Georgiaâs Bowers, LSUâs Daniels highlight âBest of SECâ

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels could be the signature players in the SEC this season, if voting in the annual “Best of the SEC” list is any indication.

Bowers was the preseason pick as the league’s Most Valuable Player, Best Athlete and Most Versatile player, in voting by the league’s 14 football information directors and compiled by AL.com. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bowers, a first-team All-American in 2022, caught 63 passes for 942 yards and seven touchdowns and also ran for 109 yards and three scores as the Bulldogs won their second straight national championship.

Georgia, Alabama, LSU dominate 77th annual preseason all-SEC team

Daniels was chosen as the SEC’s Top Heisman Candidate and Best Leader. The Arizona State transfer passed for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions and also ran for 885 yards and 11 scores as the Tigers won the SEC West championship in 2022.

One other player was named atop multiple categories: Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. He was voted Most Underrated after catching 58 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, and was also chosen as Best Blocker among non-linemen.

Georgia figures to have another stellar defense, led by Mykel Williams (Best Defensive Lineman), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Best Inside Linebacker) and Malaki Starks (Best Safety). Alabama had the preseason pick for Best Offensive Lineman (JC Latham), Best Cornerback (Kool-Aid McKinstry) and Best Kicker (Will Reichard), according to voting.

Ole Miss’ Quinshon Judkins was named Best Running Back, and also received strong consideration for MVP and Top Heisman Candidate. He ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2022.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels led his team to the SEC West championship in 2022, his first season after transferring from Arizona State. (AP Photo/John Raoux)AP

LSU’s Harold Perkins was picked as Best Outside Linebacker, while South Carolina’s Antwane “Juice” Wells was chosen Best Receiver. Wells’ Gamecocks teammate Kai Kroger was chosen as Best Punter.

Despite being picked to finish last in the SEC West, Mississippi State had both the Best Passer (Will Rogers) and Best Kick Returner (Lideatrick Griffin). Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, a North Carolina State transfer who has passed for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career, was chosen as Top Newcomer.

Best of the SEC 2023

As voted by the league’s 14 football information directors

MVP: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Top Heisman candidate: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Most versatile: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Most underrated: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

Best athlete: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Best leader: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Best outside linebacker: Harold Perkins, LSU

Best inside linebacker: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia

Best cornerback: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Best safety: Malaki Starks, Georgia

Best defensive lineman: Mykel Williams, Georgia

Best offensive lineman: JC Latham, Alabama

Best receiver: Antwane Wells, South Carolina

Best running back: Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss

Best blocker (non-lineman): Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

Best passer: Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Best kick returner: Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State

Best placekicker: Will Reichard, Alabama

Best punter: Kai Kroger, South Carolina

Top newcomer: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

Creg Stephenson is a sports writer for AL.com. He has covered college football for a variety of publications since 1994. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @CregStephenson.