Unlike South Carolina teams in recent years, this Gamecocks group isn’t loaded with top-end NFL Draft prospects, especially with Mike Davis looking more pedestrian. But despite a defense that’s struggled, particularly in the secondary, South Carolina still has plenty of formidable SEC talent.

1. G A.J. Cann: the preseason first-team All-American is a potential first-round draft pick in 2015. Offensive line coach Shawn Elliott called him “an experienced machine,” which has to be close to the ultimate praise at the position. The fifth-year senior reportedly has become a vocal leader, and he’s also the team’s most talented player. He fits very well in a power scheme.

2. RB Mike Davis: The junior started the season in the conversation with Todd Gurley and T.J. Yeldon as the best back in the SEC. A rib injury slowed him early against Texas A&M, but he’s come around since, including a 101-yard effort against East Carolina. He’s still not as explosive as he was last year, when he rushed for more than 100 yards in seven of the first nine games. But the talent is there, and he gashed Missouri as a pass-catcher last season (10 catches, 99 yards).

3. LB Skai Moore: He made a team-best 10 tackles against Georgia in a crucial win, and 247 Sports named him one of five rising defensive stars in the SEC. He’s swarmed to the ball all season, and will try to check Marcus Murphy and Russell Hansbrough in the running game in between chasing around Maty Mauk.

4. DT J.T. Surratt: The redshirt senior may be the most imposing player on a tame defensive line. He provides good pass rush on the interior, which is where Missouri’s offensive line struggled most against Indiana. And he’s also a powerful run defender, which makes for an even tougher matchup for a group struggling to get push up front.

5. WR Pharoh Cooper: He leads the team with 21 catches, but may be most dangerous out of the Wildcat formation. He has rushed seven times for 89 yards this season, including a 70-yard run against Vanderbilt. Cooper also has made some tremendous catches, leading reporters to ask whether the Gamecocks will look to get the ball to him more often this week.