From <a href="http://www.athlonsports.com" target="_blank">www.athlonsports.com</a>
Quarterback
1. Georgia -- Quarterback depth at Georgia is almost unwieldy. Sophomore David Greene, the 2001 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, completed 59 percent of his passes (192-of-324) for 2,789 yards and 17 touchdowns. His yardage and touchdown totals were school freshman records, and he threw for over 300 yards three times. Senior Cory Phillips made four starts two years ago, completing 89-of-158 for 1,093 yards and eight TDs. Redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley was one of the nation’s most ballyhooed quarterback recruits two years ago.
2. Florida
3. Ole Miss
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Auburn
7. Arkansas
8. Alabama
9. Mississippi State
10. LSU
11. South Carolina
12. Vanderbilt
Running Back
1. Alabama -- Senior Ahmaad Galloway has been Alabama’s leading rusher for the last two seasons. Last fall he ran for 881 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.1 per carry. Junior Santonio Beard added 633 yards at a whopping 8.2-yards a pop. Speedster Ray Hudson managed to squeeze out 37 carries with a 5.5-yard average as a freshman last year. Redshirt freshman Marquez Dupree, the son of former Oklahoma star Marcus Dupree, and Texas Tech transfer Shaud Williams add to the riches.
2. LSU
3. Arkansas
4. Auburn
5. Tennessee
6. South Carolina
7. Florida
8. Mississippi State
9. Georgia
10. Ole Miss
11. Kentucky
12. Vanderbilt
Wide Receiver/Tight End
1. Georgia – The Bulldogs return three big name receivers from a year ago. Fred Gibson turned in an outstanding freshman season and will be one of the featured weapons in the Georgia attack. Talented Terrance Edwards needs to show more consistency and eliminate some of his key drops. Damien Gary is another speedster who excels after making the catch. Duke transfer Ben Watson is more of a blocker than receiver at tight end.
2. Tennessee
3. Mississippi State
4. LSU
5. Florida
6. Vanderbilt
7. Arkansas
8. Ole Miss
9. Kentucky
10. Alabama
11. Auburn
12. South Carolina
Offensive Line
1. Georgia -- Four starters return to a Georgia offensive line that surrendered just 15 sacks last season. The leader is All-SEC and Athlon Sports preseason All-American Jon Stinchcomb. Stinchcomb and guard Kevin Breedlove each have started 33 games over their careers, more than any other current Bulldog player. Gargantuan George Foster (6'6", 322) at tackle and Alex Jackson (6'4", 345) at guard also return to their posts as seniors. Another senior, Kareem Marshall, started five games at tackle last season.
2. Alabama
3. Tennessee
4. LSU
5. Ole Miss
6. South Carolina
7. Florida
8. Arkansas
9. Auburn
10. Mississippi State
11. Vanderbilt
12. Kentucky
Defensive Line
1. Alabama -- Three starters return to the Alabama defensive line for 2002. One of them — tackle Jarret Johnson — was first-team All-SEC. The other two — ends Kenny King and Kindal Moorehead — were second-team All-SEC. The threesome combined for 142 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks and two interceptions. Backup ends Antwan Odom and Nautyn McKay-Loescher and tackle Anthony Bryant would have been starters just about anywhere else.
2. Tennessee
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. Auburn
6. South Carolina
7. LSU
8. Mississippi State
9. Arkansas
10. Kentucky
11. Ole Miss
12 Vanderbilt
Linebacker
1. Auburn -- Auburn is blessed with a glut of linebacker talent. Dontarrious Thomas returns after posting 122 tackles and nine for a loss, both team highs, and a game-saving interception against Louisiana Tech in 2001. Thomas is on the weak side with Karlos Dansby, who led the team last season with five interceptions, and redshirt freshman Lemarcus Rowell, one of the nation’s hottest linebacker recruits last year, on the strong side. Mayo Sowell, a 2001 Freshman All-American, will back up Mark Brown in the middle.
2. Arkansas
3. Ole Miss
4. Georgia
5. Tennessee
6. Mississippi State
7. Florida
8. Alabama
9. LSU
10. South Carolina
11. Vanderbilt
12. Kentucky
Defensive Back
1. Arkansas -- Three 2001 starters return in the Arkansas secondary, led by first-team All-SEC free safety Ken Hamlin, who logged 118 tackles and recovered three fumbles. Hamlin was suspended indefinitely and is still a question mark for the fall. Hamlin and cornerback Lawrence Richardson picked off three passes apiece. Eddie Jackson, a two-year starter at the other corner, will battle Ahmad Carroll, a Freshman All-SEC pick last year, for a starting assignment. Whoever loses that battle will be one of the top nickel backs in the nation.
2. South Carolina
3. Auburn
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
6. Mississippi State
7. Alabama
8. Florida
9. Ole Miss
10. Georgia
11. Vanderbilt
12. Kentucky
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