One of the SEC’s biggest surprises came in the form of Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway.

During the regular season, Pettway rushed for 1,123 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and he even missed two games due to a quad injury.

Nobody saw that coming, but with a somewhat depleted backfield due to attrition, the Tigers needed another impact player not named Kerryon Johnson.

Pettway was the perfect fit … and more.

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. recently weighed in on Pettway’s prospects at the next level. Granted, it’s unknown if Pettway — a draft eligible sophomore — will head to the NFL or return for another year at Auburn.

“He had that injury late in the year but he was unbelievable up until that point,” Kiper said during a conference call Thursday, via AL.com. “He just runs over people and he’s got some quickness. He’s right now, would be in that top 12 running backs. If he was completely healthy all year maybe would have been in that 6-8 range.

“He could have been in the second-third-round discussion had he finished out strong.”

Pettway looks like a middle linebacker playing running back, and he certainly showed off his deceptive speed and great vision. Obviously, everyone will look at Gus Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee and wonder how the Tigers didn’t get Pettway touches early, especially against Clemson. Pettway recorded no stats during the Tigers’ big week one showdown.

What if Pettway returns to Auburn and rushes for 1,500 yards next season and 10 or more touchdowns? With him being a projected mid-round pick right now, it would be wise for him to return for another season, have a big year and stay healthy.

He has the body of a bruiser who can take the big hits at the next level and keep on trucking.