Auburn Football: Top 3 All-SEC candidates for 2020 season

Markaviest Big Kat Bryant emerged into a starting role in 2019. On a line that included Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe, Bryant still made a mark on a weekly basis.

Last season, Bryant led the team with nine quarterback hurries, but with a less-crowded defensive front in 2020, this could be the season where Bryant truly announces his presence on a national stage. He had 18 total tackles a season ago, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and a pick-six. Those numbers should only jump this year.

Part of what makes Bryant so exciting is his versatility. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 250 pounds, he can pin his ears back and rush the passer, as well as hold his own against pulling linemen and stop the run.

It’s interesting to note that the rest of the SEC sees similar turnover to Auburn up front. For an All-SEC spot, Bryant won’t be competing with a big group of household names in the conference. Alabama’s LaBryan Ray, LSU’s Tyler Shelvin and Georgia’s Jordan Davis are some of the media’s top picks for the all-conference spots along the defensive front, indicating a lack of star power up front in the SEC.

If Bryant keeps improving, and takes advantage of an increased role, he should be one of the top defenders in the conference in 2020.