331 members of the SEC press made their media picks during this week’s SEC Media Days festivities for who they felt would earn a spot on this year’s All-SEC defense. Their votes were tallied up and the picks were made according to who received the most votes.
But how good is the media at making their picks? And do most people agree with them? We’ve seen time and time again just how wrong they can be. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who was selected by the media and review whether they were accurate. Here is a look at the media picks for the All-SEC preseason defense.
DE: Jonathan Allen, Alabama; Myles Garrett, Texas A&M; Carl Lawson, Auburn; Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Alabama led the way with six first-team selections with three on offense and three on defense, including their star defensive end Allen. The 6’3’’, 272-pound Allen registered 12.0 sacks coming off the edge for the Crimson Tide last season and will be looking to build on that total in his senior season. Meanwhile, all Myles Garrett has done for the Aggies’ defense is set the SEC record for sacks by a freshman with 11 in 2014 and then follow that up with another 12.5 sacks in 2015. He might be the most-hyped returning defensive end in the SEC since Jadeveon Clowney. Let’s just hope that his follow up season is a little more inspired than Clowney’s was. Both ends are poised to wreak havoc on opposing offenses this season and it should be no surprise that they made this list of media picks as All-SEC preseason selections.
Meanwhile, Carl Lawson and Derek Barnett both dealt with sub-par 2015 seasons for very different reasons, but will be motivated to make up for it this coming year. Lawson has battled injuries throughout his college career but has the raw talent to put up some big numbers this year while Barnett is motivated to dominate from the outset after a slow start in 2015. The media is clearly indicating here that they’re buying the talent and expecting more this year.
LB: Reuben Foster, Alabama; Kendell Beckwith, LSU; Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
The Crimson Tide was thrilled to welcome back another senior in Foster, who absolutely dominated in the middle at Alabama a year ago. Foster has elite size, speed, range and big-hitting ability and there is every reason to expect him to put up big numbers again in 2016. With some of Alabama’s talent moving up to the NFL, he’ll now be able to be the center of attention on this defense not only for the college media, but pro scouts as well.
Meanwhile, LSU and Tennessee are both represented on this list with Beckwith playing a key role for the Tigers and Reeves-Maybin poised to be a key figure on the Vols’ defense in a year where many feel Tennessee has the talent to be a key contender on the national stage.
DB: Eddie Jackson, Alabama; Jalen Tabor, Florida; Tre’Davious White, LSU; Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Jackson returns as the leader of the Alabama secondary after helping them win a national championship a year ago and his presence will be that much more important with the Crimson Tide undergoing major changes once again. Jackson finished last season with 25 tackles and five interceptions and it wouldn’t be a surprise if opponents continued to try to keep the ball from being thrown in his direction.
Meanwhile, Tabor spoke this offseason about wanting to show the entire nation just how good he can be and the 6’1’’, 191-pound cornerback is poised to deliver as one of the top defensive players in the entire SEC this season. White will be back at LSU looking to shut down on side of the field for the Tigers’ defense. Meanwhile, Sutton turned down millions of dollars to return to Tennessee for his senior year. The Vols are serious about contending for an SEC championship and Sutton will once again be a key figure for them on the defensive side of the football. That’s why they made the list of the SEC media picks.
