Offense – Quarterbacks Runningbacks Receivers
Defense – D-Line Linebackers
Playing in the Defensive Backfield is a position of little recognition in many regards. There is no stat for being in the perfect position on 90% of plays but that one play where you bite on a pump fake and get burned is the one everyone sees and remembers. The great ones just keep coming regardless. There is no lack for those types of Defensive Backs returning in the SEC in 2014. Just about every team has a player in the secondary that could make this list but I managed to narrow it down to 5 that I think will make a huge impact for their respective teams in 2014. Here are your 2014 Returning Playmakers at Defensive Back.
Cody Prewitt – Ole Miss
The SEC’s leader in interceptions(6) in 2013, Cody Prewitt returns to lead a very talented Ole Miss secondary for the upcoming football season. The 3 year starter has tallied 183 total tackles and 9 interceptions over his rebel career and looks to add onto those numbers in 2014. Prewitt may not be the most athletic Safety in the SEC but he possesses the football knowledge and instincts to be in the right place to make a big play for his team. That’s really all you can ask but Prewitt brings more. A good leader on the field and a sure tackler (71 TKL, 4.5 TFL), The All-American will surely turn heads once more in 2014.
Brian Randolph – Tennessee
After having one of the most successful Freshman years in Vol history, Randolph came back in 2012 and suffered a season ending knee injury in game 3. At the time he was leading the Volunteers in tackles with 22. In 2013 Randolph had something to prove not only to those who thought he couldn’t come back but also to himself. He did just that recording 75 tackles on the season. Good enough for 2nd on the team. He also led the team with 4 INTs and added a forced fumble, 2.5 TFL and 7 PBU. Randolph will be a leader in the secondary for the Vols in 2014 and play a big role in trying to get the Tennessee football program back on track.
Vernon Hargreaves III – Florida
Vernon Hargreaves came in as a Freshman and stole the show on defense for the Florida Gators in 2013. The Freshman All-American equaled the gator record for passes broken up by a freshman with 11. He ended the season with 38 Tackles, 14 passes defended and 3 INT’s. With 4.4 40 speed and good agility and hands Hargreaves has all the tools to be successful at Florida and on the next level. With the loss of Marcus Roberson, Loucheiz Purifoy and Jaylen Watkins, Hargreaves will be the man in the secondary for Florida in 2014. I expect more records to get blown up by this young defensive back before he moves on.
Jalen Mills- LSU
Jalen Mills was a Freshman All-American and starter from day one in 2012. Mills recorded 57 tackles and 2 INTs in 2012 for the LSU Tigers and proved he was a tough one for Les Miles. He kept the momentum going in 2013 with 67 tackles and 3 INT’s, but also showed he had a knack for creating havoc in the backfield by recording 4 TFL including 3 quarterback sacks. Mills returns for his junior season in 2014 as a leader and ready to make his mark on the LSU faithful. Look for Mills to give SEC offenses plenty of problems in 2014.
Alan Turner – Arkansas
Alan Turner worked hard and earned a starting spot in the Arkansas secondary in his red shirt Junior season. The hard work paid off for Arkansas too as Turner recorded 97 tackles for the Razorbacks which averages out to 8.1 tackles per game. Put that together with 2 INTs and 7 passes defended and its safe to say Turner proved his worth. A great athlete, turner was recruited as a running back by some schools and brings speed, agility and toughness to the Arkansas secondary. The Senior to be will look to push the Razorbacks back into contention in 2014.
Others Defensive Backs to watch for in 2014:
Jonathan Mincy – Auburn: 15 passes defended in 2013
Jamerson Love – MSU: 3 INT with 1 returned for a TD in 10 games
Landon Collins – Alabama: 70 Tackles , 4 TFL 2 INT
Damian Swann – Georgia: 57 Tackles 8 Passes Defended
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StuShoemake
Stu Shoemake is a lover of Jesus, a husband, a father to two boys, an outdoor enthusiast and the epitome of the word fanatic when it comes to sports. Born with a tomahawk in one hand and a cowbell in the other, he is armed with a plethora of knowledge concerning Baseball and College Sports. But the Atlanta Braves and Mississippi State Bulldogs are his weapons of choice. Kneeling down to rub some dirt between his hands before the game, you won’t catch Stu chanting SEC after a nonconference win but a Braveheart or Tombstone quote are sure to be heard. “I’m your huckleberry. That’s just my game”
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