🏈 Spring wrap ups for the other SEC schools.

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Vanderbilt Commodores: 1. The front seven has promise: With Vandy moving to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator David Kotulski, the defensive line should have more freedom and be more versatile. The coaches were very happy with the progress the front seven made, especially Caleb Azubike and Kyle Woestmann, who made the successful move from end to outside linebacker. 2. A more improved running game: Vandy’s coaches were very pleased with how the running game looked this spring, especially when veteran Brian Kimbrow and redshirt freshman Ralph Webb carried the ball.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Texas A&M Aggies: 1. The O-line and running game are in good shape: These might be the two deepest areas on the squad. The Aggies have four solid scholarship running backs, and the offensive line depth was illustrated while starter Jarvis Harrison sat out with a shoulder injury, paving the way for Garrett Gramling and Joseph Cheek to work with the first team. 2. The defensive line depth will be better: The Aggies returned all the defensive linemen who contributed last season plus bring an influx of talent from the 2014 recruiting class.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Tennessee Volunteers: 1. More competition: The Vols had 14 early enrollees on campus this spring, including a couple of junior college players, and that only intensified the competition for spots. Second-year coach Butch Jones made it a priority to create more competition on the practice field, helping players get to the point in which they're more battle-tested for games. 2. Infusion of skill on offense: Jones saw enough this spring to know that Tennessee will have more speed and athleticism on the field in 2014.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the South Carolina Gamecocks: 1. Offense is deep: As long as fifth-year senior quarterback Dylan Thompson stays healthy, South Carolina shouldn’t have many issues on offense. The backfield is deep and talented with Mike Davis leading the way. The offensive line is loaded with future NFL players. Although Bruce Ellington turned pro, the receiving corps features plenty of explosive options. With Steve Spurrier at the controls, it should be an entertaining year to watch the Gamecocks move the ball in a wide variety of ways.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Ole Miss Rebels: 1. Expectations are a good thing: Coach Hugh Freeze thought it would take three years before he even talked seriously about bowls. Now, he’s won two and fans expect him to be bowl eligible before November arrives. Expectations haven’t been this high in Oxford in a while, but with the talent returning, confidence is high and the Rebels are ready to make a run. 2. Wallace is healthy: For all the criticism Bo Wallace has endured, the senior quarterback has played just a couple of games at full strength with his throwing shoulder.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Missouri Tigers: 1. No questions at QB: Maty Mauk made quick work of his competition and left no doubt that he was both the Tigers' starting quarterback and their most vocal leader. The redshirt sophomore brings more flair to Mizzou's offense than predecessor James Franklin, as Mauk will take more risks with his arm and legs. 2. There's depth at WR: Even without dismissed star Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri has talent at receiver.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Mississippi State Bulldogs: 1. Expectations are fine: Mississippi State has long relished the underdog role behind Alabama, LSU and Auburn. But no longer. Armed with a dark horse Heisman contender at quarterback and a defense high on depth and talent, Dan Mullen and his staff are embracing sky-high expectations this spring as a legitimate contender to win the West and reach the SEC championship game.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the LSU Tigers: 1. QB race is on: If the spring game made anything clear, it’s that the quarterback race between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris was much closer than we might have anticipated prior to spring practice. Jennings followed a subpar performance in his first start -- LSU’s Outback Bowl win over Iowa -- with a disappointing effort in the spring game, where he threw two interceptions that linebackers returned for touchdowns.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned this spring about the Kentucky Wildcats: 1. Depth in the backfield: Running back is an area of strong depth for Kentucky and it showed this spring. Four running backs -- Braylon Heard, Jojo Kemp, Josh Clemons and Mikel Horton -- combined for 308 rushing yards in the spring game, led by Clemons (93 yards) and Kemp (90 yards). With no quarterback starter set and not a lot of experience at the position, having veteran runners should help.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Georgia Bulldogs: 1. Mason is ready: After sitting behind Aaron Murray for four years, Hutson Mason is now the guy at quarterback. It won’t be easy following a legend, but Mason is ready to do his thing in Athens. He had a good spring, is extremely confident, filled with moxie, knows the offense, can make plays on the fly, and has all the trust in his teammates. 2. Gurley tough: Georgia running back Todd Gurley has never been truly healthy with the Dawgs, but is playing through pain better than ever.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Florida Gators: 1. Florida's offense is already better than it was at any time last season. That's a low bar to clear, but new coordinator Kurt Roper made coach Will Muschamp happy by designing a run-heavy offense that can spread out opponents and get the ball in the hands of playmakers in space. 2. The defense has work to do. There are two rising stars in CB Vernon Hargreaves III and DE/LB Dante Fowler Jr.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

Three things we learned in the spring about the Auburn Tigers: 1. The offense is scary good: Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle offense made quite a splash in his first season as head coach at Auburn, and although star running back Tre Mason is gone, the offense could be even better in Year 2. Quarterback Nick Marshall is back and looks more confident running the show. He has a deeper and more talented group of skill players at his disposal, and the offensive line returns four starters.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

​

ARKANSAS

Three things we learned this spring 1. Pick your poison at running back: There wasn’t a better one-two punch in the SEC last year than Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. Collins rushed for 1,026 yards as a true freshman while Williams added 900 yards. After the spring, you can add Korliss Marshall to the mix. The sophomore split time at safety and running back last year, but he’s now with the offense full-time and rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries in the spring game.

ESPN's SEC Blog—Continue reading...