The return of power and new talent are two crucial factors when it comes to showing a team’s offensive explosiveness. However, don’t underestimate the changes in plan and personnel within the SEC coaching staff, elements that can make or break a success.
A look at this summer’s rosters and the first two-deep predictions, it’s easy to spot the handful of players who should be elite on offense. They have recruited better staff than their peers in recent cycles and have had productive campaigns. Surprisingly, however, only three teams that we expect to perform in the top half of the league are welcoming a starting quarterback or not facing competition heading into fall camp.
Explosive plays lead to victories in college football — only one team that finished in the top 20 in that category last season failed to make the postseason (Arizona). The number becomes increasingly important in the SEC when opposing teams have just as much defensive talent to combat such plays.
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Here are the seven most high-profile crimes of the 2023 season as predicted by the SEC.
(Photo: Ryan Bethea, 247Sports)
returnees on the offensive: 5
Projected offensive power: passing game
Out with the old, in with the new: Dowell Loggains (offensive coordinator); Eddie Lewis, WR (Memphis); Nyckoles Harbour, WR (signatory 2023); Trey Knox, TE (Arkansas transfer)
The return of quarterback Spencer Rattler and one of the SEC’s top wideouts in Juice Wells means South Carolina is in good hands offensively under first-year offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. There are some questions up front and back, but the Gamecocks have more than enough speed in the wideout spots to make up for it. South Carolina finished fourth in the SEC in explosive airplay last season, and nearly all of those playmakers are returning. With only four scholarship running backs on the roster starting fall camp, in a group that also includes a converted wide receiver (Dakereon Joyner) and 2023 signee Dontavis Braswell, the Gamecocks are expected to return this season radiate more than usual when they are not able to show consistency on the spot.
(Photo: Arkansas Communications)
returnees on the offensive: 4
Projected offensive power: Charging attack
Out with the old, in with the new: Dan Enos (offensive coordinator); Luke Hasz, TE (signee 2023)
The Razorbacks make up for their lack of recurring starters on offense with two of the conference’s best players overall — quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders. No tandem in the league racked up more yards and touchdowns early in the 2023 season than these guys. Defenses knew Sanders would be getting a steady helping of carries last season, and still he managed 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. He could be the first ball carrier picked in the 2024 NFL Draft with another championship season with the Razorbacks. He has help from AJ Green, who made the best of his chances as a sophomore averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the #2 hole. New OK Dan Enos has a busy life in Fayetteville.
(Photo: © Bruce Newman/Special to Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY Sports)
returnees on the offensive: 8th
Projected offensive power: Charging attack
Out with the old, in with the new: Zakhari Franklin, WR (UTSA transfer); Tre Harris, WR (Louisiana Tech Transfer); Spencer Sanders, QB (Oklahoma State Transfer); Caden Prieskorn, TE (Memphis)
This Ole Miss offense rides Quinshon Judkins until his wheels fall off. It could be argued that he’s the best returnee in the country at his position, having rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 points last fall. Lane Kiffin was always portal heavy and had offensive talent, including a pair of dynamic weapons at the wideout and two quarterback signings, LSU’s Sanders and Walker Howard. Both will be jostling Jaxson Dart for first-team honor in August, but Dart looks set to lose that job. This offense could produce more touchdowns at the tight end than any other team this season.
(Photo: LSU Athletics Communication)
returnees on the offensive: 8th
Projected offensive power: Explosive games
Out with the old, in with the new: Logan Diggs, RB (Notre Dame transfer); Aaron Anderson, WR (Alabama transfer)
Given what the Tigers accomplished offensively in Brian Kelly’s first season, it’s safe to assume that LSU will be even more explosive in 2023 with Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier returning as quarterbacks, along with some high-profile goals in Malik Nabers and others. After speaking with a source close to the program, LSU staff believe the proposed offensive lineup of Will Campbell, Myles Frazier, Charles Turner, Garrett Dellinger and Emery Jones will be dominant at the center of attack. Diggs is one transfer to keep an eye on who might be getting first-team transfers.
(Photo: Stuart McNair, 247Sports)
returnees on the offensive: 4
Projected offensive power: Explosive games
Out with the old, in with the new: Tommy Rees (offensive coordinator); Judge Haynes, RB (signatories 2023); Tyler Buchner, QB (Notre Dame transfer); CJ Dippre, TE (Maryland transfer)
Don’t assume Buchner will be Alabama’s starting quarterback when the Crimson Tide open the season against Middle Tennessee. While that seems to be the expectation nationally, it’s more of an “insurance policy,” according to a source who says Alabama’s coaching staff remains confident even with challenges from Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. This is essentially a quarterback contest that has yet to be resolved. With playmakers like Ja’Corey Brooks and Malik Benson on the outside, the quarterback’s job under Tommy Rees this fall will be to hand out and play idle football in Tuscaloosa, but that’s not where Alabama won’t be the most explosive, in our opinion.
Alabama’s rushing attack could be better without 2023 NFL Draft first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. There seems to be an expectation that Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams will play significant roles and take on the lion’s share of broadcasts, but second-grader Jam Miller and true freshman Justice Haynes are believed to be starting players themselves.
“There is a growing belief at the Mal Moore Athletic Facility that Alabama’s running back room will be among the very best in college football. Given the transition the Crimson Tide are going through as quarterbacks, that’s a very good thing,” said a source.
(Photo: Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
returnees on the offensive: 7
Projected offensive power: Explosive games
Out with the old, in with the new: Dont’e Thornton, WR (Oregon transfer); Joe Milton, QB (Redshirt Senior)
If there’s an offensive going on for the volunteers, you wouldn’t know after speaking to those close to the program. This is due in large part to a senior-loaded Two Deep. And much like Ryan Day at Ohio State, Josh Heupel has earned the benefit of the doubt with a new starting quarterback because of his penchant for offensive production regardless of conductor. This scheme works, throwing defenses off balance with its breakneck pace.
Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small will need performance in the backfield, and together the two racked up just over 1,500 yards last fall, a lot considering this offense is designed to rack up yards in chunks downfield. Tennessee averaged 46.1 points per game last season and 39.3 in 2021 (7th overall). It is expected to re-enter the top 5 nationally and could top the SEC again. We thank Heupel and his staff for making this the norm in Knoxville now.
(Photo: Tony Walsh/UGA Athletics)
returnees on the offensive: 6
Projected offensive power: offensive line
Out with the old, in with the new: Mike Bobo (offensive coordinator); Carson Beck, QB (redshirt sophomore); Dominic Lovett, WR (Mizzou transfer); RaRa Thomas, WR (Mississippi State Transfer)
Expect “a lot of 11 players” in Georgia, with Bobo taking the lead. quarterback Carson Beck was the elite against Georgia’s first team defense in practice and said he will take the SEC by storm this season. That’s consistent with information we’ve received that he’s the strongest group of pass catchers the Bulldogs have fielded under Kirby Smart, with Darnell Washington moving to the NFL and AD Mitchell moving to Texas .
The versatile Brock Bowers is making headlines as the top return tight end in the country and its versatility will once again be fully showcased. Georgia’s awaited two-deep force at Wideout includes a variety of tried and true weapons, and the wealth is vast. Like a basketball team that can replace its starters with a talented second team, Bobo will feature various combinations of Ladd McConkey, Dominic Lovett (Mizzou transfer), Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, RaRa Thomas (Mississippi State transfer), Arian Smith and others Tinker Dillon Bell. Kendall Milton missed the spring with a hamstring injury, but he’ll be ready to shine as a running back.