Every year, new names appear. From deep on the depth chart, as the SEC trench battles take their toll and attrition becomes a factor, new stars emerge.

The Sony Michel All-Stars represent the players from each East division team who are stars waiting to emerge — and they are only an injury, suspension, or a coaching move away from emerging as All-SEC candidates.

Just as the team’s namesake emerged from the shadows of Nick Chubb to post 1,161 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns last season, this season some or all of these players don’t start the season on top of the heap—but they just might end up there.

Florida

WR Tyrie Cleveland

Cleveland was a surprise on signing day 2016, as he made a last minute flip from Houston to Florida.

Don’t be shocked if he’s a surprise on the field in 2016 as well. The talented young speedster joins a Florida receiving corps that is long on talent, but relatively short on experience.

With transfer QB Luke Del Rio under center, don’t be surprised if Cleveland emerges as a mainstay for the Gators — not immediately, as he’ll be only a few weeks into college football when the season begins. But by October and November, expect to see more and more of Cleveland, and expect the Gator nation to enjoy that.

Georgia

TE Isaac Nauta

It would be too easy to name Sony Michel to the all-stars, and he’s hardly an unknown. Georgia began the spring with junior Jed Blazevich set as the starting tight end. Blazevich was fine, earning a hustle award from the coaching staff for his hard work in the spring. But with Georgia’s inconsistent passing game in 2015, Blazevich totaled 15 catches for 144 yards and 1 TD.

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Isaac Nauta (18) runs after a catch during the first half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Enter Nauta (above), a spring enrollee and one of the top tight end prospects in this recruiting class. He nabbed six passes for 56 yards and a score in the spring game.

QB stud-in-waiting Jacob Eason will be able to use Nauta’s size and skills in the fall — if Nauta can get out from behind Blazevich and sophomore Jackson Harris on the depth chart.

Kentucky

CB J.D. Harmon

Normally, experience trumps youth in the SEC. An exception might be the Kentucky secondary. Senior cornerback J.D. Harmon is one of the Wildcats’ most skilled players — while he is somewhat inconsistent in coverage, the converted wide receiver is talented enough to play as a kick returner as well as a cornerback.

Oct 3, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats cornerback J.D. Harmon (11) celebrates against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in overtime at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Eastern Kentucky 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

But sophomores Chris Westry and Derrick Baity both also have All-SEC potential, and leave the spring as favorites for the starting cornerback jobs.

Harmon led UK in interceptions as a freshman and drew some attention last spring when a video of him during drills making a one-handed catch while doing a backflip went viral. If circumstance gives him the chance in 2016, Harmon might make another highlight reel play for the Wildcats — but this time in a game.

Missouri

WR Justin Smith

Mizzou’s offense was awful in 2015, and with the news that JUCO RB signee Natereace Strong will not enroll in 2016, coach Barry Odom will be looking for ways to improve his passing game. One option is Smith, a 6-7 redshirt receiver, who used his size to snag a touchdown in Mizzou’s spring game.

QB Drew Lock will desperately need playmakers, while Smith’s inexperience will have him starting games on the bench, his size and red-zone prowess means he will still make his presence felt at some point in the 2016 campaign.

South Carolina

LB Sherrod Pittman

With stud LB Skai Moore gone for the season, South Carolina beings the 2016 season knowing that it will be tested in terms of linebacker depth. Pittman, a redshirt freshman, is one player who stands to benefit from the increased chance at playing time.

Pittman completed his second spring in the USC program by posting the most tackles in the Gamecocks’ spring game. While he won’t be one of the first players on the field to try to replace Moore, don’t be surprised if the athletic Pittman grows into the role and takes more and more snaps late in the season.

Tennessee

WR Jeff George

Given the impressive backfield Tennessee will field, if the Vols can improve in the passing game, they could run away with the SEC East.

Josh Dobbs is a competent QB, but has struggled at times in consistency, as have his talented receivers. Enter George, a JUCO receiver, who at 6-6 has the ability to go and get the tough catches.

He made enough plays in the spring game to show that he’s a likely red-zone target and a threat off the bench for UT. But if the depth chart is thinned out a bit, don’t be surprised to see George rise to the top.

A big, athletic receiver is just what Butch Jones and Dobbs needed — watch for George to fill that role.

Vanderbilt

LB Charles Wright

Wright is a backup linebacker from California who was not particularly highly regarded as a recruit. He redshirted in 2014 and got minimal playing time in 2015. But in Vandy’s spring game, he picked up two sacks and showed some serious pass-rush ability off the edge.

For a Vandy defense that doesn’t return much in the way of pressuring opposing QBs, the smart money is that Wright may end up getting the opportunity to shine. If he does, don’t be surprised if he makes some big plays.