The SEC has established itself as the most dominant conference in college football and it’s the star players that have played at SEC schools that have earned it that reputation. However, while the top talent has commanded the spotlight over the years there has been a significant group of under the radar star players that have really helped make the difference for the top programs. Who will fill those roles for this coming season? Here is a look at four under the radar star players for the top SEC teams.
Alabama: Gehrig Dieter
Wide Receiver
The defending national champion Crimson Tide have absolutely dominated on the recruiting trail and as a result they have been able to steadily plug in star talent at key positions in order to deal with the turnover they have experienced on an annual basis. However, Alabama has also benefited from the additions of graduate transfers over the years and this year it is Dieter that is poised to fill that role and have a major impact at the wide receiver position.
Dieter caught 94 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns for Bowling Green in 2015 and will join the Tide hoping to be a key difference maker in their offense. The main difference here is that he’s no longer playing in the MAC, which seems to deliver video game-like scores on a weekly basis. And he’s also going to be paired with a quarterback that at this point is a relative unknown.
Dieter won’t be the top target at Alabama but he should be an under the radar star player that helps maximize the potential of this Tide offense.
LSU: Travin Dural
Wide Receiver
One of the biggest problems for LSU a year ago was its inability to move the football through the air and establish a consistent passing game capable of taking some of the pressure off of Leonard Fournette and the rushing attack. The Tigers are giving Brandon Harris another shot at quarterback but in order to play to his potential he needs more help from the skill position players. Dural is one of those players as he returns in time for the start of the season after having his junior year cut short by a hamstring injury. Dural has the potential to put up big numbers in the LSU offense and he will be relied on as an underrated key to their passing attack.
Tennessee: Darrin Kirkland Jr.
Linebacker
The Vols are absolutely loaded with talent on both sides of the football and the expectation is that they will be able to contend for an SEC championship this season. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, wide receiver Preston Williams, running back Alvin Kamara and defensive linemen Kahlil Mckenzie and Shy Tuttle will headline this year’s Tennessee roster but look out for Kirkland as an underrated star that could have a substantial impact.
Kirkland started 10 games at middle linebacker last year and his 66 tackles ranked as the fourth-most in school history for a true freshman. Another year of experience will only push Kirkland closer towards being a true game changer and there is every reason to expect him to be a force on the Vols’ defense.
Ole Miss: Damore’ea Stringfellow
Wide Receiver
After finally deciding to sign with Ole Miss, Stringfellow sat out for the entire 2014 season. He then had a strong debut in 2015 with 36 catches for 503 yards and five touchdowns. Stringfellow was one of six Ole Miss players to catch at least 30 balls in 2015. The difference in 2016 is he should have much more opportunity. With top targets Laquon Tradwell and Cody Core moving on, he should have an even bigger role this year. What’s also important here is that Stringfellow will be paired with one of the top quarterbacks in the country. There aren’t many quality quarterbacks in the SEC but Ole Miss is stocked with Chad Kelly.
Stringfellow could very well lead the Rebels in catches and touchdowns as Kelly’s No. 1 target and if that happens he certainly won’t fly under the radar for very much longer at Ole Miss.
