ESPN releases 2022 preseason All-SEC first-team

It’s almost time for college football to begin again, and ESPN is getting in on the action by predicting everything about the SEC, including releasing their 2022 preseason All-SEC first-team.

Evidently, the folks over at ESPN believes the Alabama Crimson Tide will be a force once again this upcoming season. While mapping out the best players in the conference, Nick Saban’s bunch is well represented — Alabama has six players on the list.

Both sides of the ball feature Crimson Tide stars, as Bryce Young leads the way at the quarterback position on offense, while Will Anderson of course slates in at linebacker. Additionally, exciting prospects like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and defensive back Eli Ricks make their names known.

As for the defending national champions of the college football world, the Georgia Bulldogs also have multiple players on ESPN’s list. The first name you’ll see is tight end Brock Bowers, who took the collegiate world by storm by evoking memories of the best tight ends football has to offer throughout last season.

Additionally, star defensive lineman Jalen Carter is one of the top picks on defense, and he’ll be looking to lead the Bulldogs unit next season.

Outside of the two behemoths that Georgia and Alabama are, solid squads like the Texas A&M Aggies and LSU Tigers have some interesting athletes on the list. Check out the full team below, where ESPN chose the best of the best from the SEC.

2022 Preseason All-SEC First-Team, per ESPN:

Offense
QB – Bryce Young, Alabama
RB – Tank Bigsby, Auburn
RB – Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
WR – Kayshon Boutte, LSU
WR – Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
TE – Brock Bowers, Georgia
OL – Javon Foster, Missouri
OL – Layden Robinson, Texas A&M
OL – Warren McClendon, Georgia
OL – Nick Broeker, Ole Miss
C – Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas

Defense
DL – Jalen Carter, Georgia
DL – BJ Ojulari, LSU
DL – Derick Hall, Auburn
LB – Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
LB – Nolan Smith, Georgia
LB – Bumper Pool, Arkansas
LB – Dallas Turner, Alabama
DB – Jordan Battle, Alabama
DB – Cam Smith, South Carolina
DB – Eli Ricks, Alabama
DB – Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
NB – Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

Special Teams
P – Nik Constantinou, Texas A&M
PK – Anders Carlson, Auburn
RS – Ainias Smith, Texas A&M