By: Flint Harris Follow Flint on Twitter, Join us on Facebook
Jersey numbers are a big deal. Professional players will pay up to six figures to get their number when they go to a new team. Some college players will only go to a school where they can wear their favorite number. Yes, I am talking about you Rick Elliott from Mississippi State. The SEC has a wide variety of positions covered with players wearing jersey numbers 20-29.
#20
The number 20 is not as popular as you might think. Two seconds string running backs are as good as it gets at #20. Arkansas’ Ronnie Wingo catches the wheel route as well as any running back in the conference (Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia will testify to that) and is going to be counted on to spell Knile Davis. Wingo has great size and speed. If he will hit the hole hard, his production will increase. Tennessee’s Rajion Neal is going to be counted on to give starter Tauren Poole a breather this year too. Read Brad Pope’s article for more about Neal. Back-up defensive backs Jarrick Williams at Alabama, Derek Owens at Georgia, and Louis Watson at Mississippi State wear #20.
No question about who is the best #21 in the SEC.
#21-Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
As soft as #20 is, #21 is loaded with great players. Winston Guy is a terrific safety for Kentucky. Dre Kirkpatrick is a solid corner for the Crimson Tide. Darius Winston is a returning starter at cornerback in Fayetteville. Da’Rick Rogers is blossoming into a terrific wide receiver for Derek Dooley’s Tennessee Vols. Sean Richardson is a starting safety at Vanderbilt. However, the best #21 in the SEC resides in Columbia, SC. Running back Marcus Lattimore was a freight train opposing defenses wanted no part of in 2010 as he ran for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns.
#22-Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
The leading tackler in the SEC wears #22. Can you name him? Danny Trevathan from Kentucky made 144 tackles last year. Another great linebacker, LSU’s Ryan Baker is a #22. Auburn defensive back T’Sharvan Bell wears #22 as does mega recruit Florida sophomore safety Matt Elam. Former Georgia running back turned back-up linebacker Richard Samuel dons #22.
#23
Onterrio McCalebb has three new rings earned while wearing #23 last season. Prentiss Waggner tied for third in the SEC with five interceptions last year as he roamed the Vol secondary. Starting LSU linebacker Stefoin Francois is the Tiger #23 next to Baker’s #22. Florida back-up running back Mike Gillislee wears #23 too.
#24
Starting Gator safety Josh Evans is the first 24 we mention. The junior lettered as a freshman and sophomore in Gainesville. Randall Burden starts as corner for the Kentucky Wildcats. Back-up South Carolina linebacker Quin Smith, reserve Tennessee cornerback Eric Gordon, and back-up Georgia running back all don the #24 jersey.
Is Williams better than Auburn's Daren Bates?
#25
Corey Broomfield is a starting cornerback for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and accounted for 52 tackles and three interceptions in 2010. Terrell Williams is a name you will likely know by the end of the season. The Arkansas linebacker had a strong finish to the 2010 season with 20 tackles in his finals three games after replacing Anthony Leon as the starter opposite Jerry Franklin and Jerico Nelson. Another promising linebacker is Darren Bates from Auburn. Bates made 48 stops and one interception as a sophomore. Jonathan George is the back-up running back in Lexington.
#26-Antonio Allen, South Carolina
Antonio Allen is the most well-known number 26 in the SEC. As a junior, Allen made 69 tackles, two and a half sacks, and one pick. Ole Miss finally joins the fracas with wide receiver Derrick Herman. Herman has six career catches and averages 18.8 yard per kick return over his career. Maybe the twenties are just not popular, or maybe the Ole Miss talent has dropped that sharply during the coaching transition. Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State’s Damien Anderson is a reserve cornerback who also wears #26.
#27
Recently dismissed, then reinstated South Carolina cornerback Victor Hampton wears #27. Brandon Bolden’s back up at Ole Miss, Enrique Davis sports #27. Ironically enough, Vick Ballard’s back up in Starkville, LaDarius Perkins, wears number 27 too.
#28
DeMarcus Milliner made 55 tackles and one interception last season as a freshman member of the Crimson Tide. Is he better than Tennessee’s Tauren Poole, who rushed for 1.034 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010? Vick Ballard scored 20 rushing touchdowns last year. 20! Arkansas Grag Gatson saw some action at his defensive back position in 2010. Isreal Troupe is a back-up wide receiver at Georgia, who needs to help ease the loss of A.J. Green and Kris Durham.
#29-Jarvis Jones, Georgia
Jarvis Jones is a Southern Cal transfer back in his home state of Georgia ready to cause problems for opposing offenses in 2011. Tristan Strong plays linebacker for the Commodores. Will Lowery is a safety at Alabama behind the best safety duo in the country, Mark Barron and Robert Lester.
