Preseason SEC awards, rankings: Tod Palmer’s ballot

My fourth SEC Media Days is in the books.

Unlike previous years, the wisdom of the collective won’t be released until sometime Friday, but here’s a look at my picks for the All-SEC preseason team and a predicted order of finish for 2017.

Missouri has a chance to surprise some people in the SEC East, but I also think the schedule doesn’t set up great for that to be reflected in the standings.

Two of the Tigers’ three most-winnable conference games, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, are on the road along with the Battle Line Rivalry at Arkansas on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Mizzou also drew Auburn from the SEC West, while Kentucky, for instance, gets Mississippi and Mississippi State.

I voted Missouri wide receiver J’Mon Moore on the All-SEC first team and quarterback Drew Lock, tackle Paul Adams and defensive end Marcell Frazier on the second team.

Here’s the complete list:

Tod Palmer’s All-SEC ballot

SEC EAST PROJECTED STANDINGS

1. Georgia, 2. Florida, 3. Tennessee, 4. Kentucky, 5. Vanderbilt, 6. Missouri, 7. South Carolina

SEC WEST PROJECTED STANDINGS

1. Alabama*, 2. Auburn, 3. LSU, 4. Texas A&M, 5. Arkansas, 6. Mississippi State, 7. Mississippi

* SEC champion

FIRST TEAM

Quarterback — Jalen Hurts, Alabama, sophomore

Running back — Derrius Guice, LSU, junior; Bo Scarbrough, Alabama, junior

Wide receiver — Christian Kirk, Texas A&M, junior; J’Mon Moore, Missouri, senior

Tight end — DeAndre Goolsby, Florida, senior

Offensive line — Braden Smith, Auburn, senior; Jonah Williams, Alabama, sophomore; Martez Ivey, Florida, junior; Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama, junior

Center — Frank Ragnow, Arkansas, senior

Defensive line — Da’Ron Payne, Alabama, junior; Trenton Thompson, Georgia, junior; Marquis Haynes, Mississippi, senior; Denzil Ware, Kentucky, junior

Linebacker — Arden Key, LSU, junior; Jordan Jones, Kentucky, junior; Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama, senior

Defensive back — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, junior; Ronnie Harrison, Alabama, junior; Mike Edwards, Kentucky, junior; Carlton Davis, Auburn, junior

Placekicker — Daniel Carlson, Auburn, senior

Punter — JK Scott, Alabama, senior

Return specialist — Christian Kirk, Texas A&M, junior

All-purpose — Christian Kirk, Texas A&M, junior

SECOND TEAM

Quarterback — Drew Lock, Missouri, junior

Running back — Nick Chubb, Georgia, senior; Kamryn Pettway, Auburn, junior

Wide receiver — Calvin Ridley, Alabama junior; Antonio Callaway, Florida, junior

Tight end — Isaac Nauta, Georgia, sophomore

Offensive line — Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State, senior; Paul Adams, Missouri, junior; Jawaan Taylor, Florida, sophomore; Erik McCoy, Texas A&M, sophomore

Center — Will Clapp, LSU, junior

Defensive line — Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama, senior; Cece Jefferson, Florida, junior; Marlon Davidson, Auburn, sophomore; Marcell Frazier, Missouri, senior

Linebacker — Roquan Smith, Georgia, junior; Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas, junior; Skai Moore, South Carolina, senior

Defensive back — Duke Dawson, Florida, senior; Donte Jackson, LSU, junior; Dominick Sanders, Georgia, senior; Armani Watts, Texas A&M, senior

Placekicker — Gary Wunderlich, Mississippi, senior

Punter — Johnny Townsend, Florida, senior

Return specialist — Evan Berry, Tennessee, senior

All-purpose — Derrius Guice, LSU, junior

This story was originally published July 13, 2017 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Preseason SEC awards, rankings: Tod Palmer’s ballot."