There is one tactic guaranteed to slow down any offense — a strong push up the middle from a big, strong defensive tackle.

The SEC sends a few to the NFL every spring, and like weeds on an offensive coordinator’s April lawn, new ones sprout up all the time. Tackles who can occupy blockers and collapse the pocket are hot commodities, and SEC coaches know that all too well.

Here are a few interior linemen who, although young or perhaps not as well known as they should be, could be in line to have a major impact in 2016:

TRENT THOMPSON, GEORGIA

Thompson came to Athens last fall as a five-star recruit and the top-rated defensive tackle prospect in the nation. He worked his way into the rotation, but played behind senior James DeLoach.

Thompson recorded 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and half of a sack in his freshman year, and barring something out of the ordinary, should hold down a full-time starting job this fall.

He’s being pushed hard this spring by his position coach, Tracy Rocker, according to a report by DawgNation’s Seth Emerson. It may turn out to be just the sort of motivation he needs to have a breakout season.

TERRY BECKNER JR., MISSOURI

Like Thompson, Beckner came to college as a five-star recruit. Unlike Thompson, Beckner was in the starting lineup by the third game of his freshman season.

He made five more starts before tearing his ACL in November against BYU, but still put up 27 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks en route to earning freshman All-American honors.

He’s practicing, but not hitting, in spring workouts, and is expected to be ready for the season opener Sept. 3 at West Virginia.

KAHLIL MCKENZIE, TENNESSEE

McKenzie was also a five-star recruit for the Volunteers last fall, and like Thompson, he settled into a reserve role behind more experienced players on the defensive front.

The Walnut Creek, Calif., product played in every game last fall, tallying 24 tackles and a sack. With Owen Williams vacating a starting spot at tackle, McKenzie should slide seamlessly into the starting lineup.

He’s looked good in workouts this spring, and with the team dealing with a laundry list of injuries on the defensive front, he’s been getting extra reps, too.

REGIE MEANT, KENTUCKY

Statistically speaking, Cory Johnson was one of the better defensive linemen in the SEC last season. With his departure, Meant has some rather large shoes to fill.

Meant missed two games last fall, but still had 31 tackles and a sack for the Wildcats in a reserve role. He’ll get a chance to play more in 2016, and he’s drawing praise from his head coach.

“Regie is a guy that’s been a good leader and really passionate. Really playing physical,” coach Mark Stoops told the Lexington Herald-Leader’s Jen Smith.

CALEB BRANTLEY, FLORIDA

He was overshadowed a bit last season by Jonathan Bullard’s breakout campaign, but Brantley will be hoping to have his own name in the lights this fall.

He recorded 29 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2015, and is feeling good about his chances to put up even better numbers in 2016.

“I think I’m the best D-lineman in the country,” he told SEC Country last month. “I’m coming out to try and prove it.”

He’s also taking on more of a leadership role this spring, according to reports, which will help the defense cope with the loss of players like Bullard, Antonio Morrison and Vernon Hargreaves III.