The Alabama Crimson Tide returned to the top of the college football pyramid last season with an SEC title and national championship to add to their trophy collection. Alabama was hit hard again in the offseason with some impact losses on both sides of the football but Nick Saban has done an excellent job of reloading year after year and the consensus is that the Tide have the talent to be one of the most talented teams in the country once again. The toughest test for Alabama could very well be making it out of their own conference with a handful of players expected to have the biggest impact when it comes to determining how things will play out in the SEC this season. Here is a look at the four most indispensable players in the SEC right now.
RB: Leonard Fournette
LSU Tigers
Fournette was the frontrunner to win the Heisman trophy for the majority of last season but his production fell off over the second half of the season and the award eventually went to Alabama’s Derrick Henry instead. Fournette still finished with 1,953 rushing yards, 253 receiving yards and a combined 23 touchdowns and there is no doubt that he has the potential to be even better in 2016 with more talent around him. At 6’1’’ and 230 pounds, Fournette is an absolute beast at the running back position and there is no doubt he is LSU’s most indispensable players as the focal point for not just the offense but for the entire team.
QB: Chad Kelly
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss went 10-3 a year ago including a victory over the eventual national champion Alabama for the second consecutive season and then ended the year with a rout of Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. It’s safe to say that things are looking up for the Rebels heading in to 2016 and the presence of the star quarterback Kelly is a big reason for it. Kelly threw for 4,032 yards and 31 touchdowns last season while also running for 500 yards and an additional 10 scores on the ground. There is no doubt about his ability as a dual-threat quarterback and no one player is more important to Ole Miss right now than Kelly. He’s one of the most indispensable players in the entire country.
RB: Nick Chubb
Georgia Bulldogs
Kirby Smart’s timing couldn’t have been better as he takes over as head coach at Georgia. He’s got a loaded roster and a fairly easy schedule to navigate in the SEC East this season. The Bulldogs are expected to contend for a division title but if they are going to play to their potential they will need their star running back to perform at an elite level. Chubb tore multiple ligaments in his knee a year ago and Georgia felt it as they finished with a 5-3 record and placed third in the SEC East division. Chubb is healthy again and looking to pick up from where he left off when he ran for 1,547 yards in his freshman season. He’s particularly important for a team that’s breaking in a new star quarterback in Jacob Eason. If Chubb and company can carry the load early on, it will allow Eason to ease his way into college football. If the Bulldogs are going to achieve their lofty goals for this year, they will need their star running back to shine.
LT: Cam Robinson
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide have several key holes to fill as they begin their national title defense but the one area where they are sound is at left tackle where Robinson is slated to anchor the offensive line. The 6’6’’, 327-pound junior is arguably the best offensive lineman in the entire country and there is no doubt that he is Alabama’s most important returning player. The first-team All-SEC selection will be counted on to protect the quarterback’s blindside and open up holes in the running game and at this point it seems obvious that Robinson is one of the Tide’s most indispensable players. That’s especially important this season as the Tide will be breaking in a new starting quarterback this season, so the last thing they want to worry about is protecting him.
