The Rebel Walk’s 2016 preseason All-SEC teams

The college football season is quickly approaching. That means you are sure to see more lists like these as it is getting time to start shaping an image of what the 2016 season might look like.

Chad Kelly (Photo credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)

Talent is what makes the SEC the best conference in the nation, and the names on our first and second all-conference teams show why the league is the best on the gridiron. (It should be no shock to Ole Miss fans who the first team quarterback is.)

Here is the full list of preseason All-SEC first and second offensive and defensive teams according to The Rebel Walk.

OFFENSE

First team

• QB – Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
• RB – Leonard Fournette, LSU
• RB – Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
• WR – Calvin Ridley, Alabama
• WR – Fred Ross, Mississippi State
• TE – Evan Engram, Ole Miss
• OT – Cam Robinson, Alabama
• OG – Alphonse Taylor, Alabama
• C – Ethan Pocic, LSU
• OG – Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
• OT – Dan Skipper, Arkansas

Second team

• QB – Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
• RB – Nick Chubb, Georgia
• RB – Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
• WR – Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
• WR – Malachi Dupre, LSU
• TE – OJ Howard, Alabama
• OT – Andrew Jelks, Vanderbilt
• OG – Jordan Sims, Ole Miss
• C – Cameron Dillard, Florida
• OG – Braden Smith, Auburn
• OT – Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M

DEFENSE

First team

• DE – Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
• DT – Johnathan Allen, Alabama
• DT – Davon Godchaux, LSU
• DE – Derek Barnett, Tennessee
• LB – Richie Brown, Mississippi State
• LB – Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
• LB/S – Tony Conner, Ole Miss
• S – Armani Watts, Texas A&M
• S – Jamal Adams, LSU
• CB – Jalen Tabor, Florida
• CB – Tre-Davious White, LSU

Second team

• DE – Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
• DT – Trenton Thompson, Georgia
• DT – Breeland Speaks, Ole Miss
• DE – AJ Jefferson, Mississippi State
• LB – Jarrad Davis, Florida
• LB – Tim Williams, Alabama
• LB/S – DeMarquis Gates, Ole Miss
• S – Eddie Jackson, Alabama
• S – Dominick Sanders, Georgia
• CB – Carlton Davis, Auburn
• CB – Kevin Tolliver II, LSU

Eight Rebels earn spots on All-SEC teams

Evan Engram hauls in a pass to help lead Ole Miss past Mississippi State in the 2014 Egg Bowl. (Photo credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)

Chad Kelly, Evan Engram and Javon Patterson of Ole Miss all landed on the first team. Kelly is clearly the best returning quarterback in the conference and could make an appearance in New York this December.

Engram is an experienced pass-catcher whose skills are unrivaled at the position by any other player in the conference. Patterson should be the anchor to a solid offensive unit this fall. Not only is he immensely talented and polished, but he is also durable and versatile.

Jordan Sims landed on the second team offense and that would mean he had a solid showing this season. I expect just that from Sims, as he seems to continue getting better–and continues to get in even better shape. He is a great compliment to Patterson at the opposite guard spot.

Tony Conner brings down Dak Prescott in the 2014 Egg Bowl. (Photo credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)

Only Tony Conner landed on first team defense from the Landshark unit. The potential first round draft pick in 2017 should be back fully healthy, which is enough to give him a better shot at a solid campaign than in the previous two seasons. He is a veteran presence for a defense that should be much better than solid and he is a perfect fit from his hybrid linebacker/defensive back role.

Marquis Haynes, Breeland Speaks and Demarquis Gates all made the All-SEC second team defense. Haynes, like Conner, could wind up as a first round draft pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He should be near the top of the league in sacks come season’s end.

Speaks appears to be on the verge of a breakout season, now that more snaps will come his way. Playing alongside the presence of veteran D.J. Jones should also benefit the youngster. As for Gates, he could be near the top of the SEC in tackles at the end of the season. He should be a force in the middle of the Landshark unit.