The SEC West has long been regarded as the second-best division in the deepest conference in college football and that likely won’t change in 2016. However, there were a handful of teams that showed a high level of promise a year ago and are expected to take another step forward next season. Which returning players will make the biggest impacts from a division that includes Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina? Here is a look at the best seniors in the SEC East heading in to the 2016 season.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee Volunteers
Linebacker
Reeves doesn’t get as much attention as he deserves, but the ultra athletic linebacker has put together an impressive season at Tennessee. He is coming off a season in which he recorded 105 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles, which came a year after he broke the 100-tackle mark as a sophomore in 2014. Reeves-Maybin returns for his senior year as the best player on a new-look defense that has the potential to be very good under Bob Shoop. He is going to be one of the anchors on that defense. There is every reason to expect the senior linebacker to shine as arguably the best returning senior in the SEC West.
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee Volunteers
Cornerback
Sutton passed up the opportunity to jump to the NFL in order to stay at Tennessee for one more season along with Reeves-Martin. The fact that two of the best returning seniors in the SEC East both play on the same defense is testament to how good this group of players has the potential to be. Sutton had 28 tackles including six for a loss and two forced fumbles last season. He also pitched in on special teams where he had 25 punt returns for 467 yards and two touchdowns. The Vols are absolutely loaded on defense with Sutton and Reeves-Maybin set to lead the way. These guys have to maintain the level they showed last year and get even better if the Vols are to truly take that next step in the SEC.
Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee Volunteers
Quarterback
If you notice a trend with the first three players on this list, then you understand why expectations are so high for the Vols looking forward to next season. The defense is absolutely loaded and the offense has the potential to be very good as well led by the top returning senior quarterback in the SEC East. Dobbs threw for 2,291 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, with another 671 rushing yards and 11 more scores. The consensus among football experts is that he still hasn’t reached his peak potential with all eyes on what Dobbs will do at Tennessee in 2016. He’s really the key to this team’s success. If he’s the top quarterback in the SEC, this team could potentially challenge for a conference title.
Skai Moore, South Carolina Gamecocks
Linebacker
Moore has led the Gamecocks in tackles in three straight seasons and as long as he stays healthy there is no reason to think he won’t do it again in year four. Moore has also shown how good he is in pass coverage with 11 career interceptions, including four last year. A versatile linebacker that can make plays from sideline to sideline, Moore will be one of the best defensive players in college football next season.
Jarrad Davis, Florida Gators
Linebacker
The Gators have been churning out elite level defenders for years and Davis is the next in a long line of elite players from that side of the football that is poised to be a top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Davis could have undoubtedly been a top pick had he decided to enter the 2016 NFL Draft but he opted to stay at Florida for one more season in order to lead a defense that has the potential to be very good next season. The 6’2’’, 230-pound linebacker recorded 98 tackles last year with 11 for a loss as well as 3.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He has the potential to top those numbers as a senior in 2016.
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