The SEC has been a conference known for its dominant defenders in recent years, which got us thinking…

Who is the SEC’s best returning defensive player in 2015?

We asked our SDS staffers this very question. Take a look at what they had to say:

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Derek Barnett, Tennessee

How the times are changing. The two players that came to mind here were Tennessee players Derek Barnett and Jaylen Reeves-Maybin. How’s that, SEC East? Aside from potentially Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, Derek Barnett is the biggest difference-maker in the backfield. Give me one defensive player, and I’m taking an elite pass rusher. That’s what Barnett is, and he recorded 10 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss in 2014…as a freshman. In a league filled with great defensive player, Barnett is the one you can circle for preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

His numbers don’t reflect his dominance over his first two seasons at Ole Miss, but defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has been an unblockable force in the SEC West and that should continue during his junior campaign. A likely early NFL Draft casualty in 2016, Nkemdiche’s rare blend of athleticism, speed and overall strength makes him the league’s top returning defender this fall.

Ethan Levine (@ELevineSDS): Vernon Hargreaves III

Hargreaves was among the best cover corners in the country as a sophomore in 2014, and he stands to be even better in that role as a junior in 2015. Hargreaves will return to a Florida secondary loaded with talent, meaning he won’t have to carry a heavy burden on his own in facing some of the SEC’s most potent passing attacks. He’ll be able to zero in on the top opposing wideout each and every week, and with another offseason to grow and develop he should be even savvier in coverage than he was earlier in his career. The SEC is turning into a passing league, and Hargreaves’ abilities to counter that trend should make him a vital piece of Florida’s rebuilding under new coach Jim McElwain.

Christopher Smith (@CSmithSDS): Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III is a great player, and like Nkemdiche, a second-team AP All-American. Tennessee DE Derek Barnett and Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett are fantastic pass-rushers. But Nkemdiche should be the single-most dominant SEC defensive player next year. He earned second-team All-America status despite what he classified, to paraphrase, as a so-so effort for him. A versatile player, Nkemdiche is the whole package for Ole Miss. He can command double teams and engage in hand-to-hand combat against the run or get after the passer. Look for a first-team All-American season from him in 2015, followed by a Top 10 pick in the ’16 NFL draft.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Derek Barnett, Tennessee

This past season was just the surface for Barnett, and that’s terrifying. He was second in the conference in tackles for loss and third in sacks as a freshman, and I don’t see him dropping below either of those rankings in 2015. With a young defense developing around him, offenses aren’t going to be able to scheme to just stop Barnett in 2015 any more than they could in 2014. Curt Maggitt will be back to occupy blockers, and the Volunteers are bringing in an absolutely loaded defensive line recruiting class to lend Barnett a hand. Barnett will be the backfield-terrorizing band leader for a defense on the rise.