Twelve Most Important Players in the SEC

By Brett Daniels

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Eight teams have a realistic chance to make the SEC Championship game in Atlanta this season. These eight teams can be further broken down into two tiers: Tier 1 are teams that have a 70% or better chance to make it to the championship game (Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss), while Tier 2 are teams that have a 50% chance to make it to Atlanta (LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Missouri). These eight teams all have key players that are critical to their team being successful, to the point where losing this player would most likely prevent or severely impact their team making the SEC Championship game and CFB Playoffs. This is NOT a “twelve best players” or “best player on each contending team” (although that is the case for many of these players).

1. Carson Beck QB (Georgia)

Beck is a preseason Heisman contender and the leader of a Bulldog team seeking its third National Championship in 4 years. Georgia has good depth at all positions across the board but lack experience at backup QB. If Beck should go down, it will be up to lightly used Gunnar Stockton or transfer Jayden Rashada to lead the Dawg offensive attack.

2. Nico Iamaleava QB (Tennessee)

How can a first-time starter be on the list of most important players? Iamaleava showed great promise in limited work last season and in the bowl game. Tennessee has all the ingredients for a special year, but will need their trigger man to stay healthy as there are zero game snaps on the depth chart behind him.

3. James Pearce, Jr. EDGE (Tennessee)

Pearce is to the defense what Nico is to the offense: A key player that they cannot afford to lose. Tennessee will most likely not have a top 10 or top 20 defense due to the pace of play on the offensive side of the ball. Where the Vols have an advantage is having teams in obvious passing situations when they are down by multiple scores. This is where Pearce can pin his ears back and go after the QB.

4. Luther Burden III WR (Missouri)

The Tigers have one of the more manageable schedules in the SEC this season. The combination of QB Brady Cook and Burden have been one of the best the last two seasons and there is no reason to think that won’t continue this season. Burden might be the best player in the SEC – and is certainly Missouri’s best offensive weapon.

5. Malachai Starks S (Georgia)

Starks has been a key piece of the Bulldog defense since his first game against Oregon two seasons ago. His leadership and playmaking abilities in the secondary make him irreplaceable. Georgia has depth at safety, but it is young and largely unproven in game situations.

6. Jalen Milroe QB (Alabama)

You could argue that Milroe should be higher on this list since he is the only returning significant contributor on the offensive side of the ball. Alabama will be replacing its top 4 receivers and 2 of its top 3 leading rushers from 2023. There is also little game experience behind Milroe should he go down.

7. Walter Nolen DT (Ole Miss)

Last year Ole Miss had a high-powered offense and a defense that couldn’t stop anyone. The Portal Master Lane Kiffin brought in several new faces on the defensive side of the ball – none bigger than Walter Nolen. The former 5-star from Texas A&M will be counted on to stuff the run and provide interior pass rush. If Ole Miss can’t stop anyone then they won’t be playing in Atlanta the first week of December.

8. Jackson Arnold QB (Oklahoma)

The Sooners will be entering the SEC with a new starter at QB and loaded at WR and RB. Arnold will be the key to the Sooners success on the offensive side of the ball.

9. Kelvin Banks, Jr. OT (Texas)

The first Longhorn on the list will be protecting Quinn Ewers’ blindside and anchoring what should be a very good Texas offensive line. Banks backup is a redshirt freshman and the depth overall on the Longhorn offensive line is young. Losing Banks would be a hard blow to absorb.

10. Harold Perkins LB/EDGE (LSU)

The Tiger defense was abysmal last year, and Perkins saw his production fall after an outstanding freshman year. New Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker has said he will use Perkins all over the field to manipulate favorable matchups for rushing the passer in addition to being an off-ball LB.

Alfred Collins pick six's Quinn Ewers deflected (by Ethan Burke) pass pic.twitter.com/gNGdsGTGOx

— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) April 20, 2024

11. Ethan Burke EDGE (Texas)

Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat are off to the NFL, so it will be up to Burke to anchor the Longhorn defense. Last season, Burke had 5.5 sacks and will need to improve on those numbers if Texas is to play in the SEC Championship game.

Johnny Walker Jr. is having himself a DAY for Missouri 😤 pic.twitter.com/8rbJj4W59N

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 1, 2023

12. Johnny Walker EDGE (Missouri)

Like Burke and Pearce, Walker provides the pass rush on the Missouri defense that ranked 35^th nationally last season. The Tiger defense will be breaking in two new corners, which would benefit greatly from a strong pass rush.

Just Missed: Quinn Ewers (TEX), Jaxon Dart (MISS), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Mykell Williams (UGA), Danny Stutsman (OK)