It will be a challenge for Ole Miss to duplicate its magical 9-4 run in 2014 again in 2015, especially considering how much talent the Rebels stand to lose this offseason.

Ole Miss has had to bid farewell to its starting quarterback of the last three years, two All-American defensive backs, two starting linebackers and its No. 2 wideout. However, the Rebels will also return plenty of talent from last year’s team, much of which hails from their touted 2013 recruiting class as it prepares for its third year at the collegiate level.

SDS ranked the five best players returning to Ole Miss in 2015 as it aims to remain a consistent contender in the SEC West during the Hugh Freeze era.

5. Issac Gross, DT: Gross has been overshadowed by fellow defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche during their time with the Rebels (we’ll get to Nkemdiche in a moment), but the rising senior is as capable as any defensive tackle in the SEC. He’s an excellent run-stopper who has averaged 9 tackles per loss in each of his first three collegiate seasons, and despite being somewhat undersized for his position at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds he has great quickness and footwork that allows him to make plays even when the trenches become clogged.

4. Tony Conner, DB: Conner is a versatile defensive back who can do a little bit of everything, and he’ll be extremely valuable to a defense losing as many key pieces as the Rebels defense is. Conner possesses the speed and explosiveness of a safety, but he hits with the force and impact of a linebacker. He’s grown much more instinctual and has catered his game to the speed of the SEC, allowing him to make plays against tailbacks, wideouts, tight ends, you name it. Whether he be in coverage, blitzing the quarterback or filling a running lane at the line of scrimmage, Conner is almost always in the right place at the right time.

3. Robert Nkemdiche, DT: The former No. 1 prospect from the class of 2013 has shined from his defensive tackle position despite never putting up massive numbers in his first two seasons at Ole Miss. Nkemdiche began his career as a defensive end, but his size was just too overwhelming to ignore, resulting in a move to defensive tackle before the end of his freshman season. He routinely faces double teams and is often still able to blow up plays from the interior, putting opposing offenses at a disadvantage even if Nkemdiche himself isn’t the one making the plays. One thing’s for certain: whether he’s the one making tackles or not, every Rebels opponent in 2015 is going to game plan specifically around Nkemdiche first and foremost.

2. Laquon Treadwell, WR: Treadwell is far and away the Rebels’ most talented, most athletic and most explosive wideout on the roster, and it’s no surprise he led the team in receptions in each of his first two collegiate seasons. Treadwell caught 48 passes and averaged better than 13 yards per catch in 2014 before suffering a season-ending leg injury in early November. Without Treadwell the Rebels desperately lacked a deep threat in the passing game, and they scored just 34 combined points in their final three games against FBS opponents as a result. The star wideout should be healthy and able to participate in spring practice in a couple of months, and if he can return to his old, explosive self it would change the entire dynamic of the Ole Miss offense, especially as it changes starting quarterbacks this offseason.

1. Laremy Tunsil, OT: Tunsil also suffered a season-ending leg injury similar to Treadwell’s, but his injury came late in the first half of the Rebels’ season-ending loss to TCU in the Peach Bowl. Tunsil, a former freshman All-American and 2014 All-SEC performer missed less of 2014 than Treadwell, but he’ll have to sit out later into the offseason due to how late in the season his injury occurred. He won’t be available for spring practice, but should be ready for fall camp in August. Tunsil was once a five-star prospect and the rising junior has developed into perhaps the single best left tackle returning to the college game in 2015. With a new quarterback and uncertainty at tailback, he will be far and away the most important piece to the offense, and he’s likely the most talented member of the team as well.