Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) is tackled by Auburn Tigers linebacker Cassanova McKinzy (8) during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Photo Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Marshall and Dak Prescott were not household names in August 2013. Marshall, who guided Auburn to the national championship last season, and Prescott, a big and mobile quarterback at Mississippi State, had breakout seasons and are legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates in 2014.
With eight SEC teams in the 2014 preseason poll, plenty of attention will be paid to the conference.
Attention and hyperbole are nothing new to South Carolina junior wide receiver Shaq Roland.
He was “Mr. Football” in South Carolina as a high school senior playing less than 30 minutes from Williams-Brice Stadium. He caught five passes as a freshman and struggled early last year before serving a three-game suspension in the middle of the season.
When he returned, Roland seemed to have a renewed focus. He had 16 of his 25 catches in the final five games of the season that was capped off by a six-reception, 116-yard day in the Capital One Bowl win over Wisconsin. He seems have moved to the next level in preseason camp and with a throw-first mentality in the Gamecocks’ offense, Roland could be the biggest benefactor on the team.
With a narrowed focus on the SEC, The Sports Xchange pegged breakout players like Roland.
DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss: So much was expected of Nkemdiche, the nation’s consensus top-ranked prospect in the 2013 recruiting cycle, as a freshman. Injuries and some shuffling — Nkemdiche alternated between end and tackle — slowed Nkemdiche down, but he finished the year with 34 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks. Now weighing 288 pounds, the 6-5 Nkemdiche has found a permanent home at tackle and has been a disruptive force in fall camp, which has halted the offense’s progress. “Our gap schemes, we can’t back block because of (Nkemdiche),” head coach Hugh Freeze said. “That causes us to have to change some things. He’s a handful.”
LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia: Floyd had an excellent true freshman season for the Bulldogs in 2013, finishing with 55 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound sophomore should continue to thrive as an edge pass rusher at outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme. Pruitt gives his linebackers the freedom to make plays and Floyd and junior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins form a formidable duo for opposing offensive lines to handle.
RB Braylon Heard, Kentucky: The Nebraska transfer will be part of the running back mix with sophomore Jojo Kemp and junior Josh Clemons. The junior rushed for 452 yards over his two seasons with the Cornhuskers and has impressed coaches since arriving on campus. He had a strong spring to put himself in position to be Kentucky’s main ball-carrier this season. The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder could provide the gamebreaking element lacking in recent seasons.
CB Tre’Davious White, LSU: The Tigers struggled in the secondary early last season, but White’s emergence at mid-season helped provide improved play from the group down the stretch. His continued improvement during the offseason and preseason has LSU gushing about his impact.
DT Josh Augusta, Missouri: As a freshman, “Big Josh” showed up to Missouri’s preseason camp on the first day, after the NCAA Clearinghouse finally deemed him eligible in early August. Even while his conditioning needed to improve, Augusta got on the field as a freshman and had two sacks, three tackles-for-loss and a blocked kick. Now, Augusta has a year under his belt and is down to 335 pounds, he said. He also reported a 4.9-second 40-yard dash. He had a dominant first scrimmage, including a sack, and Augusta could be poised for a breakout year.
DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State: Jones flew under the radar for much of his recruitment but ended up as a five-star and the No. 2 rated prospect nationally. He started three games as a true freshman and tied for the team lead with seven tackles for loss last season. Coach Dan Mullen smiles talking about his potential, because Jones “can do things he should be able to at his size.” The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is athletic enough to line up outside at defensive end on some snaps, and driven to make a major impact.
LB Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn: McKinzy led the Tigers in tackles a year ago and is an emerging force on the Auburn defense. Not only is he a thumper in the run game, but he’s also a talented pass rusher. Due to the loss of freshman All-American Carl Lawson (defensive end) to a knee injury, McKinzy has been seeing time as a pass-rushing end in fall camp — and seems to be doing well in that role. Regardless of how he is used in Ellis Johnson’s defense, he’s a talented player.
WR Demarcus Robinson, Florida: The talent is there, but Robinson was unable to display it as a freshman last season due to a myriad of disciplinary problems. Robinson appeared in just seven games, missing three games due to a pair of disciplinary suspensions. He wound up with 5 catches for 23 yards, with his longest catch a 10-yard reception against Kentucky. But there is hope that the speedy 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore will flourish in new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s scheme. Robinson displayed his 4.39-second, 40-yard dash speed in UF’s spring game, catching a 31-yard TD pass. Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel calls Robinson “a home run threat on every play.”
DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama: Allen (6-3, 272) had an impressive showing in Alabama’s spring game (blocked kick, two sacks) after playing in all 13 games for the Tide as a freshman in 2013. His pass-rushing skills could make a big difference for the defense this time around.
DT Darius Philon, Arkansas: A second-team Freshman All-American last year, according to Athlon, Philon displayed the ability to establish a new line of scrimmage. He notched 46 tackles despite not winning a starting job until mid-October, and recorded nine tackles for loss. Philon’s first collegiate start was at No. 1 Alabama and he registered eight tackles, showing that he wouldn’t be intimidated by a big-time atmosphere. Team him with DE Trey Flowers and Arkansas could have one of the SEC’s best D-lines.
