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SEC Football: Every Team’s Top Returning Player Heading into 2023

By Elliot Reeder

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes with the ball after a reception as Zamari Walton #7 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defends in the second half at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes with the ball after a reception as Zamari Walton #7 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defends in the second half at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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SEC Football
Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Barion Brown (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Florida – RB Trevor Etienne

Florida was one of the toughest teams for me to pick because I feel like they had a large tier of players all close together. However, I ultimately ended up going with rising sophomore running back Trevor Etienne. In his freshman season in 2022, Etienne had 118 carries, 719 rushing yards, 9 receptions, 66 receiving yards, and 6 TD’s. Part of what makes Etienne a tough, and maybe surprising, choice is because he shares the backfield with another player I heavily considered in Montrell Johnson. I also considered Ricky Pearsall and Princely Umanmielen, but ultimately decided to go with Etienne. I believe Etienne will emerge as the #1 back for Florida this season and make a run at an All-SEC team by the end of the year.

Georgia – TE Brock Bowers

Brock Bowers quickly emerged as arguably the best tight end in college football quickly at Georgia while helping lead the Dawgs to back-to-back national titles in his first two seasons. Bowers had 63 catches, 942 receiving yards, 9 carries, 109 rushing yards, and 10 total TD’s in 2022 as a sophomore. In fact, a tight end making this list over some of his teammates like center Sedrick Van Pran, linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, or DB’s Malaki Starks, Kamari Lassiter, and Javon Bullard shows just how good Bowers has been. Overall, Bowers has 119 catches, 1,824 receiving yards, 13 carries, 165 receiving yards, and 24 total TD’s in his two-year career. Bowers is now a two-time First Team All-SEC selection across his first two years in college. He was also an AFCA (coaches poll) First Team All-American in 2022, as well as an AP Second Team All-American.

Kentucky – WR Barion Brown

Barion Brown had a strong freshman season in Lexington as he emerged as one of Kentucky’s best playmakers. On the season, Brown had 50 catches, 628 receiving yards, and 4 TD’s. Brown will be a key piece of the Wildcat offense, along with transfer QB Devin Leary and transfer RB Ray Davis, this upcoming season as they try to improve on their 7-6 record from a year ago. Brown will pair with fellow returning receivers Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson to form a very strong WR unit for Kentucky.

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