It’s getting more real by the minute, and Tuesday felt like another step forward towards the football season. That’s because the players from each SEC school attending the event in Tampa next week were announced. Each member institution will feature three players on this year’s roster to speak with members of the media. Here’s a recap in case you missed it.
Trio of Tigers heading to Tampa
LSU’s list of players wasn’t necessarily a huge surprise. Well, at least two of them weren’t. Linebacker Whit Weeks and tight end Trey’Dez Green will be on hand. This will be the second consecutive year that Weeks has represented the team. Both are fantastic representatives for LSU, and they’ll be joined by newcomer, TJ Dottery who transferred in from Ole Miss. Dottery is a great interview and has been nothing but great with the media so far in Baton Rouge. Still, there are a few names that you can’t help to wish were somehow included as well.
The most notable player absent from the list is quarterback Sam Leavitt. The $5 million signal caller was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, and LSU’s national title hopes rely heavily on his right arm. It would’ve been a fun opportunity to see one of the new team leaders in this environment for sure. Another one LSU missed out on was Boise State transfer safety Ty Benefield. People have raved all offseason about Benefield the player, but trust me when I say he’s even more impressive as a person and in front of a microphone. Benefield has a chance to be one of the best defenders in America this season, and he’s been a joy to talk to so far in the few opportunities we’ve had.
Where are the QBs?
This year’s list of players included a noticeably small number of quarterbacks across the league. Eight total signal callers will be in Tampa for the event which is the fewest at the event in the last two years. Each of the last two seasons have featured a minimum of ten quarterbacks including a record 11 in 2024. This year’s list includes:
Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
War Damn Kickers, the feel good story of the week?
Auburn has more new faces than almost any program in the country. Bringing in a new offensive minded head coach who convinced 13 South Florida players to come along with him gives plenty of opportunity for players we’re currently unfamiliar with. Quarterback Byrum Brown is the headliner and is expected to be one of the top transfer players in the country. His first interaction with the cesspool of 1,000+ “journalists” will be something.
The feel good story of the week could be Auburn bringing their kicker though. Admittedly when I first saw the name mentioned, my reaction was, “A kicker? Is Auburn that devoid of talent and personalities that they brought a kicker?” Then I remembered the story. Alex McPherson was one of the best kickers in America coming out of high school. In 2023 he didn’t miss a single kick and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award. Then in 2024 he was struck with ulcerative colitis and his career, and life as a whole, changed immediately.
McPherson lost 55 pounds and had to have his large intestine removed. He got down to a shockingly low, 110 pounds in early 2024. He’s rebounded since and returned for his final season on the Plains. If anyone has earned a trip to the beach (Tampa), it’s Alex McPherson.
Most Excited and Least Excited
Here are the teams I’m most excited to talk with next week in Tampa. Several brought a trio of really great players and/or personalities. Several others brought some players I, and many others, will be scrambling for info and wikipedia info on.
Most Excited
– Texas
– Ole Miss
– South Carolina
– Alabama
– Mississippi State
– LSU
Least Excited
– Arkansas
– Georgia
– Missouri
– Texas A&M
