Spring Break Outs
In anticipation of spring football, I'm going to try to compile a few lists for the SEC. Today's inaugural list is players on the verge of breakout seasons. These are players who have been used sparingly, spent last year on the bench, or have taken a redshirt year that are expected to make an difference in 2007.- Brandon LaFell - LSU WR - LaFell played last year, but didn't make a huge impact. He had DeWayne Bowe and Craig Davis in front of him, so his relative inactivity is quite excusable. This year, however, Bowe and Davis have moved on to the NFL. LaFell has the size and speed to ease the pains of losing two receivers of the caliber of Bowe and Davis. Early Doucet should keep defenses from focusing on LaFell and Gary Crowton's new offense should give LaFell plenty of opportunities to catch passes.
- Ricky Lumpkin - Kentucky DE - If you listen to the whispers out of Lexington, Lumpkin could be a special player up front for the Wildcats. He is rumored to have been a beast on the scout team last year while he redshirted. The former Tennessee Mr. Football looks to give UK the first big pass rusher they've had in a long time.
- Knowshon Moreno - Georgia RB - The Dawgs return a lot of running backs. So many that Danny Ware, the third team back, left early for the NFL despite not putting together a stellar year because he knew he wouldn't get many carries next year. Even with that said, look for Moreno to make an impact in 2007. Everyone who has seen Moreno play seems to rave about him, whether they be coaches or players. Moreno will not be a featured back next year, but look for him to make an impact on the Bulldog running game.
- Nevin McKenzie - Tennessee S - McKenzie didn't played a down for the Vols last year, but he will need to do his best Reggie Nelson impression soon. Like Nelson, McKenzie is a junior college guy that needs to step in and start. The Vols really don't have a reliable safety after Demetrius Morley flunked out. Johnathan Hefney, a converted corner, started safety last year and did a good job, but he really belongs at corner. The Vols would love to have a big headhunter to add another dimension to their experienced defensive backfield.
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