Who are the SEC’s top defensive linemen heading into the 2015 season? We’ve tried breaking it down by team, giving you a player to watch at each program:

Alabama: Jonathan Allen — Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson may beg to differ, but it’s Allen who enters his junior season as the Crimson Tide’s best defensive lineman following an All-SEC campaign last fall after he locked down a starting spot. Allen has collected 14.5 tackles-for-loss and six sacks in 27 career games, developing into an every-down threat in his most recent appearances including an impressive sack of Ohio State’s Cardale Jones in the national semifinal.

Arkansas: Bijhon Jackson — Even without Trey Flowers and Darius Philon, the Razorbacks should possess one of the Western Division’s strongest units along the defensive line, a group that has played extremely well during spring practice this month. Any of three players — Jackson, Deatrich Wise or Taiwan Johnson — could lead this team in sacks and stops behind the line of scrimmage, but it appears Jackson, who played in all 13 games as a true freshman last fall as Johnson’s primary backup, is most ready to dominate with more opportunities.

Auburn: Carl Lawson — Somewhat limited this spring in his return from a knee injury, Auburn’s strongest — and fastest — rusher off the edge actually improved his 10-yard splits post-ligament tear and is anxious to return to full contact once fall camp begins. He was a freshman All-American in 2013 before sitting out last season. Returners DaVonte Lambert and Montravius Adams bolster a talented group along with incoming five-star Byron Cowart.

Florida: Jonathan Bullard — Bullard’s decision to return for his final season softened the blow of Dante Fowler’s NFL exit and gives Florida promise up front heading into Jim McElwain’s first year. Over his final six games last season, Bullard made 32 tackles highlighted by a stellar performance at Florida State. The North Carolina native has 22 career starts with the Gators.

Georgia: Lorenzo Carter — So we’re cheating a bit labeling Carter, one of several end-outside linebacker hybrids for the Bulldogs a  defensive lineman, but it works. Carter has the most upside of arguably any defensive player in the SEC heading into his second season and was one Georgia’s most dominant player on G-Day. Raw as a freshman in Jeremy Pruitt’s complex scheme, Carter managed 7.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 4.5 sacks despite limited snaps and only five starts.

Kentucky: Melvin Lewis — There’s a ton of pressure on Kentucky’s lone returning starter on the defensive front after the Wildcats lost talented bookends Za’Darius Smith and Bud Dupree off last season’s team. The former JUCO transfer started all 12 games last season and finished with 37 tackles — a high number for an interior lineman. The 342-pounder will likely battle linebacker-end hybrid Jason Hatcher for the team lead in sacks this season.

LSU: Davon Godchaux — Christian LaCouture had better numbers from a tackles-for-loss and sacks standpoint last season, but Godchaux has an edge athletically and showed an ability to fight off blocks and make 15 solo tackles as a true freshman interior lineman. He has tremendous upside and could be the next great LSU run-stopper in a lineage of freaks up front.

Mississippi: Robert Nkemdiche — The former No. 1 overall recruit has been named to various All-American teams consecutive years in Oxford, but the 6-foot-4 and 280-pound pass rusher with Herculean strength wants more. Nkemdiche’s dominance thus far hasn’t show up on the stat sheet, but has been reflected through the Rebels’ power as a defensive unit. This could be the year Nkemdiche explodes with double-digit sacks before he presumably leaves for the NFL.

Mississippi State: Chris Jones — Jones helped the Bulldogs’ defensive front gain tons of hype heading into the 2014 campaign, but it was Preston Smith who made the most noise, accumulating a team-best nine sacks and 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. By his own standards set as a true freshman, Jones underachieved, finishing with 26 total tackles and three sacks. Jones is rated the third-best tackle in his 2017 class according to CBS Sports’ latest draft rankings, coming in behind Nkemdiche and Alabama’s Robinson.

Missouri: Harold Brantley — This fleet-footed tackle is an All-American candidate in the middle who moonlights as the Tigers’ most-feared up man on the punt cover team. Brantley’s ran for a first down on each of his three career carries on special teams and has tremendous athletic ability for his size.

South Carolina: Marquavius Lewis — The Gamecocks’ spring most valuable player on defense, Lewis is a first-year JUCO transfer who has already seized a starting spot on the depth chart at defensive end. He’s a much-needed piece to a pass rushing unit that struggled mightily last fall. Lewis has set a personal goal of at least 10 sacks this season and he’ll likely play enough snaps to reach that total.

Tennessee: Derek Barnett — One of several defenders who has missed all of spring practice for the Vols, Barnett has a chance to lead the Eastern Division in sacks this season and is one of college football’s best at sealing the edge. He went head-to-head with returning linebacker Curt Maggitt for the team lead last season and is one of the reasons Tennessee could win 10 games for the first time since 2007.

Texas A&M: Myles Garrett — The SEC’s returning sack leader with 11.5, Garrett will benefit from a simpler scheme under John Chavis and won’t be responsible for multiple gaps like he was under Mark Snyder. At times, Garrett struggled against the run and was primarily utilized as a first and third down pass rusher for the Aggies before he handled a more substantial load during the second half of the season. Garrett’s production should rise with less responsibility.

Vanderbilt: Caleb Azubike — When this kid’s healthy, he’s comparable to any rush linebacker or 3-4 defensive end in the SEC as one of Derek Mason’s best players overall. Azubike made seven starts as a junior (six at DE; one at LB) and contributed 39 tackles with four sacks. The senior from Nashville is especially potent with his hand on the ground as Vanderbilt’s active leader in career sacks.