The SEC has a history of recruiting and developing brilliant running backs. While the league is becoming more pass-heavy in the 21st century, the next generation of great backs could change some of that.

With Early Signing Period starting Wednesday, here’s a run-down on the top 10 running backs committed to SEC schools. All rankings featured herein come from 247sports.com.

1. Tank Bigsby (Auburn)

National RB Ranking: No. 5 (No. 27 player overall)

What you need to know: Bigsby, a Georgia product, is the lone 5-star running back in the SEC’s class (although top RB prospect Zachary Evans is believed to be leaning to LSU). A stout, muscled back, Bigsby’s 210-pound frame makes him likely to see the field from Day 1 at Auburn.

2. Kendall Milton (Georgia)

National RB Ranking: No. 7 (No. 37 overall)

What you need to know: A California native, the 6-1, 215-pound Milton is a multi-threat back, able to run over or past defenders. While Georgia has tended toward running back by committee, Milton is a physical enough runner to perhaps buck that trend.

3. MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina)

National RB Ranking: No. 8 (No. 39 overall)

What you need to know: Lloyd is a 5-9 back who packs a fair amount of punch in his frame. He hails from DeMatha High in Hyattsville, Maryland. He can run inside or outside, and his size actually helps him avoid tackles. He figures to play early for the Gamecocks.

4. Roydell Williams (Alabama)

National RB Ranking: No. 11 (No. 86 overall)

What you need to know: A local kid, Williams has been committed to the Tide for more than a year. In his junior season, Williams rushed for 2,757 yards and 32 touchdowns. He did miss part of his senior season with a leg injury, but he should be good to go in 2020.

5. Jo’Quavious Marks (Mississippi State)

National RB Ranking: No. 17 (No. 143 overall)

What you need to know: State was excited to nab Marks from Atlanta’s Carver High. Particularly given the announced departure of Kylin Hill for the NFL Draft, Marks should get a shot early for the Bulldogs. He must add size (his listed weight is 190), so he could begin as a situational back.

6. Devon Achane (Texas A&M)

National RB Ranking: No. 22 (No. 216 overall)

What you need to know: Achane is another light back (170 pounds) and is also short (5-9), and might not stay in the running back spot. He’s an excellent receiver, so even if he stays in the backfield, look for the Aggies to develop him as a pass-catcher. Also a threat as a kick returner, Achane will make plays wherever he gets on the field.

7. Jutahn McClain (Kentucky)

National RB Ranking: No. 33 (No. 382 overall)

What you need to know: McClain is another Ohio recruit for Kentucky, and he might be the heir apparent to A.J. Rose as a sort of jack-of-all-trades back for the Wildcats. He rushed for 3,700 yards and 46 touchdowns in his final 2 seasons.

8. Kyle Edwards (Alabama)

National RB Ranking: No. 36 (No. 420 overall)

What you need to know: Remember Josh Jacobs? In large part, that’s why you need to know about Edwards. Yes, he’s on a roster where a 3-star player like him will be pitted against 4- and 5-star players every day. But as Jacobs showed, the recruiting gurus don’t know everything, and Edwards, a 6-0, 210-pound physical runner from Louisiana, might just sneak past some of the bigger names on the Tide’s depth chart.

9. Torrance Davis (Kentucky)

National RB Ranking: No. 45 (No. 485 overall)

What you need to know: Similarly, remember Benny Snell? Ohio kid, physical runner, didn’t blow away the recruiting scouts, but just torched opposing defenses. Sure, it’s a reach to say that Davis, who hails from near Cleveland, is the heir apparent to Snell. The 6-2, 200-pound back bears watching, even in the crowded Kentucky backfield.

10. Jabari Small (Tennessee)

National RB Ranking: No. 59 (No. 635 overall)

What you need to know: Small was an Ole Miss recruit until the recent turns of the coaching carousel, but he’s moved on from the Rebels to the Vols. The speedy back from Memphis could end up helping Tennessee overcome a poor rushing attack from 2019.