Alabama Crimson Tide

Now that we've ranked the SEC's secondaries, it's time to take a look at the league's top cornerbacks.

Past rankings:

• Top 10 quarterbacks
• Top 10 running backs
• Top 10 wide receivers
• Top 10 tight ends
• Top 10 offensive linemen
• Top 10 defensive tackles
• Top 10 defensive ends
• Top 10 linebackers
• Top 10 cornerbacks

Here are our top 10 SEC safeties:

1. Eric Reid, Jr., LSU: He might be the league's best ball-hawking threat and he packs quite the punch. He had a knack for making all sorts of plays in LSU's secondary last year -- none bigger than his game-changing interception in the first game against Alabama. He tied for the team lead with 76 tackles, broke up three passes and intercepted two. Pro scouts love his ability to roam all around the field and his tremendous cover skills.

2. Bacarri Rambo, Sr., Georgia: He had a true breakout season last year and could have easily left for the NFL draft. The first-team All-American led the SEC and ranked second nationally with eight interceptions and was second in the SEC with 16 pass breakups. He takes the deep pass away, but is also very solid in defending the run and shorter passes.

3. Matt Elam, Jr., Florida: The headliner of Florida's defense, Elam found himself playing all over the field in 2011. He was second on the team with 78 tackles, but led the Gators with 11 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He loves contact, but also has improved his coverage skills and can line up at the nickel if needed.

4. Robert Lester, Sr., Alabama: Lester has had a solid career with the Tide so far. He notched an SEC-best eight interceptions in 2010 and flirted with leaving for the NFL after his junior season. He's moving to free safety, but has the speed and ability to play that rover position. He covers a lot of ground and can come in and play in the box as well.

5. D.J. Swearinger, Sr., South Carolina: His move from strong safety to free safety was a plus for the Gamecocks. He turned into a tremendous rover in South Carolina's defensive backfield and wasn't afraid to move closer to the line to hit people -- a lot of people. He's a proven playmaker and has no issues finding the ball, as he's registered 122 solo tackles in three seasons.

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Transfers can often times be the great equalizer, both junior college transfers and major college transfers.

It’s safe to say that Cam Newton made a difference on Auburn’s 2010 national championship team. And for that matter, so did Nick Fairley. Both were junior college transfers.

A year ago, cornerback DeQuan Menzie was a stabilizing force in Alabama’s defensive secondary and one of the Crimson Tide’s most dependable players on their 2011 national championship team. Menzie was also a junior college transfer.

Terrence Cody, yet another junior college transfer, was a major part of Alabama’s 2009 national championship defense.

Who will be those impact transfers in 2012 that make a difference? Here are 10 to watch in the SEC. They’re listed alphabetically:

Denico Autry, DE, Mississippi State: One of the most heralded junior college prospects in the country, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Autry made quite an impression this spring. He’s an explosive pass-rusher the Bulldogs hope will give them the edge pressure they lacked last season.

Deion Belue, CB, Alabama: It didn’t take Belue long to make his presence felt this spring. He took an interception back 97 yards for a touchdown in the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage. Belue’s a quick learner and one of the favorites to start at the other cornerback opposite Dee Milliner.

Pierce Burton, OT, Ole Miss: He started his career at San Jose State and then transferred to City College of San Francisco. It looked like Burton would continue his career at Florida, but Hugh Freeze was able to sway him to Ole Miss. Burton was good enough this spring that he’ll go into the season as the Rebels’ starting right tackle.

Austin Flynn, DE, Arkansas: The Hogs already needed some pass-rushing help at end with Jake Bequette departing. That need was only magnified after Tenarius Wright moved to linebacker this spring. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Flynn was a big get out of junior college and showed the kind of strength and power this spring that could make him an immediate starter.

Damien Jacobs, DT, Florida: Originally committed to Tennessee out of East Mississippi Community College, Jacobs changed his mind and signed with the Gators. Florida coach Will Muschamp liked what he saw this spring and thinks the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Jacobs will be a big part of the rotation at tackle this fall.

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It's almost time for hundreds of media folk to pile into a swanky ballroom and kick off another year of SEC media days.

The festivities begin Tuesday at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., and last until Thursday afternoon. The event serves as the unofficial kickoff to SEC football season.

So what should we be on the lookout for this year?

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HOOVER, Ala. -- It's the unofficial kickoff to the college football season ... the SEC media days.

We'll be here all week bringing you updates on every team, including videos, tidbits from the coaches and players in attendance and a wrap-up of every day.

On the docket today are the two new kids in town -- Missouri and Texas A&M -- along with South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

You can watch live on ESPNU and ESPN3. The festivities start today at 1 p.m. ET. Also, be sure to check out our @ESPN_SEC Twitter account, where you can find live coverage.

Well, I need to hurry over to the Wynfrey Hotel and pick up my media guides. If you don't get there early, the Alabama guides are usually gone.

Those things are hot commodities in these parts.

Some of my best childhood memories go back to the Major League All-Star Game and sitting around and watching the Midsummer Classic with family members.

That’s what we did last week at our house.

So in keeping with the All-Star theme, we’ll select a preseason SEC All-Star team with the East going up against the West.

Who would win?

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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 46 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.

"Losing doesn't make me want to quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder."

- Paul 'Bear' Bryant

At the University of Alabama, Bryant didn't suffer through too many losses. It's remarkable that over a 25 year career in Tuscaloosa he lost just 46 games. Remedial math says that's less than two losses per season.

There's a reason Bryant is the most revered football coach in Alabama history, and among the top coaches in the history of college football. His record at Alabama speaks for itself: 232-46-9. He won an SEC record 146 games, 14 conference titles and went 12-10-2 in bowl games. His six national championships is tied for the most in college football history.

Bryant finished his career with 323 wins.

Here's a breakdown of all former Alabama football coaches and their records at UA:

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In what's becoming a recurring theme, Monday began with two more University of Alabama players being added to preseason watch lists. This time it was Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley spots on the Butkus Award 2012 Collegiate Finalists. More than 50 college players were nominated for the award that is handed out annually to the country's top linebacker. Last year, the Butkus Foundation honored Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly with the award.

Johnson is the Crimson Tide's top returning tackler from a year ago. He finished the 2011-12 season fourth overall on the team with 47 tackles. He also had 6.5 tackles for loss.

Mosley, who is returning after a dislocated hip in the national championship game last season, figures to play a pivotal role in the UA defense with both Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower off to begin their careers in the NFL. The rising junior finished seventh on the team in tackles with 37. He also two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Hightower and Upshaw finished No. 2 and 3, respectively, in the final Butkus Award voting. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o finished fourth, Nebraska's Lavonte David finished fifth and Georgia's Jarvis Jones received one first place vote and finished sixth overall.

The Rotary Lombardi Award watch list was also released Monday with several Alabama players making the cut for the annual award handed out to the country's best offensive lineman, defensive lineman or linebacker.

Once again, Mosley and Johnson made the cut. Joining them were UA offensive linemen Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack. Defensive lineman Jesse Williams also made the list.

The linemen and linebackers weren't the only ones garnering attention to start the week. The quarterbacks got their moment as the Manning Award watch list was announced Monday. Alabama junior AJ McCarron was one of five SEC quarterbacks to make the cut, along with Tennessee's Tyler Bray, Missouri's James Franklin, Georgia's Aaron Murray and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson.

McCarron threw for 2,634 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season starting under center. He completed 66.8 percent of his passes and tossed just five interceptions.