SEC Week: Seven players in need of bounceback seasons
It’s SEC preview week and here is a look at five players who need bounceback seasons.
*****
SEC WEEK: Top five MVP candidates | Coach report | Five best position groups
BIG TEN WEEK: Five MVP candidates in the Big Ten | Five best position groups | Coach report | Five players needing bounceback seasons | Freshmen to watch | Sleepers | Predictions for each team | Impact transfers | NFL Draft prospects
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals100
RIVALS TRANSFER TRACKER: Stories/coverage | Message board
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info/coverage on 2021 camp series
*****
1. QB Bo Nix, Auburn
Nix was not good last season with decision making and living up to his five-star status is not coming along well. He needs a breakout year.
*****
2. RB Zamir White, Georgia
He had an OK season last year but much more is expected and he has yet to return to full form since his injury in 2019. Is this the year he breaks out for more than 1,000 yards?
*****
3. WR Arik Gilbert, Georgia
How does a player coming off such a great freshman season at LSU end up on this list? The end of Gilbert’s season and all the drama of the past nine months has led to many question marks. He will have to show he’s still elite on the field and can play wide receiver.
*****
4. DB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
He was still getting all the accolades last season, but it was an injury-plagued year and everyone wants to see him return to his freshman year form, or even better.
5. RB Marshawn Lloyd, South Carolina
Lloyd didn’t play last season because of a knee injury very early, but with a five-star resume out of high school a lot will be expected.
*****
6. DT LaBryan Ray, Alabama
Ray has been banged up the last two seasons. He needs a healthy and dominant year to live up to his potential.
*****
7. RB Trey Sanders, Alabama
Remember him? The No. 3 player and top running back out of high school years ago, Sanders has had injuries and bad luck. He needs to make an impact this season.