Any offensive line coach worthy of major college or NFL football will tell you that continuity is vital in the development of a good unit at the position.

That bodes well for Ole Miss, which ranks third in the country in returning career starts at offensive line, according to Phil Steele. Only UCLA (131) and Bowling Green (125) can boast of more returning offensive line experience in all of FBS.

The Rebels, along with three SEC East teams (Missouri, Kentucky and Vanderbilt) rank in the Top 25 nationally. Alabama, Mississippi State and Florida rank near the bottom of the country.

3. Ole Miss: 120
14. Missouri: 97
15. Kentucky: 95
T20. Vanderbilt: 90
T39. Arkansas: 78
T39. Georgia: 78
T49. South Carolina: 74
T51. LSU: 73
T64. Tennessee: 64
T71. Auburn: 60
T75. Texas A&M: 58
T113. Alabama: 40
118. Mississippi State: 32
126. Florida: 10

Ole Miss needs to make marked improvement on the offensive line this year after allowing 31 sacks and 89 tackles for loss in 2014. But left tackle Laremy Tunsil, a potential Top 10 pick in next year’s NFL draft, should be ready to go after a broken leg, and the rest of the line is experienced.

It’s no shock to see the Gators so low. Trip Thurman, who missed spring practice due to a chronic shoulder injury, claims the only 10 career starts among Florida’s offensive linemen — all at left guard in 2014. If his shoulder flares up this fall, it’s possible Florida could be forced to play five first-year starters along the line.

Most of the SEC teams are in the middle of the pack, though the Tide and Bulldogs have some significant spots to fortify ahead of the season.