HOOVER, Ala. (AP) The Latest on SEC media days (all times local):
11:50 a.m.
Georgia is the rare team that returns a pair of talented, experienced running backs.
Senior running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel combined for nearly 2,000 yards for the Bulldogs in 2016. Chubb, who was returning from a serious knee injury, ran for 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns. Michel added 840 yards and four touchdowns.
Kirby Smart was the first coach at the podium at SEC media days on Tuesday and said Chubb’s decision to return to school instead of leaving for the NFL was a big boost for the team.
The coach said Chubb’s ”decision weighed a little bit on the other guys who were deciding. He made it OK to do.” Smart said the running back ”showed a confidence not only in our coaching staff, but in our total program, that he knows he’s going to have an opportunity to get better and grow.”
Georgia had an 8-5 record last season, including a 4-4 mark in the SEC.
—
12:30 a.m.
The Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division will take center stage on Tuesday at the league’s annual media gathering.
Florida, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State are the four teams making the trek to SEC media days. The Gators are led by coach Jim McElwain, who has pushed the program to two Eastern Division titles in his first two seasons.
Florida appears to have a decent shot to make it three straight. The Gators return nine offensive starters, including Jordan Scarlett, who ran for 907 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Georgia enters its second season under coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs had an 8-5 record last year and hope to be better this fall thanks to 18 returning starters, including 10 on the defensive side. Georgia also has two stellar running backs in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb ran for 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns last season while Michel added 840 yards and four touchdowns.
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has some momentum after leading the program to the Independence Bowl in 2016. The Commodores won back-to-back games over Ole Miss and Tennessee to close the regular season and become bowl eligible.
Mississippi State is the only team from the Western Division in Hoover on Tuesday. Coach Dan Mullen enters his ninth season with the program and has led the Bulldogs to seven consecutive bowl games.
—–
More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25.
25% Bonus via Western Union
