Every year, a talented crop of SEC players completes its eligibility. Another bunch of talented juniors and redshirt sophomores also leave early, taking their talents to the NFL.

Fortunately for coaches and fans, there are always players waiting in the wings to step into the spotlight and become the next great players in the pipeline.

With that in mind, here are a few rising sophomores and redshirt freshmen from the SEC to keep an eye on in 2016:

EAST

Darrin Kirkland, LB, Tennessee: The true freshman posted 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception en route to earning All-SEC Freshman honors. Volunteers fans have to be excited about his development this fall as a sophomore.

Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida: The talented Callaway hauled in 35 passes for 678 yards and four touchdowns, despite subpar quarterback play down the stretch in 2015. Assuming coach Jim McElwain can improve the passing game, Callaway could make the leap to All-SEC caliber receiver next fall.

Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia: His breakout bowl game was the cherry on top of a solid freshman season in which he had 35 receptions for 379 yards and two scores. With Malcolm Mitchell’s departure, he’ll be counted on to be the go-to option at receiver.

Walter Brady, DE, Missouri: Brady had an amazing freshman season, recording 40 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks for a stingy Tigers defense. Playing opposite  Charles Harris, he could be in line for better numbers in 2016.

Drew Barker, QB, Kentucky: With the transfers of Patrick Towles and Reese Phillips, Barker is now the only scholarship option at the position. He’ll look to build on his 2015 numbers — 362 yards, a TD and two interceptions in spot duty.

Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina: With Pharoh Cooper’s early exit for the NFL, Samuel will get every chance to become a go-to receiver in 2016. He hauled in 12 passes for 161 yards and a score in 2015.

Kyle Shurmur, QB, Vanderbilt: Shurmur may be locked in a battle with Johnny McCrary for the starting job in the spring. He passed for 503 yards, five TDs and three interceptions in five games in 2015.

WEST

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: Ridley was a monster in his freshman season for the Crimson Tide (and he’s not done yet). He has caught 83 passes for 1,031 yards and seven TDs this season, and by all accounts, he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: He may be the understudy to Leonard Fournette, but Guice is a talented runner in his own right. He picked up 436 yards and three TDs while averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He’ll back up Fournette again in 2016, and probably look very good doing it.

Dontavius Russell, DT, Auburn: Russell had 42 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in his redshirt freshman season. With fellow linemen Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams contemplating jumps to the NFL, Russell may have to take on a leadership role up front.

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State: All he has to do is replace the best quarterback in school history. No problem, right? Fitzgerald was 11 of 14 for 235 yards and three scores in limited action in 2015, and we’ll get to see how he fares with a larger sample size.

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M: Like Ridley, Kirk took to college football very quickly. He caught 80 passes for 1,009 yards and seven TDs. He also returned two punts for scores, and for the first half of the season, was the best receiver in the SEC. He hit the freshman wall a little late in the season, but seems poised for a spectacular sophomore season (assuming he gets decent quarterback play).

Damarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss: The top two receivers are leaving the program, so there is playing time available for the younger guys. Lodge caught only one pass in 2015, but could figure into the mix this fall.

Dre Greenlaw, LB, Arkansas: Greenlaw was second on the team with 95 tackles, while adding 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The Sporting News named him to its Freshman All-America team, and he could have an even bigger season in 2016.