40 Offensive Superlatives: 2021 SEC Season

Oh -- what a rowdy regular season that was! That SEC season was full of plenty of surprises, sure-fires, and sugar-coated excitement. But as college football fans collectively come down from the high of Championship Saturday, most are desperate for some "hair of the dog" content to curb their cravings before bowl season. 

Since everyone is knee-deep in All-Conference selections ranging from analytic firms to local papers to the "official" media selections, I decided to take a different route by awarding 40 unique superlatives to SEC offensive players. Sorry defense fans. But with all due respect, like five guys would've swept all of the honors had I gone that route. 

Anyway, below are 16 superlatives for passers and 12 each for rushers and pass catchers.  

Quarterbacks 

Most Accurate: Will Rogers, Mississippi State

The Air Raid made tremendous strides in Mike Leach’s second year in Starkville. Along will buoying the offense’s general down-to-down efforts with a +50% Success Rate, Will Rogers was the most on-point passer within the SEC this season. His 71.7% raw Accuracy% is nearly four points more than the next QB in line, Matt Corral. Dink and dunk aspects certainly played a major role in padding these ball placement stats; his 6.2 average depth of target ranks dead last entering bowl season. Still, Rogers was more than serviceable on his downfield throws. When applying weight based on how far a pass travels beyond the line of scrimmage, his 57.5% Depth Adjusted Accuracy is exactly four points better than Heisman hopeful Bryce Young’s number. That’s largely thanks to his league-leading Accuracy% on midrange (11-20 ADOT) attempts. His figure on 20+ yard throws was 8% better than the SEC average, and The Jolly Rogers’ 53.9% Adjusted Completion% placed second.  

Mr. Money Down: Bryce Young, Alabama

An obvious and deserving selection, Bryce Young was the only SEC passer to post a +50% Success Rate on 3rd down. Already a sound thrower, both the Tider’s Adjusted Completion% and Accuracy% improved in these spots compared to his early down output. The latter stat was five points better than Young’s 66.5% overall clip. Plus, his 59.3% Depth Adjusted Accuracy% was tops by about three points. Despite logging less than a quarter of his attempts on 3rd downs (6th lowest), only the two Vanderbilt QB’s had a higher yardage makeup. Finding his man consistently, he compiled 1,280 yards with 14 TDs on 11.9 Y/A. No other SECer topped 750, 7, or 10.5. Well over a fifth of his attempts resulted in a gain of 20 yards or more. All the while, 42.9% of his throws experienced pressure. Add that to his Heisman resume. 

Cool as a Cucumber: Bryce Young Alabama

A natural segway as the Tider enters bowl season with the SEC’s best Success Rate, 1D+TD Rate, and Yards/Attempt under pressure. Bryce Young has had plenty of practice to sharpen his already keen skillset negating havoc and elevating his team playing backyard ball. On the year, over 28% of his throws suffered from a form of pressure, which is the conference’s 5th-highest clip. Against conference defenses specifically, Young accumulated over 350 more yards and 17 more conversions+scores than the next dude in line. Not too bad considering he only tossed a pair of INTs in these circumstances. The Tider’s 3.8% Interceptable Pass Rate in league play was the only figure under 4%. Despite the ample adversity, he’s been cliche (calm, cool, collected) without going Leroy Jenkins. 

Bombardier: KJ Jefferson, Arkansas

While Alabama’s all-star topped the SEC in the volume metrics, KJ Jefferson proved to be this conference’s most accurate and efficient deep passer. Like many these days, Jefferson was aided by his scheme’s affinity for play action. Well over half of his deep throws used that tactic. Along with totaling the second most yards (834) and completions (21), his 51.3% Accuracy% was the best by five points. Or to put it another way, he was the only SEC QB to be on-target on more than half of his attempts that traveled beyond 20 yards downfield. Relative to his peers, Jefferson maintained firm figures in conference play, his Accuracy% dipped to 44.4%. Still, that mark held a familiar lead over the runner-up akin to Jefferson’ overall clip. On the year, exactly a third of his dingers gained at least 35 yards. No one else eclipsed 29%. Plus, He tossed 7 TDs versus 1 INT. 

Offensive Executive: Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia

Even though the SEC Championship didn’t go Georgia’s way, the Bulldogs are still the only SEC offense with +50% Success Rate in both facets entering bowl season. That obviously cannot happen without a somewhat consistent passer who can execute the offensive scheme. Stetson Bennett’s performance might have cemented his status as a game manager, but it’s hard to challenge the majority of the results under his watch this fall. Despite finishing 9th in Completion% and 12th in Accuracy%, the former walk-on commands the conference’s best Success Rate (53.7%), Explosive Pass Rate (15.8%), and First Down+TD Rate (43.7%). Talk about making them count. Under Monken’s guidance and a brawny ground game, SB4 used play action on nearly 30% of his attempts and targeted a screen or RPO on another 25%. Behind these guises, he popped. And, Georgia was a sheer bully at times when on schedule. But when the scheme has stuttered and the QB has been asked to shoulder the load, the sprite Bennett keeps on faltering without those props. 

The Light Lifter: JT Daniels, Georgia

The former-five star hasn’t played in two months. But when he has seen action this year, he consistently has fancied targeting screens, RPOs, and routes behind the line of scrimmage. JT Daniels attempts of the latter account for an absurd 47% of his completions, 36% of his throws, and 33% of his yards have come on the latter alone. With that, it’s no wonder his average depth of target is the 2nd-lowest in the conference. No doubt not being 100% for stints of this season played a part in this conservative modus operandi. In case you forgot, he led the SEC in Deep Pass Rate and had the top Yards/Attempt amongst the conference returns ahead of this fall. This about-face is an awfully strange occurrence unless something is up. While Daniels has had a few nice downfield completions, he’s the only SECer to have a third of his yards come via RPOs. 

Sideline Painter: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

In Josh Heuple’s hurry-up, super spread scheme, the Vols aggressively sought opportunities outside the numbers. Whether it was hitting foes with quick tunnel screens, curls or comebacks to space, or a solo shot, Hendon Hooker consistently delivered on-target tries along the sideline. On these throws, the Virginia Tech-transfer snatched the SEC’s most yards (517) and 2nd-most TDs (4) while not tossing a pick. Of course, it’s easier to accomplish those goals if you have a high proclivity of finding such completions. And in this case, Hooker checks that box. Besides being the only passer in the conference with a Accuracy% in the 60’s, the Vol’s 68.3% Completion% targeting routes along the sideline is eight points better than the runner-up figure. Plus, his Depth Adjusted Accuracy% and First Down+TD both cracked the top3. 

Midranger: Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia

Stetson Bennett has been one of the SEC’s most dedicated intermediate passers this fall. Other than Florida’s Emory Jones, no other conference QB has delivered over a quarter of his attempts or seized over a third of his yards. About 29% of the Bulldogs completions have come on throws between 11-20 yards downfield, which is five points higher than the runner up. Paired with his tendency to try this area of the field came the SEC’s premier midrange Completion%. None of Bennett’s contemporaries produced a clip within six percentage points of his. Plus, two-thirds of his connections resulted in either a first down or a score. A 14.3% Interceptable Pass Rate undeniably is a major red flag. Yet, the Bulldog enters bowl season with the SEC’s best intermediate Y/A (12.7). 

The Prince of Play Action: Matt Corral, Ole Miss

No SEC passer saw a higher percentage of his completions or attempts use play action more than Matt Corral. On the year, nearly a third of his throws used the tactic. By volume, the Rebel compiled 42 more dropback+play action passes than the next QB in line. And with loads of opportunities, he produced the conference’s best counting numbers. Corral passed for 1,230 yards and 52 combined first downs and scores, which trumps the silver medal by 300 and ten, respectively. But despite Ole Miss’s proclivity for play action, Corral himself hasn’t been particularly sharp this season using it. He sits below the SEC average across the board in advanced metrics including: Success Rate, Accuracy%, Adjusted Completion%, Explosive Pass Rate, and Uncatchable Pass Rate. 

Best Behind the Chains: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Hendon Hooker might not have been the most consistent passer when disadvantaged by down and distance, but he was certainly the SEC’s most dangerous. In a scheme that doesn’t mind taking big swings, the Vol has overly been given the green light to seek big plays in these spots. Among conference starters, no one can top Hooker’s 16.3 such average depth of target. And behind the aggressive downfield ball placement, he has delivered a league high 43.5% First Down+TD Rate, 23.2% Explosive Pass Rate, and 10.1% 35+ Pass Rate. The big plays have allowed Hooker to finish with the 5th-most yards behind the chains despite placing 14th in number of attempts. And for good measure, only Stetson Bennett managed to best his 50.7% Success Rate. 

The Alyssa Lang and Andraya Carter Award (Best Out of Pocket): Emory Jones, Florida

Emory Jones was an awfully frustrating passer for the Gators this year. But one area where the mobile passer found consistent success was roaming outside of the pocket either via bootlegs or otherwise. While sharing the top spot in number of combined first downs+TDs, Jones holds the SEC’s gold medal Completion% and Success Rate. His figures of 73% and 67% dwarf the runner up marks by 12 and 20 percentage points, respectively. And despite a double-digit Drop Rate, he also boasts the SEC’s premier Yards/Attempt (8.4). This was largely because Jones hardly wasted any of these chances. Besides being accurate on nearly two-thirds of these attempts, only a tenth of these tries were deemed uncatchable, which was the best clip in the conference. And though Jones’ bad habit of putting the ball into dangerous locations hurts his outlook moving forward, his 2.0% Interceptable Pass Rate on attempts outside the pocket holds the silver medal. 

Mr. Risk It, No Biscuit: Mike Wright, Vanderbilt 

Naturally fielding one of the worst rosters in the Power5, the Commodores found themselves virtually playing from behind all season. But while occasional aggression resulted in some risky throws from their passers, Vanderbilt throws always seemed to be placed into harm’s way. Both of their QBs finished in the bottom3 in Turnover-Worthy Play Rate with the two worst Interceptable Pass Rate in the conference. But no SECer was more prone to tossing a potential pick than Mike Wright. On the year, over a tenth of his passes met that criteria. Only South Carolina graduate assistant turned stopgap starter Zeb Noland saw a higher percentage of his attempts altered by defenders than the ‘Dore’s 13.8% clip. In addition to representing the SEC’s floor with a 50% Accuracy%, Wright’s poo poo passing pushed out a bottom3 Yards/Attempt, Success Rate, and First Down+TD Rate. 

Tight Window Tester: TJ Finley, Auburn

Though TJ Finley didn’t log considerable volume like most of his contemporaries, over 30% of his attempts for the second-straight season have challenged contested targets. The Tigers’ such figure is six percentage points higher than the next SECer in line. A third of his yardage has come from these throws, which almost doubles-up the dude with the silver medal. He didn’t toss an interception, but over a fifth of his tight window tries were turnover-worthy. The bad was unquestionably bad. But down-to-down, no peer trumps his league-leading 50% Accuracy or Completion%. Additionally, Finley sports a top3 Depth Adjusted Accuracy (39.6%), Success Rate (39.3%), and Yards/Attempt (7.3). Plus, his First Down+TD Rate ranks 4th entering bowl season. 

Mr. Quick Trigger: Ken Seals, Vanderbilt

On pure dropback pass plays (i.e. no screens or RPOs), Vanderbilt’s Ken Seal’s 2.23 average seconds to throw was the fastest time in the conference this year. A whopping 38% of Seals’ attempts saw the ball leave his hand in under 2 seconds. No other SECer eclipsed 26%. The Commodores largely favored short passing staples like slants, Stick, and Spacing to aid their aerial efforts and get the ball distributed to a receiver in a timely manner. Since these concepts are designed to operate closer to the line of scrimmage and pick on underneath parts of coverages, their gestation period takes less than more aggressive downfield patterns. And with Vandy’s bumbling pass blocking, leaning into that approach was hardly a bad idea. In general, over a fifth of Seals’ attempts experienced pressure. 

Backshoulder Specialist: Bo Nix, Auburn

Instead of awarding the conference’s top producer in yards (KJ Jefferson) or completions (Will Rogers), I decided to don a familiar face with this honor. Bo Nix and his semi-savvy style have long loved threading the needle with a well-timed backshoulder throw. This fall, he connected on 5/6 such chances for 109 yards. His only incompletion was due to a drop. Among his peers with at least three backshoulder attempts, Nix’s 18.2 Yards/Attempt stands to be the SEC’s best exiting the regular season as half of his chances resulted in gains of at least 20 yards. 

The Blake Bortles Award: Connor Bazelak, Missouri

This lustrous honor is presented to the SEC passer that has acquired the most counting stats when faced with a deficit while not actually helping deliver any worthwhile efficiency metrics. Or to put it more frankly, the QB who is full of the most fluff. On the surface, one of Vanderbilt’s two QBs seems the most worthy. But, Connor Bazelak has logged the SEC’s 2nd-most attempts and completions when trailing by at least a touchdown. Only three of his peers have outgained his 1,169 such yards. Only Will Rogers and Emory Jones have amassed a larger number of combined conversions and scores. But despite the decent volume metrics, the Tiger’s First Down+TD Rate, Depth Adjusted Accuracy%, and Yards/Attempt all fall into the SEC’s bottom5. Despite nearly an eighth of these attempts being screens, almost a tenth of his throws have been deemed interceptable. No one in the conference has totaled more than his 9 outright picks when down points or more. 

Running Backs

Hardest Rusher to Tackle: ZaQuandre White, South Carolina

Despite entering 2021 as an afterthought buried on the Gamecocks’ depth chart, South Carolina’s senior back earned significant carries this fall thanks to his rambunctious running style. ZaQuandre White averaged a broken tackle on every other carry; a feat that no SEC ball carrier with at least 50 touches in a season since 2018 has managed to accomplish. LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire came the closest to beating that benchmark with a 47% clip in 2019. And though Florida’s Dameon Pierce gave a terrific effort on his own 49.4% figure this season, White’s resume for this award is accentuated behind a league-high 4.3 rush yards after contact average. For what it’s worth, the Gator finished with the silver medal in that context as well. Against SEC defenses, White’s Broken Tackle Rate increased to 53%, which held nearly a six point lead over Pierce. Only former Vol Tiyon Evans and TAMU’s Devon Achane topped his 6.6 Yards/Carry in conference play. 

Set up to Fail: Patrick Smith, Vanderbilt

After fielding objectively the worst offensive line in the Power5 last season, Nobody had high hopes for the Commodores’ 2021 rushing attack. Behind the league’s worst rush yard before contact average, Vanderbilt was the only SEC offense to turn in a Yards/Carry under 4.0 and Rushing Success Rate under 40%. Though all of their backs faced plenty of hardships, Patrick Smith especially dealt with enhanced adversity as a ball carrier. Among SECers with at least 50 attempts, only South Carolina’s Kevin Harris logged a lower rush yard before contact average than his 1.14 figure. Other than Gamecock Marshawn Lloyd, no one saw a higher percentage of tries suffer from defensive contact behind the line of scrimmage. Smith experienced negative YBC on nearly 30% of his carries. Yet, 16.1% of the ‘Dore’s yards came on these attempts, which is the highest figure in the SEC. In general, roughly 74% of Smith’s rushing production came after contact, which was tops by three percentage points within the conference. 

Short Yardage Specialist: Zamir White, Georgia

After weighing a few factors, the midseason selection for this award retains the honor. Zamir White logged a rush yard before contact average over a half-yard under the SEC mean; yet finished inside the SEC’s top4 in YAC average (3.3), Broken Tackle Rate (40%), Success Rate (80%), and Adjusted Gumption Rate (80%), yards (144), and Yards/Carry (8.0) on tries with three yards or less to gain. Two-thirds of his production came after contact and the Bulldog didn’t log a single TFL. Not too shabby on account of 20% of his short yardage attempts suffering from contact behind the line. Only Florida’s Dameon Pierce rocked a higher such clip amongst qualifiers. Less than 15% of White’s yards and attempts occurred in these spots. But thanks to his showings in the first half of this fall, his close, and his nice numbers in similar instances last year, White has earned top of mind awareness in this context. 

Blessed Cushion: Snoop Conner, Ole Miss

Mississippi’s Snoop Conner can be thought of as a mean runner. But underwhelming stable rushing metrics and a 55% rush yard before contact makeup stress the Rebel’s environment did most of the heavy lifting this season. Among conference backs, only Arkansas’ Trelon Smith has a higher such clip, and Conner’s 2.77 figure on a per carry basis ranks 7th ahead of bowl season. Of his 21 10+ yard runs, 14 of them were on carries where initial defensive contact occurred at least 9 yards downfield. By volume, only TAMU’s Isaiah Spiller and Missouri’s Tyler Badie presently have more. Badie and teammate Matt Corral are the only SECers to snatch more than his four such TDs. But by a rate basis, none of his contemporaries match Conner’s 11.8% attempt makeup and 45% yardage makeup from these carries. In fact looking at the latter, his clip trumps the runner-up by about seven percentage points. Across his remaining 99 tries, Conner turned in a 3.2 Yards/Carry, 42.4% Success Rate, and 7.1% Explosive Run Rate. 

The Closer: Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky

Chris Rodriguez is commonly described as a dude that constantly falls forward, that trait unquestionably manifests when the Cats lean on its ground game to close things out. And though his usage waned a tad in the back half of the season in these spots, Big Blue’s bellcow came through with an undeniably valuable profile. Among SEC rushers with at least 22 4th quarter+overtime carries, none best CRod’s in Yards/Carry (8.3), YAC average (4.9), or Stuff Rate (12.8%). Seizing situational wins while chewing clock, the Wildcat obtained the SEC’s 2nd-most yards and 3rd-most 1D+TDs on the conference’s best Success Rate. Against SEC defenses exclusively, his figure of the latter inched up to 68% to lead his peers by 4 points. Plus, his 37.5% 1D+TD Rate and 25% Explosive Run Rate are top3-worthy. 

The Kickstarter: Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Though perhaps an odd selection for a beta back to be awarded the conference’s best ball carrier to get things going, Devon Achane’s rushing might was in full force this fall on his early chances. On first down runs in the 1st Quarter, the Aggie commands a top3 Yards/Carry (6.9), Broken Tackle Rate (50%), and Success Rate (66.7%). Behind a robust 4.5 YAC average fueling his downfield inertia, Achane’s 38.9% Explosive Run Rate and 44.4% 1D+TD Rate each hold the SEC’s gold medal. None of his peers have a clip of the former north of 32%. Sure, a pair of losses hurt his profile. But based on his knack for moving the chains and generating momentum, Achane enters the postseason as the SEC’s most potent and efficient kickstarter. 

The Plainbreaker: Dameon Pierce, Florida

Alabama’s Brian Robinson sports the SEC’s highest total of goal-to-go rushing touchdowns, but no conference ball carrier bested Dameon Pierce’s prevalence to punch the ball into the endzone. Along with nine of his ten such attempts finding situational success, the Gator broke the plain eight times. No other SECer with at least eight goal-to-go carries turned in a TD Rate north of 75% with no RB reaching past 67%. Looking at all red zone tries, Pierce is one of four conference rushers to see at least half of his such attempts result in either a fresh set of downs or points. Along with a top3 YAC average, his 70% red zone Success Rate trumps his peers by four percentage points. 

Mr. Volatile: Tyler Badie, Missouri

The SEC’s Rushing King hardly had a consistent 2021 season. Despite topping 200 yards five times, six other games saw Tyler Badie fail to gain more than 82 rushing yards. Though the Tiger boosted his stable metrics behind the SEC’s 3rd-most broken tackles, he logged 23 TFLs, which was a major catalyst in nearly a third of his yards going for less than two yards. Nearly half of his attempts gained less than three. Yet, Badie logged 11 more explosive carries than the next SECer in line while turning 4.8% of his runs into 35+ yarders – good for 8th-best in the league. His 5.99 Yards/Carry also finished in that spot relative to his peers. But while Badie’s good was good, too many sour notes composed a half-assed tune. Paired with a subpar 8.6% Negative Rate, the Tiger turned in a Success Rate, 1D+TD Rate, and Broken Tackle Run under the conference average. 

Mr. CatchMeOutsideHowbowdat: Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss

Though read option keeps allowed Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker to find a little bit more efficiency, Ole Miss’s Jerrion Ealy was the conference’s best back on carries outside of the bookends. Running through tackles on the top YAC average, no other SEC RB finished within a half-yard of his 8.4 Yards/Carry. A league-high 33.3% of his perimeter runs have gained at least ten yards, and his 7.1% BIG Run Rate is top5-worthy. Sure, five TFLs sting. But, Ealy enters bowl season sitting inside the top3 in Success Rate, Broken Tackle Rate, and 1D+TD Rate. Exactly 50% of his rushing production has come via outward runs. Only Missouri’s Tyler Badie and Florida’s Dameon Pierce can claim higher makeups despite Ealy only dedicating 35% of his carries towards the perimeter. 

The Matt Foley Award (Back on the Right Track): Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky

Last fall, UK’s Chris Rodrguez donned the SEC’s 2nd-best Yards/Carry and Broken Tackle Rate when disadvantaged by down and distance. And despite flaunting far worse stable metrics in this context year-over-year, the Wildcat generated one of the conference’s top profiles when behind the chains. Even though his league-leading 6.7 YAC average from 2020 worsened by three yards, Rodriguez turned a third of his chances behind the chains into a fresh set of downs or points. No other conference running back can claim a preferable figure. Plus, over a quarter of these runs went for 10+ yards, which allowed his 43.6% Success Rate to crack the top5. On the year, only Missouri’s Tyler Badie logged more rush yards than Rodriguez’s 290. 

Mr. Breakaway: Dameon Pierce, Florida

Basic geometry tells us: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In the football world, rarely do ball carriers get presented the most-direct path. With 11 potential tacklers, things can get hairy in a hurry and present a lot of obstacles. And while all rushers can snag splash runs attacking green grass, far less are capable at turning a short gain into something of substance. Already a hoss in the open field, Florida’s Dameon Pierce secured a 13% Explosive Run Rate when initial defensive contact occurred three yards or less downfield. By volume, only three of his peers managed to log more than his nine such carries; three suffered engagement behind the line of scrimmage. Sturdy stable metrics naturally fueled this wonderful output. Pierce enters bowl season with the SEC’s 2nd-best YAC average (3.9) and Broken Tackle Rate (49.3%) in these instances. 

Heavy Setter: Zamir White, Georgia

The Bulldogs lined up with multiple tight ends on 38% of their snaps in meaningful minutes. In turn, that high usage resulted in Georgia’s ball carriers experiencing gobs of snaps from heavy sets; and no one saw a higher rushing makeup occur from these formations than its lead back. Excluding goalline alignments, an astounding 75% of Zamir White’s production and 66% of his tries came with at least 2 tight ends on the field. Looking at the former, teammate Kenny McIntosh was the only other SECer past 67%. In fact when peeking at conversion makeup, three of the SEC’s top4 hail from UGA. While over two-thirds of McIntosh and Kendall Milton’s first down runs have occurred from heavy sets, White is in a class of his own with a 81.5% clip. Fueled by a top10 Success Rate and top5 Explosive Run Rate, he gained the SEC’s 3rd-most yards and combined 1D+TDs. 

Pass Catchers

YAC Monster: Brock Bowers, Georgia

Georgia’s Brock Bowers is simply captivating. Whether it's Mossing a coverageman downfield or executing a nice George Kittle impersonation, the phenomenal freshman tight end posted a league-best 1.1 Predictive Points Added/play per collegefootballdata.com. Instinctually slinking through holes after the catch and occasionally making defenders look silly in the open field, Bowers was one of three SECers to average over 10.0 YAC who logged at least 25 catches. Though he only placed 6th by volume, his 10.4 clip on targets within ten yards downfield is tops. While others took advantage of downfield catch and run opportunities, Georgia’s QB situation called for Bowers to work closer to the line of scrimmage, which has an increased degree of difficulty . Almost 45% of his catches occurred less than five yards downfield including 3 of his 11 TDs. All in all, just about 56% of the Bulldogs’ yards came after the catch.

The Brucie (“I just ate popcorn”): Jalen Wydermeyer, Texas A&M

Unfortunately for the Aggies’ passing game, Zach Calzada suffered from the league’s worst Drop Rate. Basically, an eighth of his attempts experienced that fate. And the biggest kick in the nuts of them all was Jalen Wydermeyer’s demoralizing 18.3% clip. By volume, that translates to 13, which is tied for the most in the SEC with UK’s Wan’Dale Robinson. Though the ante was upped for the Aggie facing plenty of contested or off-target chances, over half of his drops occurred on “accurate+open” targets. No other SECer logged more than five. The timing of some of these drops also were a buzzkill. Four occurred on 3rd down, which composed over a fifth of his such targets. Though a nice playmaker with the ball in his hands, the issue is getting it to stay there, apparently. 

Slantastic: Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Despite not playing half the season, no other conference pass catcher came close to matching Kayshon Boutte’s production on slant routes.  As a good deal of Bayou Bengal backers know, most were RPO glance posts and read reliant. Still, Boutte balled when squaring off against single-high coverages. While catching 8/9 targets, the Tiger erupted for 227 yards – 57 more than the next player in line. With three of those catches topping 35 yards, nearly 45% of his total yards came on these targets.Though Ole Miss’s Dontario Drummond and Alabama’s John Metchie caught more slants overall, Boutte’s resume solidifies behind a league-leading 77.8% 1D+TD Rate from these chances. 

Safety Valve: Jameson Williams, Alabama

In general, Jameson Williams is one of the conference's most bonafide playmakers, but the Tider’s superhero powers have shined when his passer is under duress. Of course, Bryce Young has experienced his fair share of pressure this fall. So the duo have had loads of opportunities to provide value for their offense’s when under the gun. Williams boasts the SEC’s most yards (336), catches (17), and 1D+TD (14). And among contemporaries with at least 15 pressured targets, no one bests his 57.1% Success Rate with his Yards/Target and Explosive Target Rate each finishing inside the top3. Just over 27% of his targets came under this circumstance, which is the conference’s 10th-highest mark exiting the regular season. 

The Creator: Chris Pierce, Vanderbilt

The Commodores’ passers combined for nearly 100 uncatchable attempts this season. Basically, a quarter of their throws were simply wasted; a significant bunch of others suffered from general inaccuracy of their inept QBs. Looking at Chris Pierce, about 43% of his targets were deemed off the mark. Despite those handcuffs, his 6’4 frame and wide catch radius came through by helping create a league-high six catches. Or in other words, he turned six would-be incompletions (some interceptions) into a half-dozen receptions for 94 yards. Only Arkansas' Treylon Burks and Tennessee’s Cedrick Tillman bested that figure within the SEC. 

Can Opener: Braylon Sanders, Ole Miss

Coming into this fall, no returning pass catcher saw a higher makeup of targets occur 20 or more yards downfield than Braylon Sanders’ 42.1% clip. Catching all the chances that hit him in the hands, 40% of his bombs resulted in points while nabbing the 2nd-best Yards/Target. His tendency to take the top off of opponents’ secondary has remained firm this fall even if his potency fizzled. Among SECers with at least 7 deep targets, none saw a higher such makeup than Sanders’ 36.1% clip. But thanks to a 39% Uncatchable Pass Rate, the Rebel only hauled in 5/18 opportunities. Still, he totaled 242 yards with a pair of scores. Only three of his peers trump his 48.4 Yards/Catch from these tries. 

Man on the Inside: Austin Williams, Mississippi State

For the past couple of seasons, few receivers have been as dependable as the Air Raid’s slot receiver. In 2021, Austin Williams turned in the 5th-best Catch Rate on catchable+contested tries and the 2nd-best clip on catchable+inaccurate opportunities within the SEC. Though it’s easy for Williams to fall through the cracks with the swarms of sexy pass catchers in this conference, the Bulldog delivered excellent bang-for-buck numbers this fall. When looking at all targets towards receivers aligned on the inside, none of Williams’ peers topples his 83.9% Catch Rate or 75% Success Rate. While his scheme dinks and dunks, the Bulldog obtained 8 eight explosive catches, which buoyed his 6th-ranked 9.7 Yards/Target. For good measure, his 57.1% 1D+TD Rate holds the silver medal. 

Sticky Fingers: Treylon Burks, Arkansas

You don’t need StatCat to tell you that Treylon Burks is a next-level receiver and one of the best in the conference at manufacturing value. But I think you ought to know the Razorback’s pass catching prowess at snagging off-target opportunities should be highlighted. When excluding uncatchable attempts, Burks has a 56.5% Catch Rate on inaccurate targets. In case you were curious, only four SECers with at least 15 imprecise tries have caught at least half of their chances. By volume, no other peer totaled more than his 13 catches, and only Alabama’s Jameson Williams and Tennessee’s Cedrick Tillman produced more yards than his 192. But while both of those guys dropped three passes, Burks was clean on that front. 

Mr. Explosive: Jameson Williams, Alabama

No SEC receiver has been as bang for buck this fall than Alabama’s incendiary Jameson Williams. Potent all over the gridiron, Williams has certainly stood out deep. Along with securing a share of the conference’s most catches on targets 20+ yards downfield, his 641 such yards is 200 more than the runner-up receiver. Overall, he averages over 10 yards after the catch, over 21 yards per reception, and 14 yards per target. The latter is nearly 1.7 more than the next SECer in line. Driven by his dingers, Williams has secured 22 catches that have gained 20 or more yards – the most in the SEC by three. By a rate basis, the Tider’s 21.6% Explosive Target Rate holds the gold medal as well. Over a tenth of his attempts have netted 35+ yards. Surprise, that also leads the league. 

The Outlet: Dontario Drummond, Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin and Jeff Lebby ensured their most-trusted pass catcher accrued plenty of layups within the Rebels’ electric scheme. And with roughly 40% of his profile being composed of screen or RPO targets, Dontario Drummond shipped smiley figures worthy of such volume. Behind the 2nd-most targets (35), yards (371), and TDs (3), Ole Miss’s primary presently leads the conference in number of explosive catches (5) and first downs (16). By a rate basis, Drummond’s 65.7% Success Rate and 57.1% 1D+TD Rate hold the 2-spot among his peers with at least 14 screen+RPO opportunities. 

King of Contested Chances: Rara Thomas, Mississippi State

While much of the Air Raid’s doctrine preaches throwing to unoccupied areas of the field, one of its freshman receivers proved to be the SEC’s best at coming down with contested chances. Rara Thomas has snagged 7/10 opportunities entering bowl season. No other SECer with at least 8 such targets has a Catch Rate north of 65%. Not to mention, Thomas’ 4 TDs double up the next figure in line. And looking at his situational Success Rate, he holds a 12 percentage point lead over the runner-up. Only Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman has a preferable Yards/Target, and only LSU’s Deion Smith has experienced a higher makeup of targets occur in this context than the Bulldog. An odd role, but the 6’2 first year appears to have found a niche behind this desirable output. 

Tunnel Vision: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

While Kentucky’s 2021 offensive approach stressed balance between the run and pass, the Wildcats have had no issues shoehorning the majority of their targets toward Wan’Dale Robinson. Much like a starving man overindulging at a buffet, UK spoonfed the Nebraska-transfer plenty of goop with little remorse. Robinson’s otherworldly 40.9% Target Share easily leads the SEC ahead of bowl season. No one else in the conference has a clip over 33%. By volume, only the Air Raid’s Makai Polk totals more targets, catches, and combined 1D+TDs. Only Alabama’s Jameson Williams has gained more yards. But while his counting stats have goaded the media into naming Robinson 2nd-team All-SEC, the Cat has been an overly average receiver on an opportunity basis behind a middling 50% Success Rate and 8.4 Yards/Target.