We’re nearing the end of the depth chart ranking series, and moving on to the secondary. We list some significant players who won’t be back, and name one guy who will be around and could star. And we rank the squads. Here’s what we’ve got heading into the 2017 season:

14. Mississippi State — Loses: Kivon Coman, Tolando Cleveland, Cedric Jiles. Returns: Jr. Brandon Bryant

State had the worst pass defense in the SEC and loses most of its main players. So is that good or bad? Bryant returns with 62 tackles from last season. Safety Mark McLaurin is the top returning player in pass break-ups, with five for last season. The Bulldogs will start from scratch — but scratch can’t be much worse.

13. Missouri — Loses: Aarion Penton, John Gibson. Returns: Sr. Anthony Sherrils.

The Tigers were also a bad pass defense, and also lose most of their best secondary players. Penton was All-SEC and broke up a dozen passes. Returnee Sherrils (53 tackles) and Cam Hilton (49 tackles, six passes broken up) are about the best of the bunch.

12. Ole Miss — Loses: Tony Bridges. Returns: Jr. Zedrick Woods.

The top returner for the Rebels in passes broken up is sophomore Jaylen Jones, who broke up five passes as a freshman. Safety Woods was second on the team with 63 tackles, and broke up three passes.

Nov 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Zedrick Woods (36) signals on fourth down during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Rising sophomore Deontay Anderson had 32 stops, and could improve in 2017. There is talent in Oxford, but very little experience.

11. Arkansas — Loses: Jared Collins. Returns: Jr. Ryan Pulley

Arkansas has struggled defensively in recent years. They lose one tough cornerback in Collins (12 passes broken up), but will return Pulley (47 tackles, 13 passes broken up). Henre Toliver (45 tackles, five passes broken up) could also step up. Safety Josh Liddell (63 stops) returns, as does veteran Santos Ramirez. There is talent, but this group has struggled in recent years.

10. Vanderbilt — Loses: Torren McGaster. Returns: Sr. LaDarius Wiley

Vandy loses only valuable corner McGaster (10 passes broken up), but returns second-leading tackler Wiley (76 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, four passes broken up) at safety. Corner Tre Herndon (41 stops, eight passes broken up) will get a chance to shine. Safety Arnold Tarpley also had a solid 2016, and will be relied on again. If Vandy can successfully replace McGaster, it could move up a few spots in the end.

9. Tennessee — Loses: Cameron Sutton. Returns: Sr. Todd Kelly

Sutton was another injury casualty, and Tennessee had to learn to play without him already. Returning safety Kelly was the team’s leading tackler (71 tackles, two interceptions).

Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley (4) is sacked by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. (24) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Sr. Emmanuel Moseley had 57 tackles and led the team with six passes broken up. Safety Rashaan Gaulden’s 68 stops includes six tackles for loss. Justin Martin could help out by stepping up big in 2017.

8. Texas A&M — Loses: Justin Evans. Returns: Sr. Armani Watts

Safety Evans (87 stops) is gone, but A&M returns plenty of talent. Watts had 56 tackles in just nine games, and led the team in tackles in 2015. Corners Nick Harvey (10 passes broken up) and Priest Willis (eight passes broken up) are both tough to throw on. A&M has a talented and experienced group here.

7. South Carolina — Loses: Jordan Diggs, Chaz Elder. Returns: Sr. Jamarcus King.

Carolina loses some veteran talent, but has significant returning pieces. Senior safety D.J. Smith returns as the squad’s leading tackler (80 stops), but cornerback King (56 tackles, nine passes broken up) might be even more important. Corner Chris Lammons (53 tackles, six passes broken up) will also play plenty. This is a competent bunch, and if the youngsters fill in well, they could move into the upper echelon of SEC secondaries.

6. LSU — Loses: Jamal Adams, Tre’Davious White, Dwayne Thomas. Returns: Jr. Donte Jackson

Adams went pro early, and he and White were All-SEC players. LSU doubtlessly is talented, but is another team that loses so much talent that it’s hard to project their 2017 position group. Returnee Jackson had 39 tackles and ten passes broken up last year. Senior safety John Battle also had 39 stops. The supporting depth will be young, but very talented, and could make a big splash in 2017.

5. Florida — Loses: Marcus Maye, Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson. Returns: Sr. Marcell Harris

The Gators are the higher ranked of the consecutive teams that lost a ton. Tabor, Wilson, and Maye were all chosen for All-SEC honors. There is still talent here. Harris led the team in tackles (73) and had four tackles for loss. Safety Nick Washington also had 45 stops. Freshman corner Chauncey Gardner (pictured) had 32 tackles and three interceptions. He was the Outback Bowl MVP after picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown. This group will be good — but there’s not much way to know exactly how good until they gain more experience.

Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Chauncey Gardner (23) intercepted the ball and runs against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kentucky — Loses: Marcus McWilson, Blake McClain. Returns: Jr. Mike Edwards

Kentucky loses some quality components parts in McWilson and McClain, but kept All-SEC (second team pick by AP) safety Edwards (100 tackles, eight passes broken up) and also returns tall cornerbacks Chris Westry (43 tackles, three passes broken up) and Derrick Baity (42 tackles, seven passes broken up). Depth is a bit inexperienced, but this is a talented starting group for UK.

3. Auburn — Loses: Johnathan Ford, Joshua Holsey. Returns: Jr. Carlton Davis

Davis is a stud in coverage (46 tackles, 10 passes broken up), and should ease the loss of Ford (59 tackles, seven passes broken up) and Holsey (30 tackles, three interceptions, ten passes broken up). Sr. Tray Matthews is the team’s leading tackler (76 stops) and is a very good safety. Sr. Stephen Roberts also stepped up in 2016 (57 stops). There’s no lack of talent here.

2. Georgia — Loses: Quincy Mauger. Returns: Sr. Dominick Sanders

Sanders is an excellent corner (34 tackles, three interceptions, seven passes broken up), and will be well supported by veterans Sr. Malkolm Parrish (49 tackles) and Sr. Aaron Davis (54 stops). Georgia has a ton of athletes, and some of them will end up finding a home in the secondary as well. This is one of the more talented groups in the league and nation.

1. Alabama — Loses: Marlon Humphrey, Eddie Jackson. Returns: Jr. Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Tide are loaded. Fitzpatrick (66 tackles, six interceptions) is one of the best corners in the nation and was chosen first-team All-SEC by the coaches and the AP, and second-leading tackler Ronnie Harrison (86 stops, seven passes broken up) returns at safety. There are plenty of other outstanding component parts, like Anthony Averett (48 tackles) and Hootie Jones (20 stops).

Nick Saban saw some weakness in this unit after the past two seasons and he has solved it, by and large. Humphrey is a significant early loss, but opposite Fitzpatrick, the other starter will flourish.