Sports Illustrated recently released its list of the top 10 SEC players to watch in 2015, and the results may surprise you.

Sure, every member of the list is a star in his own right, but stardom was far from the only factor that impacted this list. Last season’s production, this season’s expectations and storylines surrounding the player all seem to have been considered when this list was formed, resulting in an unlikely collection of players, beginning with SI’s No. 1 man.

Without further ado, here’s the full list:

1. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

The skinny: Henry had to split time with NFL-bound T.J. Yeldon a year ago, but still relied on a punishing style to rush for nearly 1,000 yards on the year. He was fantastic when given touches in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State, amassing 95 yards on 13 carries.

2014 stats: 990 yards rushing, 5.76 yards per carry, 11 rushing touchdowns, 5 catches, 133 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

SI excerpt: “Alabama’s line of elite running backs continues with Henry, who is a nightmare for SEC defenses. His 6’3″, 241-pound frame makes him nearly impossible to bring down.”

2. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State

The skinny: Last year’s first-team All-SEC quarterback shined early in the season when Mississippi State took down three straight top 10 foes, but his play dropped off late in the season, especially in losses to Alabama, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech. Nevertheless, the dual-threat star is returning for his senior season and appears poised to make another run at the Heisman.

2014 stats: 61.6 completion percentage, 3,449 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 986 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, 2 catches, 35 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

SI excerpt: “Prescott exploded onto the SEC scene in his junior season as he turned Mississippi State into the top-ranked team by the middle of the season. … Prescott’s presence under center gives the Bulldogs hope in the SEC West.”

3. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

The skinny: Barnett was one of two players to break Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman sack record last season, and he’s poised to have an even bigger season as a sophomore in 2015 with the retention of a guy like Curt Maggitt and the addition of players like Kyle Phillips, Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie.

2014 stats: 72 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks

SI excerpt: “In his first year on the field, Barnett looked like a man amongst boys. … The sky is the limit for Barnett, who will terrorize SEC quarterbacks for at least two more years.”

4. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

The skinny: Chubb was perhaps the nation’s best freshman last season, rushing for at least 100 yards in each of his eight starts in relief of the suspended/injured Todd Gurley. He managed to finish second in the SEC in rushing and might’ve run for 2,000 yards had he started every game.

2014 stats: 1,547 rushing yards, 7.06 yards per carry, 14 rushing TDs, 18 catches, 213 yards, 2 receiving TDs

SI excerpt: “Chubb emerged a consistent force behind Todd Gurley, powering through defenders with his thick frame. As his workload increased with Gurley’s suspension and injury, Chubb averaged over seven yards per carry on his way to 1,547 yards.”

5. D’haquille Williams, WR, Auburn

The skinny: Williams is a premier athletic specimen who is widely regarded as one of the SEC’s most explosive wideouts. He won’t have Sammie Coates playing opposite him to keep defenses in conflict this fall, but if he and new quarterback Jeremy Johnson can get on the same page his speed, length and leaping ability will continue to make him a coveted future NFL talent.

2014 stats: 45 catches, 730 receiving yards, 5 receiving TDs

SI excerpt: “Williams ditched the NFL Draft and former teammate Sammie Coates, opting for a second season at Auburn. The explosive juco transfer had over 700 yards on just 45 catches last season, and he will be extra motivated for his senior year after a suspension kept him out of the Tigers’ Outback Bowl loss to Wisconsin.”

6. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

The skinny: The former No. 1 overall recruit from the 2013 class will enter his third (and likely final) year at Ole Miss this fall, and many expect this season to be the season Nkemdiche elevates his play to a dominant level. He often faces double and triple teams in the interior of the trenches, but with his power and athleticism he should be among the most impactful linemen in the conference.

2014 stats: 35 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass broken up

SI excerpt: “As the glue holding together the Ole Miss defensive line, Nkemdiche is the foundational piece of the Landsharks defense.”

7. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

The skinny: Although the numbers may not back it up (because he’s so rarely thrown at), Hargreaves is easily the best defensive back in the conference. He earned first-team All-SEC honors as a freshman and sophomore in 2013-14, and is poised to do so again in 2015 in a conference still lacking more than a couple of dynamic starting quarterbacks.

2014 stats: 50 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 INTs, 13 passes broken up

SI excerpt: “Although Hargreaves’ time at Florida has seen the program accomplish little, he has completely lived up to the billing. He recorded three interceptions each in 2013 and ’14, so don’t be surprised if Hargreaves turns his own little corner of Gainesville into an island this upcoming season.”

8. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

The skinny: Had it not been for Chubb’s brilliance between the hedges, Fournette (the No. 1 overall recruit in last year’s class) would have received more buzz for his fantastic freshman season. The powerful back now appears more comfortable playing in the SEC, and in an offense lacking quarterback talent he should be the go-to weapon for the Tigers in 2015.

2014 stats: 1,034 rushing yards, 5.53 yards per carry, 10 rushing touchdowns, 7 catches, 127 receiving yards, 1 kickoff return TD

SI excerpt: “Fournette battled the pressure of immense hype on his way to a highly productive season in his true freshman campaign. The New Orleans native … has barely scratched the surface of his potential.”

9. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

The skinny: Garrett joined Barnett as the other player to break Clowney’s sack record, and because he closed the year with more  sacks he’s technically the new record-holder. He torched A&M’s non-conference foes, but registered just three sacks in eight SEC games (he logged 8.5 sacks in five non-conference games). Many are wondering what Garrett has in store for an encore, especially in conference play.

2014 stats: 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 1 pass broken up, 1 blocked kick

SI excerpt: “Garrett is one of the most feared defensive lineman in college football, and only turned 19 after the season. He broke Jadaveon Clowney’s SEC freshman sack record in 2014, finishing the year with 11.5 sacks as well as a blocked kick.”

10. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

The skinny: Treadwell’s season was cut short by a leg injury suffered against Auburn, but it didn’t stop him from leading Ole Miss in catches for the second year in a row. Like Williams at Auburn, Treadwell is long and explosive on the outside, and he should emerge as one of the SEC’s top playmakers this fall depending on the play of his new starting quarterback.

2014 stats: 48 catches, 632 receiving yards, 5 receiving TDs

SI excerpt: “Treadwell’s 2014 season ended tragically when he broke his leg against Auburn, but he proved himself to be one of the conference’s top receivers during Ole Miss’s 7-1 start. … He’s expected to participate in spring practice as he continues to recover from injury.”

Notable snubs: Arkansas RBs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins; South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper; Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs.