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

Texas A&M – DT McKinnley Jackson

The Texas A&M defensive line is loaded with young talent (such as Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, and Walter Nolen), but Jackson is the veteran of the group and makes things go (or stop if you are the other team’s offense) on the interior. In 2022, Jackson had 37 tackles, 7 TFL’s, and 2.5 sacks. He put up those numbers while being limited to just eight games. A&M should have one of the SEC’s best defenses this year with the aforementioned D-Line group and the likes of Demani Richardson on the back-end, and Jackson (who has career numbers of 64 tackles, 10 TFL, and 4.5 sacks across 25 games (three seasons)) should be a big reason for that. If Jackson can finally stay healthy, he might be a First Team All-SEC caliber player.

Vanderbilt – WR Will Sheppard

As Vanderbilt looks to improve on their 5-7 record from a year ago and make their first bowl game since 2018, they return one of the better receivers in the SEC in Will Sheppard. Sheppard had 60 catches, 776 receiving yards, and 9 TD’s (which ranked second in the SEC) in 2022 as he quietly had a very strong season. As Sheppard and returning Vandy QB AJ Swann grow chemistry together, Sheppard’s numbers should improve even more. For his career, Sheppard has 105 catches, 1,383 receiving yards, and 13 TD’s (most of which have come in the last two seasons).