Alabama, LSU put 13 on coaches preseason All-SEC
BIRMINGHAM — SEC West rivals Alabama and LSU each placed 13 players on the coaches preseason allconference teams.
The Crimson Tide had three first-teamers on each side of the ball Thursday, including wide receiver Calvin Ridley, left tackle Cam Robinson, tight end O.J. Howard, defensive end Jonathan Allen, safety Eddie Jackson and linebacker Reuben Foster. Punter J.K. Scott is also a first-teamer.
Making the team for LSU were tailback Leonard Fournette, center Ethan Pocic, linebacker Kendell Beckwith and defensive back Tre’Davious White.
Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk made the first team as a wide receiver, allpurpose player and return specialist.
Ole Miss redshirt senior Chad Kelly was the firstteam quarterback. Kelly completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns and rushed for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Rebels tight end Evan Engram and nickel cornerback Tony Conner were named to the second team. Defensive end Marquis Haynes and kicker Gary Wunderlich (MUS) made the third team.
Tennessee had four first-teamers: linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, defensive back Cameron Sutton, defensive end Derek Barnett and return specialist Evan Berry.
Other Vols voted to the team were: quarterback Joshua Dobbs (second), running back Jalen Hurd (second), offensive lineman Jashon Robertson (third) and punter Trevor Daniel (third).
Four Mississippi State players earned five spots. Brandon Holloway earned two spots on the third team, as a running back and a return specialist.
Wide receiver Fred Ross was selected to the second team. Ross had a school-record 88 receptions last year.
Richie Brown and A.J. Jefferson joined Holloway on the third team for MSU.
Vanderbilt players on the team were: running back Ralph Webb (second), linebacker Zach Cunningham (second) and linebacker Oren Burks (third).
DEVELOPMENTS
Report says NCAA expanding Ole Miss probe: The NCAA’s current investigation into Ole Miss’ football program may have grown beyond former offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil saying he received money from staffers.
NCAA enforcement staff interviewed players from Auburn and Mississippi State and possibly another SEC West program over the summer to discuss their recruitment to Ole Miss, Yahoo Sports reported Thursday morning, citing anonymous sources.
The report added that players interviewed were granted immunity from NCAA sanctions in exchange for accurate accounts of their recruitment.
Mullen hopes to announce QB Monday: Mississippi State eighth-year head coach Dan Mullen said he’s on the verge of naming a starter at quarterback.
The Bulldogs practiced for the final time Thursday before game week begins Monday. Mullen plans to return from the three-day break with a starting quarterback.
“I probably feel good with knowing who is going to start by Monday. I hope,” Mullen said. “And see how they handle it.”
Mullen will choose among Damian Williams, Nick Fitzgerald and Nick Tiano.
Briefly: Sean White is Auburn’s starting quarterback for the opener against No. 2 Clemson. Coach Gus Malzahn proclaimed White the winner over Jeremy Johnson and junior college transfer John Franklin III after Thursday’s practice . ... Kenny Hill is the starting quarterback for No. 13 TCU. Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson said Hill, a transfer from Texas A&M, will start Sept. 3 at home against South Dakota State after outplaying sophomore Foster Sawyer . ... Junior college transfer Jerod Evans will be Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback in the opener against Liberty. First-year Hokies coach Justin Fuente made the announcement Thursday. Evans beat out redshirt senior Brenden Motley and freshman Josh Jackson . ... Fifth-year senior QB Bart Houston will start Wisconsin’s opener Sept. 3 against LSU at Lambeau Field, head coach Paul Chryst announced. Redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook is the Badgers’ No. 2 quarterback. losses will vault McMillan onto center stage.
LB Reuben Foster, Alabama: While not the only Tide linebacker with this potential, Foster will play a position that always draws All-America attention.
LB Anthony Walker, Northwestern: Walker stops the run, defends the pass and gets to the quarterback — he had the fifthmost TFLs in the FBS in 2015.
CB Desmond King, Iowa: Tied for the second-most interceptions in the FBS last season, King effectively negates one side of the field for a stingy defense.
CB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan: Had the second-most pass breakups of any returning player last season.
S Budda Baker, Washington: Teams in the Pac-12 know all about Baker’s ability to influence an entire offense from his spot at safety.
S Derwin James, Florida State: James will be a household name by the end of the regular season.
SPECIALISTS
K Jake Elliott, Memphis: The reigning Lou Groza Award finalist should bring home the hardware as a senior.
P J.K. Scott, Alabama: