It’s difficult to ascertain the most talented position in the SEC — running back? defensive line? — but astute observers always can make an argument for linebacker.

So who are the best returning players? It’s a deep group, making it a challenge to project the bottom three or four spots in the rankings.

The SEC East claims seven of the Top 10 returning linebackers in the conference for 2015, with Georgia and Missouri each getting on the list twice.

10. Jonathan Walton, South Carolina: After a season mostly devoid of impact plays and players on defense, Walton settled into his new outside linebacker position by the end of his sophomore season. Against Miami in the Independence Bowl, after several weeks of practice, Walton looked markedly better, going from one of the team’s only sure tacklers to a difference-maker. At least a half-dozen players have strong arguments for this spot, including Walton’s teammate Skai Moore, but we gave it to Walton based on potential.

9. Michael Scherer, Missouri: The middle linebacker finished fourth in the SEC in tackles last season. The Tigers abruptly installed him as the starter before the season when Kentrell Brothers, injured in spring camp, seemingly couldn’t get it together mentally. Scherer rewarded Mizzou with a strong sophomore season, leveraging above-average speed and smarts — he earned offers to play at Stanford and Notre Dame — into 114 total tackles. If he can get better at shedding blocks and fighting through traffic, he can move up this list.

8. Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss: The former safety is one of the best SEC linebackers in coverage. If he’s going to make a career at the next level, it’s because of that asset. Listed at just 5-foot-11 and 212, Nkemdiche moves well, which dovetails nicely behind the Rebels’ punishing, space-clearing defensive line. He won’t lead the conference in tackles, but that’s not the role Ole Miss asks him to play.

7. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn: His 11 tackles for loss were most for an Auburn ‘backer since Karlos Dansby in 2003, an impressive stat. He also finished second on the team with 91 total tackles. The 6-foot-3, 249-pound middle linebacker leads a cadre of returning Tigers at the position, including Kris Frost. McKinzy has some limitations in coverage, but he’s a physical presence against the run. He’s already made 29 starts in his Auburn career.

6. Leonard Floyd, Georgia: The most productive pass rusher for the Bulldogs in 2014, Floyd added 17 quarterback hurries to his 6 sacks from his outside linebacker post. ESPN’s Todd McShay at one point listed Floyd as the No. 10 overall player on his big board for the 2015 draft, but Floyd announced he’d return to Georgia for at least one more season. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the Belk Bowl.

5. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri: He finally started to maximize his immense physical talent during the SEC portion of the schedule, roaring back to wrest the team tackles lead from Scherer by the end of the season. Brothers is an instinctive, fast player with a bit more physicality than Scherer. The SEC’s top returning tackler, he reached double-digit stops in six of nine conference games last season.

4. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia: That smile you see plastered all over defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt’s face this offseason? That’s because two of his outstanding linebackers decided to return to UGA rather than enter the NFL early. Jenkins is an all-around monster. He “only” made 5 sacks, but led the team with a whopping 24 quarterback hurries. He also finished third in total tackles with 70 from the outside linebacker spot. Expect him to lead a blossoming ‘Dawgs defense in 2015.

3. Curt Maggitt, Tennessee: He made a team-best 11 sacks in 2014. The Vols’ defensive line will only get better with a ’15 class that should contribute immediately, freeing up more opportunities for Maggitt. He made two sacks in four different SEC games last season, including three times on the road. It’ll be a race to the quarterback between him and defensive end Derek Barnett. The duo combined for a remarkable 35.5 tackles for loss last season. The redshirt senior made second-team All-SEC in 2014 according to the Associated Press.

2. Reggie Ragland, Alabama: At 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, Ragland is the new ringleader of the Bama linebacker corps with Trey DePriest on his way out, and that’s probably a good thing. Ragland, along with fellow thumper Reuben Foster, is one of the hardest-hitting players in the SEC. He made 95 tackles last season, behind only Landon Collins. Not quite as limited in coverage as DePriest, Ragland still is at his best playing downhill against the run. He already was first-team All-SEC in 2014, and surely will be a preseason All-SEC player this year.

1. Antonio Morrison, Florida: A serious knee injury suffered in the bowl game should keep Morrison out of spring practice, but if anyone can afford it, it’s him. A second-team All-SEC selection in 2014, Morrison was the first Florida player to record triple-digit tackles since Ahmad Black in 2010. He’s one of those players who quietly goes about his business — just six of his 101 stops came behind the line of scrimmage — but then the game will end and the box score says he has a dozen tackles. Did we mention he had 37 more tackles than UF’s second-leading tackler in ’14? His on-field leadership and play-calling also will be huge for new coordinator Geoff Collins.