sxx123: tugolea could be a draft smokyThe grand final wasnt the athl

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This story appears in ESPN College Football 2016, on newsstands now. www.ramsrookiestore.com/Customized/ . Order online today!Leonard Fournette,?Nick Chubb,?Chad Kelly,?Myles Garrett?-- the SEC is stacked with stars for 2016.But that makes the lesser-known supporting cast so much more important in getting a leg up on the opposition in the ultra-competitive SEC.Here are the 14 biggest X factors in the SEC for next year:East DivisionTennessee Volunteers: New defensive coordinator Bob Shoop?Tennessees defense never ranked higher than No. 7 in the SEC under John Jancek (2013-15), but Shoop has led top-25 units in total defense in each of the past five years, first at Vanderbilt, then at Penn State. He employs a more aggressive system, which should better leverage the Vols speed, especially with the returns of likely early-round draft picks cornerback Cameron Sutton and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. With a team that surrendered three double-digit leads last year, Shoops arrival in Knoxville is just what the scoreboard ordered.Georgia Bulldogs: DT Trenton Thompson?After registering just two sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2015, Georgias defensive line desperately needs a playmaker. Thompson, a sophomore, looks ready to make that leap. His development slowed last year (just 2.5 TFLs and half a sack), but the former five-star prospect screams All-American under coach Kirby Smarts watch.Florida Gators: DT Caleb Brantley?The Gators invaded opposing backfields often in 2015, totaling 101 TFLs, and if that dominance holds steady this fall, Brantley likely will be the catalyst. He showed flashes of pure brilliance in 2015, most notably a five-game stretch in which he registered at least half a tackle for loss in each outing but wasnt always asked to do a ton. That will change in 2016, with Jonathan Bullard and his 17.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks off to the NFL. Brantley might not be a stat machine (three sacks in 2015), but he is disruptive and athletic.South Carolina Gamecocks: DE Darius English?Coach Will Muschamps first order of business on defense will be to amp up South Carolinas pass rush. Opposing quarterbacks were sacked, hit or under duress on only 22.6 percent of dropbacks in 2015, a rate that put the Gamecocks just outside the Power 5s bottom 10. Be on the lookout for English, who could explode at the hybrid Buck spot. His 4? sacks led South Carolina last year, but allowing the senior to move around more and play standing up or squatting with his hand on the ground should up his value. While hes not the biggest end (6-foot-5, 240 pounds), English has enough straightaway speed to be dominant in his new rusher role.Missouri Tigers: WR Chris Black?The Alabama transfer might just be the dependable safety net that quarterback?Drew Lock needs to get Mizzou humming. Though he never caught fire in Tuscaloosa -- 25 catches for 290 yards in three seasons -- Black is a former 22nd-ranked ESPN 150 prep and is arguably the most talented wideout in Columbia. Consider: Missouri had neither vertical attack (16 catches of 25-plus yards in 2015, tied for 119th in the FBS) nor a single go-to receiver. The Tigers return no one with more than 30 catches or 350 yards last year.Kentucky Wildcats: New offensive coordinator Eddie Gran?Gran, a Cincinnati transplant, has his work cut out for him 86 miles down I-75 in Lexington. The Wildcats have not ranked higher than ninth in the SEC in total offense and scoring since 2010. Last year was especially egregious, with Kentucky throwing six more picks (16) than touchdowns (10). Unlike his predecessors, Gran is not an air-raid disciple, but his success running up-tempo, pass-heavy attacks at prior stops should excite the fans in Kentucky. Last year his Bearcats pass offense gained 359.9 yards per game, sixth most in the country.Vanderbilt Commodores: WR C.J. Duncan?Junior wide receiver Trent Sherfield was a pleasant surprise last season (six games with 50-plus receiving yards), but hell need a castmate. Enter Duncan, who returns after missing all of 2015 with a leg injury. The versatile junior can line up in the backfield, be used in motion or sit down as a normal receiver. That flexibility is gold, not just for Sherfield but for Vandys young quarterback. Kyle Shurmur started five games last year as a true freshman, and though he is certainly the most promising signal-caller of the Derek Mason era, his QBR was 17.3. Attention, C.J.: Shurmur needs playmakers to shoulder the load.West DivisionLSU Tigers:?The linebackers?Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and his attacking 3-4 base arrive in Baton Rouge for 2016. The Tigers will be transitioning from last years 4-3, and Arandas scheme, which draws up exotic blitzes from its linebackers, will ask more from the unit in 2016. Speedy defenders like seniors Kendell Beckwith (10 TFLs in 2015) and Duke Riley will help LSUs defensive ends attack the edges.Alabama Crimson Tide: New defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt?Other SEC programs made splashier hires (Bob Shoop to Tennessee, Dave Aranda to LSU), but bringing Pruitt back into the Alabama fold was a no-brainer for head coach Nick Saban. Pruitt cut his teeth in Tuscaloosa before moving on to direct defenses at Florida State (2013) and Georgia (2014-15), where his units ranked top 20 in the nation in scoring and yards per game each year. Alabama has signed 34 ESPN 300 defensive prospects since 2013, so hell have plenty of talent to help ward off any drop-off from the Kirby Smart era.Ole Miss Rebels: LB Rommel Mageo?Mageos decision to take up residence in Oxford as a graduate transfer (Oregon State) is welcome news for the Rebels defense. The linebacker led the Beavers with 87 tackles last year, so hell provide a critical, and immediate, boost to a linebacker unit that loses C.J. Johnson and Denzel Nkemdiche (18 starts and 96 tackles combined in 15) and that needs a playmaking complement to junior DeMarquis Gates.Texas A&M Aggies: The offensive line?In February, head coach Kevin Sumlin brought back Jim Turner for a second stint leading the Aggies offensive line, and hell be entrusted with overhauling a thin, inexperienced unit. Texas A&M surrendered 2.9 sacks per game in 2015, tied for 107th in the nation, so Turners ability to turn around a porous line might just be the key to the Aggies returning to form on offense. In its first year post-Johnny Manziel, A&M maintained a solid 6.3 yards per play (No. 26 in the FBS) but flatlined in 2015 with 5.6 (No. 69).Mississippi State Bulldogs: Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon?Sirmon is the latest to cycle through the Mississippi State revolving door of defensive coordinators and is Dan Mullens sixth coach to hold the spot in eight seasons. The first-time defensive coordinator (he coached linebackers at Tennessee, Washington and USC) will mix in some 3-4 alignments with the Bulldogs 4-3 base, including a new hybrid end/linebacker spot he calls viper, which should leverage the teams wealth of defensive ends.Auburn Tigers: LB Tre Williams?All three starting linebackers from 2015 are gone (Kris Frost, Cassanova McKinzy, Justin Garrett: 593 combined tackles since 2012), so Williams returns to The Plains as the units most experienced Tiger. The departing starters predicted last year that Williams, who came up with 55 tackles and four TFLs in 2015, was ready to take over the D. Hell need to if Auburn has any hope of resurrecting a dormant rush defense. The Tigers allowed 4.5 yards per carry last year, 11th in the SEC.Arkansas Razorbacks: The running backs?Sophomore Rawleigh Williams III?is coming back from a scary neck injury, former QB and now-WR Damon Mitchell is still learning the intricacies of the position, and true freshmen Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammonds are promising (2016 ESPN 300 preps) but unproven. That leaves senior Kody Walker to take on an expanded role after backing up Alex Collins last year. Walker rushed for at least one TD in four of Arkansas final seven games -- production that will be critical for a team that ran the ball on 57.8 percent of its plays in 2015 (No. 14 in the Power 5). www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Torry-Holt-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Cory-Littleton-Jersey/ . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Kurt-Warner-Jersey/ . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Sandringham Dragons won a gripping TAC Cup grand final by 17 points against Murray Bushrangers at Etihad Stadium, but there was just as much interest, if not more, on the possible draftees on display.In what was a sometimes scrappy but certainly pressure-filled contest, several high-end chances shone, including Andrew McGrath, Jack Scrimshaw and Will Brodie.Others also put their name firmly in front of AFL recruiters eyes - GWS Academy prospect Zach Sproule was superb for the Bushrangers, Hamish Brayshaw (brother of Melbournes Angus) was industrious for the Dragons.So, with draft approaching, what did we learn from this years TAC Cup decider?Essendon recruiters have a tough decision on their handsThe footy industry assumes the Bombers have already made up their mind to use their No. 1 pick on dynamic North Ballarat midfielder Hugh McCluggage. But Essendons recruiters will have a lot more to consider after the performances of Andrew McGrath and Will Brodie, who were fantastic for the Dragons and Bushies respectively.McGrath was adjudged best on ground after a scintillating game through the midfield and half-back, winning 38 disposals and eight clearances. He was especially enormous in the second half, racking up possessions and sparking his teammates. He takes the game on and makes things happen, and played a huge part in the Dragons overpowering their rivals.Brodie also looks the real deal. He displayed a brutal hunger for the contest, an ability to work his way around the ground, excellent cleanness with ball in hand and a willingness to hunt opponents with strong tackles. He was forced off the field for five or so minutes in the first quarter after smashing into an umpire but recovered to play a key role as Murray pushed their opponents all the way.Whichever way Essendon eventually leans with their prized first pick, Brisbane and Fremantle will be licking their lips at the thought of one of McGrath or Brodie falling their way.Theres no end in sight for the GWS Academy talent factory Seventeen AFL clubs are already worried about the vast riches at GWS - despite their loss to the Bulldogs in Saturdays preliminary final - and those feelings of unease would have intensified after Sundays contest.Unheralded Bushrangers tall Zach Sproule added his name to the list of exciting talents the Giants hold claims to, zipping around Etihad Stadium to be just about best afield for Murray.Medium forward Lachlan Tiziani also showed glimpses for the Bushies, winning the ball in the air and at ground level, although he missed several golden oppoortunities in front of goal. www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-John-Johnson-Jersey/ . With Academy prospects Harry Perryman and Will Setterfield likely first-round picks, Harrison Macreadie a possible second rounder, and Tiziani and Kobe Mutch also extremely draftable, the Giants talent pathway is overflowing.Todd Marshall is far from the finished productMarshall, who is expected to be the first key forward selected in this years national draft, had a dirty day against Sandringham. The lightly framed 197cm forward failed to impose himself on the contest, struggling at times to compete with the required intensity.During the second quarter, he completely failed to connect with a simple handball that would have allowed the Bushies to stream into goal; as a result the ball went straight up the other end. Marshall does not play like a traditional tall forward - hes not a pack crasher or big goalkicker, although hes fantastic at ground level for such a tall player.He did produce one moment of magic, kicking the first goal of the fourth term - picking the ball up cleanly and snapping truly under pressure. He has a stack of potential, but AFL clubs will be questioning where Marshall sits in the draft order after Sundays performance.Jack Scrimshaw has some elite AFL attributesThe rangy Dragons utility was possibly the best ball user on display at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, hitting up targets with low, powerful drop punts. He is so smart, finds time and space in congestion, knows his angles, and regularly cut off Murray attacks in the first half.Scrimshaw was moved forward in the second half and still impacted the contest, showing his versatility. He also stood up at crucial moments - taking a strong contested mark in the third term, which set up a steadying goal to Hamish Brayshaw. His quality snap goal midway through the last quarter put the Dragons ahead. His standing as a likely first-round pick would have been solidified after Sunday.Despite an almost game, Esava Ratugolea could be a draft smokyThe grand final wasnt the athletic ruck-forward from Murrays best game, but the traits he showcased - deft ruckwork, excellent vertical leap and strong follow-up around the contest - showed he could reward any club that takes a chance and develops him.Midway through the fourth quarter, he took a brilliant pack mark with the Bushies down by a goal, but missed the set shot. Theres plenty of kinks to iron out but he could become more than a handy tall at AFL level. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '