Before the season, we put out our 2016 preseason All-SEC team. Now, seven weeks into the season, it’s time to unveil our 2016 midseason All-SEC team.
There are some old faces, as well as some new faces. There are some recognizable faces that didn't make the list. And there are even some true freshman, including a certain quarterback on the No. 1 team in the nation.
Offense
QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama: Knock him for average passing yards if you want, but you're missing the big picture. His big arm and quick feet have wreaked havoc on defenses to the tune of the fourth-most touchdowns scored in the SEC (17).
RB Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M: The true freshman burst onto the scene with his speed and elusiveness. He's No. 1 in the SEC in rushing yards per game (117.3) and second among SEC running backs in yards per rush (8.59).
RB Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas: A year ago, Williams broke his neck in a game against Auburn. Now he's the SEC's leading rusher with 785 yards on 140 carries, and he has six total touchdowns this season.
WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M: No SEC receiver has more yards than Reynolds (488), and he has been one of the league's best deep threats, averaging 19.5 yards per reception (second among SEC wide receivers).
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama: He had nine yards receiving against USC. Against Kent State, it was five. Against Arkansas, 14. But you can't keep Ridley down long. The stud sophomore still ranks third in SEC receiving yards with 477, and that number should rise as the passing game improves under Hurts.
TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss: Who is the leading pass-catcher in the SEC? It's not the two wide receivers listed above. It's Engram. The senior tight end has 37 receptions, 590 yards and five touchdowns through the first six games.
OT Cam Robinson, Alabama: His pass protection has been underwhelming this season, but you have to give the future first-round pick credit for helping Alabama to the No. 1 rushing offense in the SEC.
OG Braden Smith, Auburn: Watch this clip of Smith pancaking former five-star recruit Daylon Mack. Plays like this are the reason Auburn is second in the SEC in rushing this season and why Smith is the league's best guard.
C Ethan Pocic, LSU: Although he has been filling in at right tackle lately because of injuries, Pocic is at his best while playing his most natural position at center. He should be back there once William Clapp returns to the lineup.
OG Josh Boutte, LSU: His season got off to an ugly start with a controversial late hit at the end of the Wisconsin game that led to a suspension. The senior has otherwise been solid for an LSU offense that is starting to click.
OT Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M: The senior has been strong in both pass protection and in the run game for the Aggies, who have allowed the second-fewest sacks in the conference (six) and are No. 1 in rushing yards per game (274.3).
Defense
DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M: A lower leg injury slowed him recently but even with that, he has been an impact player, picking up a team-high four sacks, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee: Barnett is pushing for SEC Player of the Year honors with six sacks (all in SEC play), 11.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, three passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles. He helped force two turnovers against Alabama.
DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama: It was a strange move to come back for a senior season, but Allen is making it count. Whether it's stopping the run or rushing the passer, he is arguably the best all-around defensive lineman in the SEC.
DL Arden Key, LSU: Saturday's game against Southern Miss was the first time this season that Key didn't notch at least half a sack. The sophomore is still the SEC's top pass-rusher, leading the league with seven sacks.
LB Tim Williams, Alabama: Alabama is no stranger to star players in the front seven, but no one has ever rushed the passer under Nick Saban like Williams. He is a menace on third down, an outside linebacker with the speed to rush by even the most athletic offensive tackles.
LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt: After registering 19 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in the upset win over Georgia, Cunningham leads the SEC with 81 tackles (11.6 per game) and 13 tackles for loss. Forty of his tackles have been solo stops.
LB Reuben Foster, Alabama: He hits like Reggie Ragland and moves like C.J. Mosley. Foster leads Alabama in tackles and is a more-than-worthy heir to the star middle linebackers who came before him.
CB Teez Tabor, Florida: One of the nation's best cover corners, Tabor hasn't been thrown at a lot; but when he has, he has taken full advantage. He has defended five passes -- but four of them have been interceptions, including one going back for a touchdown against Missouri.
CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama: A trio of interceptions against Arkansas will get the most attention, but it is Fitzpatrick's versatility that means the most to Alabama's defense. Whether it's cornerback or nickelback, he is arguably Saban's best on-ball defender.
S Justin Evans, Texas A&M: The senior's contributions have gone well beyond just the hard hits he delivers. Production has been his best trait: He leads the Aggies in tackles (48) and has three interceptions, six pass breakups, three tackles for loss and a blocked kick.
S Jamal Adams, LSU: One of the top defensive back prospects in the upcoming NFL draft, Adams has been on fire lately. He registered double-digit tackles in two of the past three games and is tied for 10th in the SEC with 7.5 tackles per game.
Special Teams
K Daniel Carlson, Auburn: Not only has he made the most field goals of any SEC kicker this season, Carlson also has been the most accurate (13-of-14). His only miss came from 56 yards out against Louisiana Monroe.
P Johnny Townsend, Florida: He might get MVP talk in Gainesville with this leg power. Townsend is averaging an SEC-high 47.5 yards per kick. He has a long of 62 yards, has boomed 15 punts 50-plus yards and has had 13 downed inside the 20, with just two touchbacks.
RS Eddie Jackson, Alabama: Don't let Jackson gets his hands on the football, because he will do something with it. So far, he has returned two punts for touchdowns and taken one interception to pay dirt.