Peevy came back for a second senior season, teaming up with Leal and senior ends Micheal Clemons and Tyree Johnson to make a solid front.

The secondary has five starters returning, led by Myles Jones, Leon O’Neal and Richardson, who have a combined 69 starts.

A&M allowed only 317.3 yards per game to rank ninth in the country and was even better against the run, allowing just 92 per game to rank second.

ISAIAH SPILLER AP photos

SCHEDULE

Eagle file photo

DL Sam Adams was a consensus All-American in 1993, when he collected 78 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and forced five fumbles. He was named defensive player of the year by Sports illustrated and was a runner-up for the Lombardi Award.

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9/4 vs. Kent State Kyle Field

9/25 vs. Arkansas Arlington, AT&T Stadium

10/16 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/13 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/11 at Colorado Denver, Empower Field

10/2 vs. Mississippi State Kyle Field

10/23 vs. South Carolina Kyle Field

11/20 vs. Prairie View A&M Kyle Field

9/18 vs. New Mexico Kyle Field

10/9 vs. Alabama Kyle Field

11/6 vs. Auburn Kyle Field

11/27 at LSU Tiger Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

FLORIDA (2020 RECORD: 8-4)

Dan Mullen (98-55; 29-9 in three seasons at Florida) • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

GATORS BRING IN NEW COACHES, TRANSFERS, TO BOOST DEFENSE

KEY PLAYERS LB Ventrell Miller (right, 88 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks), LB Mohamoud Diabate (69 tackles, 1.5 sacks), DE Zachary Carter (36 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks), WR Jacob Copeland (23 receptions, 435 yards, 3 TDs), OL Richard Gouraige (26 games), CB Kaiir Elam (39 tackles, 2 INTs, 11 PBU), LB Brenton Cox Jr. (41 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks), QB Emory Jones (18-of-32, 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Junior Emory Jones steps in at QB after Trask’s impressive senior year

QUOTABLE A lot of exciting things going on for us right now. After coming off a great year, obviously, a little bit of challenge.

Offensively, it will be different this year.

Two first-rounders last year on the offensive side of the ball and a secondrounder at quarterback. Guys leaving on to the NFL. It’s great to see those guys have that success and go on to the next stage. But there’s a lot of production to go fill offensively that we’re really excited about.

Dan Mullen, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Dan Mullen is considered a quarterback whisperer. So Florida’s offense is expected to keep posting gaudy numbers despite losing record-setting signal-caller Kyle Trask and a pair of first-round NFL picks in tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

The concern is the defense, and Mullen is hearing more than whispers.

Florida, on the heels of back-to-back double-digit-win seasons, was 8-4 last year. The defense allowed 46.3 points per game in the losses. Vast improvement is expected with seven starters returning.

“The attitude of where our defense is at is what I’m really pleased with … and the leadership that they have within our program,” Mullen said.

Some thought that leadership was the problem, and that Mullen would fire defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

Instead, the Gators fired secondary coaches Ron English and Torrian Gray, replacing them with Wesley McGriff and Jules Montinar to fix a unit that ranked 96th in the country in team passing efficiency.

“I say nothing has really changed,” edge rusher Zachary Carter said. “We go on about our business every day.”

Carter and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. each had 9.5 tackles for loss last season. They’re complemented by returning linebackers Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney.

Miller said the unit has “something

to prove,” and “whoever’s getting in our way has to pay.”

Florida used the transfer portal to beef up the defensive line, adding Antonio Shelton (Penn State) and Daquan Newkirk (Auburn). Shelton played in 40 games, making 51 tackles. Newkirk had 40 tackles in 30 games. The lone returning starter in the secondary is AllSEC cornerback Kaiir Elam, but senior nickelback Trey Dean III has played in 37 games, making 68 tackles.

Carter thought enough of the defense to spurn the NFL and return for a fifth season, softening the blow of Kyree Campbell leaving early.

“I just felt like we really have some unfinished business, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Carter said. “I remember after the SEC championship game, I probably stayed on the field for about five minutes, watching the confetti come down and all of that. I’ll never forget that moment.”

The Gators will have to return to Atlanta on the legs and arm of junior quarterback Emory Jones, who has seen action in 24 games, accounting for 1,127 total yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s completed 64% of 86 passes for 613 yards and just one interception.

“He’s not coming in as a guy that’s never played before,” Mullen said.

“He’s coming in with a stat line that he’s played in key times in significant games. I think that’s huge, and it’s prepared him for this time.”

EMORY JONES AP photos

SCHEDULE

All-purpose athlete Percy Harvin led the nation in rushing yards per attempt at 9.2 in 2007 and finished second in the SEC in yards from scrimmage with 1,622.

9/4 vs. Florida Atlantic Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/25 vs. Tennessee Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/16 at LSU Tiger Stadium

11/13 vs. Samford Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/11 at South Florida Raymond James Stadium

10/2 at Kentucky Kroger Field

10/30 vs. Georgia TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville

11/20 at Missouri Faurot Field

9/18 vs. Alabama Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/9 vs. Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/6 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

11/27 vs. Florida State Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

21

GEORGIA (2020 RECORD: 8-2) Kirby Smart (52-14; 52-14 in five years at Georgia) • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

SKILL POSITION PLAYERS PROVIDE BULLDOGS WITH OFFENSIVE GRIT

KEY PLAYERS QB JT Daniels (80-of-119, 1,231 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs), RB Zamir White (right, 779 yards, 5.4 avg., 11 TDs), WR George Pickens (36 receptions, 513 yards, 6 TDs), WR Kearis Jackson (36 receptions, 514 yards, 3 TDs), LB Nakobe Dean (71 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13 QBP), S Lewis Cine (52 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 PBU), LB Adam Anderson (14 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 21 QBP)

Strong defensive unit must reload with only four starters returning

QUOTABLE I’ve got a quote for you here that I really think drives home what we think about expectations at University of Georgia. ‘Success comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.’ ...

That’s Henry David Thoreau. For me, that’s it. I’m too busy working. I’m too busy trying to do the next thing. I’m too busy trying to take the next step to give our team a competitive advantage to really worry about expectations.

Kirby Smart, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Georgia has the talent to win a national championship. Now the challenge is to better harness it.

The program has skyrocketed under former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who after going 8-5 in his first season is 44-9 with four straight New Year’s Six bowl games.

The Bulldogs had a school-record nine players taken in April’s NFL draft.

It was the first draft class comprised of players signed by Smart. The Bulldogs, though, slipped to second behind Florida in the SEC East last season after finishing first three straight years.

“We need to be better everywhere,” Smart said. “It starts with what we do.

But the introspection was for us to find maybe a different way to do things and hear a different voice, and we’ve done that.”

Georgia has grown as a team by spending more time away from football, Smart said.

“I’m just excited to see the dividends of that in fall camp, of where we can go and where we can get better,” Smart said.

Georgia is picked to win the East with 12 returning starters and a couple key transfers. The Bulldogs ended last season with a four-game winning streak, which coincided with Southern California transfer JT Daniels starting at quarterback.

He’s got options with wide receivers Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton and George Pickens, who last season

combined for 99 receptions for 1,431 yards (14.5 average) and 12 touchdowns. But Pickens suffered a knee injury in spring practice. The Bulldogs added LSU transfer Arik Gilbert, but he left the team for personal issues in mid-August.

The running attack is built around lineman Jamaree Salyer, a preseason All-America pick by Phil Steele, and running back Zamir White, who had 779 yards with 11 touchdowns.

If there’s a concern it’s on defense, where only four starters return. The strength is in the line with seniors Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt. They helped Georgia allow only 321 yards per game to rank 12th in the country.

The Bulldogs were the best against the run, allowing 72.3 yards per game.

Linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive back Lewis Cine combined for 123 tackles last season, 77 of them solos. Georgia added two sure tacklers in the secondary via the transfer portal in West Virginia’s Tykee Smith and Clemson’s Derion Kendrick. Smith, an All-American by Pro Football Focus, had 61 tackles. Kendrick, a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick, had 20 tackles and six pass breakups.

Georgia’s kicking game is solid.

All-American Jake Camarda averaged 46.6 yards per punt and place-kicker Jack Podlesny made 13 of 16 field goals, including a 53-yarder with three seconds left in a 24-21 Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over Cincinnati.

JT DANIELS AP photos

SCHEDULE Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

9/25 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

10/16 vs. Kentucky Sanford Stadium

11/13 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

9/11 vs. UAB Sanford Stadium

10/2 vs. Arkansas Sanford Stadium

10/30 vs. Florida TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville

11/20 vs. Charleston Southern Sanford Stadium

9/18 vs. South Carolina Sanford Stadium

10/9 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/6 vs. Missouri Sanford Stadium

11/27 at Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium

9/4 vs. Clemson

DB Jake Scott still holds the Bulldog record for career interceptions with 16 in just two seasons with Georgia, 1967 and 1968. He was named an All-American after the 1968 season.

22

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

KENTUCKY (2020 RECORD: 5-6) Mark Stoops (49-50, 49-50 in eight seasons at Kentucky) • Kroger Field (61,000)

KEY PLAYERS RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (right, 785 yards, 6.6 avg., 11 TDs), S Yusuf Corker (77 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBU), LB DeAndre Square (60 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 4 QBP), WR Josh Ali (54 receptions, 473 yards, 1 TD), OL Darian Kinnard (33 games played), OL Luke Fortner (43 games played), TE Keaton Upshaw (16 receptions, 198 yards, 3 TDs), S Tyrell Ajian (48 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU)

QUOTABLE That’s the simple answer that everybody understands, that we need to have more balance. We ran the football extremely well for years, and we want to continue to do that. But we want to take advantage of that as well and be able to be efficient in the play-action pass and getting the ball down the field. I feel like we certainly improved in that area. Also, there’s some versatility in the run game that we can continue to add to. So I feel good about it.

Mark Stoops, head coach

HALL OF FAME

STOOPS TRIES TO STEER WILDCATS BACK AFTER OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES Team’s streak of four winning seasons snapped despite solid ground attack

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has made a living frustrating offenses, but last season he was the upset one as the Wildcats were held to two touchdowns or less in five games.

The offensive struggles led to a 5-6 season, ending a run of four straight winning seasons. Kentucky averaged 318 yards per game to rank 115th in the country.

The Wildcats struggled mightily in the passing game, averaging 121.5 yards per game to rank 122nd. The Wildcats ranked 113th in team passing efficiency, the worst in the SEC. Kentucky had success running the football, averaging 196.5 yards. That’s been constant in Stoops’ eight seasons.

But the Wildcats averaged only 21.8 points per game to rank 107th.

“I can’t tell you the exact time or date, but there was certainly a time throughout the year that I knew we needed to make some improvement in that area,” Stoops said.

Stoops brought in three offensive coaches led by Los Angeles Rams assistant Liam Coen, who will be his fourth offensive coordinator.

“I felt like this spring we got the ball down the field better than we have in years, so I feel very good about it,” Stoops said.

Coen takes over a quarterback room short in experience after three-year starter Terry Wilson (18-7 record) transferred to New Mexico.

Penn State transfer Will Levis won the job over junior Joey Gatewood, who then

transferred to UCF. Levis in 15 games completed 61 of 102 passes for 644 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 133 career carries for 473 yards and six touchdowns.

The Wildcats have a home-run threat in Josh Ali, who returned for a second senior season after having 54 receptions for 473 yards.

Kentucky should continue to have success running behind Chris Rodriguez Jr., who in the last two seasons rushed for 1,318 yards with 17 touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per carry despite splitting time with other backs. Linemen returning are left guard Kenneth Horsey, right guard Luke Fortner and right tackle Darian Kinnard, an All-American

by Pro Football Focus.

Kentucky returns 11 of 16 players who had at least 20 tackles in helping the Wildcats lead the SEC in passing defense (224.6 yards per game) and interceptions (16).

Safeties Tyrell Ajian and free safety Yusuf Corker combined for 125 tackles. Defensive end Josh Paschal, weak side linebacker DeAndre Square and linebacker Jordan Wright are other returning starters.

JOSH ALI AP photos

SCHEDULE

Randall Cobb played quarterback, wide receiver, kick returner and held for field goals. He threw for 689 yards and five touchdowns in his career, gained 1,313 rushing yards and 1,661 receiving yards. He holds the single-season all-purpose yardage mark with 2,396 in 2010.

9/4 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Kroger Field

9/25 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/16 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

11/13 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

9/11 vs. Missouri Kroger Field

10/2 vs. Florida Kroger Field

10/30 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

11/20 vs. New Mexico State Kroger Field

9/18 vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga Kroger Field

10/9 vs. LSU Kroger Field

11/6 vs. Tennessee Kroger Field

11/27 at Louisville Cardinal Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

23

MISSOURI (2020 RECORD: 5-5) Eliah Drinkwitz (17-6; 5-5 in first season at Missouri) • Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field (61,621)

KEY PLAYERS QB Connor Bazelak (218of-324, 2,366 yards, 7 TDs, 6 INTs), WR Keke Chism (right, 35 receptions, 458 yards, 1 TD), RB Tyler Badie (242 yards, 5.0 avg., 4 TDs), LB Devin Nicholson (82 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT), S Martez Manuel (64 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), DE Trajan Jeffcoat (23 tackles, 6 sacks, 7 QBH), OL Case Cook (30 games played)

QUOTABLE We did a nice job in recruiting and continued to develop this program, but we didn’t meet the standard of what we want to be moving forward. So we are continually chasing that close-the-gap mentality. How do we close the gap amongst the upper echelon teams of the SEC? It’s going to be a process. It’s not something that just happens overnight. ... But we need our fan base to continue to re-engage with us and be excited about our program.

Eliah Drinkwitz, head coach

HALL OF FAME

DRINKWITZ BROUGHT PROGRAM HOPE WITH POSITIVE FIRST YEAR Tigers aim to make some noise in bowl game for first time since 2018 Missouri is hopeful that eight is enough to get them to a bowl game.

The Tigers return eight starters on both sides of the football, and have their sights set on ending a two-year postseason hiatus. A bowl ban prevented Missouri from being in a bowl two years ago. The Tigers were to play Iowa in the Music City Bowl last year, but an increase in positive COVID-19 tests within the Missouri program canceled the game.

“At the end of the day, we’re going to make a bowl game this year, and whatever one we’re in, we’re going to win that thing,” senior offensive lineman Case Cook said.

The optimism comes from the Tigers exceeding expectations in head coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s first season.

“Last year we were able to win five conference games,” Drinkwitz said. “We were able to beat the defending national champions. We were able to beat Kentucky for the first time in five years and avenge a loss versus Vanderbilt.”

Missouri also won trophy games against Arkansas and South Carolina, and had five players drafted, the most since 2015.

“So there was a lot of positive momentum to go into the offseason,” Drinkwitz said.

Quarterback Connor Bazelak shared freshman of the year honors in the Southeastern Conference with Auburn running back Tank

Bigsby last season. Bazelak threw for 2,366 yards and completed 67.3% of his passes, but had only seven touchdowns and six interceptions. All of his interceptions came in the team’s losses, in which he threw for 858 yards with two touchdowns. Missouri does return leading receiver Keke Chism, who had 35 receptions for 458 yards after transferring from Angelo State.

The offense as a whole struggled in the losses with the running game averaging only 91.6 yards per game.

The Tigers return four starters on the line, but lost tackle Larry Barom, who was a fifth-round pick of the Chicago Bears. Also gone is leading rusher Larry Rountree III, who accounted for 71.9% of the team’s rushing yards.

Missouri’s defense is led by AllSEC end Trajan Jeffcoat, while tackles Akial Byers and Kobie Whiteside combined for 26 tackles. The Tigers lost All-SEC linebacker Nick Bolton, but 230-pound Devin Nicholson was second on the team with 82 tackles. He’ll get help from Rice transfer Blaze Alldredge, a two-time All-Conference USA performer.

The Tigers return cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., along with safeties Martez Manuel and Jalani Williams, and aim to shore up a unit that ranked 92nd in pass defense efficiency and managed only four interceptions.

CONNOR BAZELAK AP photos

SCHEDULE

WR Danario Alexander, a 2009 All-American, has the school record for career receiving yards with 2,778, as well as the single-season mark with 1,781. His 22 career touchdowns rank third in school history.

24

9/4 vs. Central Michigan Faurot Field

9/25 at Boston College Alumni Stadium

10/16 vs. Texas A&M Faurot Field

11/13 vs. South Carolina Faurot Field

9/11 at Kentucky Kroger Field

10/2 vs. Tennessee Faurot Field

10/30 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/20 vs. Florida Faurot Field

09/18 vs. Southeast Missouri Faurot Field

10/9 vs. North Texas Faurot Field

11/6 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

11/26 at Arkansas Razorback Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

SOUTH CAROLINA (2020 RECORD: 2-8) Shane Beamer (first year at South Carolina) • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

BEAMER RETURNS, AIMS TO BRING GAMECOCKS BACK TO PROMINENCE

KEY PLAYERS RB Kevin Harris (1,138 yards, 6.2 avg., 15 TDs), DL Kingsley Enagbare (30 tackles, 7 TFL, 6 sacks), OL Eric Douglas (31 games played), OL Jovaughn Gwyn (23 games played), DB Jaylan Foster (43 tackles, 2 TFL), DL Zacch Pickens (35 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack), WR Xavier Legette (7 catches, 113 yards, 0 TDs), QB Luke Doty (right, 43-of-71, 405 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs)

Harris led conference in rushing; Doty looks to spark offense at QB

QUOTABLE I’m excited to be back in the SEC after three years gone. This is my 13th year as an assistant coach, now head coach, being in this conference, and there is no conference in America like this league. I’ve been a part of multiple leagues, and the passion, the intensity 365 days a year, the way this league is covered, there’s nothing like it. I couldn’t be more excited about being back here.

Shane Beamer, head coach

HALL OF FAME

It’s been a tough two years for South Carolina. It was just a decade ago the Gamecocks won 11 games and were ranked in the top 10 for the first time.

“We’re not talking about something that was 40 years ago,” South Carolina first-year coach Shane Beamer said. “It was recently done here in South Carolina.

We’re not far from getting back there and doing it again. That’s our plan, to not just get back to that point, but to be better than we’ve ever been.”

South Carolina had three straight 11-win seasons under Steve Spurrier from 2011-13.

Beamer had a hand in the rebuilding process as an assistant in 2009-10 before returning to his alma mater, Virginia Tech, to work four years under his father, legendary coach Frank Beamer. The younger Beamer returns to South Carolina to rebuild a program that was 6-16 in the past two seasons.

“Our guys have bought in and done everything we’ve asked them to do since I got hired in December, and really fired up about what we’re getting done right now,” Beamer said.

South Carolina returns 14 starters, seven on each side. The offense is led by running back Kevin Harris, who led the Southeastern Conference in rushing last season.

Four returning starters are back on the line along with tight end Nick Muse, the leading receiver last season with 30 receptions for 425 yards.

Dual threat quarterback Luke Doty, who started the last two games, will try to ignite a unit that averaged only 187.2 yards per game to rank 104th in the country.

The defense has a playmaker in end Kingsley Enagbare, a first-team All-SEC selection, who had six sacks in eight games. Edge rusher Aaron Sterling returns for a second senior season after playing in four games because of an injury.

Secondary is a huge concern after Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu turned pro instead of returning for another season, and Jammie Robinson, John Dixon and Shilo Sanders all opted to transfer.

That’s 22 starts to replace from last year’s unit that gave up 451.5 yards per game to rank 105th in the country. The Gamecocks allowed 40 or more points in half their games.

South Carolina has a strong kicking game. Place-kicker Parker White has made 35 of 40 field goals from inside 40 yards in his career. Punter Kai Kroeger looks to improve on his 43.3-yard average that put him on the All-SEC freshman team.

KEVIN HARRIS AP photos

SCHEDULE

DL Jadeveon Clowney was the third player in Gamecock history to collect first-team All-American honors twice. He holds the school record for forced fumbles with nine.

9/4 vs. Eastern Illinois Williams-Brice Stadium

9/25 vs. Kentucky Williams-Brice Stadium

10/16 vs. Vanderbilt Williams-Brice Stadium

11/13 at Missouri Faurot Field

9/11 at East Carolina Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

10/2 vs Troy Williams-Brice Stadium

10/23 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/20 vs. Auburn Williams-Brice Stadium

9/18 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

10/9 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

11/6 vs. Florida Williams-Brice Stadium

11/27 vs. Clemson Williams-Brice Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

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TENNESSEE (2020 RECORD: 3-7) Josh Heupel (28-8; first season at Tennessee) • Neyland Stadium (102,455)

HEUPEL ERA BEGINS IN KNOXVILLE AFTER 2020 STRUGGLES, TROUBLES

KEY PLAYERS S Trevon Flowers (62 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 FF), QB Hendon Hooker (at Virginia Tech: 98of-150, 1,339 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs), DL Matthew Butler (right, 43 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks), WR Velus Jones Jr. (22 receptions, 280 yards, 3 TDs), OL Cade Mays (39 games played), OL Jerome Carvin (34 games played), TE Princeton Fant (12 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD), CB Alontae Taylor (29 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PBU)

New coach inherits depleted roster from transfers on both sides of ball

QUOTABLE We want to be innovative, but we want to have fun. I believe in the player experience, having played the game at the highest level and being able to hoist the trophy as a player, chasing that championship is something that you’ll never forget. It’s a journey that you’ll never forget. But those relationships are really important as well, and we want to live those things out every single day.

Josh Heupel, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Tennessee is starting over, again.

The Vols thought they had turned the corner a year ago, coming off a 8-5 season that included five conference victories for only the second time in 13 years. Tennessee won its first two games of the season as a top 25 team, but the Vols lost six of the last seven.

That was only half the problem, as third-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt and nine others were fired for cause after the season when an internal investigation found what the school called “serious violations of NCAA rules.”

New athletic director Danny White hired Josh Heupel, who had been with White the previous three seasons at Central Florida. UCF ranked in the top 10 in total offense and points per game every season under Heupel, the 2000 Heisman runner-up who quarterbacked Oklahoma to the national championship that season.

“This is a quarterback-friendly offense that’s going to allow us to play and apply pressure to defenses every single Saturday that we step on the football field,” said Heupel, who is the fifth Tennessee coach since Phillip Fulmer was fired after the 2008 season.

Heupel inherits an offense that scored three touchdowns or less in all seven losses last season, and he’s got plenty of holes to fill. Lost via the transfer portal were starting tackles Wanya Morris (Oklahoma) and Jahmir Johnson (Texas A&M), last year’s leading rushers in Ty Chandler (North Carolina) and

Eric Gray (Oklahoma), and quarterbacks Jarrett Guarantano (Washington State) and JT Shrout (Colorado).

The Vols do return a pair of starting linemen in Cade Mays and Darnell Wright, but the Vols don’t have a running back that started a game last year. Quarterback is up for grabs with Harrison Bailey, who started three games as a freshman, battling transfers Joe Milton III (Michigan) and Hendon Hooker (Virginia Tech).

Heupel has brought plenty of energy.

“It’s like a dream come true playing in this offense, especially for my receiver corps and also my tight ends,” wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. said. “We’re really excited about this offense.”

Jones and Jalin Hyatt had the most catches among the receivers, but they combined for only 42 for 556 yards.

The defense also had huge defections with leading tackler Henry To’o To’o transferring to Alabama, along with fellow linebackers Quavaris Couch (Michigan State) and Deandre Johnson (Miami) also leaving. Tennessee has four defensive linemen who returned for a second senior season led by Matthew Butler, who started every game last year and had 43 tackles.

The secondary has the most experience with safeties Jaylen McCollough and Trevon Flowers returning along with cornerback Alontae Taylor.

VELUS JONES JR. AP photos

SCHEDULE

QB Condredge Holloway finished his three-year career with 3,102 yards and 18 passing touchdowns. In 1972, he became the first Black starting quarterback in SEC history.

9/2 vs. Bowling Green Neyland Stadium

9/25 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/16 vs. Ole Miss Neyland Stadium

11/13 vs. Georgia Neyland Stadium

9/11 vs. Pittsburgh Neyland Stadium

10/2 at Missouri Faurot Field

10/23 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/20 vs. South Alabama Neyland Stadium

9/18 vs. Tennessee Tech Neyland Stadium

10/9 vs. South Carolina Neyland Stadium

11/6 at Kentucky Kroger Field

11/27 vs. Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

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VANDERBILT (2020 RECORD: 0-9) Clark Lea (first season at Vanderbilt) • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,350)

CLARK LEA RETURNS TO NASHVILLE TO LEAD AS COMMODORES’ COACH

KEY PLAYERS QB Ken Seals (186-of288, 1,928 yards, 12 TDs, 10 INT), WR Cam Johnson (right, 56 receptions, 545 yards, 3 TDs), RB Re’Mahn Davis (at Temple: 323 yards, 4.1 avg.), WR Chris Pierce Jr. (25 receptions, 371 yards, 5 TDs), S Dashaun Jerkins (45 tackles, 3 PBU, 2 FF), S Brendon Harris (42 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 PBU), LB Anfernee Orji (66 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack)

QB Seals headlines the offense; top tacklers return on defense

QUOTABLE There are measurable things that show growth as a team, and there are things that can’t be measured. I think both are important. In the end, I’m a competitor, and I didn’t come to Vanderbilt to do anything other than win. So for me, it’s about how we design this team, how we design our tactics, how we develop as people and as teammates, to put ourselves in the best position to win games in the fourth quarter.

Clark Lea, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Vanderbilt is banking on one of its own to turn things around.

First-year head coach Clark Lea played fullback at Vandy from 2002-04. The Commodores went 6-29 in that time, including 2-22 in Southeastern Conference play. That has been the norm for Vanderbilt, a private school with Ivy League academic standards that also is overshadowed by Tennessee.

The Commodores in the last 38 seasons have had a winning record three times. James Franklin bucked the trend with back-to-back 9-4 seasons in 2012 and 2013, helping him get hired at Penn State. But Vanderbilt reverted to its previous ways, going 27-56, including 0-9 last season. Coach Derek Mason was fired prior to the season finale.

“I’m a competitor, and I didn’t come to Vanderbilt to do anything other than win,” Lea said. “So for me, it’s about how we design this team, how we design our tactics, how we develop as people and as teammates, to put ourselves in the best position to win games in the fourth quarter.”

Vandy was held to 17 points or less in seven games last season, averaging only 14.8 points per game to rank 125th out of 129 FBS schools. The defense allowed 487.4 yards per game to rank 121st.

The Commodores do return quarterback Ken Seals, who threw

for 1,928 yards, completing 64.6% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Four of the five leading receivers return, led

by Cam Johnson (56 receptions, 545 yards, 3 touchdowns). Amir Abdur-Rahman and Chris Pierce Jr. combined for 52 catches for 664 yards and six touchdowns, while tight end Ben Bresnahan had 28 receptions for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

Three offensive linemen are back, led by senior left tackle Tyler Steen. Fifth-year seniors Bryce Bailey, Cole Clemens and Jonathan Stewart all return after sitting out last fall because of COVID-19.

The running back position is thin on experience. Senior Ja’Veon Marlow played in four games last season, rushing for 186 yards, but left the team before fall camp. No other returner topped the century mark.

But Vandy did add Temple transfer Re’Mahn Davis, who rushed for 936 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019, and had 323 yards and one score last season before opting out after four games.

Vanderbilt does return its six leading tacklers, led by linebacker Anfernee Orji and cornerback Jaylen Mahoney The secondary is experienced with safeties Dashaun Jerkins and Maxwell Worship along with cornerback Allan George and Brendon Harris.

KEN SEALS AP photos

SCHEDULE

Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt

LB Hunter Hillenmeyer led the nation in total tackles in 2002, collecting 168 of his career 249. In 23 total starts, he had 16 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries. He was named an SEC Football Legend by the conference in 2012.

9/4 vs. East Tennessee State Vanderbilt Stadium

9/25 vs. Georgia Vanderbilt Stadium

10/16 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

11/13 vs. Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium

9/11 at Colorado State Canvas Stadium

10/2 vs. UConn Vanderbilt Stadium

10/23 vs. Mississippi State Vanderbilt Stadium

11/20 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/18 vs. Stanford Vanderbilt Stadium

10/9 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/30 vs. Missouri Vanderbilt Stadium

11/27 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

29

‘WE’RE NOT DONE YET’ Expectations are high for Leal, Aggie defense

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com DeMarvin Leal is a game-changer who often toils in obscurity. But when the 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman makes a play, everybody notices.

“Leal’s not just a big body, but he’s a very good athlete,” Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher said. “I mean, if you hand him the ball as a tailback or a fullback or something like that, I mean he’s a nimble man. He’s a really good, skilled guy in a big body, and that’s one of the reasons I think he’s such a very successful football player, because he plays hard. But man, he has that ability to play like a little guy in a big guy’s body, which is rare.”

The nation saw Leal’s biggest play last season, a 43-yard interception return against Alabama that led to a game-tying touchdown. Alabama, which had squandered a 14-0 lead, recovered for a 52-24 victory, but the Aggies and Leal served notice they could play with the eventual national champions. A&M didn’t lose another game last year, and the sixth-ranked Aggies are Alabama’s biggest challenge in the Southeastern Conference West heading into the season.

“Let it be known that we’re not done yet,” Leal said. “Last year was just a glimpse of what we can do.”

Leal is a big reason for optimism. He had 37 tackles last season to lead the Aggie linemen, despite being double-teamed or teams running away from him. He adjusted to schemes, ending his sophomore season with 22 tackles in the last four games, including seven in the 41-27 Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina, tying a career high.

Leal was a preseason first-team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp and Athlon. NFL draft expert Todd McShay rates Leal the nation’s ninth-best prospect.

“Leal is an absolute beast on the defensive interior who can stuff the run and also provides more than his fair share of disruption,” McShay wrote on ESPN.com. “He is going to be a massive headache for opposing guards and centers to deal with in the SEC this fall.”

Leal can play tackle or end in A&M’s 4-3 alignment. He’s even lined up at nose guard when the Aggies use a three-man front. He’s the unit’s version of running back/wide receiver Ainias Smith, who can line up anywhere on offense. Fisher calls Smith his “Swiss Army knife.” Leal then is the defense’s bazooka. He comes at an offense hard from many angles.

“He’s a mismatch guy like you have on offense, and you move receivers around, and backs, like Ainias does well,” Fisher said. “[Leal’s] that kind of guy on defense and you can create matchups to rush the passer, or in the run game or the pass game.

Some guys can do it in the pass game but can’t do it in the run game. He can.”

Leal is part of nine returning starters from a unit that allowed 317.3 yards per game last season to rank ninth in total defense.

It was best against the run, allowing only 92 yards per game to rank second.

30

Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal was a preseason first-team All American by Walter Camp and Athlon.

Defensive coordinator Mike Elko calls Leal “a special kid because he’s one of those kids that is extremely talented but also has an extremely high level of work ethic.”

“I think he’s a kid who isn’t just relying on his talents to be successful,” he said. “He’s continuing to work. He’s continuing to grind. He gets better every time he goes on the field. His energy is sometimes really infectious for our group because he kind of leads us out there through some of the dull moments of practice.”

The defense has to replace middle linebacker Buddy Johnson, who not only led the team in tackles for two straight seasons, but was also the unit’s heart and soul. Leal said the unit is moving forward with multiple leaders at every level with defensive ends Micheal Clemons and Tyree Johnson and tackle Jayden Peevy all doing their part.

This year’s defense has been compared to “The Wrecking Crew,” being tabbed “The New Crew” on the cover of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

“I have all respect for the Wrecking Crew, and I would say that this generation is different,” Leal said. “I would say taking their name, that’s not something we should do. It’s a new generation. It’s a new Aggieland. So I would say that there is a name that we’re going to come up with, but it’s not The New Wrecking Crew.”

Leal won’t say if the unit has picked a name yet, saying, “We

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

Eagle photo by Cassie Stricker

just have to deserve the name first.”

A&M sophomore running back Devon Achane said he plays against “the best D-line” in practice.

“So when we get in a game, it’s way more easier,” he said.

“The down linemen like Marv, Peevy, Mike — the whole D-line — they are like scary. In the ballgame, they are in your face like right now. And that’s a scary sight.”

Leal expects the Aggies to make big plays because they put in the work. That’s how he got his interception against Alabama.

Johnson had his hands up rushing the passer — something “we work on every day in practice,” Leal said — and tipped Mac Jones’ pass. Leal hauled it in at A&M’s 40, sprinted toward the end zone but was tripped from behind by Alabama running back Najee Harris at the 17.

“I tasted the end zone, I really did,” Leal said. “That’s an unbelievable effort running to the ball, trying to stop a touchdown, so credit to him. I just needed one more block.”

Aggie fans are hopeful Leal will have another Herculean effort when Alabama comes to Kyle Field on Oct. 9.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to every team coming to Kyle Field and just being able to play at the highest level playing against the best,” Leal said. “That’s what I love to do, that’s what I’ve always loved to do. Being able to knock down the defending national champions — that would be good, but I’m looking forward to every single game.”

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS ON DEFENSE DeMarvin Leal

Junior defensive lineman

Leal became a force on the defensive line for A&M last season, punishing offenses off the edge with the size of a tackle, but the athleticism of an end. He is a preseason All-American according to several outlets and projects to be one of the top defensive linemen in the country. Another strong season could leverage Leal into a first-round NFL draft pick next spring.

Demani Richardson Junior safety

Richardson started in eight of 10 games for the Aggies in 2020 and had knee surgery in January shortly after the Aggies’ Orange Bowl win over North Carolina. He was sixth on the team in tackles (36) last season and had one interception. Richardson is a proven defender and experienced leader in the A&M secondary.

Jaylon Jones

Sophomore cornerback

Jones started at cornerback in all 10 games last season as a true freshman. He was picked on often by opponents, but led the Aggies with six pass breakups and had

an interception against LSU. The former five-star prospect made an instant impact in his first season at A&M and projects to take steps forward as a sophomore.

Aaron Hansford Senior linebacker

One of the older players on the team, Hansford is returning for a sixth season with the Aggies. He flourished in 2020 after taking over as a starting linebacker, with three sacks and seven tackles for loss. His experience will be pivotal for the Aggies to maintain success at the second level with the departure of leading tackler and defensive captain Buddy Johnson.

Jayden Peevy

Senior defensive tackle

The only thing better than Peevy’s video announcing he would return for a fifth season at A&M was his emergence at defensive tackle last season for the Aggies. He started in all 10 games, posting five tackles for loss.

With Bobby Brown III off to the NFL, Peevy’s return gives the Aggies valuable experience on the interior defensive line.

— Alex Miller

Eagle photo by Michael Miller

Jaylon Jones, left, celebrates with DeMarvin Leal after nabbing an interception in A&M’s win over LSU.

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

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EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Writers share how they think the season will go for Texas A&M KIRK BOHLS Austin American-Statesman

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. LSU; 4. Auburn; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Kentucky; 4. Missouri; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tennessee; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 10-2.

Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The best backfield in the nation and top receivers and an outstanding defensive line will offset any growing pains at quarterback and offensive line. A soft schedule and favorable home slate should continue last season’s momentum and once again put the Aggies in the running for a CFP spot.

What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? Ups and downs. The SEC is no place for a raw quarterback learning on the job, but Haynes King or Zach Calzada will have plenty of veteran help to draw from. I look for a lot of inconsistency before the quarterback settles down with a better second half of the season.

Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? I love McKinnley Jackson’s upside in a defensive front that will be a handful for SEC teams to try to run against.

Does A&M take down Alabama this year? No, but the Aggies should get much closer. Both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks, and the Crimson Tide must come to Kyle Field, which is no bargain.

I look for this to be decided in the fourth quarter, but until proven otherwise, I’ll side with Nick Saban.

What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? I lean toward a road game against Missouri. Eli Drinkwitz is in his second season as coach with a full offseason and 14 returning starters. The Aggies will be coming off the Alabama game and be either riding high from an upset or licking their wounds after a loss. Could be the critical juncture of Jimbo Fisher’s season.

Does A&M make the College Football Playoff ? I’ll say no. It will contend, but I’m expecting ‘Bama, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Clemson to gobble up the four spots with Georgia on the short list.

Ainias Smith had 564 yards and six touchdowns receiving while adding 293 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 2020.

TRAVIS L. BROWN The Eagle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. Ole Miss; 4. LSU; 5. Auburn; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Missouri; 4. Kentucky; 5. Tennessee; 6. South Carolina; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 11-1 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: It’s been a while since the 12th Man can say that a season with any more than one loss would send them to the Dixie Chicken to drown their sorrows. Unfortunately for the Chicken, the Aggies will put together another one-loss season and be in the College Football Playoff conversation once again.

What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? To help ease the quarterback into play, A&M will run a conservative offense that leans heavily on running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane along

with lots of early passes in the 5- to 10-yard range to Ainias Smith and Jalen Wydermyer to keep the defense honest. Most explosive plays from Haynes King this season will be with his legs.

Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? Can the defensive backs take a step forward from a sold finish of 56th in the nation in passing yards allowed? That will become a huge storyline against the high-octane offense of Ole Miss, which the Aggies did not have to face last season.

Does A&M take down Alabama this year? Does taking down notes from Bryce Young on how to make the most NIL dollars count? In the game, not this year.

What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? It has to be Ole Miss.

Does A&M make the College Football Playoff? The SEC can only put two teams in the playoff and Alabama and Georgia will take those. A&M will again be left just on the outside looking in.

Eagle photo by Michael Miller

OLIN BUCHANAN TexAgs

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. LSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Auburn; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Kentucky; 4. Missouri; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tennessee; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 11-1 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: Defense will lead the way early as a new quarterback and rebuilt offensive line settle in.

The talent gap between A&M and Alabama is narrower than ever, but the Aggies must prove they can beat the Tide. After that clash, A&M should be favored in its remaining six games. By then the newcomers at QB and in the line aren’t newcomers any more.

What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? Quarterback play will be sound at first. It may become very good as

Continued on Page 34

SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

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Continued from Page 33

CHIP HOWARD SportsTalk, KZNE

the season progresses. Jimbo Fisher Picking the SEC West: 1. Texas has demonstrated his ability to deA&M; 2. Alabama; 3. LSU; 4. Ole velop quarterbacks. He has two with Miss; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Augreat potential. He’ll get the most burn; 7. Arkansas from them.

Picking the SEC East: 1.

Who’s the most important Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. Kentucky; 4. player(s) on defense to the unit’s Missouri; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tensuccess other than DeMarvin Leal? nessee; 7. Vanderbilt Aaron Hansford and whoever starts Texas A&M’s regular-season alongside him at linebacker. That’s record: 11-1 probably Andre White, but could be Summarize Texas A&M’s seaEdgerrin Cooper or someone else. son: The Aggies lose to Ole Miss in The Aggies’ defensive line is really Oxford, which means they will take good. The secondary will be, too. If down Alabama at Kyle Field. the linebackers are at least adequate What do you expect from A&M’s the defense will be among the best in quarterback play? The quarterback the nation, especially if DT McKplay doesn’t have to be special … just innley Jackson and CB Jaylon Jones get the ball to the playmakers and also make the sophomore jump, as Ags have playmakers all over the expected. field.

Does A&M take down Alabama Who’s the most important this year? A&M certainly has the player(s) on defense to the unit’s potential to bring down Alabama. As success other than DeMarvin Leal? previously mentioned, A&M matches Aaron Hansford will emerge on up talent-wise even better than the defense as the team’s leading tackler.

2012 team that beat Alabama. That’s Does A&M take down Alabama because A&M is much better defenthis year? Yes. All in all, a special sively than that team. The game last season with a date against Georgia year was closer than the score indicatin the SEC title game. Alas, JT ed. If Ainias Smith had not dropped a Daniels takes down the Aggies and fourth down pass inside the Alabama knocks them out of the CFP. 30-yard line just before halftime the score would have been much more competitive. The Aggies likely won’t SCOTT RABALAIS help out the Tide this year. That said, Eagle photo by Michael Miller Baton Rouge Advocate A&M must prove it can make clutch Micheal Clemons (2), Aaron Hansford (33) and Myles Jones (0) combine to tackle Arkansas’ Rakeem Boyd last year. plays against Alabama. Until then, I’d Picking the SEC West: 1. Alahave to pick Alabama. bama; 2. LSU; 3. Texas A&M; 4. ing Alabama is a concern with a revamped offensive line and Ole Miss; 5. Auburn; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Arkansas What is A&M’s most pivotal inexperienced quarterback. Trips to Missouri, Ole Miss and game after Alabama? Probably Ole Miss. A road game to Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. MisLSU are dicey for even the most experienced teams.

Missouri the week after facing Alabama could be a trap souri; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tennessee; 7.

What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? game. Still, a November trip to Ole Miss could be problemVanderbilt Haynes King and Zach Calzada are talented enough to win atic because the Rebels’ offense can be explosive. Win that Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 and look good doing it, but inexperience at the position will game and two weeks later the Aggies will be charging into a Summarize Texas A&M’s season: Aggie fans will be at probably lead to at least one road loss. season finale against LSU. Lose, and they’ll be stumbling in. full froth with a schedule that sends A&M into a top-five Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the Does A&M make the College Football Playoff ? The showdown with Alabama. But yet another loss to the CrimAggies should have been in last year. This team could be even unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? Linebacker son Tide followed by a hangover loss at Missouri bursts the Aaron Hansford doesn’t have to be the second coming of better. The schedule is more favorable, too. bubble. The Aggies win a wild one at Ole Miss but drop the Buddy Johnson, but he needs to be solid. regular-season finale at LSU. Does A&M take down Alabama this year? Probably not.

ROBERT CESSNA What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? If it Alabama will be battle tested when it rolls into Kyle Field The Eagle took this long to decide between two inexperienced signalhaving played Miami, Florida and Ole Miss. That’ll offset callers, it could be the Achilles’ heel of this team, especially Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Texas A&M; 3. the home-field advantage. working behind a rebuilt offensive line. King or Zach CalLSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Auburn; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? zada or King/Calzada will give A&M moments of brilliance, State Ole Miss. Rebels coach Lane Kiffin and The Grove will be but the SEC is a mighty tough place to gain on-the-job Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. Missouri; primed for the Aggies. experience.

4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tennessee; 7. Vanderbilt Does A&M make the College Football Playoff? Don’t Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 10-2 think so. An 11-1 record with a close loss to Alabama will unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? LB Andre White Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies have a do it, but it’ll be hard for A&M to win its last six games must prove he can be an effective starter at a linchpin posifavorable schedule, but not playing a ranked team before fac- with the three toughest ones on the road.

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SEC 2021 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

tion.

Does A&M take down Alabama this year? In golf ? Maybe. In football, no.

What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? LSU. If the Alabama game is the only one A&M loses, and the Alabama game is the only one LSU loses, the Nov. 27 showdown in Tiger Stadium could be a CFP “quarterfinal.” Who needs an expanded playoff ?

Does A&M make the College Football Playoff ? No, because it loses to Alabama and LSU, at least.

CHAREAN WILLIAMS Pro Football Talk

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. LSU; 4. Auburn; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Kentucky; 4. Tennessee; 5. Missouri; 6. South Carolina; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 11-1 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies have as much talent as any team in the country. It all depends on the quarterback play.

What do you expect from A&M’s

quarterback play? Haynes King and Zach Calzada lack experience, but the quarterback of this team doesn’t have to be great with the roster around him. He does have to avoid turnovers. If he can do that — it sounds so simple — the Aggies will have a great season.

Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? Jaylon Jones as a lockdown corner and Andre White Jr. at linebacker.

Does A&M take down Alabama this year? The Aggies have their best shot to beat Alabama since Johnny Manziel did it in 2012. Still, it would take a perfect game ... with GREAT quarterback play. I wouldn’t bet on it happening, but I would bet it will be closer than last season.

What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? LSU. Is there another answer?

A&M needs to prove it can consistently beat LSU. Winning three of four would be a good start to doing just that.

Does A&M make the College Football Playoff ? Sure, why not? They are ranked sixth in AP’s preseason poll. They have a favorable schedule. The defense should keep them in every game. But not winning the SEC takes it out of their hands and puts

it in the hands of the selection committee.

That means the Aggies will have to hope for losses from the top teams in the other conferences.

BRENT ZWERNEMAN Houston Chronicle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Texas A&M; 2. Alabama; 3. Ole Miss; 4. LSU; 5. Auburn; 6. Arkansas; 7. Mississippi State Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Kentucky; 4. Missouri; 5. Tennessee; 6. South Carolina; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 11-1 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: Running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane will take the load off a new offensive line and quarterback, and the Aggies will have their best defense since Sam Adams was better known in these parts as a defensive lineman than a beer. It will add up to A&M’s first league title this century, and first in the SEC. What do you expect from A&M’s quarterback play? A&M can’t go wrong with either Haynes King or Zach Calzada. King, in substituting late for Kellen Mond, moved the ball in last season’s loss at Alabama — a

final drive that ended with an interception in the end zone, however.

Who’s the most important player(s) on defense to the unit’s success other than DeMarvin Leal? The Aggies need safety Demani Richardson, a team leader on both sides of the ball, to stay healthy this season.

They’re deep at safety, but still need Richardson to lead the way if they want to win their first SEC title.

Does A&M take down Alabama this year? Yes. Jimbo Fisher said in the offseason the Aggies were going to beat Alabama’s hineys (paraphrasing), and he will be proven right. A&M’s veteran defense, led by DeMarvin Leal, will be the difference in the outcome at Kyle Field.

What is A&M’s most pivotal game after Alabama? At LSU. The Aggies might be 11-0 when they roll into Baton Rouge on Nov. 27. Last time they played on the banks of the Mighty Mississip they lost 50-7, so still plenty for Fisher & Co. to prove on that front, even though that now seems long ago.

Does A&M make the College Football Playoff ? Yes, and get a semifinals matchup with Oklahoma in a salute to the greatness (OK, semi-goodness) of the woebegone Big 12.

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