Returning SEC stars like Leonard Fournette, Myles Garrett and Chad Kelly have been talked about endlessly this offseason.

Which lesser known players could be talked about as star players at the end of the season?

SEC Network reporter Laura Rutledge named her six breakout stars for 2016:

  • Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson
  • Mississippi State WR Malik Dear
  • Ole Miss DT Breeland Speaks
  • Vanderbilt WR C.J. Duncan
  • Arkansas RB Devwah Whaley
  • Florida DB Chauncey Gardner

All eyes are on Johnson this fall at Auburn with Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson both departing the Plains this offseason.

“Their top three running backs from last season are gone, we know they’re looking for offense wherever they can find it,” Rutledge said of the Auburn ball-carrier.

Mississippi State is another offense looking for playmakers. Rutledge thinks Dear could be the guy to step up this fall.

“Other than Fred Ross and Brandon Holloway, the Bulldogs are pretty inexperienced at skill positions offensively,” Rutledge said. “So Dan Mullen said Dear will get more playing time, and when the ball is in his hands, exciting things happen.”

What do you think of the list?