LSU laid claim to the SEC’s top secondary, then Tyrann Mathieu got kicked off the team. While the Tigers still boast one of the best group of defensive backs, Georgia gets the top spot now.
Once the Bulldogs get past early season suspensions, they’ll have a very experienced group led by first-team All-SEC safety Bacarri Rambo. The senior is a punishing hitter who had an SEC-best eight interceptions and eight pass breakups last season, plus 16 passes defended. He could easily have gone to the NFL. Fellow senior safety Shawn Williams led the team with 72 tackles last year and made four interceptions.
Sophomore safety Corey Moore, who had a terrific fall camp after appearing in 12 games last season, provides quality depth.
Senior corners Sanders Commings, a third-team All-SEC pick, started every game last season and broke up 14 passes. Senior corner Branden Smith started seven games and had two interceptions.
The Bulldogs moved explosive wideout Malcolm Mitchell to corner due to the suspensions, but it’s not that big of a transition. Mitchell played both ways at Valdosta (Ga.) High. He’s expected to play 60 to 70 plays per game in September, shifting between offense and defense.
Sophomore corner Damian Swann was named the most improved defensive player at spring practice. Swann, who played in 11 games last year, will get a lot of work early while Commings serves a two-game suspension.
Contenders
LSU: Safety Eric Reid, the lone returning starter in the secondary, made 76 tackles last year and is one of the nation’s best. The 6-2, 212-pound junior is a hard hitter who’s been compared to LaRon Landry. Junior Tharold Simon is one of the SEC’s top cover corners; he ranked third in the conference with 10 pass breakups despite starting only twice.
Mississippi State: Hailed as the league’s top cover corner, senior Johnthan Banks has 12 career picks as he enters his fourth year as a starter. He would have been a high NFL pick had he left school. Corey Broomfield, a three-year starter at corner, moves to safety to solve a depth issue there.
Alabama: Safety Robert Lester and corner Dee Milliner are experienced playmakers who lead a unit trying to replace three starters.
Florida: Safety Matt Elam heads one of the SEC”s most athletic and talented secondaries. As a sophomore last year, Elam had 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and seven pass breakups.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
