All in all, a total of 21 players from the SEC will be suiting up for Super Bowl LII on Sunday. Four more would be if not for injuries. I don’t know that there’s any doubting that the SEC is the greatest conference in college football after last season. Especially when you consider that the National Championship was decided between Alabama and Georgia.
Nonetheless, the conference is a bona fide football factory, sending dozens of players into the NFL each year. So, for those of us down here in God’s country, let’s take a look at some of the key players that will be deciding Sunday’s Super Bowl.
SEC Impact Players
Derek Barnett, Tennessee – The rookie first round selection of the Eagles has been a force in the pass rush this season.
Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State – The Eagles defensive tackle is one of the premier defensive linemen in the NFL.
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina – Gilmore made the game-clinching play to seal the AFC Championship for the Patriots, and remains one of the best, most underrated corners in the game.
Dont’a Hightower, Alabama – Hightower has become one of the best linebackers in the league and remains a factor on that Patriots defense.
Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina – Some thought Jeffery had Heisman potential at South Carolina. But, he’s never played to that level of hype in the NFL. Still, he’s had a nice career so far, and still has a tremendous ceiling.
Donnie Jones, LSU – Jones is a hell of a punter. That’s really all there is to say.
Jalen Mills, LSU – Mills has been a serviceable defensive back for the Eagles, at times, showing some real quality potential. He could be an x-factor.
Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia – Mitchell had a nice string of games en route to the Patriots Super Bowl win last year. But, this year, he hasn’t been the factor he was on that postseason run.
The Rest of the Field
David Andrews, Georgia
Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss
Adam Butler, Vanderbilt
Trey Burton, Florida
Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
Trey Flowers, Arkansas
Ricky Jean Francois, LSU
Cyrus Jones, Alabama
Jonathan Jones, Auburn
Brandon King, Auburn
Chance Warmack, Alabama
Jaylen Watkins, Florida
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
Also worth noting that Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M), Jason Peters (Arkansas), Caleb Sturgis (Florida), and Mike Gillislee (Florida) would make this list, but they’re out due to injury.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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