It was a down year for SEC football this year, but the conference was still full of many of the country's best players and top draft prospects. Who stood out above the rest in 2015? Here's our top 10 SEC players from this past season:
10) Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss Rebels
Say what you will about Ole Miss' inconsistent season, but Kelly has been much better than anticipated. He leads the SEC in passing yards (3,740 yards) and total touchdowns (37 - 27 passing, 10 running), but does have 12 interceptions on the season. For Kelly to take the next step, he has to produce at a more reliable pace instead of the boom-or-bust we've seen from him this year - but his production has been undeniable.
9) Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Prescott was the Heisman front-runner for most of last season, and while he was never up for that award this year, he's actually a much improved quarterback. The senior passed for 3,413 yards and 25 touchdowns with just four interceptions this season while still racking up 541 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
8) Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas Razorbacks
The best tight end in the country, Henry served as Arkansas' primary receiver on most passing plays, catching 46 passes for 647 yards and three touchdowns.
7) A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama Crimson Tide
Robinson has been as disruptive as any Alabama defender, racking up 42 tackles and three sacks as a dominant run-stopper. The 6'4", 312-pounder is an immovable object, which garnered him first-team All-America honors.
6) Ryan Kelly, OL, Alabama Crimson Tide
The second Alabama player on this list, Kelly is the best player on the most dominant offensive line in the country, also earning first-team All-America honors.
5) Marcus Maye, S, Florida Gators
Another first-team All-American, Maye was a vital part of Florida's lockdown secondary. Despite missing the first game of the season, Maye racked up 70 tackles and two interceptions.
4) Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU Tigers
Fournette was the runaway Heisman favorite early in the season, but three less-than-stellar performances during LSU's three game losing streak knocked him out of the race entirely. Still, Fournette finished the season with eye-popping stats (1,741 yards, 18 touchdowns) and is arguably the most talented back in college football - he just has to show it consistently.
3) Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida Gators
The best cornerback in the country would've been a top-10 pick last year as a sophomore, and is almost guaranteed to be that this year as a junior. He's grabbed four interceptions and is an exceptional tackler - the kind of dual-threat coverage and run-stopping corner that shuts down one whole side of the field.
2) Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Though Ragland's teammate, Derrick Henry, is the favorite to win the Heisman trophy, many think Ragland is the Tide's best player. The 6'2", 252-pounder has been all over the field in every game this season, racking up an astonishing 90 tackles this season, including 2.5 sacks.
1) Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Henry's 189 rushing yards on 44 carries in Saturday's SEC title win over the Florida Gators gives him 1,986 on the season, 95 yards clear of Herschel Walker's SEC record set back in 1981. He's been dominant all season long and carried Alabama to the College Football Playoff.
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