“Next man up” — those three words are at the foundation of college football at the Division I level.

Every year key players suffer injuries or run out of years of eligibility, forcing a team to revert to its bench for its “next man up.” There are star players on every team who were once unknown backups, following college football’s own “circle of life” on their way to amateur superstardom.

As the 2014 season winds to a close with this year’s crop of bowl games, we’ve already begun looking ahead to who might be part of the next class of stars in the SEC in 2015. Here are five candidates who played modest roles for their teams in 2014 but could be considered leaders at this time next year.

OTARO ALAKA, LB, TEXAS A&M

Alaka spent the first half of the season stashed on the Aggies bench, sitting out a Week 1 win over South Carolina and recording just five total tackles in A&M’s next six games. However, he finally broke into the lineup late in the year and recorded 21 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He’s expected to be a full-time starter next year on an Aggie defense that left plenty of room for improvement in 2015. Depending on how A&M hires as its next defensive coordinator, Alaka could assert himself as one of the playmakers at the heart of the Aggies defense, both as a sound tackler in run defense and as an explosive pass-rusher in obvious passing situations.

DA’SHAWN HAND, DL, ALABAMA

A former five-star recruit from the class of 2014, Hand spent most of his freshman season as a situational defensive linemen on the third-line of Alabama’s depth chart. He recorded just seven tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in 2014, but could emerge as a much more impactful defensive lineman in 2015. The Tide won’t lose many impact players along its defensive line following its playoff run this January, but Hand will have had a year to get bigger, stronger and smarter on the football field. Even if he only sees a couple more snaps per game, he’ll be a much better player on those snaps and could become the best third-string playmaker in the SEC. Defensive linemen rarely post numbers to match their effectiveness unless they rack up a high sack total, but Hand could emerge as one of the most disruptive linemen in the conference as part of a loaded position group in 2015.

JOSH MALONE, WR, TENNESSEE

Malone was regarded as one of the 10 best players in the high school class of 2014, and he stepped in right away and contributed to a Tennessee offense heavily dependent on young, inexperienced playmakers this season. He caught 22 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown, but was fifth on the team in both catches and yards. With the Vols quarterback situation seemingly set around Joshua Dobbs, Malone could gain a rapport with his new signal caller this offseason that could benefit both he and the UT offense next season. Malone contributed to the offense in 2014, but he was far from an impact starter. That could change next year as both he and the offense trend positively into a pivotal offseason in Knoxville.

WILL REDMOND, DB, MISSISSIPPI STATE

Redmond served as Mississippi State’s third cornerback in 2014 behind starters Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun, but he’s expected to break into the starting lineup next season following the departure of Love (a senior) after this year’s Orange Bowl. At times last season Redmond looked like the Bulldogs most talented defensive back, leading the team with three interceptions despite seeing inconsistent playing time as the nickel corner. The former JUCO transfer also added five pass breakups (sixth on the team) to go along with 46 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss. Redmond has great instincts in coverage and is more aggressive in pursuing ball-carriers than most defensive backs. As a full-time starter he has all the makings of a player set to blossom into a star in 2015.

ROC THOMAS, RB, AUBURN

A five-star prospect from the high school class of 2014, Thomas was hardly used as a freshman in Auburn’s explosive spread offense. He ran for just 214 yards in 11 games last season and only ran for at least 20 yards in a game five times. However, upon the departure of senior tailback Cameron Artis-Payne, Thomas could be next in line in the Tigers backfield. Gus Malzahn has had no trouble turning Tre Mason and Artis-Payne into superstars as the focal points of his spread rushing attack, and if Thomas follows in their footsteps he’ll be a lock to rush for 1,000 yards while also impacting games as a receiver. With a little help from Malzahn’s offense, Thomas could be regarded as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC by this time next year.