In the last several weeks, we’ve gone position-by-position to examine which teams have the best “talent” based on high school recruiting rankings.

Throughout that study, I was impressed by the number of three-star players who have outperformed their more touted counterparts.

With that in mind, let’s recognize significant three-star SEC players at every position in 2015, either because they’re expected to start or play vital roles.

QUARTERBACK

Nearly one-third of the SEC’s starting quarterbacks this season could be three-star players, though three of these guys will need to earn it during fall practice. Dak Prescott was an All-SEC quarterback in 2014.

  • Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
  • Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
  • Connor Mitch, South Carolina
  • Johnny McCrary, Vanderbilt

RUNNING BACK

Russell Hansbrough ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2014. Ralph Webb set the Vanderbilt freshman rushing record. The rest of these players will be significant to their teams’ respective offenses.

  • Russell Hansbrough, Missouri
  • Jaylen Walton, Ole Miss
  • Brandon Wilds, South Carolina
  • Tra Carson, Texas A&M
  • Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt

RECEIVER

De’Runnya Wilson, Josh Reynolds and Pharoh Cooper each have a chance to lead the SEC in receiving this fall and are strong preseason contenders for All-SEC status.

  • Ryan Timmons, Kentucky
  • D.J. Chark, LSU
  • De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State
  • J’Mon Moore, Missouri
  • Cody Core, Ole Miss
  • Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
  • Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
  • C.J. Duncan, Vanderbilt

TIGHT END

Evan Engram and Steven Scheu match up favorably with any other two tight ends in the SEC as of the preseason.

  • Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
  • Darrion Hutcherson, Mississippi State
  • Sean Culkin, Missouri
  • Evan Engram, Ole Miss
  • Ethan Wolf, Tennessee
  • Steven Scheu, Vanderbilt

OFFENSIVE LINE

It would be possible to cobble together a tremendous offensive line from this group. I’d take Sebastian Tretola and Greg Pyke at guard, Jerald Hawkins and Dan Skipper at tackle and Trip Thurman at center.

  • Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
  • Dan Skipper, Arkansas
  • Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
  • Alex Kozan, Auburn
  • Trip Thurman, Florida
  • Greg Pyke, Georgia
  • Jerald Hawkins, LSU
  • Mike Matulis, South Carolina
  • Will Sport, South Carolina
  • Jashon Robertson, Tennessee

DEFENSIVE LINE

Most of the players on this list will be good to very good. But either they won’t be the alpha dogs on the defensive lines of their respective teams or they’ll be part of a balanced rotation.

  • Tevin Beanum, Arkansas
  • JaMichael Winston, Arkansas
  • Bryan Cox Jr., Florida
  • John Atkins, Georgia
  • Sterling Bailey, Georgia
  • A.J. Jefferson, Mississippi State
  • Ryan Brown, Mississippi State
  • Rickey Hatley, Missouri
  • Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
  • Alonzo Williams, Texas A&M
  • Caleb Azubike, Vanderbilt
  • Adam Butler, Vanderbilt

LINEBACKERS

Brooks Ellis and Kentrell Brothers have All-SEC potential. Jonathan Walton could be a huge breakout player. Josh Forrest and Skai Moore are very good SEC linebackers as well.

  • Brooks Ellis, Arkansas
  • Khalia Hackett, Arkansas
  • Jarrad Davis, Florida
  • Josh Forrest, Kentucky
  • Deion Jones, LSU
  • Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
  • Michael Scherer, Missouri
  • Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
  • Skai Moore, South Carolina
  • Jonathan Walton, South Carolina
  • Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cam Sutton can make a case that he’s the best cornerback in the SEC (though Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III would beg to differ). Jalen Mills could be the best safety in the conference as well. This group contains a few ball hawks and hard-hitting safeties.

  • Eddie Jackson, Alabama
  • Henre’ Toliver, Arkansas
  • Jonathan Jones, Auburn
  • Quincy Mauger, Georgia
  • A.J. Stamps, Kentucky
  • Jalen Mills, LSU
  • Taveze Calhoun, Mississippi State
  • Aarion Penton, Missouri
  • Kenya Dennis, Missouri
  • Trae Elston, Ole Miss
  • Isaiah Johnson, South Carolina
  • Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
  • Emmanuel Moseley, Tennessee
  • Brian Randolph, Tennessee