SEC Football: Game Balls, Top Performers for Week Four

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sep 24, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; SEC Football; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Boom Williams (18) runs the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Rashad Fenton (16) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Hello there. Welcome to our weekly “Game Balls” column here at Southbound and Down. In this column, we will give you our picks for who the top performers on offense, defense, and special teams from SEC Football were this week. Though some overlap may occur, this is not a re-posting of the SEC’s Players of the Week.

In addition to the top performer, we will also give you two “Honorable Mentions” for each category. If you are reading the article and think that someone was snubbed, or even omitted entirely, then please let us know in the comment section.

Below their names, I will attempt to tell you a bit about the player’s performance this week. That way you can see why I felt they deserved a Game Ball. But again, if you think someone else performed better, let us know.

This week there were several big games happening across the conference, and thus there were many players who performed at a high level for their teams. This did make it tough to decide who should get the “Game Balls” this week. Nevertheless, we here at Southbound and Down have powered through and will give you what you came to see.

Some players on losing teams perhaps deserve to be on this list. However, if a player can’t lead his team to a win, then that is a pretty big knock against them. For a player on a losing team to make our list he must perform virtually flawlessly.

Well, without further ado, let’s just dive on in. We will start with the offensive “Top Performer” and the two offensive “Honorable Mentions.” Click on the handy link below to see who gets the offensive “Game Ball” this week.

Sep 24, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) runs the ball during a play that would result in a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Offense: Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

This week Chad Kelly showed once again why he is the best quarterback in the SEC. He eviscerated the previously undefeated Georgia Bulldogs. He completed 18 of his 24 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Kelly also ran the ball four times for 53 yards and a touchdown.

In short, Kelly is the engine that makes the Ole Miss offense run. He will certainly be missed next season. Kelly’s combination of arm talent and running ability make him a truly dynamic player. I look for him to do well in the NFL.

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) celebrates after a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tennessee won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions:

Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

Speaking of dynamic quarterbacks, Joshua Dobbs certainly fits that description. He led Tennessee to its first win over Florida in a decade. Dobbs struggled early in the game, but then he went off in the second half. He completed 16 of 32 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a score on the ground.

The only reason Dobbs is not the Game Ball winner this week is because of his two interceptions. As a senior starter he has to know better than to try to force the ball into windows that just aren’t open.

Stanley Williams, RB, Kentucky

Boom Williams had a big game in Kentucky’s win over South Carolina. He carried the ball 15 times for 123 yards. That’s an average of 8.2 yards per carry. He also added a touchdown. Williams is similar to Chad Kelly in that he is the most important player on his offensive unit.

It seems like Mark Stoops has finally realized that fact. Expect to see Boom, and his backups, carrying the ball a lot over the remainder of the season. Kentucky’s strength is the rushing attack. If they can lean on it consistently, maybe they can sneak into a lower-tier bowl game.

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Armani Watts (23) celebrates recovering a fumble on the one yard line against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: Armani Watts, DB, Texas A&M

Armani Watts was all over the field for A&M against the Razorbacks. He had nine total tackles including 2.5 tackles for a loss. In addition, Watts both forced and recovered a fumble near the Arkansas goal line. Finally, he had one pass defended and one quarterback hurry. It’s like I said, the guy was everywhere.

Watts is a junior who is in his third year as A&M’s starting free safety. Watts has gotten progressively better the more he has played. Watts could potentially play his way into the first round of the NFL Draft if he continues improving. The only knock on him is his size. Watts is only 5-11. That hasn’t seem to hamper his collegiate performance however.

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) during the Lambeau Field College Classic against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin won 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions:

Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU

LSU lost their game against Auburn. But if there is one player who can’t be blamed for it that man is Arden Key. Key played a phenomenal game. He had six tackles in the game, including 1.5 sacks. Key is simply an unstoppable force when it comes to pass rushing.

What’s even more exciting for LSU fans is that Key looked stout against the run game as well. If he can continue to grow and develop into a complete player, then the sky is the limit for Key. He will be the premier pass rusher in the conference next season. Maybe he already should be.

Jordan Jones, LB, Kentucky

Like Watt, Jordan Jones is a tackling machine. Against South Carolina he had eight total tackles, including six solo. He also had a pass defended. As of this week, Jones leads the entire SEC in tackles. Just a sophomore, Jones will only get better as he matures. It looks like Kentucky has found their rock in the middle of the defense.

Dec 30, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers place kicker Daniel Carlson (38) kicks a field goal during the game against the Memphis Tigers at the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn

Daniel Carlson is the man. He is automatic. He attempted six field goals against LSU and converted all six. That includes a 51 yarder. Carlson is a real weapon for the Tigers. He essentially defeated LSU single-handed, as the Auburn offense failed to score a touchdown in the game. Of his last 30 field goals attempted, Carlson has hit 29. That’s insane.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Daniel Carlson is an NFL-caliber kicker. After this season ends he is going to be drafted into the NFL. I fully expect him to have a long, successful career there. He has the accuracy, the power, and the consistency needed to make a lot of money kicking the football.

Honorable Mentions:

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Adam Griffith (99) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Xavian Marks, PR, Alabama

Xavian Marks just looks like a return man. Unfortunately his decision-making leaves a lot to be desired. He let a couple of balls hit the turf that he really should have caught. Nevertheless, he showed what he could do when he took one 75 yards to the house.

Marks is tiny, at just 5’8″ 166 pounds. And I’m pretty sure those numbers are a little bit higher than they should be. Nevertheless, Marks has blazing speed and is incredibly agile. We will see if he can improve his decision-making and win the job permanently.

Adam Griffith, K, Alabama

Adam Griffith is a complete headcase. He has all the talent to be a great kicker, but he often misses kicks that he should make. That wasn’t a problem against Kent State. Griffith made both of his field goals, including a 48 yarder, and all of his extra points. If Griffith can just maintain that form then Alabama will be in good shape on special teams.

Sep 24, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Xavian Marks (19) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Thank You!

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed the article. If so, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Also, share your own top performers in the comments below. Finally, check in again next week to see who gets a “Game Ball” in Week Five.