The best players in college football are the ones that make the biggest difference when it comes to leading their teams to victories. The top contenders are always loaded with playmakers but there is a unique group of star talent that rises to the top on an annual basis and leaves its mark as the leaders of the best teams in every single division. We took the time to break down who we think will fill those roles based on past performance, skill set and role and this is the list that we came up with. Here is a look at the four best preseason candidates to win SEC West MVP.
RB: Leonard Fournette
LSU Tigers
LSU’s star running back put on an absolute show in 2015 when he averaged 6.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. He looked to be a sure-fire Heisman Trophy winner early in the season as he was running over everyone and everything. However, he slowed down the stretch of the season as the weather got colder and the Tigers opponents became tougher.
There is every reason to expect him to top the 2,000-yard mark with a little more help and one more game on the Tigers’ schedule in 2016. The 6’1’’, 230-pound back has the skill set to contend for a Heisman trophy this coming season but he’ll need some help from the passing game. Last year, it was a disaster and didn’t threaten any defenses, so opponents just loaded up in the box to stymie Fournette. That makes his statistics look even more impressive. However, for him to take that next step this year and for LSU to truly be a contender, they will need more from their quarterbacks.
LSU will rely on him to carry their offense once again as their MVP on offense.
QB: Chad Kelly
Ole Miss Rebels
Clemson’s trash has proven to be Ole Miss’ treasure.
Kelly, the Clemson transfer, proved to be the perfect fit at Ole Miss last season when he threw for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 500 yards and 10 scores in his first season under Hugh Freeze. Now he will return for his senior year in the SEC West looking to pick up from where he left off with the Rebels in 2015. The 6’2’’, 224-pound passer has the arm strength, accuracy, vision and presence to be the top quarterback in the SEC this season and maybe even one of the best quarterbacks in the country. If he plays to his potential, he could easily emerge as the most valuable player in the SEC’s West division. The Rebels don’t have many returning starters, so they’re counting on Kelly to deliver for them.
WR: Calvin Ridley
Alabama Crimson Tide
The defending national champion Crimson Tide will have plenty of holes to fill with only 11 returning starters, but they project to have more than enough talent to contend for another SEC West division (and conference championship). Ridley is among their most important starters.
Ridley was Alabama’s best wide receiver in his freshman year when he made 89 catches for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. Even with a new quarterback in place this season he should be able to at least match those totals. Ridley is one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the SEC and he’ll be the new quarterback’s best friend. The Tide are usually a run-first team but we’ve seen them produce some solid wideout talent before with guys like Julio Jones. Ridley should be following those footsteps.
DE: Myles Garrett
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies will have an uphill climb to contend in the SEC West but they are led by one of the most dominant athletes in all of college football and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he shined once again in 2016. Garrett led the SEC in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles a year ago and that was matched up against some of the best offensive linemen in the country and constant double teams. The 6’5’’, 262-pound Garrett will look to the incredible numbers he has registered in his first two years at A&M and perhaps even solidify his position as a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
