The SEC West remains arguably the most talented division in all of college football heading in to 2016. The top teams have loaded up once again with superstar running backs, top recruits and plenty of returning starters poised to steal the spotlight again in 2016. Here is a look at the top four offensive playmakers in the SEC West looking ahead to the 2016 season.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
It seemed like the Heisman trophy race was a one-man show for the first half of the 2015 college football season with Fournette the runaway favorite to win the award. Fournette’s production stalled following an unbelievable start but he still finished with 1,953 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns with an additional 19 catches for 253 yards and a score. He topped the 150-yard mark in each of his first eight games and he probably would have continued to hit that number if the LSU offense wasn’t so one-dimensional. The Tigers should be better overall in 2016 and all eyes will be on Fournette to see what he has in store for an encore as the top offensive playmaker in the SEC West.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss Rebels
Quarterback
No position in football is more important than quarterback and the Rebels have to be thrilled at what they have found in Kelly. The 6’2’’, 215-pound passer got booted off the team at Clemson after getting in to trouble and Ole Miss fans have to be thankful he did because he has turned in to a star since arriving in the SEC. Kelly became a second-team All-SEC quarterback in his first year as a starter as well as the first quarterback to beat Alabama, Auburn and LSU in the same year. He led the SEC in passing yards and ranked 10th in the nation with 310.9 yards per game. The Rebels landed another stud when the top-rated pro-style quarterback Shea Patterson committed to Ole Miss this offseason but for now this is Kelly’s show and he will open the 2016 season as one of the top offensive playmakers in the SEC. If only the Rebels could establish a bit of a running game, that would really help ease the burden off of Kelly and probably take his efficiency to another level.
Calvin Ridley, Alabama Crimson Tide
Wide Receiver
The Crimson Tide entered last season with a new quarterback and were looking for a new No. 1 wide receiver as well after they lost one of the greatest receivers in SEC history in Amari Cooper. Ridley exceeded all expectations as he shattered Cooper’s freshman receiving record. The 6’1’’, 188-pound wide receiver finished with 89 catches for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns as one of the most consistent and dynamic receivers in the SEC last season. His big-play ability really helped Jake Coker’s transition in to the starting role and was a big reason why the Crimson Tide won a national championship. Alabama have to replace a handful of notable playmakers again but they can count on Ridley as one of the top returning offensive stars in the SEC looking forward to 2016. He’ll be a big asset to whoever wins the quarterback position in 2016.
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M Aggies
Wide Receiver
Kirk was one of the most highly recruited prospects in the entire country when he committed to Texas A&M and he didn’t disappoint as a freshman last season. Kirk finished with 70 catches for 925 yards and six touchdowns while also contributing on special teams in punt return situations where he averaged a ridiculous 24.4 yards per return with two more scores. The 5’11’’, 200-pound receiver has the potential to be even better in 2016 and he could team up with Josh Reynolds to five the Aggies the most explosive tandem in the SEC at the wide receiver position. The key for him will be to get better quarterback play. The position has been a bit of a revolving door since Johnny Manziel graduated with issues with Kenny Hill, then Kyler Murray transferring. The Aggies need to find someone who can be a strong signal caller and be a leader for the team. If they find that, Kirk’s stock should skyrocket.
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