The SEC is the top conference in college football, and it’s a gold mine for NFL talent. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma will only add more power and creates a superconference. As much as I hate that word – it’s true in the SEC.
Georgia begins the season ranked fifth and opens the season versus second-ranked Clemson. They have been the team to beat in the East the past few seasons, winning the division three of the last four seasons. Florida starts the season ranked thirteenth and was the best in the East last season. The team replaces many key players, including their Heisman finalist QB, and has uncertainty. The rest of the division will be competitive and capable of upsets, but the road to the East goes through Georgia this season.
- Fantasy Relevant
- Roster Fillers
- Stashes
- Player to avoid at ADP
All teams are listed in alphabetical order.
FLORIDA GATORS
Fantasy Relevant
I struggle to find someone I trust in the Gators’ offense for 2021. The quarterback will be Emory Jones, a redshirt junior with good running skills. He has a solid arm and is a dangerous runner, making him startable in C2C or college fantasy. Jones has an average ADP of 167.9 and could be a value – or could share time with redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson and be a total crapshoot.
Roster Fillers
Coach Dan Mullen has not featured a back during his team as Florida’s HC, but several backs could give you some depth. Demarkcus Bowman transferred from Clemson and has the highest pedigree but hasn’t emerged as a leader thus far. The coaching staff has favored senior Dameon Pierce and redshirt senior Malik Davis, but neither are inspiring options.
At wide receiver, someone needs to emerge, and it will be between redshirt junior Jacob Copeland, sophomore Xzavier Henderson, redshirt junior Justin Shorter, or redshirt senior Rick Wells. Wells is having a solid fall camp, but I don’t have much hope for him as far as value.
Stashes
Henderson is a player I am stockpiling everywhere I am able. He’s a deep threat with a massive catch radius and excels at tracking the ball. He’s got a long stride and covers ground quickly but not as good laterally. I love Henderson to step up and establish himself as WR1 in The Swamp.
Freshman QB Carlos Del Rio is another player I am stashing, and he could be the starter as soon as next season. He has good arm strength and solid mechanics, with good mobility, and the Gators may need him as soon as next season.
Players to Avoid at ADP
Bowman has the highest ADP, an average of 59.4, over the last three months, due to his 5-star recruiting profile and explosive ability. He was going to be “The Man” at Clemson and transferred and can’t seem to establish himself in an uninspiring Florida RB room. You can bet on the talent or grab someone who is more established at that ADP.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Fantasy Relevant
George Pickens’ injury severely altered the look of this offense, but they can still score on any defense in the country. He’s still a top asset in devy and will likely play in the NFL next season.
The offense lives and dies by what J.T. Daniels can do. The redshirt junior led the Dawgs to four wins to close out 2020, throwing for ten touchdowns versus only two picks. The offense hummed with Daniels at the helm.
Zamir White is locked in as RB1 and has a chance to vault his NFL draft stock with a huge season. The junior RB was a top recruit and started to establish himself later in the season – he has a chance to emerge and is healthy finally. If White isn’t toting the rock, Kendall Milton will get the reins, and Milton is another high 4-star RB and the next in line.
The WR room is a bit murky but loaded with talent. Jermaine Burton, a sophomore, will likely be the breakout and WR you want for fantasy. He’s a versatile WR that can play all over the formation. Burton is tough and can catch in traffic; 247Sports comped him to Jarvis Landry. Kearis Jackson, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Arian Smith could emerge, but I would need to see it before I had them in my lineups.
Their massive tight end, sophomore Darnell Washington, has been listed on injury reports, and his status is up in the air for the Clemson game, but he’s a college TE I would be starting if he is a go. Washington is a massive target and a beast to cover.
Roster Fillers
After Burton, all the WRs would be fillers on my rosters, any could emerge, and all are 4-star prospects. All should be rostered, but as I mentioned above, I am not starting any of the trio of Jackson, Rosemy-Jacksaint, or Smith until I see it.
I have specifically staved off talking about phenom Arik Gilbert and to me, he’s a filler and a player to avoid. His ADP is still hovering in the 33 range – far too high for someone with so many red flags. Perhaps he can persevere through his personal issues, and Gilbert can prove me wrong.
Stashes
The top recruiting classes keep piling in, and the pipeline for Kirby Smart is loaded. At Campus2Canton, we aren’t too high on freshman Brock Vandagriff, and our rankings have him between QB30 and QB79. The 5-star and fourth-ranked QB in the class is worth a stash and could prove us wrong.
Fellow frosh Brock Bowers could be the next stud TE for the Bulldogs and has been impressive thus far in camps. He’s got great ball tracking skills and speed with athleticism to burn LBs, and the future is bright for Bowers.
Players to Avoid at ADP
Gilbert is the only one I would caution taking at his current ADP, 33.9 average over the last three months. Daniels, White, Milton, and Burton are all amongst the top 20 at their positions and should be.
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Fantasy Relevant
The Wildcats have remained competitive due to some strong defenses, but they have a few interesting offensive pieces. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a redshirt junior RB, will be getting a mound of touches and be the top fantasy asset. He’s 5’11” and 210 pounds, but really only active in the rushing game. He had 785 yards and 11 TDs in the shortened 2020 and could be one of the top college RBs for fantasy. As far as his NFL prospects, Rodriguez could get drafted but will likely only be a depth piece at best.
New Wildcat Wandale Robinson is a wild card and could be a huge steal for college fantasy. Quick, shifty, with a good burst, and versatility are all traits Robinson has been known for. He comes over from Nebraska, and Kentucky needs to get him involved. Penn State transfer QB Will Levis is the starter, and he can chuck the pigskin. Robinson could end up being incredibly productive in 2020.
Roster Fillers
None.
Stashes
None.
Players to Avoid at ADP
Both Robinson (82.1) and Rodriguez (164) have appropriate ADP values and will likely be values.
MISSOURI TIGERS
Fantasy Relevant
Mookie Cooper, a redshirt freshman, transferred from a crowded receiver room at Ohio State to a wide-open depth chart. The Tigers and QB Connor Bazelak will lean on the 4-star; his skill set will allow him to contribute right away. Cooper has sneaky value in college fantasy and could have some big games. He’s a technician – runs great routes, creates separation, and is built to go over the middle.
Tyler Badie, senior RB, is the next man up for an offense that loves to feature one back. Larry Rountree is in the NFL, and the Tigers leaned on him for four seasons. Badie is a tad small at 5’8” and 195 pounds and has averaged 24 receptions over the last three seasons while also raking in 4.6 yards a tote in limited rushing attempts. His July ADP was 382, and that number screams value for a back who will produce in college fantasy.
Roster Fillers
Connor Bazelak is the junior QB and has potential if you are in a crazy deep league and need a QB start. He has great games (29 of 34 for 406 yards and 4 TDs vs. LSU) and games where he is essentially worthless (17 of 28 for 139 and an INT vs. Georgia). He may be startable in college fantasy against bad defenses but isn’t an NFL prospect.
Stashes
Dominic Lovett, freshman WR, has flashed a connection with Bazelak in camp and is a burner. The type of player who can help Missouri’s offense be more explosive, and Lovett will handle punt returns as a freshman. He has silly burst and acceleration, worth a stash on your bench.
After Badie, the depth chart for RB opens up, and my money is on freshman Taj Butts to emerge in 2022 as the starter. He’s 5’11” and 205 pounds, built to take on the role, and looked great in high school. Butts has an excellent change of direction, and I loved the patience he displayed – uncanny to see in a high school back.
Players to Avoid at ADP
None.
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
Fantasy Relevant
Kevin Harris, junior RB, led the SEC in rushing last year after freshman MarShawn Lloyd went down with an injury. Harris and Lloyd would have likely split carries, but most everyone presumed Lloyd would run away with the job.
Harris galloped for over 1,100 yards and 15 scores on the ground, then tossed in 21 receptions for good measure. He has feature back size at 5’11” and 230 pounds and runs like it too. Harris bursts through the line of scrimmage and loves to hit defenders at the second level. He isn’t going to win a foot race but has a long stride and can cover ground. The NFL will come calling, but he’s likely a change of pace big back who can pound the rock inside and do the dirty work for a backfield.
MarShawn Lloyd, redshirt freshman RB, was the prize of South Carolina’s 2020 recruiting class. The #5 back in the class, 4-star Lloyd, was a huge get for the Gamecocks, and he’s a special back.
Lloyd also has great size, 5’9” and 210 pounds, drawing a comp to Frank Gore by 247Sports’ Brian Dohn in Lloyd’s scouting report. He is powerful and loves getting downhill, putting a beating on defenders, running over people. Lloyd was my favorite back in the phenomenal 2020 RB class. If he can work on being more than an inside runner and showcase pass-catching ability, Lloyd can vault into being one of the top five backs drafted in 2023.
Harris and Lloyd are a potent 1-2 punch, a thunder and more thunder combination, and could ultimately sap into each other’s value. I see Harris getting most of the touches in 2021, a 70-30 split, and Lloyd fully taking over in 2022.
Roster Fillers
New Head Coach Shane Beamer has installed renewed vigor in the South Carolina program, but from a fantasy standpoint, it doesn’t move the needle yet for me.
Stashes
Sophomore QB Luke Doty is a dual-threat signal-caller and explosive athlete. He was presumed to be the starter but is nursing a foot injury. He throws a beautiful ball and has touch to all levels of the field. Doty could make a huge difference in the way the offense evolves around their stud RB duo.
Players to Avoid at ADP
Harris carries an average ADP of 38.1, too high due to the uncertainty in backfield splits and his NFL prospects. Personally, I think he can be productive in the NFL, but many do not feel the same way, and I factor that into my opinion. Lloyd is far more talented and could eat into his production. If you take away 25% of Harris’ touches, he is not as valuable at his current ADP as far as college production.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Fantasy Relevant
“Rocky Top, you’ll always be, home sweet home to me…” But alas, there is not a single player I want to start in college fantasy and C2C this season. It could change as the season evolves to some of the players listed below.
Roster Fillers
The trio of QBs could all be fillers, and all bring different elements to the game. A former 4-star and redshirt junior, Joe Milton is the starter and can run the ball but wasn’t very good as a passer in limited action at Michigan. Hendon Hooker, another former 4-star, came over from Virginia Tech, and we can say the same – dangerous runner but sketchy as a passer. And former program savior Harrison Bailey, a sophomore and top recruit from the 2020 class, is still on the roster but buried behind the transferred vets.
A Josh Heupel offense typically spreads the ball around, featuring three WRs, and the QB rakes up the most fantasy stats. The starting trio of WRs – redshirt senior Velus Jones Jr., sophomore Jalin Hyatt, and senior JaVonta Payton – are good receivers, but none are overwhelming fantasy options. If I had to bet on one to emerge, it would be Hyatt. He is a raw deep threat but has the frame to add weight and be more than a burner.
Stashes
Bailey could be a stash, but I have doubts. He looked solid starting a few games as a freshman. Yet he could not beat out Milton or Hooker, both transfers who have not been amazing when they have played.
Jabari Small is listed as the starter at RB. He’s a sophomore and has good size at 5’11” and 205 pounds. He’s a shifty back and doesn’t have power, and it will be interesting to see how he does as the featured runner.
Players to Avoid at ADP
Based on promise, Bailey is going on average at pick 152, but I am starting to get apprehensive about that spot. Other QBs in that range are Jeff Sims, Tyler Shough, and Grant Gunnell. I would rather take Bailey than any of those still.
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Fantasy Relevant
Re’Mahn Davis, a junior RB, escaped Temple to showcase his skills on a national stage and oddly chose the worst team in the SEC. At 5’9” and 215 pounds, he has great size and will be the featured player in the Vandy offense. Davis is comfortable catching the ball and has good acceleration and vision. It will be interesting to see how productive he is versus SEC defenses. He has a 101.8 ADP on our site, and a few of us love Davis to make his stamp in 2021.
Roster Fillers
None.
Stashes
None.
Players to Avoid at ADP
None.
