While the SEC returns several talented quarterbacks this year, the running back position is another story entirely.

The conference is losing stars like Georgia’s Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway, LSU’s Derrius Guice and Tennessee’s John Kelly. However, that doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare when it comes to the backfield.

There are a few talented runners returning to squads across the SEC, and it’ll be interesting to see which players become 2018’s breakout stars.

However, when looking for the best of the best, there are some clear standouts. Here are the attributes we’d use to build the perfect SEC running back for the 2018 season:

Toughness: Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky

Just three of the nine SEC RBs who gained 1,000 yards last season return in 2018. Benny Snell leads the group.

Snell gets battered and bruised, and everyone knows the ball is going to him, but he still puts up huge numbers. In 2017, he ran for 1,333 yards and an SEC-leading 19 rushing touchdowns.

He also played through a rib injury this year, and that’s not easy for a running back to do. However, he only missed a couple of series and then was back in the game, handling a full workload.

He’s tough to bring down and he can handle being an every-down back, and for those reasons, we’ll start with his toughness when crafting the perfect SEC running back.

Versatility: D’Andre Swift, Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs are losing generational talent in Chubb and Michel, but Swift seems poised to step in and be the Dawgs’ feature back.

Last year, to get him touches, the Bulldogs lined him up in the slot on occasion, and he showed that he had the athleticism and ability to run crisp routes and make big plays as a receiver.

Swift will be featured more out of the backfield this fall, but OC Jim Chaney and the Bulldogs would be wise to get Swift in space and throw him the ball every now and then, too.

Efficiency: Damien Harris, Alabama

There weren’t any running backs in the country who did more with less work than Alabama’s Damien Harris. On only 135 carries, he ran for an even 1,000 yards and had 11 touchdowns.

He shared work with other talented running backs like Bo Scarbrough, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs, and also had a running quarterback in Jalen Hurts. That limited his workload, but it also clearly kept him fresh.

He could have declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, but he’s back in Tuscaloosa for one more run at another national championship. This year, he and Najee Harris should split most of the work, but Damien Harris has proven he deserves to be the No. 1 option.

Speed: Ty Chandler, Tennessee

The Vols have to replace John Kelly this year, but Chandler was able to fill in for him a couple of times last season and had some success. One of his best assets was his speed, as the former high school track star showed off his wheels when he got in open space.

With Kelly on the roster, his best opportunities to affect the game came as a kick returner. As you can see below, when he has an inch of space, he can speed through it at the blink of an eye:

Chandler will need to show he can handle a full workload as a running back in the SEC, but when he gets an opening, he’ll make a lot of SEC defenders look foolish.

Vision: Damarea Crockett, Mizzou

The 2017 season didn’t go according to plan for Crockett, as he was hampered by a couple of nagging injuries. However, he still managed to average 6 yards per carry, and was a big boost for the Tigers’ fast-paced offense when he was able to be on the field.

In a shotgun system with the running back lined up alongside the quarterback, being able to identify the hole in the defense right away is crucial. As you can see below, Crockett is able to make a jump cut and then sprint through the narrow opening:

The Mizzou offense needs to replace Ish Witter this offseason, but having Crockett back at 100 percent will ensure that the Tigers’ running game continues to be one of the most dangerous in the SEC East.