Seven things we learned at SEC Media Days

HOOVER, Ala. — New Florida coach Jim McElwain got more than enough of a look at one son of a former NFL er in spring practice, and not enough of another.As such, he has a pretty good idea of what to expect from running back Kelvin Taylor, the son of former star and ex-Gator Fred Taylor, but isn’t yet sure what to make of Bryan Cox, Jr., who spent the spring rehabilitating from an injury.”Kelvin, he ended up taking a ton of reps because (of) the lack of numbers at the position, and has done an outstanding job, especially in the pa s protection part of it, which is something Bryan Marchment Jersey that we’re going to need out of him moving forward,” said McElwain, who takes over the Gators after a 10-3 season at Colorado State. “Bryan is coming off an injury, and yet has done a great job from the rehab standpoint. We’re excited to get him back out come the start of fall camp.”Taylor rushed for 565 yards last year on 116 carries in support of starter , Craig Janney Jersey who was of this year’s NFL draft by the . Taylor should have every chance to be the Gators’ full-time starter this fall for the first time in his career.Cox underwent hip surgery after the season and mi sed UF’s bowl game against East Carolina after making four sacks and six tackles for lo s at defensive end. His father in a 12-year NFL career and is now an a sistant coach with the .Here are six other things we learned from the first day of SEC Media Days:2.*Never covered?* In his final year at Auburn, wide receiver “Duke” Williams is primed for a big season. New quarterback Jeremy Johnson described him this way: “When he’s covered, he’s open.” Cornerback Jonathan Jones, who has the task of dealing with the 6-2, 225-pound Williams in practice, was a bit more detailed:”He’s a physical receiver, and he’s faster than what people think,” said Jones, for the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. “He mixes that speed with a great knowledge of route-running to make a great receiver.”3. Vernon the Quotable I. Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves in his turn at the SEC Media Days mic, and didn’t hesitate when asked who was the toughest receiver he had to cover last season. Answer: Alabama’s , the eventual of the who Ryan Carpenter Jersey burned UF for 10 catches, 201 yards and three touchdowns last season. “He could do anything. He’s fast, strong, can catch, can break tackles. He’s extremely tough. I’m definitely glad he’s gone.”4. Vernon the Quotable II. Hargreaves was also asked about the best trash-talker he’s seen in the college game, and harkened back to his freshman season in 2013 for that answer: the ‘ , who faced Hargreaves when he played for LSU. “My freshman year, he broke me in. I was kind of nervous walking in there, I knew I had to cover Odell (Beckham) and Jarvis,” Hargreaves said. “I got in to pre s Jarvis one time on the outside, and he caught a back shoulder ball on me and he just let me have it.”5. Sleeper to watch. Vanderbilt pa s rusher Caleb Azubike (6-4, 275) is one of the best SEC athletes you likely have never heard of. Commodores second-year coach Derek Mason, however, said the senior could be primed for a breakout season.”I moved Caleb to outside ‘backer a year ago, and really in the 3-4 structure, he’s not an outside ‘backer. What he is is a 5-technique,” Mason said. ” Mikael Granlund Jersey But I do know this, now understanding a year later who he is and what we are defensively, it allows me to get him more one-on-one matchups. I can move Caleb from the 3- to the 5-technique, and right now he’s about 275 (pounds). So I’m excited about what he is and where he is. This guy can have a tremendous year as an end.”Azubike has made four sacks in each of Egor Afanasyev Jersey his first three seasons at Vandy.6. Not yet ready. Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison, one of the SEC’s top defenders, won’t be ready for full contact when the Gators open preseason practice in three weeks.7. Le son: Don’t a sume. Georgia coach Mark Richt won’t rumble through SEC Media Days until Thursday, but the Bulldogs neverthele s made the internet rounds Monday as the team’s media guide was distributed with quarterback Brice ey listed as the starter. That’s more than Richt had to say when spring drills broke, so the listing raised its share of eyebrows. Enough that Richt found it nece sary to douse the flames via Twitter:Just so everybody understands, our QB race is wide open and we will decide on a starter sometime during preseason practice! Go Dawgs! Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) *Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *