The opening day at SEC Media Days had no shortage of interesting moments as Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the crowd and LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly was mocked by a TV network..
The second day of SEC Media Days is when the real circus gets going as Alabama, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt take to the podium. Alabama always brings a different kind of energy to SEC Media Days and this year is expected to be no different.
Alabama: HC Nick Saban, QB Bryce Young, LB Will Anderson Jr., and DB Jordan Battle
The Crimson Tide and Nick Saban enter the SEC Media Days coming off the sting of a National Championship Game loss to Georgia, but despite the setback in the title game, they enter the 2022 season as SEC and CFB Playoff favorites.
Despite the dominance from the Crimson Tide and an award-winning season from QB Bryce Young (2021 Heisman winner), there is still room for improvement for Alabama. The offensive line was a problem last year allowing the most sacks in the country and they were dead last in the SEC in tackles for loss allowed.
Alabama does return a pair of top 5 expected picks in QB Bryce Young and LB Will Anderson Jr., and they welcome in RB Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech, who they expect to be a breakout star on offense.
Nick Saban enters his 16th season leading the Alabama Crimson Tide and has an incredible 178-25 record with the program.
Mississippi State: HC Mike Leach, DT Jaden Crumedy, LB Nathaniel Watson, and WR Austin Williams
While Bulldogs coach Mike Leach always brings it at the press conference, his team hasn't been anything special since he took over the program and last year was no different, going 4-4 in the SEC and just 7-6 overall, but there is reason for hope entering the 2022 season.
Mississippi state had issues running the ball last year and despite one of the best seasons in school history from QB Will Rogers, the passing game averages just 9.49 yards per catch, worst in the country. The defense was the heart and soul of the program, allowing just 345 yards per game, and if they can increase the pressure they create on the QB this year (just 27 sacks all last season), with a little bit more on offense, they could be formidable in the SEC West.
South Carolina: HC Shane Beamer, OL Jovaughn Gwyn, WR Dakereon Joyner, and DL Zacch Pickens
Shane Beamer has been the head coach of the Gamecocks for just one season, but has already shown some serious impact on the program, especially defensively. Offense is a different story, with some serious struggles in the rushing attack that could define their season once more.
If the rushing attack is improve, the Gamecocks could be formidable, they were 3-0 when the run game average over 4.0 yards per carry (Florida, UNC, & E. Illinois), largely due to an outstanding secondary. The South Carolina pass defense was 7th in the nation and best in the SEC last season allowing just 181 pass yards per game.
One of the biggest enhancements the offense is expected to come at QB after Oklahoma-transfer Spencer Rattler joined the program. The South Carolina offense only averaged 23 points per game in 2021, which was 111th in the nation.
Vanderbilt: HC Clark Lea, TE Ben Bresnahan, LB Anfernee Orji, and QB Mike Wright
Despite being the only school without a conference win last season, there is reason for hope for Vanderbilt Head coach Clark Lea as he enters his second season. There has been a nice influx of talent for the talented recruiter Lea that could see the Commodores end up more competitive than they have been in years past.
For that success to be seen on the field the offense is going to have to score more than they did in 2021. Vandy was able to muster more than 24 points just twice on the season and 6 times they scored 17 or less. The QB position seems unsettled heading into camp but if they can find production there, the season opens way out west at Hawaii, a chance for a victory to get things going.
