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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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Nov 7, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Marquavius Lewis (8) peruses Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports. Tennessee won 27 to 24.
Nov 7, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Marquavius Lewis (8) peruses Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports. Tennessee won 27 to 24. /

Marquavius Lewis 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 12
  • Tackles: 45
  • Tackles for Loss: 4.5
  • Sacks: 3
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Pass Breakups: 1
  • Forced Fumbles: 0
  • Fumble Recoveries: 0
  • Notable: Lewis was a five-star junior college signee in the 2015 recruiting class.

There are a handful of players on our list that are ranked higher than their raw statistics would indicate they should. One of those is Marquavius Lewis, who produced 45 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks in 12 games at South Carolina last season.

While those numbers don’t compare with some of the league’s top pass rushers, Lewis has a unique opportunity awaiting him in 2016. Under the direction of new head coach Will Muschamp, the former five-star JUCO signee appears to be the most likely player to fill the “Buck” hybrid linebacker/defensive end role in the multiple 4-3 scheme in 2016.

The Buck is is designed to isolate the defense’s most athletic, most talented pass rusher in one-on-one situations. It’s the position Dante Fowler, Jr. played for Muschamp at Florida, which helped Fowler become the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the role Carl Lawson played when healthy last year at Auburn. Other candidates to play the position include Darius English, Boosie Whitlow and Bryson Allen-Williams.

Next: Evan Engram

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