The NFL’s scouting combine is just around the corner, starting on February 17 and running for a full week. College football’s best draft eligible players will be put through a battery of drills, tests, measurements, interviews and more to help NFL front offices determine which players they want to draft.

It’s also prime time for prospects to show off their physical gifts, and the SEC’s alumni have put on some of the best performances in recent memory. We all remember Jadeveon Clowney’s insanely fast 40-yard dash from a year ago, but there was also Matt Jones’ freakish performance in 2005, Georgia’s David Pollack making just as many headlines in 2005, Julio Jones’ ridiculous 2011 showing and even Tim Tebow’s 2010 go-round.

Who are the SEC players that could make a big splash at this year’s combine?

  • WR Sammie Coates, Auburn — Everyone knows Coates is a physical freak, and after an injury-plagued junior year he’ll get the chance to show scouts just how much of a beast he is. The 6-foot-2 Coates has reportedly gone sub-4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash in the past, the ultimate measure of speed at the NFL’s Underwear Olympics. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him flirt with having one of the fastest 40 times at the event. Expect him to put up big numbers in strength tests as well. What Coates will really have to prove are his receiver skills, but his physical traits will impress.
  • WR Amari Cooper, Alabama — As the most glorified possession receiver in the game, Cooper’s physical abilities were a bit overlooked in his final year at Alabama. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Cooper run a blazing 40 time that matches up with the fastest receivers at the event, including Coates. Cooper, a very sharp individual, should ace the interview portions of the combine as well, helping to cement his status as a top-10 pick.
  • S Justin Cox, Mississippi State — Cox will have to really nail the interview portion of the combine, with a domestic violence arrest marring his final season in Starkville. It’s an issue the NFL is beginning to take seriously, so Cox will have to have some good answers for front office executives. One area he won’t struggle is in the drills. The 6-foot-2 safety prospect has ideal size to play along the back line in the NFL, and he’s one of the more underrated speedsters coming out of the SEC this year.
  • DE Dante Fowler Jr., Florida — Plenty of NFL prospects hold themselves out of certain drills or tests at the NFL. Not Fowler, though. The former Gator has already said he plans to do every portion of the combine, and for good reason. The versatile athlete has reportedly spent the time since the season trying to get stronger, so it won’t be a surprise to see him post big numbers in the strength portion of the scouting combine to go along with impressive times in the running and agility events.
  • DE Danielle Hunter, LSU — There might not be a more terrifying physical specimen coming out of the SEC than Hunter. His measurements will likely be off-the-charts good, with his huge 6-foot-6 frame and Inspector Gadget-length arms. His agility, speed and coordination should help him ace the drills portion of the combine as well and could help him shoot up draft boards.