The SEC has been one of college football’s most dominate conferences over the last decade. Alabama has a lot to do with that success, but there is a lot of quality talent spread across the rest of the conference as well.
Teams such as Arkansas, LSU and Auburn won’t make things easy for the Tide. Here are five offensive players who could end up causing Alabama trouble in their quest for another run at the college football playoffs.
5. Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
2016 Statistics: 13 starts — center (12), right guard (1)
Why he made the list: Ragnow was college football’s best offensive center last season — at least, that’s what Pro Football Focus said. He made their first team All-American list, and that honor was definitely earned.
As a sophomore in 2015, Ragnow started all 13 games at right guard. He was impressive playing the position, but the move to center has clearly taken his game to a whole new level. Ragnow is a dominate run blocker. He shows the ability to play in space and climb to the second level of the defense with ease.
The 6-5, 319-pound senior from Victoria, Minn. has the size you look for in an NFL center, but that size doesn’t limit him athletically. Ragnow is also excellent at protecting the quarterback.
After earning several honors as a junior — including AP All-SEC second team — the former 4-star prospect will continue to try to build on his already impressive resume. He’s been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take home the honor this season.
Health permitting, don’t be surprised if Ragnow finds his name being called sometime within the first two days of the 2018 NFL Draft.
4. Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
2016 Statistics: 1,224 yards (5.9 ypc), 7 TDs
Why he made the list: Pettway finished the 2016 season with the fifth most rushing yards in the SEC. He did that despite only playing in nine games.
His emergence was an interesting development when you consider that he began fall camp last season as a fullback. The former lead-blocker was a load for defenses to handle once Malzahn and company started letting him hit people with the ball in his hands rather than just asking him to clear space for others.
At 6-0, 235 pounds, Pettway doesn’t quite has the same mass as former Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jerome Bettis, but he still punishes opposing defenders in the same way.
Prior to Pettway announcing his return to the Plains, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Pettway listed among his top 10 running back prospects eligible for the 2017 draft.
If he can stay healthy, the former 3-star prospect from Prattville, Ala. has a chance to make another run at the Heisman Trophy this season.
3. Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State
2016 Statistics: 2,423 yards passing (54.3%), 21 TDs, 10 INTs, 1,375 yards rushing, 16 TDs
Why he made the list: Nick Fitzgerald is one of the SEC’s most intriguing quarterback prospects. He led the SEC in rushing touchdowns (16) while also finishing with the second most rushing yards (1,375).
The 6-5, 230-pound junior is a dynamic threat running the football, but he is also developing as a passer. He still struggles with too many ups and downs — hence the 54.3-percent completion percentage and 10 interceptions — but he has the tools to take the next step.
Fitzgerald isn’t going to have a strong supporting cast at Mississippi State, but having Dan Mullen there to oversee his development will be crucial to his success. Back in May, one scout told Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com that he sees similarities to Tim Tebow — except Fitzgerald has a better arm.
That’s an interesting comparison, but it’s not completely outrageous. Another potential comparison — as far as his skill-set — would be Colin Kaepernick. The two players share similar size, above-average arm strength and the ability to make plays with their legs, but both players also struggle with their accuracy.
Last year, Fitzgerald only managed to complete 30.3-percent of his passes against Alabama, and the front-seven was able to hold him to only 15 yards rushing on 11 carries. A repeat performance from the Tide’s defense will be the goal for this showdown on November 11th.
2. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
2016 Statistics: 83 receptions, 928 yards, 9 TDs
Why he made the list: Heading into the 2016 season, there was an ongoing debate as to who was the SEC’s best returning wide receiver — Christian Kirk or Calvin Ridley. The results at the conclusion of the year didn’t do much to settle that debate.
Kirk is an outstanding NFL prospect, and he could find himself in the top 10 of next year’s draft if he stay can healthy. He is electric with the ball in his hands, and you can move him around creating match up problems for opposing defenses.
One thing that Kirk has been able to do is produce. Over the last two seasons, he has managed to rack up 1,937 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 163 receptions. His 11.9 yards per reception is well below average, but he is the first player in school history to post 80-plus receptions in back-to-back seasons.
At only 5-11, 200 pounds, Kirk doesn’t have prototypical size. He does, however, do an excellent job creating separation from defensive backs. There are questions as to whether or not Kirk can develop as a downfield receiver, but he has the skill set to develop that part of his game.
Another area where you can expect Kirk to excel is in the return game. He has returned five punts for touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Aggies.
1. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
2016 Statistics: 1,387 yards (7.6 ypc), 15 TDs
Why he made the list: If things hold up, Guice will be the first running back taken in the 2018 NFL Draft. In fact, there are several people who argue that Guice is a better prospect than former running mate Leonard Fournette — who went No. 4 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars back in April.
In three of the first four games for LSU, Guice was limited to five carries or less — as a result of Fournette being the lead back. Despite the limited opportunities early on, Guice still ended up leading the SEC in rushing yards with 1,387.
What might be even more impressive is the 7.6 yards per carry that he averaged last season — which also led the SEC. It’s clear that the former 4-star prospect from Baton Rouge is a force to be reckoned with, but that doesn’t automatically mean that he will find success against Alabama’s defense.
Over the last two years, Fournette only managed 1.8 yards per carry against the Tide’s stingy front-seven. With that being said, LSU’s offense should be more balanced than it has been the last few years with QB Danny Etling returning, but don’t be surprised if the run game continues to struggle versus the Tide.
That shouldn’t be a negative reflection on Guice and his talent, however.
Clint Lamb is an associate editor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
