SEC West: Who Will Replace The Departing Talent?

Caption: Mississippi Rebels WR Laquon Treadwell (1) catches the ball and tries to free himself from Missouri Tigers LB Kentrell Brothers (10).


The SEC accounted for 29 out of 98 early entries into the NFL Draft this year. There are some great players that will be missed by their formal schools, but ESPN gave us a list of potential replacements for the job. Here are a few from the list:

Leaving: Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel

quote:

---

The replacement: Pick 'em. This might be the most interesting race on the list. Nobody can replicate the improvisational talents that made Manziel a Heisman Trophy winner, but the Aggies have a collection of players who will compete to become Johnny Football's successor. Matt Joeckel (22-37, 293 yards, 2 TDs) started in Manziel's place last season, but he won't win the job simply because he's a senior. Sophomore Kenny Hill (16-22, 183 yards, 1 TD) and early enrollee Kyle Allen will also challenge for the starting nod.

---

Leaving: Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

quote:

---

The replacement: Nick Perry. Replacing Kiper's top safety prospect won't be easy -- especially with safety Vinnie Sunseri also jumping for the NFL -- but Perry looks like a safe choice here. The fifth-year senior is coming off season-ending surgery after appearing in only two games in 2013. He might get some competition from early enrollee Laurence Jones, so keep an eye on that competition during preseason practice.

---

Leaving: Auburn RB Tre Mason

quote:

---

The replacement: Cameron Artis-Payne. Although freshman Racean Thomas and redshirt freshman Peyton Barber are players to watch, next in line seems to be Artis-Payne, who played well behind Mason in 2013, rushing for 610 yards and averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

---

Leaving: LSU RB Jeremy Hill

quote:

---

The replacement: Leonard Fournette. When available, Hill was one of the most productive backs in the nation. He had his share of off-field issues, which superprospect Fournette would do well to avoid. Recruiting analysts say Fournette is the closest thing to Adrian Peterson they’ve seen since the former Oklahoma star entered college, so he will almost certainly play early and play often. The Tigers also have veterans Terrance Magee (626 yards, 8 TDs) and Kenny Hilliard (310 yards, 7 TDs) to alleviate some of the pressure on the freshman.

---

Leaving: Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief

quote:

---

The replacement: Laquon Treadwell. It's not as if Treadwell didn't play a huge role already (team-high 72 catches for 608 yards and 5 TDs), but he will take over for Moncrief (59-938, 6 TDs) as the Rebels' top receiving option next season. He hasn't flashed the same downfield explosiveness yet, but Treadwell has already proved himself as a high-caliber SEC player.

---

Complete Story