College football’s toughest division is filled with high-profile stars, notably on offense, but who is next in line to make all-league noise in the SEC’s Western Division you ask?

RELATED: 10 guys you should meet for 2015: SEC East edition

10 Western Division players you should meet for 2015

10. Christian Russell, Sr., LB, Ole Miss: This JUCO transfer played sparingly in his first season last fall behind several veterans but figures to be in the mix for substantial snaps this season in Dave Wommack’s 4-2-5 look. C.J. Johnson’s move from defensive line to middle linebacker means Russell will battle Shawn Curtis and Temario Strong for second-team duties since Denzel Nkemdiche has the outside spot (known as the stinger in the Rebels’ defense) locked up. From a rotational standpoint, Russell’s numbers will be noteworthy.

9. DeSean Smith, Jr., TE, LSU: The numbers are frightening just how seldom the Tigers have thrown in the tight end’s direction since Les Miles took over in 2005. You would have to go back seven years to find the last time tight ends were targeted at least 20 times during a single season. That could change this fall thanks to Smith, an athletic pass-catcher who broke out during the bowl loss to Notre Dame with four receptions for 66 yards. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Smith can split wide as a receiving threat as well, joining proven studs Malachie Dupre and Travin Dural on the outside.

8. Tray Matthews, RS Soph., DB, Auburn: This Georgia transfer who made a splash between the hedges during the 2013 season before sitting out last fall after stepping over the state line is just what the Tigers need at the back end — a physical tackler who packs a punch in run support and plays well in coverage. In line for a starting job at safety, Matthews should bring stability to a secondary that gave up a league-worst 22 touchdown passes last fall. He caught the attention of Will Muschamp early during the spring and carried the momentum through the final scrimmage.

7. Damien Harris, Frosh., RB, Alabama: Since Lane Kiffin and the Crimson Tide are planning to switch running Kenyan Drake’s role into a more versatile, multi-dimensional threat this season, this five-star freshman and former Under Armour All-American could get the bulk of the second-team carries behind Derrick Henry. Harris, along with fellow rookie DeSherrius Flowers, give Alabama one of the deepest backfields in the SEC.

6. Malik Dear, Frosh., WR, Mississippi State: The Bulldogs flex the SEC’s most underrated group of wide receivers due in large part to the impressive early development shown this spring out of JUCO transfer Donald Gray and Dear, a four-star 2015 signee. Dear shined during scrimmages and showcased an ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Paired with returning starters De’Runnya Wilson and Fred Ross, Mississippi State’s receiving core has limitless potential behind an experienced Dak Prescott.

5. Ed Paris, Soph., DB, LSU: How will the Tigers continue their reputation as the SEC’s best secondary this season? It starts at the vacant cornerback spot opposite of returning starter Tre’Davious White where Paris and five-star freshman Kevin Toliver battled throughout spring ball for the starting gig. Jalen Collins’ exit to the NFL appeared to have left LSU vulnerable on the outside, but Paris and Toliver have proven that cornerback will be a position of strength this fall. With an additional year under his belt, Paris has the slight edge.

4. Dontavian Lee, RS Frosh., RB, Mississippi State: One of the Bulldogs’ spring MVPs on offense, this redshirt freshmen has helped Mississippi State forget about the exit of 1,000-yard rusher Josh Robinson following last season’s record totals on offense. Lee, a 221-pound ballcarrier who craves contact, managed the bulk of his spring damage during scrimmages, showing off for the coaching staff in the midst of a four-player race for first-team reps in the backfield. Focused on playing time during his redshirt year last fall, Lee improved his strength and overall attentiveness within the offense and appears to be a near complete player heading into the season.

3. Deatrich Wise, Jr., DL, Arkansas: Even without Darius Philon and Trey Flowers up front, the Razorbacks flexed depth within their front seven during spring practice and impressed Bret Bielema with an attention to detail each and every snap, notably Wise. At times an afterthought after playing hurt much of last season, the 275-pound junior is one of the several veterans expected to absorb much of the lost pass-rush production.

2. Armani Watts, Soph., DB, Texas A&M: One of several second-year players expected to post stellar seasons on John Chavis’ defense, Watts is arguably the Aggies’ most important player at a position of limited depth in the secondary. Despite leading Texas A&M with three interceptions last season, the consensus four-star was relatively quiet after making a splash in his first college game at South Carolina, starting only six of the Aggies’ final 12 games on the SEC’s worst defense. He’ll be given additional freedom at free safety in Chavis’ 4-3 look and shifted his focus to tackling during the spring — a noticeable challenge last season for the 6-foot-2 hard hitter — following Deshazor Everett and Howard Matthews’ departure.

1. Carl Lawson, Jr., DL, Auburn: Rather than meet, here’s a player SEC fans should get ‘reacquainted’ with prior to August. He’s already a household name in most circles, but Lawson’s breakout season is expected to come this fall, a little over a year after losing all of the 2014 campaign following a knee injury. A leading defensive player of the year candidate, Lawson will benefit from Muschamp’s pressure-packed scheme and get his fair share of 1-on-1 opportunities thanks to Montravius Adams and incoming five-star Byron Cowart on the same defensive line.