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SEC Football: Week 1 Player Spotlight

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

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SEC Football is back! Ever year players breakout and make a name for themselves. With a slew of new faces around the SEC, who will be in the spotlight the most during week one?

From Quarterbacks to Cornerbacks — what players will be under the most pressure to demonstrate what they are capable of this week? Regardless of what team you open up against coaches know what to look for to notice improvement. SEC Football is back, so what players should you keen in on week one?

Luke Del Rio – QB – Florida

Florida won’t be facing the toughest competition come Saturday, but it’s still someone. Del Rio has big exceptions on his shoulders even if it’s just being a game manager. The Gators named Del Rio their starting QB earlier this offseason and they haven’t looked back. Coach Mac has also stated he has the utmost confidence in him. Rio won’t be asked to do much, but everything he does wrong will be under a microscope as they are playing UMass. As for what he does right? Well, it will be taken with a grain of salt as Florida doesn’t get their first true task until Week 3.

Cooper Bateman/Blake Barnett – QB – Alabama

Another team that will be looking for more so a game manager rather than a QB is defending National Champions Alabama. Alabama starter the offseason with a lot of uncertainty at the QB position and that still remains even with days before the first kickoff. With Freshmen Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett both in the mix for the starting job as well as Cooper Bateman, things could get interesting. The Tide has all the tools to surround a QB to succeed, they just need one to take care of the ball. Nick Saban and Co. takes on #20 ranked USC week one, a team with just as much talent on paper. Whoever takes the starting job will be thrown straight into the fire and we will get to see what they are made of.

Nick Chubb – RB – Georgia

The only non-QB on this list comes for the very good reason. Jacob Eason could easily be on this list instead of Chubb, but I didn’t want to shower you with terrible SEC QB talk. Chubb is coming off of a season-ending and horrific knee injury that sent screams across the nation last year. All eyes will be on him as Georgia takes on ACC runner uppers, UNC. I wouldn’t say Chubb will be limited but I definitely think Sony Michel will get more action than normal even with Chubb back in the mix. Georgia’s Star  monitored carefully to see if he has missed any step at all.

Brandon Harris – QB – LSU

The third QB on this list comes with just as good reasoning as the first two. LSU experienced atrocious QB play last season that really cost them down the line.  Junior QB Brandon Harris will back under center, he will be expected to be much better with the football. Les Miles has a top flight defense, solid wide outs and the best RB in the nation, but you need a QB to win. The Tigers, like Alabama and Florida, just need Harris to be a game manager. If Harris can manage that, LSU could make a title run.

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I hope you guys are ready for another season of SEC Football! Yours truly will be in attendance of Florida’s home opener and will have a full report of what I’ve seen afterward. As for your favorite teams, I hope they all win unless you are a Tennessee Fan, then Go Appalachian State! Enjoy your weekend!

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