A look at potential impact SEC newcomers
By Edward Aschoff
Everyone is looking for the next Nick Fairley.
Everyone would love to have their own Cam Newton.
So as we look around the league at some of the newcomers from either the junior college ranks or who have transferred in from other schools, we’ll try to find them.
Could Georgia noseguard John Jenkins be the beast in the middle that Fairley was? Does Barry Brunetti have what it takes to have a Newton-like impact at Ole Miss?
Here is a look at some of the new athletes around the league to keep an eye on this fall:
ALABAMA
Duron Carter, WR: Carter could be a big-time playmaker for the Tide, but he has yet to enroll because of transcript issues. The former Ohio State and juco wideout is the son of star former NFL receiver Cris Carter.
Quinton Dial, DL: Dial could play both inside and out, but is currently getting quality reps at defensive end for Alabama. The former juco standout has made quite the impression on his head coach and he seems to be in line for a starting spot.
Jesse Williams, DT: Like Dial, Williams transferred in from the juco ranks in January and has also performed well in practice. He’s gotten reps all around the line, but could also be in contention for one of the end spots. He’s a massive lineman at 6-foot-4 and 319 pounds.
A must read post—– “Twas a month before football and all through the South…”
ARKANSAS
Alonzo Highsmith, LB: The juco transfer is an extremely athletic linebacker and has really impressed since his arrival. He stepped in at the starting weakside linebacker spot on Day 1 of preseason camp and appears to have the edge there heading into the season.
Robert Thomas, DT: Speaking of athleticism, the Razorbacks might have found their most athletic defensive lineman in Thomas. The juco transfer got a ton of reps this spring with Byran Jones and DeQuinta Jones out with injuries, and is currently competing for a starting spot.
FLORIDA
Dan Wenger, C: He earned an extra year of eligibility after concussions cut his Notre Dame career short. He’s reuniting with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and offensive line coach Frank Verducci and is not only competing for the starting spot at center but has become a leader on the offensive line.
GEORGIA
John Jenkins, DT: He was a giant gem of Georgia’s 2011 class and was expected to snatch the starting noseguard position. However, the juco standout has had injury issues and hasn’t been in the best shape. At 6-foot-4, and 340 pounds, people are hoping he can be a force in the middle this fall, but he’s currently behind Kwame Geathers.
Jarvis Jones, LB: Jones transferred in from USC last year and takes over as the starting strongside linebacker. Georgia’s coaches feel that with his speed and athleticism he could be a more versatile player than former stud Justin Houston.
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LSU
Zach Mettenberger, QB: If Jordan Jefferson is indeed punished for his alleged involvement in a horrific fight outside of a Baton Rouge bar, Mettenberger’s time could be now. He matches his cannon of a right arm with tremendous accuracy and might have the best skill set of any of LSU’s current quarterbacks.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Brandon Maye, LB: Maye transferred from Clemson and with the Bulldogs looking to replace three starters at linebacker, Maye is expected to make an immediate impact at middle linebacker. He had a slow start to fall camp, but improved throughout.
OLE MISS
Barry Brunetti, Randall Mackey, Zack Stoudt, QBs: All three are vying for the starting quarterback spot and all have done well since the spring. Brunetti transferred from West Virginia, while Mackey and Stoudt are former juco athletes. Brunetti has the edge at quarterback, but Mackey was on top this spring and won’t make things easy for the sophomore. Stoudt isn’t as athletic as the other two, but has been very sharp with his passing ability.
Uriah Grant, Gilbert Pena, DT: Both players were brought in to add some beef in the middle of Ole Miss’ line and both could end up starters for opening day. Both have dealt with injuries, but that really hasn’t slowed their on-field production in practice.
Wesley Pendleton, CB: Pendleton had an impressive juco career and has really caught on in Ole Miss’ defense. He’s in the thick of it for one of the starting cornerback spots and has shown that he might be the Rebels’ most athletic defensive back.
TENNESSEE
Alex Bullard, OG: He transferred from Notre Dame and was granted a hardship in order to play this fall. Bullard has moved all along the line this preseason, but it looks like he could be in the running for one of the starting guard positions.
Maurice Couch, DT: A lot is expected from Couch, who hopes to fill one of the spots in the middle of Tennessee’s line. It hasn’t been an easy preseason for Couch, who suffers from asthma, but he has made improvements. He’ll contribute at noseguard and the three technique this fall.
Izauea Lanier, CB: Though he made his mark playing safety in junior college, Lanier is competing for time at corner. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he’s a bigger corner, which coach Derek Dooley likes.
Byron Moore, DB: Moore appears to be a “tweener” on defense. He could play safety or corner for the Vols. With Tennessee running a lot of nickel formations, Moore should see the field in some capacity this fall.
VANDERBILT
Jordan Rodgers, QB: Rodgers missed the 2010 season and missed the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery, but is No. 2 at quarterback. The younger brother to Super Bowl champ Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers is a player coach James Franklin has been especially excited about seeing.
from CFB Nation
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