By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Using only one position group per Sun Belt team, fill out the best roster possible.

Honestly, Im not stoked about this weeks Sun Belt slate. So, lets have some fun.

Im running back an old idea I had a couple of years ago, in which I built my ideal Sun Belt team using different position groups from different teams. Like they say, all writers borrow, good writers steal, and great writers steal from themselvesxa6 or something like that.

There are a few rules, though:

– Fill out a squad with the following position groups: Quarterback, Running Backs, Pass Catchers (Receivers & Tight Ends), Offensive Line, Edge Defenders, Interior Defensive Line, Linebackers, Cornerback, Safeties, Special Teams (Kickers, Punters, Returners, Coverage Units, etc.)

– Ideally, the pieces should fit together, although there is something to be said for overwhelming talent. Finding the balance is key.

– Only one position group per Sun Belt team. (ie, if you take Coastal Carolinas special teams, you cant have their offensive line)

Ten position groups, ten teams. Perfect.

Taking a similar approach to the last time I did this, Im first and foremost valuing a) quarterback, b) protecting said quarterback, and c) getting after opposing quarterbacks.

During draft prep, as I was situating my big board, I found myself in the constant dilemma of deciding between individual star power and unit depth. I find myself both drawn to certain standout players and simultaneously wanting some rotational flexibility. I dont necessarily need to rotate guys on defense like, say, ULM does, but the option to would be nice.

In any case, the one non-negotiable starting point for me was grabbing Louisianas offensive line. Give me Kevin Dotson. Give me (healthy) Robert Hunt. Give me all of that.

Yes, that takes the Cajuns similarly ridiculous stable of backs off that board, but if were being honest, almost any serviceable running back will do behind that O-line.

As far as the guy taking snaps from Shane Vallot, we can wait on that. QB is obviously of great importance, but I dont feel that strongly picking between Kaleb Barker, Caleb Evans, Dan Ellington, and Zac Thomas. That can wait while we fill the rest of the depth chart out.

As a matter of fact, the entire rest of the offense can wait.

Winning the line of scrimmage is still the most important thing to me, on the other side of the ball too, but Ive got options up front. The thinnest spots in the league, by estimation, are in the defensive backfield.

With Louisianas cornerbacks unavailable, Im pretty much looking at either App State or Arkansas State. This is, of course, operating under the premise that Jerry Jacobs is still done for the year, which speaks very highly of how much Jeremy Smith and company have stepped up in his stead. Im not sure this is the best use of either of these teams talent, but I dont think I can stomach the dropoff to the next tier. Give me the Red Wolves corners.

The safety spot isnt awe-inspiring either, and the actual best case here wouldve been Apps corners with A-States safeties, but I cant cough up App just yet. That leaves me between Texas State and ULM. Texas State has the clear edge between the two, but that means I cant have the Bryan London-Nikolas Daniels duo at linebacker.

Alas, it must be done. Jashon Waddy, Anthony Taylor, and Jalen Smith, welcome to the team.

That also gives me an excuse to pick up Carlton Martial at linebacker. Sure, I lose Barker, the pass catchers, and their D-line, but I dont care. I really wanted Martial the whole time and was actually just looking for a way to make myself pull the trigger. KJ Robertson and Justin Whisenhunt can come along, too.

I do know I want to rock a three-man front. I also know that I want the best edge rusher and interior defender in the league. Unfortunately, the two individuals that hold those respective distinctions play for the same team. Akeem Davis-Gaither or Demetrius Taylor? Thats the question that will keep me up at night for the rest of my life.

After far too much internal strife, I went with the outside linebacker, mostly because of the lack of depth at the position outside of App State, relative to the depth of the defensive linemen, but also because Noel Cook is about as good a deal sweetener as there is.

For those scoring at home, halfway through the exercise my team currently looks like:

QB: OPEN
RB: OPEN
WR/TE: OPEN
OL: Louisiana
EDGE: App State
DL: OPEN
LB: Troy
CB: Arkansas State
S: Texas State

Remaining Teams: Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama, ULM

Back to the offensive side of the ball, because of my picks to this point, Im looking at some backfield combination of Dan Ellington/Caleb Evans at QB with either ULM, Georgia State, or Georgia Southerns running backs. Running through the myriad combinations, and taking into what options that would leave me with, gave me a headache.

After taking an advil, I made my decision: Caleb Evans at quarterback, sharing the backfield with Wesley Kennedy, and throwing to Georgia States pass catchers. There.

That leaves me with Coastal Carolinas defensive line, which Im actually psyched about, and South Alabamas special teams.

To recap, heres what I ended up with:

QUARTERBACK

ULM — I want teams to have to defend eleven on eleven. With Caleb Evans, thats a reality. His passing efficiency this season leaves something to be desired, and I could do with fewer turnovers, but I think the former, at least, could be helped by more complementary weapons. His top receiver this year is star tight end Josh Pederson, but since I couldnt have them both, I gave him two awesome tight ends, instead, who well get to shortly. What I really like are his six yards per carry and nine rushing touchdowns, both first among SBC quarterbacks. Factoring in the rushing production, hes OAYPs #2 qualifying Sun Belt QB so far this season, only behind Kaleb Barker.

RUNNING BACK

Georgia Southern — After missing the first four games of the year due to suspension, Wesley Kennedy III does not quite meet the minimum qualifying threshold for OAYP. However, if he did, he would be the #1 RB in the league by far. Since hes been back, he has set the league on fire, averaging almost nine yards per carry with eight touchdowns on just 61 attempts. Factor in his experience as a receiver, and I feel good about him taking on an expanded role in the passing game, both out of the backfield and splitting out into the slot. With Georgia Southern, I also get a deep stable of backs with disparate skillsets who will all benefit greatly from their new offensive line.

PASS CATCHERS

Georgia State — Whats better than one elite tight end? Two elite tight ends! Or, at least, one elite tight end and another really good one, in the case of Georgia State. With just eleven receptions, Aubry Payne isnt quite qualifying for OAYPs full consideration yet, but hes scored on over half of those eleven receptions. If he did qualify, he would be the Sun Belts #1 tight end, even ahead of Pederson. Roger Carter, meanwhile, is OAYPs #5 TE, and offers a reliable safety valve. We wont exactly have any Omar Baylesss on the perimeter, but whatever this offense lacks in passing explosiveness, it will more than make up for in efficiency, especially on the ground. Shouts out to 12-personnel.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Louisiana — My first pick for a reason, this has been the best offensive line in the Sun Belt all year long, and no one else is even in the ballpark. Kevin Dotson and Robert Hunt might be the two best players in the conference, regardless of position, the rest of the starters, even in spite of some early season injuries, have been fantastic, and Rico Robinson has stepped in for Hunt the last couple of weeks and hardly missed a beat, as if depth were a concern anyway. In the national top three in both line yards per carry and percentage of 5+ yard carries, the top five in percentage of stops allowed at or behind the line of scrimmage, and the top 25 in sack rate, it doesnt get much better than this.

EDGE DEFENDERS

App State — Theres so much utility in this front seven. Oh the fun well have mixing and matching, experimenting and otherwise generally wreaking havoc. No one better encapsulates the groups overall versatility and playmaking ability than Akeem Davis-Gaither. From stopping the run to rushing the passer to dropping into coverage, he can do it all. And though Noel Cook hasnt been as productive as he was a season ago, I also get Nick Hampton, who had a star-making breakout performance against South Carolina.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Coastal Carolina — I mentioned that I was psyched about having this one fall into my lap. Not necessarily elite in any single respect, this is a well-rounded unit with no glaring flaws. OAYP currently ranks Tarron Jackson and CJ Brewer as the #4 and #5 Sun Belt interior defenders, with Sterling Johnson at #11. And that was after getting obliterated by Louisianas O-line last week. As part of my team, they wont have to face the Cajuns blockers anymorexa6 except everyday in practice. Iron sharpens iron, I guess.

LINEBACKERS

Troy — CARLTON MARTIAL! Similar to outside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, this guy can do it all. Hes tied for the conference lead in forced fumbles, tied for first among linebackers in sacks, alone in first in tackles and tackles for loss, and is elite in coverage. Justin Whisenhunt and KJ Robertson also a nice pair of complementary pieces. Between Davis-Gaither and Martial, this would be among the most playmaking linebacking corps in the nation.

CORNERBACKS

Arkansas State — Jeremy Smith has stepped up in a big way after Jerry Jacobs was lost for the season. Likewise for Logan Wescott and Nathan Page. Its been next man up all over the field for a Red Wolves squad that has been bitten harder by the injury bug than anyone else in the conference. Smith currently sits at #3 among Sun Belt cornerbacks in OAYP, and has led this defense to the third lowest allowed passer rating in the league, only behind Louisiana and App State. Im also counting Darreon Jackson as a part of this. More of a hybrid safety/linebacker/ slot corner, I have him slotted among the safeties for OAYP purposes, but, in practice, hes more or less a nickelback, and the formulas highest scored player at the position.

SAFETIES

Texas State — Im going to cheat some more here and take Anthony Taylor, Texas States rough equivalent of Darreon Jackson, along with Jashon Waddy and Jalen Smith. Waddy has somewhat underachieved after projecting as OAYPs #3 safety in the preseason. Even so, hes one of just 14 players in the league with at least two picks and two pass breakups. Taylor, though, is the real steal, tied for the league lead in pass breakups with nine, which also places him in the national top 25.

SPECIAL TEAMS

South Alabama — I would have been okay with South Alabamas defensive line or pass catchers, but ultimately decided to just eat their special teams. Its not even necessarily a good special teams unit — theyve far better units even recently — but Ill live. Alabama and Clemson get by with terrible kicking and punting, I can get by with adequate. Plus, Tra Minter and Kawaan Baker have both returned at least one kickoff this season. Im not sure if its against the rules or not, but if I can plug those guys in on offense, that just takes this team to another level.