The SEC’s reputation for stout defenses is well documented, and to stand out as the best of the best takes some doing. It’s early, because juniors still have until Monday to make a decision on the NFL, but here’s the five best defenses coming back in 2016:

LSU: Through the years, the Tigers have been a bit of a revolving door with their juniors, with many of them leaving early for the NFL. The Tigers seem to be avoiding that this year, which means they could be loaded on defense in 2016. The biggest news thus far came Thursday, when defense end Lewis Neal decided to come back for his senior year. He’s a beast. He led the team in sacks with eight and makes for a dynamic duo with sophomore-to-be Arden Key, With Neal back, LSU is deep up front and very talented. DT Christian LaCouture is also coming back. They are losing a few linebackers to graduatione but are still hoping LB Kendall Beckwith returns. He’s still reviewing his NFL options, but there appears to be some thought he’ll be back, too.

Georgia: The Bulldogs defense was already pretty good last year, so even bigger things are expected now that Kirby Smart is the new head coach. Smart was Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator through this great run at Alabama and he knows his stuff. He’s also got plenty of talent returning on the field. He’ll get a boost from Mel Tucker, too. Tucker is the new defensive coordinator and he’s got plenty of experience, both recently at Alabama and as a DC in the pros. The best of the bunch returning is Dominick Sanders. He had six interceptions this past season, tied for tops  in the SEC and seventh in the FBS. Sanders has a nose for the ball, with nine career picks. Look for big years from Lorenzo Carter and Tim Kimbrough, too.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide are losing all sorts of players off their national champioship defense, but there are still plenty of quality pieces coming back. Having Tim Williams back is huge up front. He announced this week he was coming back for another year and he should wreak havoc. We already know he can rush the passer, but can he play the run on every down? Alabama’s secondary has loads of talent, too, led by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey, both of whom played a lot – and played well – as freshmen this year. Alabama is the best at reloading, and 2016 is going to be a good test of that philosophy. Who’s to dispute their track record, right?

Tennessee: The Vols have grand plans for 2016, and if they want championships, it’s that defensive group that will take them there. They’re very excited – and rightly so – about getting Bob Shoop to come in as defensive coordinator. He’s had great success at Vanderbilt and Penn State and should take Tennessee over the top. “I like the fact that this isn’t a rebuild. I think the parts are in place for this to be a championship unit. I really think that,” Shoop said this week when he was introduced in Knoxville. He’s got plenty of talent coming back in Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Derek Barnett and Cam Sutton, among others.

Florida: The Gators defense was fabulous for most of 2015 and even though they are losing some headliners, they should still be very good in 2016 and asked, once again, to carry this team. Defensive end Jordan Sherit should be a star up front, along with Bryan Cox, Jr., Caleb Brantley and Joey Ivie. Jarrad Davis and Jeremi Powell played well at linebacker this year, and should be even better next year. And Jalen Tabor looks to have first-round talent in the secondary. He came into 2015 lost in the shadow of Vernon Hargreaves III, but that didn’t last long. Tabor had a special year on his own, returning two interceptions for touchdowns. It will also help the secondary to have senior safeties Marcus Maye and Keanu Neal back in the fold.

Honorable mention: Missouri and Vanderbilt struggled for wins in 2015, but it had nothing to do with their respective defenses. Both units were stout and should be again in 2016. Derek Mason knows his stuff at Vandy and he had the talent on that side of the ball, plus a good scheme that works most every week. Mizzou shouldn’t miss a beat with former DC Barry Odom now the head coach.