Issac Gross is one of the best and most experienced defensive tackles returning to the SEC in 2015. Unfortunately, most fans who know his name know him as Robert Nkemdiche’s sidekick in the middle of the Ole Miss defense, and worse yet there are plenty of SEC fans who don’t recognize his name at all.

Gross may not be the superstar Nkemdiche is, but he’s been as consistent as any defensive tackle in the SEC the last three seasons. He logged 40 tackles (10 for loss) with 2.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2012; he posted 34 tackles (9 for loss) with 3.5 sacks in 2013 and added 37 tackles (8 for loss) with 1 sack last season.

For what it’s worth, in two seasons at Ole Miss Nkemdiche has averaged 34.5 tackles (6 for loss) and 2 sacks per year. Those numbers aren’t necessarily worse than Gross’, but they’re certainly not better as many might have expected.

The fact is, Gross is every bit as impactful as Nkemdiche in filling his particular role on the defense. He may not have the same kind of NFL upside or overpowering size, but Gross has found ways to make a difference for Ole Miss and it has shown throughout his career.

So how has he flown under the radar as a three-year starter on one of the best defenses in the nation?

It’s simple: He’s a victim of Hugh Freeze’s knack for attracting talent at the defensive tackle position. Nkemdiche brought the fanfare of the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit with him to Oxford, and arriving this fall is D.J. Jones, the No. 1 junior college defensive tackle in the 2015 class. There’s two name-brand recruits that are certain to (unintentionally) steal some of Gross’ thunder once again this season.

Meanwhile, Gross was nowhere near the top 10 at his position in the 2012 recruiting class, and he arrived as a member of Freeze’s first recruiting class, one year before the 2013 class that put Ole Miss back on the map and established Freeze as one of the nation’s premier recruiters.

So Gross began his career with little buzz surrounding his name, then one year later was joined by the player who has brought more buzz to Oxford than any during the Freeze era. Nkemdiche has cast a shadow Gross has been unable to escape during the first three years of his Rebels career. Nevertheless, Gross has never been one to seek attention on the field.

His play is of course enhanced playing alongside Nkemdiche, who demands a double team on just about every snap, freeing up Gross to make his way into the backfield to disrupt plays before they develop. But Gross didn’t work his way into the SEC’s top 5 in tackles for loss among active players by simply riding Nkemdiche’s coattails. After all, his numbers as a true freshman without Nkemdiche were more or less the same as his numbers the last two years with Nkemdiche in the lineup.

He’s shifty for a defensive tackle and has a high football IQ that allows him to maximize his role on any given play. Those intangibles have served him well at Ole Miss, and while he may not be a first-round talent like Nkemdiche, Gross likely has an NFL career in front of him as well.

Because Nkemdiche is expected to leave school a year early for the NFL, this will likely be his defacto senior year at Ole Miss as well. But just remember, Rebel fans, as you’re bidding farewell to Nkemdiche, a player who played a large role in turning around the Ole Miss program, don’t forget to show the same appreciation for Gross.

Both have been starters since Day 1, both have posted nearly even numbers despite contradictory playing styles, and both were necessary pieces to last year’s historic Landshark defense.

Nkemdiche is a big man, but it’s time to let Gross out from underneath his shadow.