SEC Defense: Now and then
Earlier this week the SEC coaches came out with their annual preaseason All-SEC teams, so we thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to take a look back at not only where the honored players came from, but how they stacked up in the Rivals.com National Rankings.
We examined the offense earlier today. Here's a look at the defense.
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Now: After starting his career at defensive end, Nkemdiche has transitioned to defensive tackle full-time, starting every game at the position last year en route to a second-team All-American season. Rebels fans are hoping his excellent play continues as a junior. If it does, he could be well on his way to being a future first round NFL Draft pick.
Then: Nkemdiche was a five-star and the No. 1 overall player from start to finish in the 2013 class out of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson. The one-time Clemson commit seemed bound for Ole Miss after publicly stating a desire to play with his older brother Denzel and he committed to the school on National Signing Day, capping off one of the best classes in Rebels history.
DT
Now: Robinson wasted no time making a name for himself in Tuscaloosa, playing in every game as a freshman in 2013 and starting every game as a sophomore in 2014. He has accumulated 56 career tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. Robinson is expected to have an even better season in 2015 and could end up as an early round NFL Draft pick.
Then: Robinson was a five-star and the No. 33 overall player in the Class of 2013 out of Fort Worth (Texas) Arlington Heights. After major flirtations with USC and Texas, he ultimately announced his intentions to attend Alabama on Signing Day in 2013.
DE
Now: Despite making an impact as a freshman and sophomore, Jones' best days appear to be ahead of him. Thus far in his career he has 58 tackles, 10.5 for loss and six sacks. He played in all 13 games as a sophomore but didn't start a single contest, something that is expected to change in 2015.
Then: Jones was a five-star and the No. 20 overall player in the Class of 2013 out of Houston, Miss. He committed to the Bulldogs during June of 2012 and the school was able to hold on to him despite a strong late surge by Ole Miss.
LB
Now: Ragland had a breakout season in 2014, recording 93 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception. Heading into his senior year he has the attention of NFL scouts and is expected to have an even bigger season than he did last fall.
Then: Ragland was a four-star and the No. 40 overall player in the country in the Class of 2012 coming out of Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones. He seemed bound for Tuscaloosa from very early on in his recruitment, committing to the school in December of 2010 over the likes of Auburn and Kentucky.
LB
Curt Maggitt
Now: After missing the 2013 season Maggitt came back in a big way for the Vols in 2014, recording 48 tackles, including 15 for loss, with 11 sacks. The monster campaign shows just what Maggitt is capable of when fully healthy, a scary thought for Tennessee's opponents in 2015.
Then: Maggitt was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 198 overall recruit in the Class of 2011 out of West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer. He choose the Vols on Signing Day 2011, after flirtations with Alabama, Florida, LSU and Wisconsin.
LB
Now: Jenkins is coming off his most productive college season, finishing the year with 70 total tackles, including 9.5 for loss and five sacks. Jenkins nearly left for the draft after his junior season and should be a future pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Then: Jenkins was a four-star and the No. 56 overall prospect in the Class of 2012 out of Hamilton (Ga.) Harris County. During his recruitment Harris was a hot commodity, but committed to Bulldogs after official visits to Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
DB
Now: Already established as one of the nation's top shutdown corners, Hargreaves will be counted on to lead the Gators' secondary in 2015. Through two seasons he has 88 total tackles and six interceptions, with 23 pass deflections.
Then: Hargreaves was a five-star and the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2013 out of Tampa (Fla.) Wharton. In a class loaded at defensive back Hargreaves ultimately got the edge as the top cornerback, despite a healthy amount of debate among the Rivals.com national analysts. He committed to the Gators during the summer prior to his senior year and never wavered from his decision.
DB
Now: Jones started his career in Tuscaloosa on offense but had a breakout year on defense in 2014. He finished his first full season as a defensive starter with 44 tackles and three interceptions. Jones should continue to flourish during his senior campaign in 2015.
Then: Jones was a four-star and the No. 79 overall player in the Class of 2012, coming out of Baltimore (Maryland) Gilman School. His tag of "athlete" was perfect, especially considering he has played both ways since arriving at Alabama. He committed to the Tide on National Signing Day in 2012, picking the school over Auburn and Virginia Tech.
DB
Now: Mills hasn't missed a game since arriving in Baton Rouge and has amassed an impressive 186 total tackles in his time with the Tigers. Heading into his senior season he is one of the conference's most experienced players, regardless of position.
Then: Mills was a three-star and the No. 48 ranked cornerback nationally in the Class of 2012 out of DeSoto, Texas. Mills was probably the most underrated player coming out of high school, with the Tigers being his only SEC offer. After picking up the offer during the summer prior to his senior season Mills jumped on it and never wavered from his commitment.
DB
Now: Jones had a slow start to his college career but broke out as a junior in 2013, recording 36 tackles and six interceptions. Heading into his senior year under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and position coach Travaris Robinson, Jones is expected to have an even bigger year in 2015.
Then: Jones was a three-star and the No. 40 cornerback national in the Class of 2012, coming out of Carrollton, Ga. The Tigers were one of the few SEC teams to seriously push for Jones, landing him just prior to the start of his senior year over the likes of Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.
Woody Wommack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst