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          College Football Nation Blog

          SEC media days awards: Best quotes, best dressed ... and more

          • Greg Ostendorf, ESPN Staff WriterJul 15, 2016, 11:40 AM ET
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            • Covers the SEC.
            • Joined ESPN in 2012.
            • Graduate of the University of Alabama.
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          HOOVER, Ala. -- This year's SEC media days felt more solemn than in years past with domestic violence, off-field arrests and the recent shootings across the country all coming up at one point or another during the week.

          But the event is meant to be fun, too. Players and coaches have fun with what they say and what they wear. And of course, you can't forget the fans.

          Here's a light-hearted look at the best of this year's media day.

          Best-dressed coach

          All of the coaches looked sharp, but Vanderbilt's Derek Mason set the standard on Day 1. His suit was classy on the outside, but it was what was printed on the inside that set him apart from the rest of the group.

          Best-dressed player

          First, a few honorable mentions. Auburn defensive lineman Montravius Adams wore a seersucker suit and wore it well. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard had a great combo with his jacket, tie and pocket square. Texas A&M's Ricky Seals-Jones showed school pride with his suit.

          But the honor goes to South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who made a statement with his jacket. And he even wore shades to cap off the outfit.

          Best quotes

          • "At Arkansas we're not built very sexy, we're just kind of a work in progress. We need a lot of time in the bathroom to get ready and come out and look great." -- Arkansas coach Bret Bielema on the development of his team

          • "You got Bret -- big, big, strong guy. His teams are extremely physical. He's got [tiny] dogs yapping at your ankles in there. So you have to bust his chops about his tiny dogs." -- Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, giving Bielema a hard time for bringing his two Yorkies

          • "Hopefully. You know, maybe. Man, I don't know. I enjoy college. Everything is free. I don't have to pay for anything right now so I'm just enjoying college right now." -- LSU running back Leonard Fournette on if he'll leave early for the NFL

          • "It takes teamwork to make the dream work." – Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason

          • "You never -- anybody that's a parent or want-to-be parent, you never catch a son, pitcher, or female fast-pitch softball pitcher in flip-flops. Let me take it back. Flip-flops and a can. Because when you sit on the can, you put your feet on the can, and it's an obvious position to be hit," -- LSU coach Les Miles on how he broke two toes this summer

          • "I wear my emotions sometimes on my sleeves a little bit more than I should, so I don't remember the situation. I black out sometimes." -- South Carolina coach Will Muschamp on when he broke a finger during a game last year

          Best hair

          Nobody was going to beat Mississippi State wide receiver Fred Ross in this category. But what was even better than the hair was the inspiration behind it.

          Best guarantee

          We should change this category to most confident and give the award to Ole Miss senior Chad Kelly, who claimed he was the best quarterback not just in the SEC but in all of college football.

          And while Texas A&M star Myles Garrett technically didn't guarantee anything, he said his goal is 20 sacks this season -- a number that no college football player has reached since Louisville's Elvis Dumervil got 20 sacks in 2005.

          Other guarantees or predictions included Alabama safety Eddie Jackson (11 interceptions), Missouri defensive lineman Charles Harris (15 sacks) and Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen, who set the goal of 10 sacks a game for the Crimson Tide defense.

          Best celebrity appearance

          OK, so he was probably the only celebrity -- with the exception of Nick Saban -- but boxer Deontay Wilder stopped by Wednesday prior to his Saturday night title fight against Chris Arreola in Birmingham.

          Wilder currently holds the WBC heavyweight title.

          Best fan

          The Alabama superfan who wears a giant ring on his head was back at media days this year. And while his outfit would have been enough on its own, he also showed up on Day 1 to troll Gus Malzahn when the Auburn coach arrived.

          "Roll Tide," he shouted at Malzahn. "Congratulations on your extension. We are happy for you."