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SEC Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2023 season

By Elliot Reeder

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a pass and runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a pass and runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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SEC Football
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) /

7. Luther Burden is a first team All-SEC receiver

The 2022 Five-Star had a solid freshman season (45 receptions, 375 receiving yards, 18 rushes, 88 rushing yards, and 8 total TD’s), but I expect Burden to have a breakout sophomore season and end up as a first team All-SEC receiver this year.

With Dominic Lovett transferring to Georgia, I expect Burden to be the focal point of Missouri’s offense. Burden was a major recruiting win in the class of 2022 for Mizzou as a top two receiver (#1 according to most platforms) and a top 15 player in the class. Burden had a solid if not unspectacular freshman season. However, I believe that this will be a breakout season for Burden in which he emerges as one of the top receivers in the SEC. Missouri also returns a solid QB in Brady Cook, which should do nothing but help Burden.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Burden goes for a stat-line in the realm of 70-80 catches, 1,000-1,100 yards, and 10-12 TD’s in 2023 to become a first team All-SEC receiver.

8. Devin Leary ends up as the first team All-SEC Quarterback

I believe people are discounting how good Devin Leary is because he was limited to just six games in 2022, and because he is a transfer into the conference. Leary was one of the best QB’s in the nation in 2021, going for a 65.7% completion %, 3,433 passing yards, and 35 TD’s to just 5 INT’s while leading NC State to a 9-3 record.

For his career, Leary has totals of a 60.2% completion %, 6,807 passing yards, and 62 TD’s to 15 INT’s to go along with a career 139 QB Rating. While the ACC is different than the SEC, Leary has very impressive numbers from his time at NC State.

Leary also comes into a Kentucky team with a quality group of weapons and the return of offensive coordinator Liam Coen (who spent the 2021 season OC’ing at UK sandwiched in between stints in the NFL with the Rams where he was in 2022). Many in-and-around the Kentucky program are excited about the return of Coen, who should help Leary reach his potential in Lexington. Leary will also have some strong weapons around him such as returning receivers Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson to go along with Vanderbilt transfer running back Ray Davis.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Leary go for a ~65% completion %, 3,500+ passing yards, and 30+ passing TD’s. If Leary can keep his INT number low enough, that might just be enough to earn him All-SEC honors.

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