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SEC Football: Top 100 SEC players to watch in 2016

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) rushes the passer against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) rushes the passer against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Lorenzo Carter 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 13
  • Tackles: 19
  • Tackles for Loss: 0
  • Sacks: 0
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Pass Breakups: 1
  • Forced Fumbles: 2
  • Fumble Recoveries: 0
  • Notable: Supremely talented, 6-foot-6, 242-pound pass rusher underachieved during sophomore campaign in 2015, but recorded a season-high five tackles in 38-10 loss to Alabama in 2015.

Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter wasn’t nearly as productive as a sophomore in 2015 as he was as a freshman. Despite playing in all 13 games for the Bulldogs last year, Carter saw his tackles drop from 41 to 19, his tackles for loss fall from seven to zero, and he was shut out in sacks after ranking second on the squad in 2014 with 4.5.

Though Carter took a step back, he’s still one of the most physically gifted defenders in the SEC entering 2016, and he should fit nicely into new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s system.

Kevin Toliver II 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 12
  • Tackles: 35
  • Tackles for Loss: 2
  • Sacks: 0
  • Interceptions: 1
  • Pass Breakups: 5
  • Forced Fumbles: 0
  • Fumble Recoveries: 0
  • Notable: Made eight starts at corner for LSU and was named a True Freshman All-American by 247Sports.

The LSU Tigers struggled to defend the pass in 2015 and finished No. 12 in the SEC by allowing an average of 224.3 passing yards per game. Of course, those numbers are somewhat deceptive given the fact that the Tigers played both Western Kentucky and Texas Tech last year – both of whom ranked in the top five nationally in passing offense. In conference games, LSU allowed 210.1 passing yards on average, which ranked in the middle of the pack.

Odds are, those numbers will improve in 2016. Not only will the Tigers face a more run-heavy schedule, LSU also returns all but one major contributor in the secondary, and a total of nine defensive starters from last year’s squad.

One of the most talented of the bunch is Kevin Toliver II, who started eight games as a true freshman last year, and was responsible for 35 tackles, two TFLs, an interception and five pass breakups.

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