The SEC has an illustrious history of producing playmaking safeties in recent years, but many of 2014’s top safeties have since graduated, opening the door for a new wave of up-and-coming superstars to assert themselves as big-name players in the conference.

Here are our top 10 safeties returning to the SEC in 2015:

10. A.J. Stamps, Kentucky: Stamps, a former junior college transfer, stepped right into the Kentucky lineup and made an immediate impact, hauling in a sensational one-handed interception in his Wildcats’ debut against UT Martin. He closed the year with four interceptions, five passes defended and 53 tackles as a dynamic ball-hawking safety. He has the speed and athleticism to play the position in the SEC, and should be even better as a senior in 2015.

9. Marcus Maye, Florida: Maye has the benefit of playing in a Florida secondary featuring three of the top cornerbacks in the SEC, but he emerged as a capable playmaker in his own right as a sophomore in 2014. Although he only registered one interception, he made 62 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles to help create opportunities for a stagnant Florida Gators squad last season, and should be an even larger factor on the 2015 team.

8. Armani Watts, Texas A&M: As a freshman last season, Watts struggled to make tackles in the open field but was routinely in position to make them, which is at least half the battle. His eight pass breakups and three interceptions proved he’s more than capable in coverage, and if he can improve his tackling under new defensive coordinator John Chavis he could emerge as a star in the SEC this fall.

7. Rohan Gaines, Arkansas: Gaines’ play improved as the Razorbacks’ defense developed its swagger last season, which is a promising sign for the rising senior in 2015. His 100-yard pick-six in a shutout win over Ole Miss late in the season was one of Arkansas’ top plays of the year, and as he adds consistency to his game he’ll be a threat to opposing offenses this fall.

6. Geno Smith, Alabama: Smith’s playing time was limited in 2014, but that was due to Alabama’s depth at the safety position with Landon Collins and Nick Perry, not due to Smith’s inabilities. His 54 tackles (3 for loss) as a reserve were impressive, and in a starting role he could emerge as one of the best safeties in the SEC as far as tracking down and stifling ball-carriers is concerned.

5. Johnathan Ford, Auburn: Ford was overshadowed by fellow Auburn safety Jermaine Whitehead last season as Whitehead hauled in six interceptions to finish second in the conference. However, Whitehead has since graduated and it’s Ford’s time to shine on the plains. His 93 tackles, three interceptions and forced fumble are nothing to shrug at, and upon accepting a larger role in Will Muschamp’s defense he should be an even greater playmaker in 2015.

4. Quincy Mauger, Georgia: Mauger proved himself to be an essential piece to the Georgia secondary in 2014, emerging in his sophomore season to record four interceptions to go along with 51 tackles. He’s instinctive and athletic, and should play an even larger role in 2015, which should result in a nice spike in his numbers as well as in the productivity of a Georgia defense returning many key pieces in its front seven.

3. Brian Randolph, Tennessee: Randolph contributed to the Tennessee defense in a number of different ways in 2014, recording 88 tackles (third on the team), two interceptions and the team’s only defensive touchdown of the season. He’s back for more in 2015 and is now an established leader on the defense entering his redshirt senior season. He’s an experienced veteran, a sure-tackler and an above-average center fielder from the back-end of the defense, which will be dangerous for the rest of the SEC East this coming year.

2. Tony Conner, Ole Miss: Conner is perhaps the hardest-hitting safety returning to the SEC in 2015, which fits the mold of the Rebels’ Landshark defense perfectly. He can play in the box or deep in coverage, and that versatility only adds to his value on defense, especially following the departures of All-Americans Senquez Golson and Cody Prewitt. He’ll surely be used in a number of different ways again in 2015, and aside from Robert Nkemdiche there may not be a member of the Ole Miss defense that opponents game plan around more than Conner.

1. Jalen Mills, LSU: This may be looking a bit too far into the future, but Mills has received early hype as a potential first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, which should let you know what football experts think of his abilities as he prepares to return to LSU in 2015. The former cornerback turned safety has exemplary coverage skills in the back-end of the defense, and his aggressive nature allowed him to record 62 tackles, including 3 for loss, in 2014. He’s as complete a safety as any returning in the conference, and upon the departures of Jalen Collins and Ronald Martin he’ll be asked to do a lot this fall.