SEC Media Days underway in Atlanta for first time

With college football season growing closer by the day, it's the time of year when being "all talk" is a good thing. The annual Southeastern Conference Media Days kicked off on Monday at the College Football Hall of Fame and neighboring Omni Hotel, the first time the event has been hosted in Atlanta.

"Moving out Media Days event has been on my mind for two years," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "Georgia was on my mind, to quote the song lyric. We're scheduled to be back in Birmingham next year, then we don't have a destination."

Ever since the event's inception in 1985, SEC Media Days has been held in or around Birmingham, Alabama. The conference decided to try something new in 2018.

"Never been here before," said Newnan's Troy Nixon. "It's very cool to have this experience and see all this live."

Fans on Monday got to get up and close on the action as representatives from Kentucky, Louisiana State and Texas A&M did their rounds with media from all over the country.

"This is a great city," said Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher. "You have the SEC Championship here, what this city means to the SEC. It's a great venue, we're happy here, I like being here."

Bigger crowds of fans are expected later in the week, starting Tuesday morning when Kirby Smart and University of Georgia players meet with the media. The Bulldogs are coming off a National Championship Game appearance and are considered serious SEC title contenders.