Who are the SEC’s breakout players this season?

It was a challenge to pick just 10 and there’s always justifiable omissions. Let’s take a look at the players who have exceeded expectations after seven weeks of the college football season:

Editor’s note: Heisman frontrunner Dak Prescott wasn’t considered for this list since he played in 23 career games before this season with seven starts — far more snaps than any of the players mentioned below.

13. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina — The Gamecocks’ leading receiver has been one of the only constants on and up and down offense thus far. He leads the team in receptions (30), yards (379) and touchdowns (4) for pass-catchers.

12. Darrius Sims, ATH, Vanderbilt — One of Vandy’s lone weapons this season, Sims leads the SEC in kick return average at 30.8 yards per touch thanks to a couple scores against South Carolina. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against Kentucky, the Commodores’ only points.

11. Kenny Hill, QB, Texas A&M — ‘Kenny Trill’ was born on Aug. 28 following the sophomore’s heroic 500-yard performance during the Aggies’ blowout win over South Carolina. The eye-popping numbers in Kevin Sumlin’s offense have continued for Hill, though Texas A&M’s slipped from No. 6 to just inside the Top 25 in the national polls. He’s thrown for the second-most yards (2,511) and touchdowns (23) nationally.

10. Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida — Jeff Driskel’s favorite option in the passing game, Robinson’s blossomed into a true No. 1 on the outside as a second-year player and is trying to become the first 1,000-yard receiver at Florida since Taylor Jacobs in 2002. He’s almost halfway there through five games (30 catches, 476 yards).

9. Patrick Towles, QB, Kentucky — Several players on offense for the Wildcats are deserving of a breakout player ranking, but it starts at the quarterback position with Towles, a sophomore who’s growing more confident with every rep. Towles has outplayed most passers in the Eastern Division this season and has Kentucky 5-1 heading into a season-defining stretch.

8. Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M — The JUCO transfer’s on the same level as redshirt freshman Ricky Seals-Jones and has become a featured option in the Aggies’ air attack with Malcome Kennedy on the mend. Reynolds leads the SEC with eight touchdown receptions and has two more catches — 29 — than fab five-star Speedy Noil.

7. Myles Garrett, DL, Texas A&M — One of college football’s most dominant true freshman defenders will break Jadeveon Clowney’s SEC rookie sack record of 7.5 with his next stop behind the line of scrimmage. He’s been a nightmare for opposing offenses this fall.

6. Senquez Golson, DB, Ole Miss — The SEC’s leader in interceptions is having a career year in his final campaign and saved the Rebels’ unbeaten streak during a win over Alabama. The secondary at Ole Miss is a true No Fly Zone.

5. Travin Dural, WR, LSU — Cam Cameron’s sophomore big-play threat on offense leads the nation in yards per catch (26.1) amongst receivers with at least 20 receptions and has a team-leading six touchdowns this season. He has quieted down a bit over the last three games, but still has two scores in those contests.

4. Preston Smith, DL, Mississippi State — This senior pass rusher’s stuffed the stat sheet and has outplayed Chris Jones with two field goal blocks, two interceptions and 4.5 sacks. He’s one of the anchors in the SEC’s most fierce front seven.

3. Duke Williams, WR, Auburn — Move over Sammie Coates. This first-year JUCO transfer has not only carried the flashes of brilliance he flexed in the Auburn spring game to the gridiron this fall, but he’s also become Nick Marshall’s No. 1 target with 493 yards on 31 catches at the halfway point.

2. Shane Ray, DL, Mizzou — One of the frontrunners for SEC Defensive Player for the Year, Ray’s no longer in the shadow of Michael Sam and Kony Ealy and has produced at an alarming rate with more reps during his first full season as a starter. He ranks fifth nationally with 7.0 sacks and is tops in the SEC with 12.5 tackles for loss.

1. Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State — Fans in Starkville knew Robinson would be a stud during his first season as a starter, but the junior’s now a household name nationally with 689 rushing yards and eight touchdowns — numbers second only to Todd Gurley — during Mississippi State’s rapid rise to No. 1. With a couple more 100-yard games, Robinson should be getting Heisman buzz if the Bulldogs keep it up.