Now that the list of underclassmen entering the NFL Draft has been finalized we can turn our attention to the next college football season with a better idea of whom the top players will be. The SEC West will once again be loaded with talent so we took the time to break down the potential stars you should keep your eye on with LSU landing two of the top players on the list. Here is a look at the top returning players in the SEC West.
DE: Arden Key, LSU Tigers
There is absolutely no doubt about who will be the top returning defensive end in the SEC this season with Key’s name at the top of the list. The Atlanta, Georgia-native is 6’6’’ and 238 pounds, with the type of speed, athleticism and power to absolutely dominate off the edge this season. Key averaged an SEC-high 1.09 sacks per game when he registered 12 in 11 contests as a sophomore last season and should be even better as one of the most important pieces in the LSU defense in 2017.
RB: Derrius Guice, LSU Tigers
The Tigers will also bring back one of the most dynamic offensive players in college football in Guice, who showed flashes of his elite potential while taking over for Leonard Fournette this season. Guice had the fewest carries out of any running back that finished among the nation’s top 31 rushers as he finished with an SEC-high 1,387 yards on 183 carries. Guice has the potential to be even better as a full-time starter now that Fournette has moved on to the NFL and it’s scary to think about the numbers he could produce in 2017. Fournette entered the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate in each of the last two seasons, so Guice has some sizable shoes to fill. So far, he’s looked like he could pile up the numbers to compete for the respected trophy as well.
WR: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M Aggies
The top returning wide receiver in the SEC is Kirk, who will line up outside for the Aggies once again in 2017. Kirk showed his versatility in 2016 when he lined up inside and outside while returning kicks and punts on special teams and he even lined up as a running back as well. Kirk’s 1,418 all-purpose yards ranked fourth in the SEC in 2016 and first among non-running backs so the sky is the limit for the Texas A&M receiver in 2017.
DB: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama Crimson Tide
Fitzpatrick lined up at both cornerback and safety with the Crimson Tide last season and showed off his ball-hawking skills as one of the best defensive backs in the SEC. Now he is set to return with another year of experience and maturity under his belt and an opportunity to be even better as one of the leaders of Nick Saban’s defense. Fitzpatrick led the SEC with six interceptions in 2016 including two for a touchdown and should cause havoc for opposing offenses once again next season.
QB: Jalen Hurts, Alabama Crimson Tide
The fact that there is only one quarterback on this list is testament to the state of the position in the SEC but Hurts certainly deserves to be considered among the top-five returning players in the West. Hurts showed off his talent, poise and leadership by guiding Alabama to a national championship game in his freshman season and he has only started to tap in to his immense potential. Hurts threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for another 954 yards and 13 scores in 2016 so all eyes will be on the talented quarterback to see what he has in store for 2017 among the SEC West’s top returning stars.
It’ll be interesting to see what Hurts does in a full season with Steve Sarkisian at the helm. As you might recall, Hurts worked with Lane Kiffin throughout most of the season right up until the National Championship game. That week, the Tide made a switch to Sark, which put him in a difficult spot, but now with a full offseason to work together, Hurts might develop nicely.
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