AL.com releases preseason All-SEC teams, standings projections for 2022 season

We may be stuck right in the middle of the offseason’s doldrums, but it won’t stay that way for long.

SEC Media Days are right around the corner in just about three weeks with fall camp to come shortly after. Before we know it, the 2022 season will be upon us.

With that in mind, Birmingham News/AL.com released its 76th annual preseason SEC projections, which include division predictions and preseason All-Conference squads. Several LSU players appear among the latter.

As we approach the beginning of the first season of the Brian Kelly era, here’s what the folks at Al.com think about the Tigers.

You can view the full preseason All-SEC list here and the predicted divisional order of finish here.

Preseason All-SEC

WR Kayshon Boutte - First Team

AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

Boutte is getting hype as not only one of the best players on this team or in this league but in the entire country. He was on pace for a monster sophomore season before an ankle injury ended his campaign, but he still finished with a team-high nine receiving touchdowns. If he is ready to go for the start of the 2022 season, he should be one of the SEC’s top wideouts.

DL Maason Smith - First Team

AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

A former five-star recruit and top-20 national prospect, expectations were high for Smith when he arrived on campus. He lived up to those expectations, making a major impact as a true freshman last fall. He started four of the nine games he appeared in, totaling 19 tackles (five for loss) and four sacks. He should be the face of a formidable LSU defensive line this fall.

DL Jaquelin Roy - Second Team

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Roy enters his third year with the team looking to play his biggest role yet. He has seen action in all but one game over the last two seasons, but he only has one start in that span despite solid production. That could change this season as he will likely be one of LSU’s starting interior linemen. There’s some projection going on here, but he’s coming off a 30 tackle (six for loss) season as a rotational player.

Division Predictions

SEC East

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

While anything can happen in college football, it would be quite a surprise if someone other than the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs wins the SEC East this season. AL.com predicted UGA to finish on top and interestingly had Florida and first-year coach Billy Napier at fourth behind Kentucky and Tennessee, who are coming off impressive seasons and return veteran quarterbacks.

Here’s the full standings projection.

1. Georgia

2. Kentucky

3. Tennessee

4. Florida

5. South Carolina

6. Missouri

7. Vanderbilt

SEC West

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Like in the East, there’s a clear favorite on LSU’s side of the conference. With Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young and superstar edge rusher Will Anderson returning, this could legitimately be coach Nick Saban’s best Alabama team yet. Unlike the East, there’s a bit more competition in the West. Still, the Tide are the favorite with LSU sitting at fourth behind Texas A&M and Arkansas.

Here’s the full standings projection.

1. Alabama

2. Texas A&M

3. Arkansas

4. LSU

5. Ole Miss

6. Auburn

7. Mississippi State

Story originally appeared on LSU Tigers Wire