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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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Nov 13, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz runs on the field with players against the South Carolina Gamecocks before the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz runs on the field with players against the South Carolina Gamecocks before the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Missouri: Luther Burden, WR

Any time a program like Missouri signs a five-star, it is a no-brainer who will immediately impact the field next season. The burden is the second-highest-rated recruit in the program’s history and, barring injury, should be a plug-and-play instant impact receiver for the Tigers.

Burden is a natural athlete who finds the ball in the air quickly. Don’t let the 6-foot frame fool you. The East St. Louis native has long arms and has no issue fighting for 50-50 balls. Contested catches are an opportunity for his basketball background to show.

Burden has to continue to evolve as a route runner but is an impact player on the perimeter or the slot.

5. Kentucky: Barion Brown, WR

Pearl-Cohn high school product Barion Brown makes this list despite the Wildcats signing Alabama transfer Javon Baker. Both signings signal that the Wildcats are attempting to be more explosive on the perimeter in the passing game.

Brown, one of the highly-touted recruits ever at Kentucky, will see snaps because of his versatility. Though the Tennesee native is listed as a wide receiver, Brown played all over the field during his high school career. However, Brown is a playmaker in space.

He gives the Wildcats some pop on special teams, and offensive coordinator Liam Cohen will be sure to find a way to get him the ball in space.

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