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SEC football: Each team’s most important player in 2017

By Erich Hilkert

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC football has plenty of talent, but who is each team’s most important player heading into the 2017 season?

The 2017 season is still a few months away from kickoff, but it’s never too early to look at top players from around the country. More specifically, SEC football is loaded with talent and each team has its own ‘star’ player in which it probably couldn’t perform adequately without.

Let’s take a look at each team’s most important player for the 2017 season.

Florida: Marcell Harris

Antonio Callaway would be the obvious choice here, although his off-field incidents must be worrying Florida fans. Florida is unsettled at quarterback and that is troubling. It isn’t insurmountable. Luke Del Rio has experience and if his two shoulder surgeries are a success, maybe all this talk doesn’t matter.

But Florida won the East the last two years because of defense. If Florida wins the East with Del Rio at quarterback, the defense will play a role. Marcell Harris took on a much bigger role for the team in 2016 and will probably have an even bigger role in 2017.

While he only started eight games, he ended the season as the team’s leading tackler with 73 tackles. One of the biggest tackles of the season was a fourth-and-goal stop to seal the win against LSU.

Georgia: Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb had a subpar junior season. That said, it wasn’t as though it was a terrible statistical season. He still rushed for 1,130 yards while receiving 224 carries. Chubb’s yards per carry average was down significantly due in part to poor offensive line play.

Still, Chubb was once considered a potential Heisman candidate. It’s clear Georgia offensive coordinator wants a run-heavy offense. So, while Jacob Eason needs to take a major step forward for the Bulldogs to have a successful season, Chubb returning to form would be a bigger game changer.

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