Watch for these 11 SEC players to breakout in 2024

Deion Smith (WR, Ole Miss)

Former LSU wide receiver and Holmes Community College standout Deion Smith will be in Oxford in 2024. Smith was rated as the top ranked transfer nationally in the junior college rankings according to On3. Out of high school, Smith was a four star recruit.

What were Deion Smith's stats with Holmes Community College? In eight games for Holmes Community College in 2023, Smith caught 48 passes for 1,063 yards for an average of 132.9 yards per game and 22.1 yards per reception. Smith totaled 12 touchdowns.

Last year's top junior college wide receiver Malik Benson went to Alabama this past season and was a big disappointment. However, there is something to be said for the junior college system in the state of Mississippi which is the best in the country. And Smith is a product of that.

Who are some other SEC players to watch for in 2024?

Beyond these 10, there are so many more that could arguably be labeled as “emerging.” Names like Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt), Jason Patterson (RB, Kentucky), Nick Scourton (DE, Texas A&M) are some more names worth mentioning.

Regardless, while 2023 was seen as a down year for the SEC for many, with the elite speed and experience coming to the league in 2024, do not expect a subpar season for the conference as a whole. And these names will be some of the reasons why.