Preseason All-SEC Projection: Offense

We’ve reached the halfway point in Atlanta as the 2022 SEC Media Days are moving along quickly. Hot takes have been issued, and much has been covered at the College Football Hall of Fame.

KSR’s Freddie Maggard and Nick Roush have boots down in Atlanta and will give us non-stop coverage on Wednesday as Mark Stoops and three Kentucky players become available in the afternoon session. Other than that, all eyes are focused on the end of the week.

With the end of this mega-event comes projections. Each media member in attendance is asked to vote on both order of finish and what the All-SEC teams will look like. This is where we separate the pretenders from the contenders.

As we typically try to do yearly at KSR, I’m jumping in to provide what I think the preseason All-SEC team should be. Unlike other issues, I try to get more position specific and make sure the best players for each spot are represented. First up is the offense where the Heisman Trophy winner headlines the league.

Quarterback

• First Team: Bryce Young (Alabama)
• Second Team: Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
• Third Team: Will Levis (Kentucky)

In his first season as a starter, five-star prospect Bryce Young threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns while completing 66.9 percent of his passes with 8.9 yards per attempt and a passing success rate of 51.5 percent. The six-foot quarterback has some physical limitations, but there is enough arm strength to make most of the throws while the anticipation and poise for the position are off the charts.

The battle for No. 2 was a pretty clear race for me. Yet, more than a few analysts disagree. Hendon Hooker tossed 31 touchdowns on 9.7 yards per attempt and a surprising 52.6 percent passing success rate. That efficiency level has not been reached very many times in versions of the Art Briles spread. Add in a bunch of chunk runs, and the Virginia Tech transfer deserves preseason praise.

Penn State transfer Will Levis is just behind Hooker. In his first year as a starter in college, Levis averaged eight yards per attempt and accounted for 33 total touchdowns to give Kentucky its best quarterback play in over a decade. Levis was an elite efficiency weapon in the running game and showed real growth as a passer as the season progressed. There is a reason behind the draft hype as this is a tough quarterback with major physical tools and a ton of room for growth.

Lots of early excitement about #Kentucky QB Will Levis and rightfully so. Physical profile, strong arm, and competitive mobility. Already has a lot of experience with pro passing concepts. pic.twitter.com/Zyaoe8DpGr

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) July 12, 2022

Tailback

• First Team: Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Kentucky)
• Second Team: Devon Achane (Texas A&M), Zach Evans (Ole Miss)

The fumble issues were glaring for Chris Rodriguez Jr. last season, but the effectiveness was still elite. The Greater Atlanta native rushed for 1,379 yards on a 55.1 percent success rate and should have another big year. Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs moves to Alabama for his junior season and the former top-100 recruit has big value as a pass-catcher to go along with explosiveness as a rusher.

Devon Achane steps into the RB1 role at Texas A&M, and the speedster might be the best big-play back in college football. Zach Evans was the major transfer prize for Ole Miss, and Lane Kiffin’s offense could be centered around the multi-dimensional back as the Rebels look for answers at quarterback.

Wide Receiver

• First Team: Kayshon Boutte (LSU), Cedric Tillman (Tennessee), Josh Vann (South Carolina)
• Second Team: Jermaine Burton (Alabama), Ladd McConkey (Georgia), Tayvion Robinson (Kentucky)

What has typically been a strong position in the league has taken a step back on paper heading into 2022. Kayshon Boutte is the clear top player at the position but the former five-star recruit out of New Iberia (La.) Westgate could put together a dominant year. Meanwhile, Cedric Tillman will be the top target in one of the country’s most explosive offenses and Josh Vann could be the biggest beneficiary from South Carolina upgrading the quarterback position. The Georgia native is a ball-winner on the outside who could be a legit vertical threat.

Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton has big shoes to fill at Alabama, but a high volume should give him a lot of shine this season. Virginia Tech transfer Tavyion Robinson is stepping into a similar situation at Kentucky where he’ll be featured as one of the league’s best slot options. Meanwhile, Ladd McConkey is sneaky good at Georgia.

However, the star power seems to be lacking.

Tight End

• First Team: Brock Bowers (Georgia)
• Second Team: Jaheim Bell (South Carolina)

The league is not lacking options at tight end. Brock Bowers is a war daddy and the sophomore from California should be a consensus All-American pick after going for 56 receptions on 82 targets for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 56.1 percent success rate. Bowers could be an all-timer.

BROCK. BOWERS. ‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/tRUlrwC3AP

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 27, 2021

Jaheim Bell might not be a name that many people know but put it on your radar now. The South Georgia native was a four-star prospect and is living to that potential. Bell can be a valuable positional chess piece who could end up seeing a ton of targets in multiple ways. Expect a big year as the hybrid tight end could become Rattler’s safety blanket.

Center

• First Team: Ricky Stromberg (Arkansas)
• Second Team: LaQuinston Sharp (Mississippi State)

Ricky Stromberg has started 32 games in his career, and the senior emerged as the second or third-best center in the SEC last season. With both Luke Fortner (Kentucky) and Michael Maietti (Missouri) moving on, Stromberg steps into the top slot. The Hogs need their offensive line to dominate as play-caller Kendal Briles rebuilds the passing game, and the man in the pivot will lead the way.

A former junior college transfer, LaQuinston Sharp is heading into year four at Mississippi State as the veteran is back for a super senior campaign. The Mississippi native was sturdy in Mike Leach’s pass-heavy scheme and is one of many important pieces returning to Starkville.

Guard

• First Team: Layden Robinson (Texas A&M), O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida)
• Second Team: Warren Ericson (Georgia), Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky)

Layden Robinson was a second-team all-conference selection last season in his first season as a starter, and the redshirt junior could make a case for being the top lineman in the SEC entering the year. O’Cyrus Torrence was a big transfer add for Florida as Billy Napier brought the star lineman with him from Louisiana. Torrence is a legit NFL Draft prospect who will help create a new physical identity in Gainesville.

After an early injury to Tate Ratledge, Warren Ericson stepped in at right guard for Georgia and played at a high level for most of the season. The veteran will help pace what appears to be the best offensive line in the SEC. Kenneth Horsey is entering year three as a starter at Kentucky, and the redshirt senior has major pass protection value at left guard.

Tackle

• First Team: Broderick Jones (Georgia), Javon Foster (Missouri)
• Second Team: Reuben Fatheree II (Texas A&M), Jeremy James (Ole Miss)

Broderick Jones was a top-10 recruit in 2020 who stepped into a starting role for the Bulldogs last season. The redshirt sophomore could emerge as one of the best tackle prospects in college football this season. Missouri left tackle Javon Foster is being slept on and could be the best player on Eliah Drinkwitz’s third roster in the SEC. The low three-star recruit out of Detroit was a great find for the Tigers.

Reuben Fatheree II started nine games as a true freshman last fall, and the future is bright for the former top-100 prospect. Jeremy James is a rising player for a rebuilding Ole Miss offense. The left tackle will join up with Nick Broeker to create a strong side for the Rebels.