The SEC finished the regular season with two representatives in the College Football Playoff, further dictating to the college football world that the National Championship runs through the South. As such, there are some incredible performances on our All-SEC Team from the 2021 college football season.
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All-SEC Football Team Honors for 2021
In a year dominated by youngsters in the SEC, several first or second-year players are taking home honors. It also forecasts an incredible 2022 season as the majority of our winners here return next fall.
It’s important to note that these are awards and honors from Pro Football Network for each individual’s prowess on the field this season. This is in no way a projection of their NFL Draft status nor a report on actual conference awards that have already been handed out. These honors are from Pro Football Network, as judged upon by our team of college football analysts.
Let’s get to the overall awards.
- SEC Coach of the Year: Kirby Smart, Georgia
- SEC Player of the Year: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
- SEC Newcomer of the Year: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
- SEC Game of the Year: Alabama vs. Auburn, Week 12
All-SEC Offense
While Georgia dominated the regular season, Kirby Smart could not get past nemesis and former mentor Nick Saban in the title game. Still, the historic season that was Georgia’s 2021 campaign is deserving of much praise. As good as their defense was, they lack players on the offensive side of things in our All-SEC Team.
- SEC Offensive Player of the Year: Bryce Young, Alabama
- SEC Quarterback of the Year: Bryce Young, Alabama
- SEC Running Back of the Year: Tyler Badie, Missouri
- SEC Wide Receiver of the Year: Jameson Williams, Alabama
- SEC Offensive Lineman of the Year: Charles Cross, Mississippi State
- SEC Offensive Line of the Year: Kentucky Wildcats
- SEC Offensive Rookie of the Year: Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bryce Young had one of the better seasons in recent Alabama history, which is saying something. The future franchise quarterback for an NFL team showcased elite-level skills in every single game. What set him apart from the rest of the Alabama quarterbacks in recent memory is his poise under pressure. His offensive line wasn’t quite as good as it may have been for Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, or any of the Nick Saban quarterbacks.
Young stood tall in the pocket and delivered strike after strike to his receivers. His ball placement is elite and Young is poised to become a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His preferred target became Jameson Williams down the stretch of the season. The first-year SEC player who transferred in from Ohio State transformed Alabama’s passing attack once he got going. A vertical threat with exceptional skills at the line of scrimmage, Williams dominated college football from November on.
Tyler Badie emerges as lead back in 2021
The Missouri Tigers had a mixed bag of success in 2021. While the team suffered a couple of tough defeats, they also knocked off Florida in an overtime game that was Dan Mullen’s downfall. One thing that was consistent for the Tigers in 2021 was their running back Tyler Badie. Reaching 1,604 rushing yards and 330 receiving yards, Badie was terrific in just about every single game this season. He had five games of over 200 rushing yards and scored touchdowns in all but one contest.
Badie proved he’s ready to take a lead back role in 2021 while possessing the versatility that NFL teams should surely covet.
First-Team All-SEC Offense
QB: Bryce Young, Alabama
RB: Tyler Badie, Missouri
RB: Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama
WR: Treylon Burks, Arkansas
WR: Jameson Williams, Alabama
WR: John Metchie III, Alabama
TE: Brock Bowers, Georgia
FLEX: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
LT: Charles Cross, Mississippi State
LG: Javion Cohen, Alabama
C: Luke Fortner, Kentucky
RG: Keiondre Jones, Auburn
RT: Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Second-Team All-SEC Offense
QB: Matt Corral, Ole Miss
RB: Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
RB: Tank Bigsby, Auburn
WR: Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
WR: Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee
WR: Makai Polk, Mississippi State
TE: Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
FLEX: Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
LT: Evan Neal, Alabama
LG: Ed Ingram, LSU
C: LaQuinston Sharp, Mississippi State
RG: Emil Ekiyor, Alabama
RT: Brodarious Hamm, Auburn
Honorable Mention All-SEC Offense
QB: Will Rogers, Mississippi State
RB: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
RB: Snoop Conner, Ole Miss
WR: Dontario Drummond, Ole Miss
WR: Josh Vann, South Carolina
WR: Josh Ali, Kentucky
TE: Cameron Latu, Alabama
FLEX: Devon Achane, Texas A&M
LT: Dare Rosenthal, Kentucky
LG: Brady Latham, Arkansas
C: Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
RG: Warren Ericson, Georgia
RT: Warren McClendon, Georgia
All-SEC Defense
The best player in college football was in the SEC in 2021. While it was a member of the Crimson Tide, it was not their quarterback. Rather, it was Will Anderson Jr. off the edge for Alabama. If the trophies were given out to the most deserving and best player in college football, Anderson would certainly have a lot more than what we’re able to give him today.
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- SEC Linebacker of the Year: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
- SEC Defensive Back of the Year: Roger McCreary, Auburn
- SEC Defensive Rookie of the Year: Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M
- SEC Defensive Line of the Year: Alabama Crimson Tide
- SEC Secondary of the Year: Georgia Bulldogs
Anderson made a name for himself last season but exploded on the scene in 2021. He finished with 15.5 sacks and 91 total tackles but nearly a dozen more QB hits. Anderson was unblockable at times no matter who was in front of him. He changed the opposition’s game plan against Alabama, routinely moving the point of attack before the ball had been snapped.
Nakobe Dean was a similar kind of player at linebacker for Georgia. Dean won the Butkus Award this season for good reason. He finished with 61 total tackles, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. As strong as he is fast, Dean patrolled the middle of the field better than anyone in the SEC.
Alabama’s defensive line dominates
For all the talk of the Georgia defense this season, it was the Alabama defensive line that was arguably the best unit in the country. Led by Anderson, Phidarian Mathis and Dallas Turner also ranked in the top 18 in sacks in the SEC this year. Anderson, however, was so good that only two pairs of teammates in the SEC combined to have as many sacks as he did single-handedly.
First-Team All-SEC Defense
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
EDGE: Sam Williams, Ole Miss
DI: Jalen Carter, Georgia
DI: Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
LB: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
LB: Bumper Pool, Arkansas
LB: Chance Campbell, Ole Miss
CB: Montaric Brown, Arkansas
CB: Roger McCreary, Auburn
CB: Derion Kendrick, Georgia
S: Jaylan Foster, South Carolina
S: Jaylon Carlies, Missouri
FLEX: Jordan Battle, Alabama
Second-Team All-SEC Defense
EDGE: Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
EDGE: Micheal Clemons, Texas A&M
DI: Colby Wooden, Auburn
DI: Jordan Davis, Georgia
LB: Damone Clark, LSU
LB: Blaze Alldredge, Missouri
LB: Channing Tindall, Georgia
CB: Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
CB: Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
CB: Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
S: Leon O’Neal Jr., Texas A&M
S: DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama
FLEX: DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
Honorable Mention All-SEC Defense
EDGE: BJ Ojulari, LSU
EDGE: Josh Paschal, Kentucky
DI: Byron Young, Alabama
DI: Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
LB: Quay Walker, Georgia
LB: Ethan Barr, Vanderbilt
LB: Micah Baskerville, LSU
CB: Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
CB: Josh Jobe, Alabama
CB: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama
S: Rashad Torrence II, Florida
S: AJ Finley, Ole Miss
FLEX: Tre Williams, Arkansas
SEC Special Teams
One of the more impressive feats in all of the college football season happened in the SEC this season. It came when Biletnikoff Award finalist Jameson Williams continually made headlines as a punt gunner. As talented as he is, his best attribute may have been on special teams in 2021.
- SEC Kicker of the Year: Jake Camarda, Georgia
- SEC Punter of the Year: Nik Constantinou, Texas A&M
- SEC Specialist of the Year: Jameson Williams, Alabama
Earning the spot as the kicker of the year, Jake Camarda is headed to Mobile for the Senior Bowl as well. Camarda doubled duties as the Bulldogs’ punter and kickoff specialist, and he was busier with one than the other. Camarda only punted 40 times, averaging 41.6 net yards per boot. Yet, he kicked off nearly more than anyone else in the SEC. He averaged a 23.8 average field position to start, the best figure in the country.
Williams earns the specialist of the year after scoring 2 kick-return touchdowns on just 9 attempts. His skills as a gunner were even more impressive.
First-Team All-SEC Specialists
Kicker: Harrison Mevis, Missouri
Kickoff Specialist: Jake Camarda, Georgia
Punter: Nik Constantinou, Texas A&M
Kick Returner: Jameson Williams, Alabama
Punt Returner: Ainias Smith, Teas A&M
Special Teamer: Jameson Williams, Alabama
Second-Team All-SEC Specialists
Kicker: Cade York, LSU
Kickoff Specialist: Avery Atkins, LSU
Punter: Jake Camarda, Georgia
Kick Returner: Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee
Punt Returner: Nathan Parodi, Arkansas
Special Teamer: Chris Russell Jr., Texas A&M
Honorable Mention All-SEC Specialists
Kicker: Parker White, South Carolina
Kickoff Specialist: Will Reichard, Alabama
Punter: Oscar Chapman, Auburn
Kick Returner: Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
Punt Returner: Josh Ali, Kentucky
Special Teamer: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Congratulations to all those players selected. For any questions regarding these selections or the process behind them, please ask on Twitter (@CamMellor).