Tag: SEC Media Days

Sophomore Keldric Faulk talks leadership at SEC Media Days

The Tigers’ defense is full of new faces, which gives the 6-6, 290-pound sophomore a unique opportunity to have his voice heard. 

Auburn defensive lineman [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] made history a few weeks ago after his coaches selected him to be one of Auburn’s representatives at SEC Media Day, the first-ever Auburn sophomore to earn such honor.

The second-year Tiger told media members the designation “means a lot…It shows that I’m becoming a leader on my team, and I’m leading the right way on my team.”

A sophomore becoming a leader on a squad as capable and talented as Auburn is a rare feat, but Faulk, who won’t graduate from his teenage years until this fall, has taken command of a defensive front full of new faces. Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has taken notice,

“Keldric has just had an incredible voice that people listen to — because he’s wise for his age and his work ethic is incredible,” Freeze said.

That work ethic and wiseness has been imperative for Faulk to lead a defensive line filled with transfers and freshman. The current Tigers unofficial opening depth chart features just two incumbent Tigers in the top six of the defensive line rotation. Besides Faulk and senior tackle [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag], transfers [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Trill Carter[/autotag], and [autotag]Gage Keys[/autotag] are all expected to soak up snaps up front on the Plains.

Despite the college football experience from the aforementioned quartet of big men, none have played a snap with the Tigers, giving the 6-6, 290-pound sophomore a unique opportunity to have his voice heard.

Faulk will not only try to build off an impressive freshman campaign in which he registered 36 tackles and a sack, but he’ll also look towards replicating the qualities of his former Tiger mentors from a season ago.

“Guys like Marcus Harris and Justin Rogers, those two guys, they showed me that being a leader is more than just showing people how to do stuff,” Faulk said. “It’s getting people to follow you in the right way.”

An Alabama native, Faulk’s leadership on the field will be put to the test as camp rolls on in early August before Auburn kicks off the season at the end of the month against Alabama A&M.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Georgia picked to win SEC title in 2024 preseason media poll

The Bulldogs have been picked to win the conference in 2024.

Released on Friday afternoon, the Georgia Bulldogs have been picked to win the 2024 SEC football title in the preseason media poll. The poll was taken from numerous media members at the SEC media days earlier this week.

In all, the Bulldogs received 165 points to win the title, and were followed next by the Texas Longhorns with 27 points. The Alabama Crimson Tide finished third with 12 points, while the Ole Miss Rebels, Vanderbilt Commodores, LSU Tigers, and South Carolina Gamecocks all had under 10 points as well.

Georgia also had 3,330 points to sit atop the predicted order of finish, with Texas once again following behind with 3,041 in second, meaning that the media predicts the Bulldogs and Longhorns to meet in the SEC title game later this season. Alabama sat in third with 2,891 points.

In addition to the media poll, preseason All-SEC teams were also chosen this past week at SEC media days, with Georgia leading all teams with six total First Team selections.

2024 SEC football projected order of finish

A look at where Tennessee football is projected to finish in 2024.

Southeastern Conference football media days took place Monday-Thursday at Omni Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel, along with offensive lineman Cooper Mays, linebacker Keenan Pili and defensive lineman Omari Thomas, represented the Vols at media days on Tuesday.

Following the conclusion of SEC media days, a projected order of finish for league teams in 2024 were voted on by media members. 2024 SEC football predicted order of finish is listed below.

READ: Tennessee football jersey number changes in 2024

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Florida Gators HC calls former Wisconsin QB ‘one of the best in America’

Do you agree with Billy Napier’s thoughts on Graham Mertz?

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier called former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz “one of the best quarterbacks in America” at SEC media days this week.

Mertz is entering his second year with the Gators after spending the first four years of his college career at Wisconsin. Badgers fans have tracked his career and progress closer than anybody after he initially joined the program as its highest-rated quarterback recruit of all time. That interest is only heightened with Napier making a comment like this.

Related: Reasons why Wisconsin football will or won’t make College Football Playoff in 2024

The veteran quarterback’s first year at Florida included a 72.9 completion percentage, 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. The stats are impressive, though they came as the Gators went 5-7 and missed a bowl game.

2024 does not project to get much easier for Mertz and Napier’s team. Florida plays a brutal schedule that includes games against Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State. It would do well to win six games, let alone come anywhere near the expanded College Football Playoff.

But that dynamic exists with Mertz having turned some heads last season. There appears to be optimism, whether universal or not, that he can play like one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.

Wisconsin fans who watched him complete just 59.5% of his passes for 6.5 adjusted yards per attempt, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions during his time in Madison may disagree with that sentiment.

The beauty of this situation and all others involving the sport: The games will kick off in five weeks and a clear answer will be given on the field.

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Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman is ‘running now and full speed’ ahead of the 2024 season

Conner Weigman is ready to roll heading into the 2024 season

During the final day of this week’s SEC Media Days, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko was joined by three player representatives, including left tackle Trey Zuhn, linebacker Taurean York, and defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who collectively previewed the upcoming 2024 season.

Taking the podium while answering questions from the local media throughout the day, quarterback Conner Weigman’s status has been a constant talking point since the redshirt sophomore sustained a season-ending foot injury just four games into the 2023 season.

During the spring football season, Weigman practiced and played in the Maroon & White spring game but was kept in the pocket to prevent further damage while continuing to heal from surgery.

Three months later, Elko has now reported that Weigman is finally healthy and running at full speed, focused on wiping away last season’s disappointment and looking forward to leading the rejuvenated Aggies to a potential playoff spot.

Regarding his progress this offseason, Elko noted that the talent is there, but the sample size is small. So, staying healthy throughout the year and improving protection across the offensive line are paramount.

“He just needs to stay focused on the day-to-day of becoming a great quarterback. Obviously, he was playing at a high level through six games.”

“It’s his third year of college football, but he has only played six games.”

Speaking with linebacker Taurean York, the sophomore revealed Weigman’s evergrowing leadership. He invited the entire A&M wide receiver corps to spend the July 4 weekend together to bond and develop much-needed chemistry.

“Conner has taken the next step in being a leader.”

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

ESPN drops new “SEC on ABC” graphics package

The SEC on CBS may be gone, but say hello to the SEC on ABC graphics package.

[autotag]SEC media days[/autotag] in Dallas have wrapped, with all sixteen teams taking the podium one by one to talk about their programs. The Oklahoma Sooners spoke on Tuesday, as head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] represented the team well in Big D.

With the close of SEC media days, ESPN unveiled their brand-new graphics package for the “SEC on ABC” that will debut this fall.

The days of the “SEC on CBS” and its iconic theme music are over, but the “SEC on ABC” looks promising from a viewing standpoint. OU will surely have more than a few games on ABC, as their new conference looks to highlight its new members.

The [autotag]SEC[/autotag] will now have their games exclusively shown on ESPN networks, after previously playing on CBS. The [autotag]Big Ten[/autotag] will be shown on every major network but ESPN/ABC (FOX, CBS, NBC), while the [autotag]ACC[/autotag] is on shakier ground as a whole as a conference. Their TV deal is also with ESPN/ABC, as well as the CW Network. Oklahoma’s old conference, the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag], will still be shown on ESPN and FOX.

The “SEC on ABC” and the new graphics will debut on Saturday, August 31, one day after the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Temple Owls to open their season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

Kirby Smart names five-star freshman as potential major contributor

Kirby Smart highlights a five-star freshman as a potential key contributor for the UGA defense in 2024.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Georgia secondary has plenty of room for young talent to fill the void three departing starters left. All three of those starters are in the NFL: cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Javon Bullard and star Tykee Smith.

According to recent comments by head coach Kirby Smart, five-star freshman K.J. Bolden may be primed to step up in their place.

When asked by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban about young players who could contribute in 2024, Smart said, “I think KJ Bolden has a chance to really help us out. He’s athletic; he’s intelligent. He comes from a really good high school program. He got 15 practices in spring, and he approaches every practice like a veteran.”

Smart also compared Bolden’s progression to a current Georgia star at the same position.

“Where he is right now is probably ahead of where Malaki (Starks) was at that time, and Malaki was able to play as a freshman.”

The comparison to Starks will undoubtedly build even more hype surrounding Bolden among the fans.

Bolden was a massive flip for the Bulldogs in the 2024 recruiting class after he decommitted from Florida State. He is competing for the starting safety spot opposite Starks with veteran Dan Jackson and junior JaCorey Thomas. His potential emergence became all the more important this week with the news of potential starter David Daniel-Sisavanh‘s departure from the team.

Top photos from Florida’s appearance at 2024 SEC media days

Get a gander at the Gators at SEC media days on Wednesday.

Florida football was represented by head coach Billy Napier, along with linebacker Shemar James, running back Montrell Johnson Jr. and quarterback Graham Mertz at SEC media days 2024 on Wednesday. The Gators quartet each took time to speak with the press and share their thoughts on the upcoming season.

Together, they answered hundreds of questions from the media. They rode a (fake) Longhorn. They took turns playing EA College Football 25 in their holding room, with Mertz battling UF Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel in a spirited back and forth.

Below is a look highlights from each person’s turn at SEC media days 2024.

 

Kirby Smart provides update on status of running back Branson Robinson

Georgia running back Branson Robinson is making progress on his recovery according to UGA head coach Kirby Smart. 

After suffering a ruptured patella tendon that kept him of the 2023 season, Georgia running back Branson Robinson seems well on the way to a return in 2024. Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart recently updated Robinson’s status.

When asked at SEC media days about Robinson’s status, Smart said: “(Robinson) looks really good. I won’t say he’s 100% cleared, but man, he looks great out there running.”

Smart said Robinson has cut some weight to put less pressure on his knees and should be close to 100% leading into fall camp. Smart also provided injury updates on several other Bulldogs, including safety Malaki Starks and linebacker Smael Mondon.

A highly touted four-star recruit in the class of 2022 out of Madison, Mississippi, Robinson showed great flashes for the Bulldogs in 2022. He recorded 68 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-high 98 yards on 14 carries against Auburn. He also scored two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 65-7 thrashing of TCU in the national title game.

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Robinson is one of three scholarship running backs on the UGA roster with playing experience heading into the 2024 season. Florida transfer Trevor Etienne and Roderick Robinson are the others.

Notre Dame All-Time vs. SEC in Football

Notre Dame all-time against the current SEC teams.

SEC Media Days are underway in Dallas as the countdown to the 2024 college football season is fully on.

Notre Dame plays one game against an SEC team this fall as the Fighting Irish travel to Texas A&M to take on the Aggies in the season-opener on Aug. 31.

How has Notre Dame fared against the SEC all-time?

Which teams from the SEC has Notre Dame beat the most and which have they never taken on in football?

The SEC has expanded to 16 teams with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas this off-season.  See below to see Notre Dame’s all-time records against all 16 SEC teams.