50 greatest SEC football players this century, ranked
By Nick Villano
Best SEC football players this century – 46. Chance Warmack, Alabama, Offensive Lineman (2009-2012)
Mauling run blocking was part of the nature of Alabama football. Chance Warmack was a perfect player to block under Nick Saban. As a guard, Warmack brought some snarl to the middle of the line. Warmack’s main job was to keep A.J. McCarron upright. He did that to the tune of two National Championship level offensive lines.
Warmack decided to return to Alabama for his final year of eligibility after he was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2011. He could have entered the NFL Draft and he would have ended up on a team. Instead, he became one of the rare stars who was able to win three championships while in college. Warmack was just a huge specimen that used his body perfectly and provided championship-level protection for everyone behind him.
Best SEC football players this century – 45. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, Cornerback (2010-2011)
For the first time, we get to a controversial choice on the list. Tyrann Mathieu could have ended up in the top ten of this list, but he’s all the way down here because of how everything worked out. Tyrann Mathieu jumped onto the scene and dominated at the cornerback position as a freshman. He finished his first season in Baton Rouge with 59 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
In his sophomore year, he was even better. Not only was he a top cornerback in the SEC, but he was also one of the better returners in the league. He took it to the house twice on just 26 total punt returns. It showed his immense talent beyond just being a defensive superstar. “The Honey Badger” was named the MVP of the SEC Championship Game. He took a punt for a touchdown against Georgia, took another punt to the Georgia 17-yard line and had an impact on the Georgia offense as well. Many were talking about legitimate Heisman buzz for Mathieu.
Then, it all came crashing down. In the 2012 offseason, Mathieu was dismissed from the program. Les Miles claimed he violated team rules, but reports say it was drug infractions. He was on his way to a special career at LSU but has found stardom in the NFL.