2019 SEC Secondary Rankings
By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com
Ranking the top five defensive backfields in the SEC.
1. LSU -- Safety Grant Delpit is one of the premier players, regardless of position, in all of college football. A lock for All-American, he can impact a game in coverage, see five interceptions a year ago, or near the line of scrimmage, with 9.5 tackles for loss. Delpit makes the already-notable talent around him even better. Cornerback Kristian Fulton, now the number one, has the potential to be All-SEC good. Get ready to hear a lot about five-star true freshman Derek Stingley, Jr, who stands 6'1'', 195 pounds.
2. Florida -- There is talent and depth everywhere for the Gators, meaning coordinator Todd Grantham will have lots of options. C.J. Henderson will contend for national honors at cornerback and leads a rotation as deep and athletic as any in the country. Marco Wilson, back from injury, will again make his mark. At 6'3'', Trey Dean III brings impressive length to the perimeter. Standouts Jeawon Taylor, Brad Stewart and Donovan Stiner are all proven playmakers with starting experience at the safety spots.
3. Alabama -- All-American safety Xavier McKinney is an all-over-the-field defender. He had 74 total tackles, ten pass breakups and six tackles for loss a season ago and sets the tone in the secondary. Patrick Surtain had a standout freshman introduction as expected. Together, he and Trevon Diggs are a formidable cornerback duo. Versatile veteran Shyheim Carter can play multiple positions in the secondary and play them well.
4. Georgia -- The safety tandem, for the Bulldogs, is one of the best in the nation. J.R. Reed and Richard LeCounte were Georgia's top two tacklers last season, combining for 140 total stops, and are versatile, instinctive defenders. Reed and LeCounte have all-conference upside alike. Both Tyson Campbell, a returning starter, and Eric Stokes had impressive freshman debuts last fall. Former blue-chip recruits fill out the depth chart.
5. Mississippi State -- At 6'2'', 185 pounds, Cameron Dantzler is a top-tier cover corner. He will be in consideration for All-SEC honors. Dantzler's role becomes a more prominent one this fall. Though there are notable stars to replace, there is plenty of experience in Starkville. Safeties Brian Cole and Jaquarius Landrews are seniors, as is Dantzler's partner at cornerback Maurice Smitherman.
By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com
Ranking the top five defensive backfields in the SEC.
1. LSU -- Safety Grant Delpit is one of the premier players, regardless of position, in all of college football. A lock for All-American, he can impact a game in coverage, see five interceptions a year ago, or near the line of scrimmage, with 9.5 tackles for loss. Delpit makes the already-notable talent around him even better. Cornerback Kristian Fulton, now the number one, has the potential to be All-SEC good. Get ready to hear a lot about five-star true freshman Derek Stingley, Jr, who stands 6'1'', 195 pounds.
2. Florida -- There is talent and depth everywhere for the Gators, meaning coordinator Todd Grantham will have lots of options. C.J. Henderson will contend for national honors at cornerback and leads a rotation as deep and athletic as any in the country. Marco Wilson, back from injury, will again make his mark. At 6'3'', Trey Dean III brings impressive length to the perimeter. Standouts Jeawon Taylor, Brad Stewart and Donovan Stiner are all proven playmakers with starting experience at the safety spots.
3. Alabama -- All-American safety Xavier McKinney is an all-over-the-field defender. He had 74 total tackles, ten pass breakups and six tackles for loss a season ago and sets the tone in the secondary. Patrick Surtain had a standout freshman introduction as expected. Together, he and Trevon Diggs are a formidable cornerback duo. Versatile veteran Shyheim Carter can play multiple positions in the secondary and play them well.
4. Georgia -- The safety tandem, for the Bulldogs, is one of the best in the nation. J.R. Reed and Richard LeCounte were Georgia's top two tacklers last season, combining for 140 total stops, and are versatile, instinctive defenders. Reed and LeCounte have all-conference upside alike. Both Tyson Campbell, a returning starter, and Eric Stokes had impressive freshman debuts last fall. Former blue-chip recruits fill out the depth chart.
5. Mississippi State -- At 6'2'', 185 pounds, Cameron Dantzler is a top-tier cover corner. He will be in consideration for All-SEC honors. Dantzler's role becomes a more prominent one this fall. Though there are notable stars to replace, there is plenty of experience in Starkville. Safeties Brian Cole and Jaquarius Landrews are seniors, as is Dantzler's partner at cornerback Maurice Smitherman.
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