Dak Prescott is the SEC’s best returning quarterback, Tennessee is fielding its most talented team in years and Georgia’s loaded on both sides of the football.

That much we knew heading into spring practice.

A few things we didn’t are listed below …

It took all of a handful of practices for a JUCO transfer to become South Carolina’s best player up front defensively … Steve Spurrier knew he was getting a gem of a pass rusher in Marquavius Lewis, but the Gamecocks’ spring MVP was a near unblockable force throughout spring, quickly adjusting to first-year co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke’s scheme while making his presence felt in the backfield. South Carolina had just 14 sacks all of last season and Lewis looks like a talent who could accumulate at least half of that total — or more — by himself in his first campaign.

Jeremy Johnson is the real deal and makes Auburn a legitimate College Football Playoff threat … Judging from Gus Malzahn’s evaluation of his quarterback situation post-Nick Marshall and his ability to keep his starter under wraps throughout spring, it was difficult to judge if Johnson was really that much better than second-teamer redshirt freshman Sean White. Most scrimmage reports (from ones that were public) pegged both quarterbacks on the same level from a consistency standpoint and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee did a great job keeping Auburn’s pick close to the vest. It’s no surprise Johnson’s the guy, but the ‘Cam Newton 2.0′ comparisons sounded a bit outlandish from the outset, but a closer look reveals the high praise may not be far from the truth. Equipped with a physical frame and rocket arm like Newton, Johnson was in complete control of the first-team offense during the Tigers’ spring game and hit passes at every level. What’s scary is that Johnson is a hair faster than the former Heisman winner and has a better feel of Auburn’s scheme heading into his first season as a starter with multiple years in the system. It’s important to note that five out of the last six national champions have been directed by first-year starters under center — Cardale Jones (Ohio State, 2014); Jameis Winston (Florida State, 2013); A.J. McCarron (Alabama, 2011); Cam Newton (Auburn, 2010); Greg McElroy (Alabama, 2009).

Jake Coker’s lack of stability in the Alabama quarterback battle … After losing last year’s competition to Blake Sims despite Jimbo Fisher’s assurance that the transfer would be ‘much more talented than anything they’ve had’ under Nick Saban, Coker’s struggling to find separation again from redshirt freshmen David Cornwell and Cooper Bateman. Besides a terrible decision on his only interception, Coker was efficient in the spring game but Saban refused to name a frontrunner at the position. Had Coker been more consistent during spring practice, the senior wouldn’t have to worry with a competition that will spill into August.

The Razorbacks’ best running back of the spring not being Jonathan Williams or Alex Collins … That’s right, Bret Bielema’s head-turner in Saturday’s Red-White Game was converted fullback Kody Walker, a 250-pound beast of a ballcarrier who shredded a bunch of second-teamers on defense for 174 yards and three touchdowns on a workhorse-like 26 carries. The fifth-year senior appears to possess a different swagger this season and he has taken full advantage of increased reps. Does this mean Walker will be a factor during the meat of the SEC schedule? Probably not, but a third back with talent behind a pair of 1,000-yard rushers is a nice luxury to have for the Razorbacks.

Florida’s athleticism on defense throughout spring despite playing without two All-SEC caliber starting linebackers … A great defense starts in the trenches and Florida’s front four looks like it could be a dominant group, even without projected lottery pick Dante Fowler. He was often so determined as a pass rusher, there were times defensive end Jonathan Bullard had to scale it back a bit to allow the Gators’ backfield to get work in behind an injury-riddled offensive line. Bullard rarely lost a 1-on-1 battle and with Alex McCallister and Taven Bryan’s help, consistently pushed Florida’s wall of blockers off their heels. That’s a great sign for Geoff Collins’ defense. Gators’ linebackers also impressed even though Jarrad Davis and Antonio Morrison missed all of spring. Alex Anzalone stepped into a leadership role in the middle with more reps while Daniel McMillan flexed athleticism in pursuit. We knew Florida’s secondary would be one of the SEC’s best in 2015, but the Gators’ front seven surprisingly matched its production during the spring.