The East has been viewed as the little brother of the SEC for much of the last decade, and that has been reflected in the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year selections.

Since 2002, when the conference began differentiating between offensive and defensive players of the year, only four players from the East have won the offensive honor, none in the last seven years.

Coaches’ SEC Offensive Players of the Year since 2002

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*Alabama RB Mark Ingram was selected by the AP

Can someone from the East break the string this season? There are some intriguing candidates — to the point that Sony Michel, Benny Snell, J’Mon Moore and Jake Bentley aren’t on our list. Those four have the potential but aren’t in ideal situations.

Here are 10 players who are set up — based on their role and the support around them — to make a run at the award:

No. 10 – Rico Dowdle, South Carolina

2016 stats: 133 Att., 764 YDs, 5.74 Avg., 6 TDs; 15 Rec., 55 YDs, 1 TD

As a freshman, Dowdle was easily the best option out of the backfield for the Gamecocks. South Carolina has a plethora of perimeter weapons, which should keep defenses from stacking the box against Dowdle. The only reason he’s so low on this list is the presence of Ty’Son Williams, a transfer back from North Carolina. It’s possible that the Gamecocks’ backfield is too crowded for one player to stand out.

No. 9 – Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt

2016 stats: 250 Att., 1,283 YDs, 5.13 Avg., 13 TDs; 21 Rec., 166 YDs

Very few players have had more productive careers than Webb, but he doesn’t get as many chances to perform in the spotlight as players from the powerhouse SEC programs. Webb has 3,342 yards in his three-year career, and he has a great chance to become the eighth player in SEC history to top 4,000 yards. If he matches his 2016 rushing total, Webb could end up behind only Herschel Walker in the SEC record books (depending on what Georgia’s Nick Chubb does this season).

No. 8 – Antonio Callaway, Florida

2016 stats: 54 Rec., 721 YDs, 3 TDs; 5 Att, 32 YDs, 1 TD

If this list were based purely on talent, Callaway would be much higher. He’s one of the most dynamic players in the division, but his production has been limited by the players throwing him the ball. Although the Gators have some better options at quarterback this season, they are far from a sure thing. Also working against Callaway is a receiving corps that has great options in Tyrie Cleveland and Dre Massey. If one player is capable of standing out, though, it’s Callaway.

No. 7 – John Kelly, Tennessee

2016 stats: 98 Att., 630 YDs, 6.43 Avg., 5 TDs; 6 Rec., 51 YDs

Of the players on this list so far, Kelly has the best situation coming into the season. Tennessee will be breaking in a new quarterback and must form a new offensive identity. Kelly is the perfect person to build that identity around. The rising junior made the most of his limited action in 2016 and had one of the best yards-per-carry averages in the conference. He should be fed the ball often this season; can he maintain that level of production?

No. 6 – Jordan Scarlett, Florida

2016 stats: 179 Att., 889 YDs, 4.97 Avg., 6 TDs; 4 Rec., 23 YDs

Even in a running-back-by-committee system, Scarlett proved he is Florida’s top option in the backfield. He should receive a greater share of the carries this fall and could respond with a career year. If the Gators make it back to Atlanta, it seems most likely at this point that they will accomplish that with a strong running game and sound defense. Should Scarlett take a step forward from last year and help Florida defend its East crown, he will have a strong case.

No. 5 – Jacob Eason, Georgia

2016 stats: 204/370 (55.1%), 2,430 YDs, 16 TDs, 8 INTs; 33 Att, -45 YDs, 1 TD

Considering Eason’s potential, we could make an argument that the Georgia quarterback is much too low on this list. He’s got a catapult attached to his right shoulder and has shown a greater understanding of Jim Chaney’s scheme this spring. What keeps Eason from being higher, however, is his inconsistency. Last season, he would appear to take a major step forward in his development only to have a game like his outing against South Carolina, when he completed just five passes for 29 yards. If he has better week-to-week consistency, he could put up some big numbers.

No. 4 – Deebo Samuel, South Carolina

2016 stats: 59 Rec., 783 YDs, 1 TD; 15 Att, 98 YDs, 6 TDs

Samuel shares a lot in common with Florida’s Callaway. Both receivers are extremely versatile and dangerous with the ball in their hands. The only difference is that Samuel is working with a quarterback, Bentley, who looked like one of the division’s best last season. If he stays healthy, the rising junior should make a strong push to break 1,000 yards and see his touchdowns increase dramatically. Given the other skill players South Carolina has, Samuel should see a decent bit of single coverage. He will win those battles.

No. 3 – Damarea Crockett, Missouri

2016 stats: 153 Att., 1,062 YDs, 6.94 Avg., 10 TDs; 5 Rec, 14 YDs

Before Crockett, the last true freshman running back in the SEC East to top 1,000 yards with over 6.9 yards per carry and double-digit touchdowns was a player named Nick Chubb. Snell was also a standout player in his first season with Kentucky, but Crockett’s situation is much better. Virtually everyone returns from an offense that put up over 500 yards per game in 2016. With Drew Lock and the Tigers’ receivers keeping defenses on their heels, Crockett should have plenty of room to run.

No. 2 – Nick Chubb, Georgia

2016 stats: 224 Att., 1,130 YDs, 5.04 Avg., 8 TDs; 5 Rec., 86 YDs, 1 TD

Despite looking hampered at times from the lingering effects of his knee injury in 2015, Chubb topped 1,000 yards for the second time in his three-year career. His return for one final season was a bit of a surprise, but the rising senior looks to be in the best shape of his life. Even with a loaded backfield in Athens, Chubb is the clear No. 1. Kirby Smart and Chaney have expressed a desire to be more creative offensively, which should help open up space for Chubb to operate. The offensive line must improve this fall, but that’s about the only thing that should hold him back.

No. 1 – Drew Lock, Missouri

2016 stats: 237/434 (54.6%), 3,399 YDs, 23 TDs, 10 INTs; 52 Att., 123 YDs, 1 TD

Given the propensity for quarterbacks to win this award, Lock is the best option for our top spot. As a sophomore, Lock finished second in both total passing yards and yards per game last season. He’s got all of his skill players and linemen back from an offense that was very explosive. Lock wasn’t perfect in 2016, however, and he had a propensity for allowing problems to compound themselves. If he can limit his mistakes, Lock has a chance to emerge as the best quarterback in the SEC.