SEC Media Days has become the unofficial kickoff to college football’s preseason. The college football media will descend on Hoover this week to speak to players and coaches from the SEC. There will also be hundreds of fans in the lobby of the Wynfrey Hotel in search of autographs, pictures or a quick moment with their favorite players and coaches.
If college football had a state fair, it would probably look like SEC Media Days. The league’s biggest stars will arrive in Hoover and field dozens of questions from crowds of media. Coaches like Steve Spurrier and Les Miles once made annual headlines with verbal jabs at rivals and quirky question-and-answer sessions. There may still be seven weeks until kickoff, but SEC Media Days means it’s time to start talking college football.
HOW IT WORKS
All 14 SEC football teams will be represented during the four-day event in Hoover by their head coach and three players. Three teams each will take their turns on Monday and Thursday, while Tuesday and Wednesday will have four teams. Alabama will arrive on Wednesday, with Nick Saban scheduled to speak sometime on Wednesday morning.
There are more than 1,200 credentialed members of the media expected in Hoover this year, so they’re split up into different areas. Players and coaches are moved from one room to another, speaking to writers, TV reporters, radio broadcasters and websites throughout the day. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and SEC coordinator of officials Steve Shaw will also speak and answer questions.
FOLLOW ALONG
TideSports.com and The Tuscaloosa News will have complete coverage of all four days and all 14 teams in Hoover. We’ll post updates on social media throughout the day and have stories from every SEC program after their coach speaks to the media in the main room. On Wednesday, we’ll have wall-to-wall coverage of Alabama’s day in Hoover and all the news from Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide players.
The SEC Network and ESPN will also broadcast live from the event throughout the week.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For up-to-the minute coverage from Hoover, you can follow the TideSports staff here:
Sports editor Cecil Hurt – @CecilHurt
Football beat writer Aaron Suttles – @AaronSuttles
Executive sports editor Tommy Deas – @TommyDeas
TideSports managing editor Ben Jones – @BW_Jones
Snapchat
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MONDAY
ARKANSAS
When: 11:35 a.m.-2:25 p.m.
Head Coach: Bret Bielema
2016 Record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
▪Austin Allen (QB, 6-1/209, Sr., Fayetteville, Ark.): Lead the SEC with 3,430 passing yards and finished second in the league with 25 passing touchdowns.
▪Frank Ragnow (OL, 6-5/319, Sr., Victoria, Minn.): Was named to the preseason Rimington watch list, and is a member of the preseason All-America first team.
▪Kevin Richardson II (DB, 6-0/178, Sr., Jacksonville, Ark.): Played in only one game last year because of a season-ending injury. Finished seventh on the team in tackles his sophomore season with 44.
LSU
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron
2016 Record: 8-4, 5-3 SEC
▪DJ Chark (WR, 6-3/187, Sr., Alexandria, La.): Reeled in 26 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns.
▪Derrius Guice (RB, 5-11/212, So., Baton Rouge, La.): Totaled 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
▪Christian LaCouture (DL, 6-5/301, Sr., Lincoln, Neb.): Missed all of 2016 with an injury suffered in camp.
TENNESSEE
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Head Coach: Butch Davis
2016 Record: 9-4, 4-4 SEC
▪Emmanuel Moseley (DB, 5-11/184, Sr., Greensboro, N.C.) Started 10 games in 2016. Tied career high of eight tackles and set career high of three tackles for loss against Alabama.
▪Jashon Robertson (OL, 6-3/300, Sr., Nashville, Tenn.) Was named to 2016 First Team All-SEC by Athlon and Lindy in 2016 after starting 11 games in 2016.
▪Kendal Vickers (DL, 6-3/295, Jr., Havelock, N.C.) Has made 25 consecutive straight starts. Recorded career-high seven tackles against South Carolina.
TUESDAY
GEORGIA
When: 9:05 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Head Coach: Kirby Smart
2016 Record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
▪Nick Chubb (RB, 5-10/228, Sr., Cedartown, Ga.) Finished last season as the team’s leading rusher with 1,130 yards on 224 carries. Set Chick-fli-a Kickoff Game record with 222 rushing yards.
▪Sony Michel (RB, 5-11/222, Sr., Plantation, Fla.) Finished last season as second-leading rusher with 840 yards on 152 carries.
▪Roquan Smith (LB, 6-1/225, Jr., Montezuma, Ga.) Led team in tackles with 95, five of which were for loss.
VANDERBILT
When: 9:05 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Head Coach: Derek Mason
2016 Record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC
▪Oren Burks (LB/s, 6-3/209, Sr., Fairfax, Va): Ended season with 59 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles per for loss and 3.5 sacks.
▪Kyle Shurmur (QB, 6-4/227, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.): Completed 204 of 375 passes, had 2,409 passing yard and nine touchdowns.
▪Ralph Webb (RB, 5-10/202, Sr., Gainesville, Fla.): Compiled 1,283 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. Also had 21 receptions for 166 yards.
FLORIDA
When: 1-4 p.m.
Head Coach: Jim McElwain
2016 Record: 9-4, 6-2 SEC
▪Duke Dawson (DB, 5-11/208, Sr., Cross City, Fla.) Recorded a team-high seven pass breakups. Finished with 24 tackles, one forced fumble and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
▪Marcell Harris (DB, 6-1/211, Sr., Orlando, Fla.) Finished as team’s leading tackler with 73 stops.
▪Martez Ivey (OL, 6-5/305, Jr., Apopka, Fla.) Started 12 games, named Second-Team All-SEC.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
When: 1-4 p.m.
Head Coach: Dan Mullen
2016 Record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC
▪Donald Gray (WR, 5-10/204, Sr., Memphis, TN.): Had 41 catches for 709 yards and five touchdowns.
▪Dezmond Harris (LB, 6-4/236, Sr., Bessemer, Al.): Made 37 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, and forced two fumbles.
▪Martinas Rankins (OL, 6-5/307, Sr., Mendenhall, MS.): Redshirt last season following junior college transfer.
WEDNESDAY
MISSOURI
When: 9:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Head Coach: Barry Odom
2016 Record: 4-8, 2-6 SEC
▪Eric Beisel (LB, 6-3/230, Sr., Fenton, Mo.): Had 44 tackles, including six tackles for loss.
▪Drew Lock (QB, 6-4/220, Jr., Lee’s Summit, Mo.): Threw for 3,399 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 54.6 percent of his passes.
▪J’Mon Moore (WR, 6-3/205, Sr., Missouri City, Texas): Caught eight touchdowns while hauling in 62 catches for 1,012 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per catch.
ALABAMA
When: 9:05 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Head Coach: Nick Saban
2016 Record: 14-1, 8-0 SEC
▪Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB, 6-3/201, Jr., Old Bridge, NJ): Finished the season with six interceptions, 186 interception return yards, 62 tackles and seven pass breakups.
▪Bradley Bozeman (OL, 6-5/314, Sr., Roanoke, Ala.): Blocked for 11 100-yard rushing games.
▪Calvin Ridley (WR, 6-1/190, Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.): Caught 72 passes for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.
TEXAS A&M
When: 1-4 p.m.
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin
2016 Record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
▪Christian Kirk (WR, 5-11/200, Jr., Scottsdale Ariz.): Ended the season with 80 receptions, seven touchdowns and 1,009 receiving yards.
▪Koda Martin (OL, 6-6/310, Jr., Manvel, Texas): Played backup to Jermaine Eleumunor last season and has since secured the starting position.
▪Armani Watts (DB, 5-11/205, Sr., Forney, Texas): Had 126 tackles, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
KENTUCKY
When: 1-4 p.m.
Head Coach: Mark Stoops
2016 Record: 7-6, 4-4 SEC
▪Mike Edwards (S, 6-0/200, Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) Led all SEC defensive backs in tackles and was one of just six SEC defensive players with 100 tackles.
▪Stephen Johnson (QB, 6-2/185, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) Finished eighth in the SEC in pass efficiency (130.9) and ninth in total offense (197 yards per game). Was named UK’s MVP of TaxSlayer Bowl.
▪Courtney Love (LB, 6-2/242, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio) Ranked third on the team with 76 tackles.
THURSDAY
SOUTH CAROLINA
When: 9:05 a.m.-1:35 p.m.
Head Coach: Will Muschamp
2016 Record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC
▪Jake Bentley (QB, 6-3/223, So., Opelika, Ala.): Completed 65.8 percent of his pass attempts while throwing for 1,420 yards and nine touchdowns.
▪Hayden Hurst (TE, 6-5/250, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.): Made 48 catches for 616 yards and a touchdown.
▪Deebo Samuel (WR, 6-0/205, Jr., Inman, S.C.): Had 59 catches for 783 yards and one touchdown.
AUBURN
When: 9:05 a.m.-1:35 p.m.
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn
2016 Record: 8-5, 5-3 SEC
▪Daniel Carlson (K, 6-4/223, Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) Two-time Lou Groza Award finalist holds 12 school records. Fourth in SEC history with a 83.1 career field goal percentage.
▪Tray Matthews (DB, 6-1/209, Sr., Newnan, Ga.) Leading tackler last season with 76 stops, starting every game.
▪Braden Smith (OL, 6-6/303, Sr., Olathe, Kan.) Has started 27 consecutive games, second-most on the team. First-team All-SEC selection in 2016.
OLE MISS
When: 9:05 a.m.-1:35 p.m.
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze
2016 Record: 5-7, 2-6 SEC
Javon Patterson (OL, 6-3/318, Jr., Petal, Miss.) Listed as the No. 1 left guard entering camp. Was named preseason third-team All-SEC by Athlon.
Shea Patterson (QB, 6-2, 203, So., Shreveport, La.) After starting quarterback Chad Kelly went down with an ACL injury, Patterson completed 54.5 percent of his passes and threw for six touchdowns.
Breeland Speaks (DT, 6-3/290, Jr., Jackson, Miss.) Enters the season atop the depth chart for defensive tackles.
Capsules by Cody Estremera, Ehsan Kassim, Molly Catherine Walsh and Kyle Weber.
