Yahoo! college football analyst Pat Forde added to the preseason top players list this week, but made sure it differentiated from the rest — the nation’s 25 most intriguing players excluding quarterbacks.

With playmakers like TCU’s Trevone Boykin, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott and Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett off the table, this list is sure to generate some interest.

Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is the highest-rated SEC guy, coming in at No. 3 overall behind Buckeyes QB-turned-wideout Braxton Miller and tailback Ezekiel Elliott. (forget SEC bias, what’s up with America’s infatuation with Ohio State?)

You can read Forde’s complete list here, but here’s what he had to say about his eight SEC selections:

3. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss, WR

When last we saw him on the field, Treadwell was enduring the most painful play of 2014 – a broken-leg, fumble-at-the-goal-line with the game on the line against Auburn. The Rebels’ fairytale season never recovered. Now we’ll see whether Treadwell has recovered to be the star player he was prior to injury. He’s been cleared to practice and has reportedly lost weight to improve his speed.

5. Nick Chubb, Georgia, RB

It’s a banner year for running backs, especially in the Southeastern Conference. Chubb is the best of that bunch, averaging more than 7 yards per carry last season as a true freshman. He blew up after starter Todd Gurley was suspended and then injured, averaging over 8 ypc in the final six games of the season. Strong, fast and durable, he’s the total package.

5. Derrick Henry, Alabama, RB

Crimson Tide fans finally get to see what wreckage the 241-pounder can create as the team’s feature back. Prediction: a lot. At least as long as Lane Kiffin remembers to call enough running plays (see: CFP semifinal vs. Ohio State).

9. Leonard Fournette, LSU, RB

Ran for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. Returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD at 230 pounds. And yet it felt like we got just a peek at how good Fournette can be. He should get more carries in a less crowded backfield, and LSU’s Cro-Magnon offense may finally evolve enough to keep eight defenders out of the box at all times – which means Fournette could truly become a force.

11. Duke Williams, Auburn, WR

Wildly talented and apparently very difficult to coach. In his first season after transferring from junior college, Williams led the Tigers in receptions and touchdown catches, but he missed six days of practice this August for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. At 6-2, 224, and fast, he could have a huge season with new starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Or he could wear out his welcome on The Plains.

15. Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss, OL

Perhaps the nation’s top tackle, but not much has gone well since New Year’s Eve. He suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle in the Rebels’ blowout Peach Bowl loss to TCU, and he’s also been embroiled in a controversy this summer after his stepfather alleged Tunsil has taken money from agents. If he emerges from a reported NCAA investigation with his eligibility intact, Tunsil will be a vital part of a Rebels offense that has talent spread all over the depth chart.

19. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida, CB

Led the SEC with 13 pass breakups in 2014 and also had three interceptions – good numbers for a guy who scared a lot of offenses into throwing to the opposite side of the field. Yes, Amari Cooper got the best of him a few times last year head-to-head, but Cooper is about to do that to some NFL cornerbacks, too. Expect Hargreaves to renew that matchup in 2016 after being a high draft pick.

21. Carl Lawson, Auburn, DE

The Tigers had 11 fewer sacks in 2014 than 2013 largely because they lost Lawson before the season to a knee injury. He’s back this year, and that may be bigger news for a maligned Auburn defense than the arrival of coordinator Will Muschamp. Keep that in mind when Muschamp starts getting all the credit for the Tigers’ defensive turnaround.

Just missed the cut (from the SEC): Jamal Adams, LSU, S; A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama, DL; Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss, DL; Kentrell Brothers, Missouri, LB