With the NFL Draft picture coming into focus, it’s time to start looking at which players are ready to step into bigger roles back on campus.

SEC teams do their best to prepare for these situations. Christian Kirk will no longer be catching passes for Texas A&M, but Jhamon Ausbon, a highly touted class of 2017 signee, appears primed to be the next elite Aggies wideout.

Ausbon is one of seven SEC players to make the “College Football’s Top 30 Early Projected Breakout Players for 2018” list by Athlon Sports.

The seven from the SEC are:
Texas A&M WR Jhamon Ausbon
LSU LB K’Lavon Chaisson
Tennessee RB Ty Chandler
Alabama LBs Dylan Moses and Mack Wilson
Georgia RB D’Andre Swift
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa

In the entry for every SEC player except Tagovailoa, Steven Lassan mentions a bigger role created by a teammate’s departure. With Kirk, Arden Key and John Kelly all deciding to leave early, a number of young studs will be asked to step up this fall.

Lassan’s full list of 30, as well as explanations for every selection, can be read here.