The 2022 college football season is rapidly approaching. The 2022 SEC Media days are next week and now is a great time to start scouting Auburn’s opponents.
One thing to know is the key players that are no longer on a roster, Jesse Simonton of On3 named his most notable departure from every program.
Much like Auburn, several programs saw numerous players leave their programs for a variety of reasons. While Alabama or LSU had numerous players drafted into the NFL, others saw several players decide to transfer to another program.
Any departure, from entering the draft, graduating, or transferring was eligible for the list. Here is a look at the most important departure from each of the seven programs in the SEC West.
Alabama: LT Evan Neal
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Simonton’s take:
The former 5-star product out of IMG Academy developed from a hot-shot recruit into a fixture on Alabama’s offensive line and a Top 10 NFL Draft pick. Neal started at three different positions for the Tide, including serving as Bryce Young’s left tackle in 2021. Considering Alabama’s offensive line is one of its more pressing questions this fall (see: Having to poach an OT from Vanderbilt), having Neal still around would’ve certainly assuaged some of those concerns.
Arkansas: WR Treylon Burks
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Simonton’s take:
Burks was the go-to playmaker for the Razorbacks, with Arkansas OC Kendal Briles force-feeding the ball to the 6-2, 225-pound wideout with bubble-screens, quick slants and pop passes. Burks graded out as the No. 1 receiver in the SEC, per Pro Football Focus, and 607 of his 1,110 yards came after the catch. Burks was also extremely sure-handed, dropping just three balls all season despite a heavy workload. The Hogs are hoping former 5-star Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselwood can play a similar role but those are some major shoes to fill in 2022.
Auburn: QB Bo Nix
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Simonton’s take:
This was a tough decision because former AU cornerback Roger McCreary was an All-SEC player (league-high 14 pass breakups) and linebacker Zakoby McClain was the heartbeat of the Tigers’ defense. But Nix was still Auburn’s most important player last season, and the fact the former legacy quarterback opted to leave The Plains rather than stick around for Year 2 of the Bryan Harsin regime means something. Despite Nix’s inconsistencies (particularly completion percentage), he’s still a better option than either TJ Finley…