Since what seems like much longer than just 4 years ago, SEC coverage has been dominated by conference poster boy Tim Tebow.  Now that the former Florida quarterback has finally moved on to the NFL, here is a look at a few guys ready to bear his torch as the SEC’s favorite son and media darling (it should be noted defensive players are almost always shortchanged by mainstream media, thus excluded from this list).

  1. Mark Ingram (Alabama) – Though a lot of college football fans agree he is more a product of the system, than an elite talent, that doesn’t override the fact he is the first ever Heisman Trophy winner from one of the most storied programs in college football history.  The Crimson Tide will most certainly be singing his praises from every molehill in Alabama as he sets out to be the first repeat winner since Archie Griffin.
  2. Ryan Mallet (Arkansas) – Any lists of potential camera hogs wouldn’t be complete without at least one signal caller, and who better to fill up the spotlight than a 6’7’’ quarterback?  A Michigan transfer, Mallet benefited from his mandatory year off, pacing the SEC with a 56% completion rate, despite some struggles against big time competition.  With another year under his belt, the Razorback big man still has a lot of room to grow (figuratively).
  3. Julio Jones (Alabama) – Ingram’s less nationally acclaimed teammate down in Tuscaloosa might actually be the most talented guy in the offense.  With his T.O.-esque build, great hands and top end speed, Jones came into college with as much hype as any recruit in the country.  While the young wide-out struggled with some injury and inconsistency issues in his sophomore campaign, Jones is second to none in sheer potential and athletic ability.
  4. A.J. Green (Georgia) – If Jones is Terrell Owens, Green is Randy Moss.  Thankfully neither receiver has shown similar headcase symptoms to their NFL prototypes.  Once the Dawgs get a little more consistency under center, Green will present a serious matchup problem, running past and jumping over most undersized college cornerbacks.
  5. Washaun Ealey (Georgia) – In an understudy role to Denver Broncos’ tailback Knowshon Moreno, Georgia’s other “Sean” still showed why some scouts touted him as Bulldog’s RB recruit since Herschel Walker.  Georgia should still stick to a two back system with Caleb King also in tow, but for skeptics saying this will limit his individual attention, just take a look back to the top of this list.