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SEC Football: Newcomers who’ll have biggest impacts in 2022

By Dante Pryor

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs, Roquan Smith #3 and the team celebrate with the SEC Championship Trophy after beating Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs, Roquan Smith #3 and the team celebrate with the SEC Championship Trophy after beating Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /

8. Auburn: Jason Jones, DL

This pick was almost Zach Calzada, and it could still be when things are said and done. However, it looks like the staff likes LSU transfer quarterback T.J. Finley. However, that is not to say that Calzada won’t have an opportunity at the job.

That said, interior defensive lineman and Oregon transfer Jason Jones have an opportunity to be a key cog in Auburn’s defensive line rotation this season. Transferring to Auburn is a homecoming of sorts for Jones; his hometown (Calera, Ala.) is a two-hour drive from Auburn.

7. Tennessee: Tyre West, DL

Offensive lineman Addison Nichols could have been considered here, but defensive tackle Tyre West gives the Volunteers much-needed talent depth at defensive tackle. West has several characteristics of a player Heupel, and the defensive staff would covet.

First, West has a lot of snaps under his belt as a four-year varsity starter in high school. West saw many Division-I level talent having played at one of the highest levels of Georgia high school football. Moreover, West was productive against top-notch competition.

Physically, West is long despite being 6-foot-2. The Georgia native is versatile with the ability to play both inside and outside. Look for West to immediately impact the Volunteers defensive line rotation.

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