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Players to watch, including familiar names and new faces, around the SEC following spring
TL;DR
The SEC showcases standout players, including Alabama's Jackson Lloyd and Arkansas' Quincy Rhodes Jr., who are poised for NFL draft consideration. Other notable names include Florida's Emmanuel Oyebadejo and Georgia's Nate Frazier, among others.
Key points
- SEC features standout players poised for NFL draft
- Jackson Lloyd secured starting left tackle position at Alabama
- Quincy Rhodes Jr. leads Arkansas defense with 15.5 tackles for loss
- Daymion Sanford suffered a serious injury during spring practice
- Nate Frazier led Georgia with 1,063 all-purpose yards last season
AlabamaArkansasAuburnFlorida
The Southeastern Conference showcases standouts and stars every year. Some are known commodities while others are on the verge of becoming household names. Here’s a look at some non-quarterbacks who garnered attention during spring practice and could end up being NFL draft picks:
Alabama LT Jackson Lloyd
Lloyd secured the starting job without much hesitation from coaches or competition from teammates in spring practice. The 6-foot-7, 317-pound Californian learned from All-American Kadyn Proctor last year and is already making strides under new O-line coach Adrian Klemm. They are two of the key pieces in Alabama’s push to improve a run game that ranked next to last in the SEC in 2025.
Arkansas DE Quincy Rhodes Jr.
Rhodes notched 44 tackles as a junior last season, including a team-leading 15 ½ for a loss and eight sacks, and then chose to stay in school for another year. New coach Ryan Silverfield recruited Rhodes to Memphis in 2022, setting the foundation for a relationship that mattered three years later. Now the 6-foot-6, 277-pound defensive end is poised to give the Razorbacks a key building block on defense.
Auburn WR DeShawn Spencer
The true freshman already is making a strong case for playing time. He had nine catches for 93 yards in the team’s spring game, flashing a quick first step and precise route-running ability. Although new coach Alex Golesh brought four receivers with him from South Florida, including Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton, Spencer could end up in the mix this fall.
Florida DE Emmanuel Oyebadejo
The 6-foot-6, 303-pound Manchester, England, native transferred from Jacksonville State and was one of the standouts of spring football. With an NFL body and NFL moves, he could be a force as a fifth-year senior.
Georgia RB Nate Frazier
Frazier is looking to solidify his status as a first-round talent. The 5-foot-10 junior led the team with 1,063 all-purpose yards last season, including 947 rushing and seven total touchdowns. He was the lead back in a one-two punch with Chauncey Bowens.
Kentucky RB CJ Baxter
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound running back joins new coach Will Stein after three seasons at Texas. The Florida native finished with 659 yards rushing and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2023, averaging 4.8 yards a carry and showing the potential to be the Longhorns’ next great back, but he was banged up the last two years.
LSU CB DJ Pickett
With Mansoor Delane heading to the NFL, the Tigers will look for DJ Pickett to emerge as the next great corner at “DBU.” Pickett and PJ Woodland together could give new coach Lane Kiffin the league’s top secondary.
Q&A
Who are the top SEC players to watch for the NFL draft?
Key players include Alabama's Jackson Lloyd, Arkansas' Quincy Rhodes Jr., and Georgia's Nate Frazier, all of whom have shown significant potential during spring practice.
What impact did Jackson Lloyd have during spring practice at Alabama?
Jackson Lloyd secured the starting left tackle position and is expected to be crucial in improving Alabama's run game, which struggled last season.
What injury concerns are there for Texas A&M's Daymion Sanford?
Daymion Sanford left the spring game with a lower leg injury and is currently in an air cast, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming season.
Which SEC players had standout performances in spring games?
Notable performances include Auburn's DeShawn Spencer with nine catches for 93 yards and Florida's Emmanuel Oyebadejo, who impressed after transferring from Jacksonville State.
