7 SEC players who deserve more offseason attention than they’ll probably get
With an 8-month offseason, you’d think that everyone would be talked about ad nauseam. But somehow, that doesn’t happen. Instead, we (myself included) manage to overlook players heading into every season.That’s what I hope to identify today.
To be clear, this is slightly different than a breakout player. For example, Nakobe Dean entered 2021 as everyone’s breakout candidate. You couldn’t talk about that Georgia defense without hearing about Dean’s potential, which was justified. Dean wouldn’t be a candidate for this list because he had plenty of attention.
Jaheim Bell, South Carolina TE
Wait a minute. Aren’t dudes who go off in bowl games the ones who get too much offseason love? Usually, yes. And to be clear, South Carolina fans are well aware of Bell. But outside of the Palmetto State, you’re gonna see more people reference Oklahoma transfer Austin Stogner than Bell. I get it. Stogner has the Spencer Rattler connection. What does Bell have? More 2021 receiving yards than any returning SEC tight end not named “Brock Bowers.” In fact, Bowers is the only returning Power 5 tight end with a higher overall PFF grade thanBell.
The reason South Carolina could have a realistic pitch for someone like Stogner was because of Bell’s versatility as someone who is essentially a receiver with size. You can play both at the same time because about 46% of his offensive snaps, Bell wasn’t used inline. Marcus Satterfield has options with Bell, who will force teams into some ugly mismatches. Then again, if he can beat safeties over the top as a “tight end,” there’s really not a whole lot a defense can do: (SDS)
