Talent lines SEC secondaries, but does experience?

Adaptation is the key to survival.

With high-flying spread offenses becoming more prevalent within the Southeastern conference, the last line of defense is more important than ever.

A strong secondary unit is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

If SEC defenses are unable to reincarnate themselves into something that can match up with the speed coming their way, they’ll become obsolete.

Before the lights come on and the first ball flies end over end, we look at which secondaries can keep up — and which may be left behind.

1. Alabama. Under the watchful eye of Kirby Smart, the Tide looks to improve in an area that was exposed at times last season. But two starters return and there are ten stars worth of incoming talent at cornerback with freshmen Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey. Alabama has the speed and athleticism to face the best of the West. Junior Geno Smith likely replaces first-round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at free safety.

2. Ole Miss. The Rebels ranked among the nation’s top 40 in pass defense last year and four starters return, led by All-American S Cody Prewitt. Add top-ranked JUCO cornerback Tee Shepard and it’s clear the Rebels could be onto something special. Second-year DB Tony Conner, who plays a hybrid role in the 4-2-5 set, is especially intriguing. He started off his All-SEC freshman year with an interception and figures to just keep getting better.

3. LSU. Depth in the defensive backfield isn’t an issue at Death Valley. Three starters from the No. 4 pass defense in the conference return and the recruiting class has more stars than the Louisiana sky. Despite the uncertainty surrounding CB Jalen Mills, who was suspended and facing second degree battery charges, the secondary is stacked.

The only question seems to be who will start along with senior S Ronald Martin and sophomore CB Tre’Davious White. One option could be Devin Voorhles, who comes in as the reigning Mississippi player of the year. But he isn’t the highest rated safety in Les Miles’ latest class.
 
4. Mississippi State. S Jay Hughes has recovered from a torn Achilles that forced him to miss almost all of last season. Plus, all four starters are returning. The Bulldogs had the SEC’s fifth-ranked pass defense last season and could be better with senior Jamerson Love leading an experienced group that will also benefit from a potentially dominant front four.

5. Florida. Replacing four starters in the secondary is a tall task for any program. When that unit was the bright spot of a four-win season, the task seems even taller. But first-team All-SEC CB Vernon Hargreaves and senior S Jabari Gorman provide a solid foundation to build upon. Despite the departures, Will Muschamp’s last line of defense has depth. They’ll need it.

6. Tennessee. The Vols boasted a solid pass defense in 2013 and three starters return in the secondary. Still, competition for playing time will be abundant with six true freshmen vying for a starting spot. After allowing 762 yards in the spring game, coach Butch Jones can’t be blamed for keeping his options open.

7. Arkansas. Starting safeties Alan Turner and Rohan Gaines return, but depth is questionable. Senior CB Tevin Mitchell is a standout. However, there is uncertainty opposite him. Arkansas allowed 235 passing yards per game in 2013. That figure has to improve.

8. Texas A&M. Four returning starters will look to improve on a lackluster 2013 showing. Deshazor Everett leads a trio of seniors and teams with De’Vante Harris to form perhaps the best set of corners in the SEC. But the Aggies desperately need better safety play and a better pass rush to be better than last year when A&M ranked 12th in the SEC in pass defense.

9. South Carolina. Experience at safety must translate into leadership for the Gamecocks to repeat a strong performance from last fall. Both starting corners must be replaced, so five DBs from the incoming recruiting class will have opportunity to play right away. If they aren’t ready, senior safety Brison Williams will slide into one of the corner positions.

10. Georgia. New DC Jeremy Pruitt will likely start walk-on Aaron Davis and a converted running back in J.J Green in the secondary when August rolls around. That’s how dire the situation is with the Georgia pass defense. Two starters from ’13 transferred and another completed eligibility, but senior Damian Swann returns. Whoever joins him in the starting lineup surely will practice the art of knocking a football down.

11. Auburn. The miracles of last season overshadowed the fact that the Tigers' secondary struggled. Auburn was ranked 100th in the nation in pass defense. Complicating matters is starting CB Jonathan Mincy’s recent arrest on marijuana charges. JUCO transfer Derrick Moncreif finished the spring as a starter and could be a big piece of the puzzle.

12. Kentucky. UK's finish at or near the bottom all pass defense statistics last season leads one to wonder whether the return of five players with starting experience is a good thing. Sophomore Blake McClain had six picks in the spring, but can he do that against quarterbacks other than Kentucky’s? JUCO transfer A.J Stamps figures to provide immediate help.

13. Missouri. The worst pass defense in the league in 2013 is now without three starters, including All-SEC CB E.J. Gaines. The Tigers look to JUCO transfers and sophomores Aarion Penton and John Gibson as they seek to improve.

14. Vanderbilt. Not a single starter returns in the secondary, although the new crew includes some players with experience. Paris Head (cornerback) and Andrew Williamson (safety) are probable starters. Both had three interceptions last season. While that is a small sign of potential success, it’s a start.