Finally, it’s here.

College football is upon us, which means that all is right in the world. We can go back to spending our Saturdays the way that they’re supposed to be spent. That is, in front of a TV watching college football for roughly 16 hours.

So who are the guys that I’m most excited to see in 2017? Here are my top 50 SEC players I can’t wait to watch this year:

50. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB

He ain’t starting over Jalen Hurts anytime soon, but Nick Saban said Tagovailoa will “absolutely” play this year, and it won’t just be in garbage time. Let’s see what the former 5-star quarterback can do.

49. Richard LeCounte, Georgia S

With Malkom Parrish down, we should see a whole lot of the 5-star true freshman in the early part of 2017.

48. Martez Ivey, Florida OT

The former No. 2 overall recruit will have a big responsibility protecting the blindside of whoever starts at quarterback. Will he step up and improve his draft stock in the process?

47. Jordan Bonner, Kentucky LB

If you knew what this kid went through in the last year and a half, you’d be excited to see him play football, too.

46. Trey Smith, Tennessee OT

There’s a whole lot of hype in Knoxville surrounding an offensive lineman who hasn’t played a game yet. Can he live up to it?

45. Braden Smith, Auburn OG

We’ve already seen a lot out of the senior All-American. Get ready for a bunch of replays of Smith plowing a hole for Kamryn Pettway or Kerryon Johnson.

44. Myles Brennan, LSU QB

No, I don’t think Danny Etling holds up for an entire season, and yes, I think we’ll see the freshman get a chance to lead the offense.

43. Nate Craig-Meyers, Auburn WR

Will Craig-Meyers be Jarrett Stidham’s go-to target? Don’t be surprised if his production soars in his sophomore season.

42. Jonah Williams, Alabama OT

The sky is the limit for the sophomore. Lord knows Saban is thankful he’ll have at least two more seasons of Williams anchoring his offensive line.

41. Drew Lock, Missouri QB

Lock is a familiar face in the SEC by now, but considering all the talk of him being underrated, I’m interested to see if he can rise into the SEC elite with some consistency in conference play.

40. D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss WR

Metcalf is as freakish as they come at 6-4, 224 pounds. Coming off a broken foot, Metcalf is expected to form quite the 1-2 punch with Shea Patterson (we’ll get to him later).

39. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas C

All eyes will be on the protection of Austin Allen. He’s fortunate enough that Ragnow held off on the draft and decided to come back to block for him.

38. Damien Harris, Alabama RB

The forgotten man in the Alabama backfield still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve for his junior season. Even with the Tide’s bevy of backs, we should see no shortage of highlight-reel plays from Harris, who led the Tide with 1,040 yards last season.

37. LaBryan Ray, Alabama DL

All that talent Alabama lost up front means that we should get a healthy dose of the 5-star freshman. SEC quarterbacks will get to know this guy well.

36. Trent Thompson, Georgia DL

After an eventful offseason, the former No. 1 overall recruit has some big-time expectations to break out in Kirby Smart’s defense.

35. Rashard Lawrence, LSU DL

The Tigers have high hopes for the sophomore, despite the fact that his production wasn’t great in 2016 (6 tackles, 1 sack). That’s probably because the talent is there, and so should the opportunity in his second year in Dave Aranda’s defense.

34. Hayden Hurst, South Carolina TE

Every young quarterback needs a safety valve. Hurst has the ability to be so much more for Jake Bentley.

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

33. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama WR

The 5-star wideout has a chance to play immediately in Alabama’s offense. We saw what he could do in the spring game, which is why the hype will grow with every catch the speedy receiver makes.

32. Da’Ron Payne DT

The workout warrior — he benches 550 pounds — is part of the reason there’s no panic regarding Alabama’s defensive line in 2017, despite all the talent it lost to the draft. He’s set for a monster year in the middle of that Tide front.

31. Najee Harris, Alabama RB

The 5-star recruit might not get a ton of carries as a true freshman with three backs ahead of him on the depth chart, but we’ll see him get work in the passing game. You know, just in case Alabama needed another weapon.

30. John Kelly, Tennessee RB

This guy is going to get a ton of work in this offense, and if all of his plays are Odell Beckham Jr.-like, we’re in for a treat.

29. Jordan Jones, Kentucky LB

I get tired just watching Jones move around a on the football field. Kentucky’s tackling-machine is the energizer bunny.

28. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt RB

A 1,000-yard lock, Webb should climb all over the SEC career record books in 2017. He might not be the flashiest, but the dude produces like everybody wishes their lead back would.

27. J’Mon Moore, Missouri WR

Drew Lock’s best friend is expected to get even more looks in 2017. Whether he’s toe-tapping in the end zone or breaking free for a 70-yard bomb, few SEC wideouts are more fun to watch than Moore.

26. Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky RB

Snell isn’t afraid to speak his mind. If he doubles down on his breakout freshman campaign as many expect, he’ll have even more to say in 2017.

25. Dylan Moses, Alabama LB

You’re darn right I’m excited to see the guy who was once compared to Bo Jackson and LeBron James.

24. Mecole Hardman, Georgia WR

Who doesn’t love when a freak athlete switches to offense? Kirby Smart has plans to get him the ball in space as much as possible. With all the attention on Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Jacob Eason, Hardman could have some big-time plays in this offense.

23. Sony Michel, Georgia RB

Speaking of those Georgia skill players doing different things, count me in the group excited to see what Michel does catching passes in the slot. He and Nick Chubb will vie for the title of “nation’s best backfield.”

22. Evan Berry, Tennessee KR

When No. 29 in orange and white is back deep to return a kick, it’s must-see TV. Teams might be better off just taking the penalty instead of kicking to the preseason All-American.

22. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M RB

Few guys can make people miss at the second level like Williams. He didn’t finish 2016 the way he wanted to, but if he plays like he did in the first half of the season, there won’t be many backs who are more fun to watch in all of college football.

21. Damarea Crockett, Missouri RB

Talk about bursting on to the scene. Crockett was a monster as a freshman, rushing for 1,000-plus yards and 6.9 yards per carry. If he can stay out of trouble off the field, there are plenty of reasons to believe that he can be an even bigger monster as a sophomore.

20. Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State DL

Everyone knows that Simmons didn’t enter school with a bunch of positive headlines, but the former 5-star recruit did everything that was asked of him (he earned a 4.0 GPA, too). We saw flashes of that impressive skill set, and we should see Simmons take on an even bigger role as a playmaker.

19. Malik Zaire, Florida QB

There are a whole lot of people who couldn’t wait for Zaire/Feleipe Franks to get to Gainesville, but can he actually win the job? And if he does, will he take off and keep it? With that schedule we’re going to see how good Zaire/Franks is in a hurry.

18. Feleipe Franks, Florida QB

See No. 19.

17. Austin Allen, Arkansas QB

Don’t mistake the fact that Allen isn’t as high as other quarterbacks on this list as a slight to him. Allen is arguably the best passer in the conference. If the offensive line improves, Allen will be the gunslinger everyone wants to watch.

16. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina WR

Is anyone in college football more elusive than Samuel? As a returner, rusher and receiver, he’s a versatile weapon unlike many in the country. Year 2 with Jake Bentley should be all sorts of fun.

15. Calvin Ridley, Alabama WR

Year 2 with Jalen Hurts should allow Ridley to produce like he did as a freshman in 2015. Few are better at taking off the top of a defense than Ridley. That matchup vs. Derwin James in the opener is enough of a reason for Ridley to crack this list.

14. Jacob Eason, Georgia QB

There were plenty of growing pains in Year 1 of the Eason era. His efficiency wasn’t where it needed to be. Will the former 5-star recruit take that big next step and become a star as a sophomore?

13. Isaac Nauta, Georgia TE

I already explained why I believe Nauta is the most intriguing player in the Georgia offense. Something tells me there will be a ton of moments in 2017 when we say, “Wait, that was a tight end that just made that catch?!”

12. Nick Chubb, Georgia RB

May as well continue the Georgia theme. Can Chubb stay healthy? If he can, forget about just being one of the most explosive players in the SEC. Chubb could have a Heisman Trophy campaign by October if he can get back to the level he was at a couple years ago.

11. Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State QB

Arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the country, Fitzgerald was a joy to watch in 2016. He runs with power and speed, yet he can make big throws on the run. The accuracy must improve, but he’ll be a joy to watch again in Year 2 as a starter under Dan Mullen.

10. Arden Key, LSU LB

If he can get on the field after the season opener, the sky is the limit for Key. The thought of him rushing off the edge after a year in Dave Aranda’s system should be enough to cause panic for SEC offensive coordinators. Nobody would be surprised to see Key become the conference’s best defensive player.

9. Jalen Hurts, Alabama QB

In my opinion, Hurts is the SEC’s best quarterback entering 2017. That was after a true freshman season in which he carried himself like a fifth-year senior. How much of a jump can he actually make as a sophomore and without Lane Kiffin?

8. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama S

Whether he’s laying the wood or returning an interception to the house, there might not be a better all-around defensive player in college football than Fitzpatrick.

7. Jake Bentley, South Carolina QB

I’m all in on Bentley as one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks. What he did last year as a guy who should’ve been in high school was nothing short of incredible. Bentley is going to make a ton of plays in an offense that is loaded with talent on the outside. South Carolina will be significantly more entertaining in 2017.

6. Kamryn Pettway, Auburn RB

Beast. Mode. Seeing the punishing back reach the second level with a head of steam has to be one of the most terrifying sights. Here’s hoping Bubba stays healthy and continues to devastate defenses for our viewing pleasure.

5. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M WR

For the sake of people who like watching Kirk play football, it would be ideal if the Aggies figured out their quarterback situation. The junior is a touchdown waiting to happen as a receiver and as a returner. The most accomplished SEC wideout has the ability to deliver on his preseason All-America nod.

4. Bo Scarbrough, Alabama RB

Nobody should be able to be that big and that fast. Scarbrough feels like a cheat code. Few teams have an answer for someone of his size and skill set. He’ll share carries again, but Scarbrough will still give us all many reminders that we’re a lot closer to Kirk Cousins than we are to him.

3. Shea Patterson, Ole Miss QB

Why is Patterson higher on this list than he was among my SEC quarterbacks? Because this list is about guys that I’m excited to see. We’ll see a whole lot more than three starts from Patterson. And if he really is Johnny Manziel 2.0, we’re all in for some fun in Oxford.

2. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn QB

Yes, there’s no quarterback in the country I’m more eager to see than Stidham. We’ve all heard about the hype and the potential to thrive with the talent Auburn returns on offense. Can we get to that Clemson matchup already?

1. Derrius Guice, LSU RB

He bowls, he lifts heavy weights, he plays football. Guice is a man of many talents, but none are more fun for the general public to consume than his ability to run with a football in his hands. Without Leonard Fournette in town, the backfield and the spotlight belongs to Guice. If this offensive line can hold up, Guice’s Heisman Trophy campaign figures to have no shortage of viral moments.