Biggest Questions for each SEC Football Team Heading into the Summer
Florida Gators
Does it make more sense to start DJ Lagway in 2024?
While Florida gets a massive bump with an experienced starter coming back for 2024 in Graham Mertz it may not be in Billy Napier's best interest. The Gators brought in the nation's seventh-ranked signing class headlined by the Nation's top quarterback DJ Lagway the third ranked prospect overall.
Mertz was solid for the Gators in 2023 as he passed for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns with three interceptions. While Mertz provides the Gators with a high floor low ceiling option, Lagway could be the high-upside starter that elevates this team into SEC contention. If Billy Napier is truly on the hot seat after a 5-7 season, wouldn't it make more sense to play the player with the talent to save your job?
Georgia Bulldogs
Who replaces the production of Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey?
The Georgia Bulldogs has the nation's fifth-ranked offense in terms of both yards and scoring in 2023 with two incredible receiving threats in Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. In defense of Georgia, the team rarely had both Bowers and McConkey as both battled injuries all year long. This Georgia team doesn't have many questions except for who may replace the 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns of production.
Tight end Oscar Delp looks poised to step into the starting role as a productive receiver with consistent play as the backup to Bowers. Receivers Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett have both had solid receiving seasons while at Georgia but, neither has shown the ability to be a 1,000-yard receiver that carries the offense. After losing three of the team's four leading receivers someone will need to take the throne as the team's top receiver and with Carson Beck at the helm the offense should be perfectly fine.
Kentucky Wildcats
Another year, another transfer what can we expect from Brock Vandagriff?
The Kentucky Wildcats have been the school of the transfer quarterback as they'll start their third straight transfer in Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff. The former five-star recruit has played sparingly at Georgia completing just 12 of 18 pass attempts for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Vandagriff has given the Wildcats fans a ton to be excited about this Spring while the team brought in former Rutgers starter Gavin Wimsatt to serve as his backup and sub in for certain run situations.
The Wildcats will need for Vandagriff to be incredible if they're going to have any chance of competing in the SEC this season. He's only played 76 career snaps but, the talent is there with Vandagriff to be one of the better quarterbacks in the league. The schedule does Kentucky no favors but, don't be surprised if Vandagriff keeps Kentucky competitive in some of their tougher games.
LSU Tigers
Will this defense be good enough in 2024?
The storyline of LSU's season in 2023 was an explosive offense with a defense that made every opponent's offense just as explosive. Defensive coordinator Matt House was fired and the rest of the defensive staff was overhauled however questions remain. The Tigers lost three defensive tackles to the NFL Draft and have been unable to replace the losses via the transfer portal. The secondary is expected to be improved but, after seriously struggling in 2024 there are still reasons to be concerned.
Even after losing Jayden Daniels to the NFL, there are plenty of reasons to believe in this LSU offense heading into the 2024 season. The issue will be if this defense doesn't take a step forward in 2024 LSU could be in serious trouble as the offense may not be as explosive in 2024. The success of the defense will start with how explosive Harold Perkins can be and if he can wreck games as he did as a freshman.