From SDS
Every year, contingency plans are formed by college coaches to deal with the loss of key personnel they might experience over the longevity of the 13-week regular season, but some guys are just nearly impossible to replace.
Not playing captain obvious, the most indispensable player in the SEC is Johnny Manziel, and for obvious reasons, I didn’t include him on this list. Everyone knows the Aggies’ offense would be limited and would take a major hit without Manziel.
Here are seven other players who are irreplaceable:
Alabama
AJ McCarron, QB: Alabama has a wealth of talent on offense with players like TJ Yeldon and Amari Cooper, but arguably the most decorated quarterback in college football and winner of two straight national championships is the lifeblood of the offense. The Tide’s backup plans include Blake Sims and Alec Morris, but losing McCarron would be too much to overcome. Call him a game manager or impact player, but he’s the most important player and leader for the Tide in 2013.
Arkansas
Travis Swanson, C: Bret Bielema doesn’t have many difference makers on offense with the talent lost from last year’s club. But what he does have is a veteran offensive line headlined by arguably the top center in the SEC in Travis Swanson. Swanson is one of the biggest freaks in the SEC, as named by CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman earlier this spring. Arkansas simply can’t afford to lose the heart and soul of Bielema’s new smash mouth and physical attack.
Auburn
Tre Mason, RB: Auburn had a wretched season in 2012, and the only bright spot on offense was running back Tre Mason. Mason eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, and it was overlooked simply because of the forgettable season. JUCO transfer Cameron Artis-Payne will be a solid player, but Mason has the extra gear to house it on any given play. Take away Mason, and the offense isn’t nearly as potent. Who’s not looking forward to seeing how Gus Malzahn uses Mason on offense? I know I am.
LSU
Kenny Hilliard, RB: Hear me out on this one. With Jeremy Hill already suspended and questionable for 2013 and Alfred Blue’s knee injury concerns, LSU can’t afford to lose the one running back they are counting on the most: Kenny Hilliard. Hilliard will be asked to carry the largest load in ’13. If all three backs – Hill, Blue and Hilliard – are healthy and eligible, Hilliard probably sits third on the depth chart, but with two of the three having questions, Hilliard moves to the forefront of the position corps.
Mississippi State
Tyler Russell, QB: Dan Mullen expects Tyler Russell to have a big senior season. He’s the offensive leader, and he’s the one player Mullen will be able to count on. Russell will have three new receiving targets to throw to, along with a bevy of depth in the offensive backfield. But Russell heads the offensive attack for the Bulldogs, as he tries to improve upon an overall efficient season in ‘12. Behind Russell, Dak Prescott sits waiting in the wings. But 2013 is Russell’s season.
Ole Miss
Bo Wallace, QB: We saw this spring just how important Bo Wallace is to the team. With Wallace missing spring rehabbing from shoulder surgery, backups Barry Brunetti and Maikhail Miller did nothing for Hugh Freeze but remind him Wallace seems to be the only guy who can run the offense. Wallace’s health is paramount for the Rebels in 2013, and behind him, we could be looking at two incoming freshmen in Ryan Buchanan and Devante Kincade.
Texas A&M
Jake Matthews, OT: If the loss of Luke Joeckel wasn’t enough, the Aggies offensive line couldn’t rebound if it lost Jake Matthews. Matthews slides over to left tackle to fill the vacated chasm left by Joeckel. You could have made the argument that the Aggies O-line was arguably the best in ‘12, and losing Matthews would make Johnny Manziel’s life hell. Matthews is the anchor of another very good O-line.
Photo Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
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