2020 SEC Preseason Summer Scouting Preview

South Carolina Gamecocks

Despite limited success on the field, the South Carolina Gamecocks have made an impact in the draft. We’re talking five players selected in the first round and multiple top-100 selections since 2012. The former won’t happen for the program next April, though it has a chance at placing a player on Day 2.

The Gamecocks have a number of successful defensive backs in the league, and Jaycee Horn will be next. He possesses terrific size, athleticism, and ball skills, and Horn voluntarily gives it up against the run. He needs to polish his game, but I believe he has starting potential on Sundays.

Dylan Wonnum is an athletic college tackle who may be pushed inside to guard. He moves well on his feet, shows a lot of skill in pass protection, and would be a solid fit for a variety of blocking systems.

Ernest Jones rounds out the trio of underclassmen. He’s an explosive run-and-chase linebacker who stands out in pursuit and plays nasty football. While I grade Jones as a Day 3 pick, I could absolutely see him moving into the top 75 if he continues to improve.

Tennessee Volunteers

It has been a struggle for Tennessee since the departure of Phillip Fulmer. They’ve had a few first-round picks in recent years, but several of them failed to live up to expectations in the NFL. Moving towards the 2021 NFL Draft, one Volunteer is universally hailed by scouts as a top prospect.

Just about every scout I’ve spoken with tells me the same thing: Trey Smith is their highest-rated prospect from the senior class. After breaking in with the starting team as a freshman, Smith saw his 2018 campaign disrupted due to blood clots, but he returned in a big way last season.

Smith has a next-level build and experience at both guard and tackle, and he plays with terrific fundamentals. He’s strong and smart and shows a great feel for blocking. However, Smith is not overly nimble nor is he someone I would line up in a zone-blocking system.

Most scouts have already stamped him as a first-round lock. I intend on hedging my bets at this point, as I want to see Smith improve upon his game from a season ago.

Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M boasted a string of seven consecutive drafts with a first-round pick from 2011-17. The program has had a player selected in the top 100 of every draft the past decade. The latter streak could be on the line next April.

The only Aggies player presently graded as a top-100 pick on my board is linebacker Anthony Hines III. The junior is a hard-working defender with terrific athleticism. He possesses decent size and speed, and he stands out in pursuit as well as coverage.

I grade quarterback Kellen Mond later than most scouts, who have stamped the senior anywhere from a late second-round choice to a mid-fourth rounder at this point. I like Mond’s arm strength, athleticism, and patience. He comes with big upside, but his accuracy, specifically his pass placement, must improve. I find that Mond is also slow to move his head from the primary receiver, which will be an issue at the next level.

Tackle Dan Moore is an athletic blocker who lacks the classic size most want in an edge blocker and may ultimately kick inside to guard. Carson Green is not as athletic, but he has better length and plays smart football.

Vanderbilt Commodores

One year ago, scouts graded tight end Jared Pinkney and receiver Kalija Lipscomb as potential top-60 picks; neither were drafted. The program did end up with a third-round pick in running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a feat they could match next April.

I graded Dayo Odeyingbo as a potential late-round pick last summer, and he showed terrific improvement as a junior in 2019. Odeyingbo possesses terrific size and growth potential and is insanely athletic. He explodes off the snap and shows terrific speed moving in any direction as well as a lot of suddenness in his game.

If Odeyingbo takes his game to the next level, he could end up in Round 2.

Keep an eye on former Wisconsin corner DC Williams. He’s shown a lot of flashes the past two years and displays enough ball skills to get late-round consideration.

Draft-Eligible Prospect Rankings: Southeastern Conference

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Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.