We are weeks away from another foray into the Funbelt. Last season was a rollercoaster as teams rose from the ashes (Idaho) while others fell to the ground (Georgia Southern). No one fully knows what to expect out of the conference this fall other than Arkansas State, Appalachian State, and Troy will be good.
Without further ado, here is a look at the Sun Belt's top returning offensive skill position players for the 2017 season.
Rushing:
- Jalin Moore, Appalachian State: 237/1,402/10TD
- Jordan Chunn, Troy: 279/1,288/16TD
- Warren Wand, Arkansas State: 200/879/7TD
- Larry Rose III, New Mexico State: 159/865/4TD
- Xavier Johnson, South Alabama: 151/831/10TD
Others to watch: Isaiah Saunders IDAHO (159/731/9TD), Aaron Duckworth IDAHO (145/676/5TD).
The top end of the running back position in the Sun Belt is as talented as any group in the nation. From Moore to Johnson, and of the top five running backs is capable of a 1,500-yard season. Larry Rose has a chance to rebound from an injury plagued season in 2016 and lead the Aggies to their first bowl game since the 1960s. He is capable of a 2,000-yard season if everything falls right.
As a group, Idaho might be in the best shape in the backfield. They have two solid backs that added up for just over 1,400 yards, giving them a fighting chance if one of the big two is stricken with an injury. It could be a year to remember for the Vandals as they make their farewell tour of the Sun Belt.
Passing:
- Matt Linehan, Idaho: 257-415/3,184/19TD/136.7 Efficiency
- Brandon Silvers, Troy: 293-460/3,180/23TD/133.0 Efficiency
- Justice Hansen, Arkansas State: 197-340/2,719/19TD/138.9 Efficiency
- Dallas Davis, South Alabama: 198-348/2,706/11TD/125.8 Efficiency
- Conner Manning, Georgia State: 207-373/2,684/16TD/123.1 Efficiency
Just like the running back position, there is a ton of talent at the top end of the quarterback position. Taylor Lamb of Appalachian State only threw for 2,281 last season, but he is in a run first offense and has personally carried the ball for more than 400 yards in each of the last three seasons.
Linehan is the top pro prospect among Sun Belt quarterbacks. He is accurate, agile enough in the pocket, and has an NFL bloodline as his father is the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. A 3,500+ yard season this fall could vault Linehan into round three or four of the 2018 draft.
Receiving:
- Emanuel Thompson, Troy: 80/820/6TD
- Deondre Douglas, Troy: 60/740/6TD
- Sheadon Meadors, Appalachian State: 45/716/2TD
- Blake Mack, Arkansas State: 34/652/3TD
- Glenn Smith, Georgia State: 40/547/3TD
The wide receiver position in the Sun Belt is all over the place. You have explosive tight ends, stars coming back from injury, and a stacked group in Troy. First, the Trojans could have a historic season this year with three of the top six returning receivers in the Sun Belt. Thompson and Douglas should again account for 140-150 catches and McComick could jump to the 45-50 catch range. That is a hell of a trio.
Arkansas State tight end Blake Mack is one of the best-hidden secrets in college football. He is electric with the ball and turns a potent Red Wolves attack into something downright scary. A 19.3 yards per catch average is no joke, but he needs to be at the 50+ catch range this fall.
Finally, Penny Hart. The 2015 Sun Belt freshman of the year is again healthy and ready to run wild in the conference. If Hart can prove he is over his injury woes and return to his 2015 self, the Panthers could be in line for another bowl berth.
Next week, we will take a look at defense and special teams for the Sun Belt before rolling out conference previews.
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