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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
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

LSU – LB Harold Perkins Jr.

This was a very tough one for me to choose as well between Perkins and LSU QB Jayden Daniels (not too mention others such as Malik Nabers, Maason Smith, and Mekhi Wingo). I ultimately went with Perkins as I feel his defensive versatility gives him the edge. Perkins had a fantastic freshman season as he put up 72 tackles, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles, and 1 INT. Perkins was a key reason why LSU won 10 games a year ago and made the SEC Championship Game. Perkins was a Second Team All-SEC selection last year, and could be even better this season.

Ole Miss – RB Quinshon Judkins

Speaking of fantastic freshman, here we have our 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year. Judkins quickly emerged as an elite running back at Ole Miss as he led the SEC in rushing (and ranked top 10 nationally) in his freshman season. Judkins ended up with 274 carries, 1,567 rushing yards, 15 receptions, 132 receiving yards, and 17 total TD’s a year ago. Judkins was also a First Team All-SEC selection last year as well. It’s tough for a freshman to be as good Judkins was last year, but he showed that he is one of the best players in the SEC.

Mississippi State – QB Will Rogers

Will Rogers deciding to come back for a fourth-year in Starkville was a major boost for Mississippi State as they return one of the most prolific QB’s in SEC history. In 2022, Rogers had a 68% completion percentage, 3,974 passing yards, and a 36:9 TD:INT ratio. Rogers, a three-year starter, has career totals of 70.7% completion % (best in SEC history), 10,689 passing yards (eighth in SEC history), and 82 passing TD’s (also eighth in SEC history) to 24 INT’s. It’s rare in today’s age to see a player starting for four years at QB for a school, but that’s a luxury Mississippi State has heading into 2023.

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