Historically, the SEC is known for its elite defenses and defensive players, and 18 SEC players of 80 total made the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list.

The Bednarik Award is given annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year.

Here are the 18 SEC players who made the cut, and you can view the entire watch list here:

Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU
Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Jordan Jenkins, LB, Georgia
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Curt Maggitt, LB, Tennessee
Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn
Jalen Mills, S, LSU
Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida
Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
A’Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
Cam Sutton, CB, Tennessee