3-star SEC players crucial to their team's success in 2016

After spending last week acknowledging the “elite” prospects that were at the Elite 11 and The Opening showcases it’s time to acknowledge some of the many three-star prospects that will be starting or contributing heavily to their respective teams this fall.

Many of these prospects have proven that rankings can often be wrong.

QUARTERBACK

Chad Kelly already has a double-digit win season and a NY6 Bowl victory under his belt. If he can navigate Ole Miss to wins against FSU, Alabama and Georgia in September his NFL Draft stock will rise dramatically.

* Luke Del Rio, Florida
* Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
* Chad Kelly (JUCO)

RUNNING BACK

Ralph Webb set the Vanderbilt freshman rushing record two years ago and is looking to break the 3,000 career yards mark this year. Jojo Kemp is a nice compliment to Stanley “Boom” Williams at Kentucky.

* Akeem Judd (JUCO)
* Jojo Kemp, Kentucky
* Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt
* Ish Witter, Missouri

FULLBACK

A dying position for many programs. But Bry’Keithon Mouton and Dallas Rivers will have important roles for two of the top running backs in the conference.

* Bry’Keithon Mouton, LSU
* Dallas Rivers, Vanderbilt

WIDE RECIEVER

A lot of talent here. Antonio Callaway was a top freshman in the conference last season and Garrett Johnson has proven to be a very good playmaker for Kentucky when he was healthy. Arkansas has a solid group of young pass catchers returning but their leading receiver in 2015, Drew Morgan (pictured), was a two-star prospect!

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

* Jeff Badet, Kentucky
* Antonio Callaway, Florida
* Jared Cornelius, Arkansas
* Marcus Davis, Auburn
* Reggie Davis, Georgia
* Donald Gray, Mississippi State
* Garrett Johnson, Kentucky
* J’Mon Moore, Ole Miss
* Drew Morgan, Arkansas (two-star)
* Brandon Powell, Florida
* Dominique Reed, Arkansas
* Josh Reynolds (JUCO)
* Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
* Trent Sherfield, Vanderbilt

TIGHT END

Not as deep a group of three-star tight ends in 2016 as there were last season. Both players on the list are multi-year starters.

* Sean Culkin, Missouri
* Ethan Wolf, Tennessee

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Obviously when one of the players on this list is 6-foot-10 it gets your attention and Dan Skipper got everyone else’s attention too since he’s a first-team preseason All-SEC selection this year. Jon Toth will have to fight off some highly-touted freshmen at Kentucky.

* Will Holden, Vanderbilt
* Andrew Jelks, Vanderbilt
* Fredrick Johnson, Florida
* Robert Leff, Auburn
* Brett Kendrick, Tennessee
* Koda Martin, Texas A&M
* Dan Skipper, Arkansas
* Jon Toth, Kentucky
* Mason Zandi, South Carolina

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

For the most part centers and guards tend to be ranked lower than projected tackles because it’s a lot harder to find and develop SEC-quality tackles in recruiting than it is to find interior guys. Nearly half of the projected started centers in the conference will be three-star prospects.

* Alec Abelin, Missouri
* Deion Calhoun, Mississippi State
* Jamaal Clayborn, Mississippi State
* Nate Crawford, Missouri
* Devin Desper, Mississippi State
* Nick Haynes, Kentucky
* Alan Knott, South Carolina
* Alex Kozan, Auburn
* Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
* Sean Rawlings, Ole Miss
* Coleman Thomas, Tennessee

DEFENSIVE END

Bryan Cox Jr. (pictured) proves that genetics can sometimes be a better judge of talent than rankings as he has constantly played above projects. Corey Vereen is a player that I believe will have an excellent season in 2016. Marquis Haynes is a multi-year starter at Ole Miss and a solid presence on the defensive line. JaMichael Winston and A.J. Jefferson are also returning starters.

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

* Adam Butler, Vanderbilt
* Bryan Cox Jr., Florida
* Torrey Dale, Mississippi State
* Charles Harris, Missouri (two star)
* A.J. Jefferson, Mississippi State
* Raashed Kennion, Auburn
* Corey Vereen, Tennessee
* JaMichael Winston, Arkansas

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Interior defensive lineman tend to be rated a little higher at times because it’s often a position of need and it’s a position that doesn’t often get the statistical glory. Taylor Stallworth has become a mainstay on the South Carolina defensive line and could have a strong season if he remains healthy.

* Joey Ivie, Florida
* Courtney Miggins, Kentucky (JUCO)
* Taylor Stallworth, South Carolina

LINEBACKERS

There are many that feel like Florida’s Jarrad Davis will be the best linebacker in the conference this season. He is certainly the defensive leader of the Gators if nothing else. Vanderbilt’s Nigel Bowden will pair with Zach Cunningham to give the Commodores a very imposing duo at the position. Courtney Love will have a major role in Kentucky’s defense after transferring from Nebraska. Overall there is a lot of depth and talent here playing above projects.

* Donnie Alexander, LSU
* Jarrad Davis, Florida
* DeMarquis Gates, Ole Miss
* Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas
* Courtney Love, Kentucky
* Richard Moore, Texas A&M
* Skai Moore, South Carolina (injured, out for the year)
* Michael Scherer, Missouri
* Boosie Whitlow, South Carolina

CORNERBACK

Youth is served at this position as there’s a large group of sophomores and redshirt sophomore starting in the conference. Kendarius Webster (Ole Miss) and Torren McGaster (Vanderbilt) are two of the more elder statements in the conference.

* Chris Westry, Kentucky
* Derrick Baity, Kentucky
* Tolando Cleveland, Mississippi State
* Rashad Fenton, South Carolina
* Malik Foreman, Tennessee
* John Gibson, Missouri
* Torren McGaster, Vanderbilt
* Kendall Randolph, Kentucky
* Cameron Sutton, Tennessee

SAFETY

Eddie Jackson (pictured) is a good bet to gain traction as an All-SEC performer and possibly an All-American. He is one of seven players in the SEC that was named to the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Georgia’s Quincy Mauger is also a returning starter and someone new coach Kirby Smart will rely on in his first season.

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

* Jordan Diggs, South Carolina
* Eddie Jackson, Alabama
* Josh Liddell, Arkansas
* Quincy Mauger, Georgia
* Blake McClain, Kentucky
* Thomas Wilson, Missouri

SPECIALISTS

* Daniel, LaCamera, Texas A*M
* Aaron Medley, Tennessee
* Eddy Piniero, Florida