With the early switch portal window closed and the February signing interval within the rearview, Rivals.com fingers out SEC switch superlatives for the 2023 class.
Prime acquisition: Devin Leary | QB | Kentucky (previously N.C. State)
Kentucky misplaced a projected top-10 choose in Will Levis and changed him with the highest passer within the portal. The Wildcats’ offense shouldn’t miss a beat with Devin Leary behind heart. The N.C. State switch has began 26 video games in his faculty profession and was one of many ACC’s most harmful quarterbacks in 2021 when he accomplished 65.7% of his passes for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns with 5 interceptions over 12 video games.
Leary entered final season because the ACC’s Preseason Participant of the Yr, however a pectoral damage restricted him to only six video games. He’s at present on schedule in his restoration and optimistic about having the ability to participate in Kentucky’s spring camp. Regardless, he has the power to take the Wildcats to new heights as soon as he returns to full well being this fall.
Greatest want met — Monty Montgomery | LB | Ole Miss (previously Louisville)
Monty Montgomery is simply what the physician ordered for Ole Miss. The Rebels wanted to revamp their protection after rating No. 75 in complete protection (387.eight yards per sport) and No. 57 in scoring protection (25.5 factors per sport) final season. Montgomery will just do that, serving because the rock first-year defensive coordinator Pete Golding wants on the heart of the unit.
Montgomery is coming off a stellar season during which he recorded 70 tackles, together with 11 stops for a loss and 6 sacks. He additionally recorded a pair of interceptions and compelled 4 fumbles. Montgomery is undersized at 5-foot-11, 220 kilos however makes up for it along with his confidence and full-tilt mentality. The sixth-year senior ought to present an prompt impression each on the sphere and within the locker room.
Greatest loss — Jordan Burch | EDGE | Oregon (previously South Carolina)
South Carolina was in a position to flip over its tight finish room, shedding all 4 tight ends from final 12 months whereas bringing in three gamers on the place via the portal. The Gamecocks had much less luck changing star edge rusher Jordan Burch, whose departure will sting subsequent season.
Burch put collectively a breakout season final 12 months, recording 60 tackles, together with 7.5 stops for a loss and three.5 sacks, to go along with 14 quarterback hurries and three cross breakups. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defender ranks No. 6 within the Rivals Switch Tracker, the very best amongst any SEC participant leaving the convention.
Highest potential — Aaron Anderson | WR | LSU (previously Alabama)
Aaron Anderson ranks No. 2 on the Rivals Switch Tracker and is the highest-rated SEC acquisition this offseason. Nonetheless, that placement is due extra to his promise than manufacturing.
After signing with Alabama because the No. Three huge receiver in final 12 months’s class, a knee damage restricted Anderson to only three offensive snaps over one look throughout his debut season. Nonetheless, the five-star expertise showcased his potential final spring when he earned reward from Nick Saban for his playmaking skill. Now that he’s wholesome, he ought to be capable of carry that over with him to Baton Rouge the place he can contribute each on offense and as a kick returner.
Headscratcher — Spencer Sanders | QB | Ole Miss (previously Oklahoma State)
Spencer Sanders served as Oklahoma State’s beginning quarterback the previous 4 seasons, piling up 9,553 yards via the air and 1,956 extra on the bottom to go along with 85 complete touchdowns over his profession.
The tremendous senior is the ninth-rated quarterback within the Rivals Switch Tracker and will have went to an offense the place he would have been assured the beginning position. As an alternative, he selected Ole Miss the place he’ll compete with returning starter Jaxson Dart in addition to five-star LSU switch Walker Howard.
The Insurgent’s quarterback battle figures to be huge open, and Sanders actually has the expertise to win it. If he does, the transfer will repay as he seems to be an ideal match for Lane Kiffin’s offense. It’s only a massive threat for an already-proven passer to make heading into his remaining season of faculty soccer.
Greatest massive ugly — Gunner Britton | OL | Auburn (previously Western Kentucky)
Gunner Britton presents a much-needed confirmed choice for Auburn’s offensive line. The tremendous senior has made a mixed 19 begins over his faculty profession, together with all 14 of Western Kentucky’s video games final season.
In accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, Britton led the Hilltoppers with an 85.6 pass-blocking grade, permitting simply 10 pressures over 683 pass-blocking snaps final season. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound deal with can even present a push within the working sport and earned a stable 70.zero run-blocking mark from PFF.
Street to redemption — Graham Mertz | QB | Florida (previously Wisconsin)
Graham Mertz hasn’t lived as much as expectations after signing with Wisconsin because the No. 2 pro-style quarterback within the 2019 class. Over 32 begins for the Badgers, he’s thrown for five,332 yards and 38 touchdowns with 26 interceptions whereas posting a 19-13 report.
Nonetheless, he appears to be like poised to take over behind heart at Florida following the Gators’ a number of misfortunes on the quarterback place. Maybe a recent begin in Invoice Napier’s offense will assist him rediscover his potential.
Prime in-conference change — Dominic Lovett | WR | Georgia (previously Missouri)
Georgia returns star tight finish Brock Bowers however ought to be capable of open up its offense much more with the addition of one other confirmed SEC expertise in Dominic Lovett. The huge receiver is coming off a breakout season during which he led Missouri with 56 receptions for 846 yards whereas pulling in three touchdowns. He must be very influential within the Bulldogs’ try and three-peat as nationwide champions.
Welcome to the large stage — Andrew Armstrong | WR | Arkansas (previously Texas A&M-Commerce)
Confirmed skills are good, however so are hidden gems. Arkansas may need discovered the latter in Andrew Armstrong. The switch receiver involves the Razorbacks from the FCS stage the place he reeled in 62 receptions for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns for Texas A&M-Commerce final season.
Listed at 6-foot-6, 189 kilos at his final cease, Armstrong brings the size Arkansas likes on the receiver place. He ought to present an prompt impression for a unit that misplaced its high 4 receivers from final season.
Most underrated — CJ Dippre | TE | Alabama (previously Maryland)
Alabama’s addition of C.J. Dippre appears to be like even higher after the Crimson Tide named Tommy Rees as its subsequent offensive coordinator. Whereas Dippre does not fairly stack as much as what Rees had with Michael Mayer at Notre Dame, the Maryland switch can contribute as a cross catcher similarly.
A very good tight finish can usually be an inexperienced quarterback’s greatest good friend. Don’t be shocked if Dippre turns into a favourite goal for both Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson this season.
