“Playmaker” is a term that’s thrown around often in football circles. It’s used to describe dynamic players who can change the outcome of a game in a blink of an eye.

Usually, the term is reserved for explosive wide receivers or powerful running backs. But there are defensive players with a knack for finding loose footballs or coming up with a game-altering sack or interception.

The SEC has more than its share, and here are just a few of them to watch in the season to come:

CB JALEN TABOR, FLORIDA

He may have started the 2015 season in the shadow of fellow corner back Vernon Hargreaves III, but he emerged as one of the SEC’s best cover men after a strong sophomore season.

He picked off four passes, and returned two for touchdowns. He broke up an SEC-best 14 passes, recorded 40 tackles, added four tackles for loss and even had a sack as teams shied away from Hargreaves on the opposite corner.

This time around, he’ll be the one opposing quarterbacks try to avoid.

DE MYLES GARRETT, TEXAS A&M

Garrett led the SEC in sacks last fall with 12.5, and he has 24 in his first two seasons in College Station. He also led the league with 19.5 tackles for loss while adding an interception, 59 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2015.

With a dangerous Daeshon Hall on the other side, teams can’t afford to lock in on Garrett, and as a result, the Arlington native wreaks havoc in opposing backfields.

DE CHARLES HARRIS, MISSOURI

Like Garrett, Harris is no stranger to opposing backfields. He had seven sacks as a sophomore for the Tigers and was second only to Garrett in the league in tackles for loss (18.5).

He also has a talented running mate in fellow end Walter Brady, and if Missouri’s offense can allow the defense to play with a lead a bit more often, Harris’ sack numbers could easily reach double digits this fall.

S EDDIE JACKSON, ALABAMA

Alabama has multiple candidates, including Tim Williams, who nearly ruined the spring game, according to Saban.

Jackson, converted from cornerback, proved to be an ideal fit in Nick Saban and Kirby Smart’s defense at Alabama last fall, tying for the lead league with six interceptions — two of which he returned for scores.

In addition, he picked up 46 tackles and three tackles for loss while helping lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship with a defensive MVP effort in the title win over Clemson.

He was limited in the spring while recovering from off-season knee surgery, but will be a key cog again this fall for Alabama.

S DOMINICK SANDERS, GEORGIA

Like Jackson, Sanders has a nose for the football. He shared the league lead with six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

He also added 48 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack while anchoring the nation’s stingiest pass defense. All four starters from that unit return this fall, so Sanders will have every chance to duplicate his sophomore season numbers in 2016.

DE MARQUIS HAYNES, OLE MISS

An Ole Miss defensive lineman finished in the top five in the SEC in both sacks and tackles for loss in 2015,  but how many would have guessed it was Robert Nkemdiche?

It wasn’t, of course. It was Haynes, who has plenty of speed and strength in his own right. He tallied 43 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks for the Rebels last fall.

Ole Miss needs a big junior season from Haynes, who will look to take on a larger leadership role, in 2016.

LB SKAI MOORE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Some say that every cloud has a silver lining, and for the South Carolina defense, Moore was that glimmer of light in an otherwise dreary 2015.

Moore finished fourth in the league in tackles (111) and interceptions (4) while adding a couple of sacks and three forced fumbles.

He considered jumping early to the NFL, but will look to close out his Gamecock career with a strong senior season this fall.

LB JALEN REEVES-MAYBIN, TENNESSEE

He’s part of a double act with defensive end Derek Barnett, as the pair often meet in opposing backfields. Reeves-Maybin brings versatility to the Volunteer defense, though, tallying 105 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks to go along with four pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.

He missed the spring because of an undisclosed injury, but was named a permanent captain for the team at the end of spring workouts.

LB ZACH CUNNINGHAM, VANDERBILT

Cunningham ended up with 103 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles on his way to earning all-SEC honors.