There's something about evaluating position groups that is fascinating to me. I think it probably has to do with my background in personnel and roster management. When you are evaluating a roster and thinking about the needs at each position, you are forced to break down each player and how they project over time, while also aggregating those players up to an entire position level so you can prioritize what to pursue in the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Additionally, I was thinking about Auburn's receiver room and how it stacks up with the rest of the SEC receiver rooms, but that's too simple! Too boring! Why not compare it with EVERY position group in the SEC? Good idea - let's do it.
1. Auburn - Wide Receivers
The Personnel
Sophomore - 6'3 - 201
Junior - 5'10 - 180
Sophomore - 6'0 - 186
Senior - 6'2 - 201
The Eval
Am I a homer for this? Maybe. But, I try and separate any bias I may have when I make evaluations. In fact, I almost put the group I ranked #2 here instead just so YOU, the viewer, wouldn't even THINK I am a homer, but that would be lame and not my real opinion.
Anyway, Auburn's WR room is so loaded. Amongst a room full of options, Cam Coleman should be the go-to receiver for the Tigers. He has the body type, the skill, the athleticism. He can win over-the-top with his seemingly effortless speed, or he can use his 6'3 frame and vertical to win jump balls, and he's no slouch on the intermediate routes either. Cam got much more consistent as the 2024 season progressed, even with spotty QB play. I expect friend of the site, Auburn WR Coach Marcus Davis, to have Cam Coleman ready to go as a dominant X this year.
Georgia Tech transfer, Eric Singleton Jr., is a great complement to Cam Coleman because of their different skillsets. Singleton Jr. has a classic small slot body at 5'10 / 180, but he can win matchups all over the field. His twitch and suddenness make him a threat underneath in option routes, now screens, hitches, and pretty much everywhere. Just get this guy the ball in space, and good things will happen.
The other two primary weapons in the room, Malcolm Simmons and Horatio Fields, should not be overlooked. Simmons had a great freshman year last year with 40 catches for 451 yards. There's a decent chance Eric Singleton Jr. will cannibalize some of Malcolm's touches, but I still expect Malcolm to be a 500+ yard receiver in 2025. He has exceptional long speed, and when you have a solid playmaker who can stretch defenses horizontally and vertically, offensive coordinators will find a way to get those guys on the field. On the flip side, Horatio Fields is a super solid veteran guy with reliable hands and consistent route running. He won't dazzle you with his athletic skill set, but he brings a consistency to this room that's extremely valuable. Fields finished 2024 with 39 catches for 463 yards and 4 touchdowns.
2. Alabama - Wide Receivers
The Personnel
Sophomore - 6'0 - 178
Senior - 6'1 - 204
Junior - 6'4 - 208
The Eval
The case could absolutely be made for Alabama's Wide Receivers to be #1, and I wouldn't fault you for it. Ryan Williams dazzled in moments last year, especially against Georgia in week 5, where he had 6 catches for 177 yards. This was by far his most elite performance, not eclipsing 100 yards in any of the following games in 2024 (although I largely blame the QB for this). Williams has insane body control, great speed, and a unique elusiveness with the ball in his hands. His combination of body control, ability to high point the football, and sudden twitch remind me a lot of Ja'Marr Chase. Barring poor QB play in 2025, there's no reason why Williams won't be 1000+ yard receiver.
Germie Bernard man - you've to love a guy like Germie. The consistency and poise he brought to Alabama's WR room in 2024 was huge, and he's only going to improve. Bernard finished last year with 50 catches for 794 yards (15.88 YPC). He does so many things well that make life easier on the QB. He's reliable in 1 on 1 matchups, and he continuously finds soft spots against zone coverage. Look for Germie to have another great year at Alabama and a solid NFL career as well.
Miami transfer Isaiah Horton is one of those reliable, veteran presences in the locker room, and he had a great 2024 campaign at Miami - finishing the season with 56 catches for 616 yards and 5 touchdowns. With more of a possession type skillset, Horton does a tremendous job using his body and length to consistently win routes. He's a great third option for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to utilize as Ty Simpson looks to provide a much steadier passing attack for the Tide in 2025.
Honorable mention for Alabama is true freshman Lotzeir Brooks who I have heard is absolutely dynamic. I watched some high school tape, and I love this kid. He's a fluid mover, super twitchy, and has tons of burst in the short area. All that essentially means he's going to be an extremely tough cover for defenders. He could be a go-to weapon in the slot behind Ryan Williams.
3. Texas - Runningbacks
The Personnel
Junior - 6'0 - 195
Sophomore - 6'1 - 227
Freshman - 6'0 - 212
Sophomore - 5'10 - 206
The Eval
The Texas RB room was banged up to start 2024, leaving true sophomore Q Wisner to shoulder the load, and he did not disappoint. Wisner rushed for 1064 yards on 226 carries last season, but he also showed great ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield with 44 catches for 311 yards. Q is one of those backs who is so well-rounded. I don't see a lot of flaw in his game. I love his patience and movement in the backfield, especially how he operates in small spaces between the tackles. He's got a knack for trusting the gap integrity and choosing the right spot. With the high quality jump cuts, ability to stick his foot in the ground, and reliability catching the ball out of the backfield, this is an elite SEC running back without a doubt.
Coming off a huge 2023 season where CJ Baxter rushed for 659 yards on 138 carries, Texas fans were expecting CJ to have a huge 2024 season, but unfortunately he tore his ACL and LCL during fall camp last year. At 6'1 / 227, CJ Baxter has a more downhill approach to his game compared to Q Wisner, relying on his power more often than his ability to go east and west, but he moves really well to be around 230 pounds. He looked natural catching the ball out of the backfield, which is really encouraging on true freshman tape. There are definitely some unknowns when returning from a significant knee injury, but if he is healthy, this is a dynamic back.
Christian Clark is one of the other backs who got injured in fall camp last year during his freshman season. We don't know too much about him, but I have heard he's taking 3rd string reps ahead of our next guy, Jerrick Gibson. So, if Clark, while returning from injury, is already taking reps of Gibson, that's a pretty good indicator of his skill. Gibson had the 3rd most carries on the team last year, rushing for 377 yards on 78 touches behind Q Wisner and 5th round draft pick Jaydon Blue. In terms of pure skill and athleticism, Gibson is in the lower half of this running back room. He lacks ability to stick his foot in the ground and really change direction like some of the other guys, but he's still a solid back who plays with good pad level and contact balance.
4. Georgia - Defensive Backs
The Personnel
Sophomore - 6'0 - 185
Senior - 6'1 - 190
Junior - 6'3 - 195
Senior - 6'0 - 205
Junior - 5'11 - 205
The Eval
It's no secret that the Georgia Bulldog defense underperformed in 2024. They lacked a certain edge that we were used to seeing over the last several years. All that said, and even with the loss of 1st round safety Malaki Starks, I still think this secondary unit is one of the best groups in the conference.
I'll start with KJ Bolden, who became impossible to keep off the field as a true freshman in 2024. Bolden worked in at the safety spot alongside veterans Dan Jackson and Malaki Starks last year, and we got to see him shine as the year progressed. Bolden has a slight build, but he runs downhill HARD from the safety spot. Even as a freshman, he displayed phenomenal instincts and awareness for where the ball is going. He's got great ability to burst and close on defenders. Many times last fall, Georgia would go Dime on obvious passing downs, bringing in Bolden to play safety while Starks rotated down to the outside backer spot. Bolden has no fatal flaws in his game, but he could stand to add a little weight. Bolden is almost a guaranteed first rounder in 2027.
Next up we have a couple veteran corners in Daylen Everette and Daniel Harris. Everette brings a wealth of experience back to this room having started all 14 games for the Dawgs last year. He has great size at 6'1 / 190, and although he displayed some inconsistencies in man to man last year, he's at worst case a 4th round draft pick in 2026 - meaning he's a really solid player all the way around. Next up, Daniel Harris worked himself into a starting spot toward the end of last year, surpassing previous starter Julian Humphrey, which is a positive sign for his growth. Harris's frame of 6'3 / 195 is exceptional size at the corner position. We don't have a ton of tape on him, but my guess is he's going to be a very, very good corner in 2025.
Last two players in this unit are returning nickel back Joenel Aguero and safety JaCorey Thomas. Aguero lacks a little height and length for the prototypical nickel/star body in a Saban/Smart defense, but he's a football guy. He's great in run support and pass coverage on physical receivers and tight ends, but he lacks some fluidity and change of direction to be a great cover player. JaCorey Thomas is an interesting case, because although he's headed into his senior season, he hasn't been a significant contributor yet for the Dawgs. By this point in a player's career, you typically know what you need to know. I think it's safe to assume JaCorey Thomas could be solid player for Georgia but not necessarily a special talent. There's most likely room for newcomers at this safety spot.
5. Alabama - Defensive Backs
The Personnel
Keon Sabb (SAF)
Junior - 6'1 - 204
Bray Hubbard (SAF)
Junior - 6'2 - 213
Domani Jackson (CB)
Senior - 6'1 - 196
Zabien Brown (CB)
Sophomore - 6'0 - 192
DaShawn Jones (Nickel)
Senior - 6'0 - 190
The Eval
After Keon Sabb's injury last year, the Crimson Tide defense was forced to move some pieces around on a rather inexperienced secondary. This year is a different story, where 4/5 players in the secondary are returning starters. Bray Hubbard moved into a starting role after Sabb's injury, and he played really great football down the stretch. Hubbard has great size at 6'2 / 213, and he plays physical, tenacious football at the strong safety spot. He's got a great nose for the football, and even though he only started 6 games last year, he finished 5th on the team in tackles. On the other side, Keon Sabb looks to return from a broken foot. Sabb has a wealth of tools at his disposal in the secondary. Although listed at only 6'1, he has great length and range. Keon might lack a little top end speed, but he's extremely well rounded as a defensive back. He's a willing tackler and has great presence in the run game complemented by quick feet and good range. The Alabama defense missed him badly when he went down last year, but I expect Keon to return to form and be an All-SEC player this fall.
Senior Domani Jackson and true sophomore Zabien Brown anchor the boundary of Alabama's secondary, and returning starters at the corner spots are a defensive coordinator's dream. In 2024, Jackson was a consistent performer, totaling 52 tackles, 2 INTs, and 7 PBUs in his 13 starts. He has great size, coming in right around 6'1 / 200 lbs. Preseason All-SEC recognition really doesn't mean anything, but I do believe that Domani Jackson will be one of the best and most consistent corners in the SEC this fall. Zabien Brown stepped into a young secondary and earned a starting role as a true freshman last season, and the sky is the limit for this kid. I love the way Zabien Brown plays - fearless. Brown competes in the run game with the kind of edge that coaches love, never hesitating to come downhill and deliver a hit on a ball carrier. His ability to plant and drive on the football makes him a threat on quick routes and a constant danger for quarterbacks who test him. At 6’0” and 192 pounds, he brings prototypical NFL cornerback size, pairing length with the agility to mirror receivers downfield. That combination of physical tools and competitive toughness is why he made such an immediate impact as a true freshman, and that's why his ceiling in 2025 is sky-high.
The nickel spot, otherwise known as the "Husky" in Kane Wommack's defense, is perhaps the biggest unknown for the Tide defense in 2025. The person slated to start there is veteran DaShawn Jones, who made an appearance in all 13 games last year. Before Alabama, he started for two years at Wake Forest at the corner spot. The Husky role is demanding. It demands a player who can fit the run, play man or zone, blitz off the edge, and control the perimeter in the run game. Jones is a little small at 6'0 / 190, but he's a very physical nickel. I like his flexibility and cover skills, and his toughness combined with foot speed are a good combo. I think if there's a struggle for Jones, it will be in the run game when he’s matched up against bigger bodies.
Honorable Mention:
Alabama - Offensive Line
Proctor is a first rounder. Brailsford is super solid.
LSU - Linebackers
I love Whit Weeks so much - he's a ball player. But, can Harold Perkins fit in at the nickel?
Texas - Linebackers
Anthony Hill Jr. is a DOG.
Closing Thoughts
That's a wrap! It wouldn't shock me if there are several position groups that are ahead of these at the end of the year - it's just so hard to judge some teams well when half of their offense or defense will be players from the portal. Obviously, I excluded QB rooms from this list - kind of self explanatory. Make sure to subscribe to the mailing list below so you get updates when I send these out! Hope you enjoyed!
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