Ranking the top tight ends in SEC
One tight end stood out above the rest in SEC football last season, and he was a freshman.
So it should be no surprise that Georgia's Brock Bowers is the best tight end in the conference going into the fall, according to a poll of sports journalists who cover the league for the USA TODAY Sports Network.
The Bulldogs' leading receiver garnered 15 of a possible 16 first-place votes to head a list of the top five SEC tight ends. Georgia placed two tight ends on the list.
A total of 10 tight ends from nine schools received votes in the poll. Five points were awarded for a first-place vote down to one point for a fifth-place vote.
The USA TODAY Sports Network is counting down to SEC Media Days, scheduled for July 18-21 in Atlanta, by revealing its top players at each position grouping.
Here is a look at the top five tight ends:
1. Brock Bowers
Georgia, sophomore (79 points, 15 first-place votes)
Bowers had a monster freshman season, setting Georgia records with 56 catches for 882 yards and a programrecord 13 TD catches.
2. Austin Stogner
South Carolina, senior (31 points) Stogner was a playmaker on the outside for Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma, putting up 47 receptions for 654 yards and eight touchdowns.
3. Cameron Latu
Alabama, senior (29 points)
Latu is a physical tight end who will be a valuable option for Bryce Young again after catching eight touchdowns last season.
4. Arik Gilbert
Georgia, sophomore (27 points) After sitting out last season due to personal reasons, the 6-foot-5, 240pound LSU transfer made a splash this spring with a pair of touchdowns in the spring game.
5. John Samuel Shenker
Auburn, senior (26 points)
Shenker broke Auburn's single-season records for receptions (33) and yards (413) by a tight end, and now he's back for more as a versatile fifth-year senior.