By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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SP Editor Jim Johnson’s annual preseason ranking of the 100 best players in the Sun Belt.

Welcome back to my annual preseason ranking of the top 100 players in the Sun Belt. Ive been doing this for a few years now, but this years ranking is a little different in that is infused with my new OAYP formula. Whereas in preseasons past these were much more opinion based, now theres hard data to back up the projections.

That said, these are still projections, so its a mix of math (what did happen) and conjecture (what I think will happen). If you dont care about my opinion and are only interested in the formula, Ive included some notes from OAYP — those overall rankings, position ranks, and marginal scores — or you can see the pure OAYP position rankings here.

The players position rankings, per this list, are also included so you can see the disparity between where OAYP thinks they should be and where I think they should be, if there is any.

100. Khameron Taylor, TE, South Alabama

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 4

99. Brandon Wright, P, Georgia State

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 2

98. Zi’Yon Hill, DL, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: -0.29
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 115 (15)
Position Rank: 11

97. Ky’Jon Tyler, WR, Coastal Carolina

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 11

96. Melvin Tyus, S, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.17
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 84 (9)
Position Rank: 8

95. Jeremy Smith, CB, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.23
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 81 (8)
Position Rank: 8

94. Nour-Eddine Seidnaly, OT, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.27
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 78 (9)
Position Rank: 9

93. Chauncey Manac, EDGE, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 0.34
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 70 (9)
Position Rank: 9

92. Chris Willis, DL, App State

Marginal OAYP: 0.55
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 57 (7)
Position Rank: 10

91. Tyler Sumpter, K, Troy

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 2

90. Jarrod Jackson, WR, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 10

89. Andre Harris Jr., OG, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.41
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 67 (8)
Position Rank: 9

88. Chris Harris, LB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.39
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 68 (7)
Position Rank: 9

87. Austin Stidham, OT, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.33
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 73 (8)
Position Rank: 8

86. Jeremiah Haydel, WR, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 9

85. Ty Phillips, DL, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.04
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 91 (12)
Position Rank: 9

84. Hutch White, WR, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: -1.19
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 151 (8)
Position Rank: 8

83. Antione Barker, EDGE, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.47
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 64 (8)
Position Rank: 8

82. Tristan Crowder, OG, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.3
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 76 (9)
Position Rank: 8

81. Collin Reed, TE, App State

Marginal OAYP: 0.33
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 72 (3)
Position Rank: 3

80. Brian Miller, OT, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.36
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 69 (7)
Position Rank: 7

79. Jacob Still, C, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.68
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 51 (5)
Position Rank: 5

78. Cody Grace, P, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 1

77. Ishmael Davis, DL, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.87
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 41 (4)
Position Rank: 8

76. Cornelius McCoy, WR, Georgia State

Marginal OAYP: 0.1
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 85 (6)
Position Rank: 7

75. Trace Ellison, OT, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 0.52
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 59 (5)
Position Rank: 6

74. Thomas Hennigan, WR, App State

Marginal OAYP: 0.46
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 65 (4)
Position Rank: 6

73. Tra Minter, RB, South Alabama

Marginal OAYP: -0.89
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 143 (10)
Position Rank: 9

72. Justin Whisenhunt, LB, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.48
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 63 (6)
Position Rank: 8

71. Tarron Jackson, EDGE, Coastal Carolina

Marginal OAYP: -0.25
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 109 (12)
Position Rank: 7

70. Marcus Webb, DL, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.81
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 48 (5)
Position Rank: 7

69. Rashad Byrd, LB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.26
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 79 (9)
Position Rank: 7

68. Omar Bayless, WR, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.31
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 75 (5)
Position Rank: 5

67. Jacques Boudreaux, LB, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 0.33
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 74 (8)
Position Rank: 6

66. Terry Thomas, DL, Georgia State

Marginal OAYP: 0.42
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 66 (9)
Position Rank: 6

65. Tajhea Chambers, LB, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.5
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 60 (5)
Position Rank: 5

64. Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina

Marginal OAYP: 0.63
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 53 (2)
Position Rank: 2

63. Larance Shaw, DL, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 0.49
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 62 (8)
Position Rank: 5

62. JL Gaston, OT, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.5
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 61 (6)
Position Rank: 5

61. Kenderick Duncan, S, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.52
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 58 (7)
Position Rank: 7

60. Devin Jackson, OG, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 0.88
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 40 (6)
Position Rank: 7

59. Bobby Reynolds, C, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 0.88
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 39 (4)
Position Rank: 4

58. CJ Marable, RB, Coastal Carolina

Marginal OAYP: 0.61
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 55 (2)
Position Rank: 8

57. Kordell Rodgers, CB, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.86
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 43 (7)
Position Rank: 7

56. Baer Hunter, OG, App State

Marginal OAYP: 0.71
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 50 (7)
Position Rank: 6

55. Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 7

54. Kirk Kelley, OG, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 0.91
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 38 (5)
Position Rank: 5

53. Eastwood Thomas, OT, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 1.09
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 32 (4)
Position Rank: 4

52. Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 1

51. Kaleb Barker, QB, Troy

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 4

50. Noel Cook, EDGE, App State State

Marginal OAYP: 1.15
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 29 (3)
Position Rank: 6

49. Bennie Higgins, EDGE, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 0.62
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 54 (7)
Position Rank: 5

48. Kawaan Baker, WR, South Alabama

Marginal OAYP: 0.93
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 37 (3)
Position Rank: 4

47. Wesley Kennedy, RB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: N/A
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): N/A
Position Rank: 6

46. Frankie Griffin, EDGE, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.74
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 49 (6)
Position Rank: 4

45. Darreon Jackson, S, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.86
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 44 (5)
Position Rank: 6

44. Josh Newman, S, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.83
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 46 (6)
Position Rank: 5

43. Jarron Morris, CB, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.06
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 35 (6)
Position Rank: 6

42. BJ Edmonds, S, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.13
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 31 (4)
Position Rank: 4

41. Jordan Fehr, LB, App State

Marginal OAYP: 1.19
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 28 (3)
Position Rank: 4

40. TJ Fiailoa, OG, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 1.34
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 24 (3)
Position Rank: 4

39. Javonis Isaac, TE, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 2.52
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 3 (1)
Position Rank: 1

38. Ryan Neuzil, OG, App State

Marginal OAYP: 1.24
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 27 (4)
Position Rank: 3

37. Jashon Waddy, S, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.31
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 25 (3)
Position Rank: 3

36. Kevin Thurmon, DL, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.53
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 16 (1)
Position Rank: 4

35. BJ Smith, RB, Troy

Marginal OAYP: -0.08
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 97 (6)
Position Rank: 5

34. Marcel Murray, RB, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.07
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 89 (4)
Position Rank: 4

33. Caleb Evans, QB, ULM

Marginal OAYP: 0.67
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 52 (3)
Position Rank: 3

32. Nikolas Daniels, LB, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.09
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 33 (4)
Position Rank: 3

31. Aaron Brewer, C, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.34
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 23 (3)
Position Rank: 3

30. Cole Prudhomme, C, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 1.44
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 18 (2)
Position Rank: 2

29. Jerry Jacobs, CB, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.6
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 15 (3)
Position Rank: 5

28. Kirk Merritt, WR, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: -0.26
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 112 (7)
Position Rank: 3

27. Jarvis Hayes, EDGE, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 1.3
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 26 (2)
Position Rank: 3

26. Anthony Taylor, CB, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.5
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 17 (4)
Position Rank: 4

25. Josh Thomas, S, App State State

Marginal OAYP: 2.03
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 6 (2)
Position Rank: 2

24. William Bradley-King, EDGE, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 0.86
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 42 (4)
Position Rank: 2

23. Hunter Atkinson, OT, Georgia State

Marginal OAYP: 1.65
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 13 (3)
Position Rank: 3

22. Darrynton Evans, RB, App State

Marginal OAYP: 0.34
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 71 (3)
Position Rank: 3

21. Shai Werts, QB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 0.81
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 47 (2)
Position Rank: 2

20. Trey Ragas, RB, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 0.0
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 94 (5)
Position Rank: 2

19. Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 1.42
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 19 (2)
Position Rank: 2

18. Tyree Turner, DL, South Alabama

Marginal OAYP: 0.55
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 56 (6)
Position Rank: 3

17. Tyler Murray, CB, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 1.36
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 22 (5)
Position Rank: 3

16. Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 1.8
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 10 (1)
Position Rank: 1

15. Shamarious Gilmore, OG, Georgia State

Marginal OAYP: 1.37
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 21 (2)
Position Rank: 2

14. Victor Johnson, OT, App State

Marginal OAYP: 1.92
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 8 (2)
Position Rank: 2

13. Akeem Davis-Gaither, EDGE, App State

Marginal OAYP: 1.78
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 11 (1)
Position Rank: 1

12. Forrest Merrill, DL, Arkansas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.08
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 34 (3)
Position Rank: 2

11. Zac Thomas, QB, App State State

Marginal OAYP: 1.05
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 36 (1)
Position Rank: 1

10. Raymond Johnson, DL, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 1.13
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 30 (2)
Position Rank: 1

9. Noah Hannon, C, App State

Marginal OAYP: 2.33
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 4 (1)
Position Rank: 1

8. Bryan London, LB, Texas State

Marginal OAYP: 1.42
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 20 (2)
Position Rank: 2

7. Carlton Martial, LB, Troy

Marginal OAYP: 1.88
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 9 (1)
Position Rank: 1

6. Corey Sutton, WR, App State

Marginal OAYP: 2.02
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 7 (1)
Position Rank: 1

5. Monquavion Brinson, CB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 1.63
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 14 (2)
Position Rank: 2

4. Desmond Franklin, S, App State

Marginal OAYP: 2.12
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 5 (1)
Position Rank: 1

3. Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 2.99
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 2 (1)
Position Rank: 1

2. Robert Hunt, OT, Louisiana

Marginal OAYP: 3.12
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 1 (1)
Position Rank: 1

1. Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern

Marginal OAYP: 1.67
OAYP Rank (OAYP Pos Rank): 12 (1)
Position Rank: 1