The SEC has been producing NFL-caliber talent for quite some time now. If you want proof, look no further than the 12 prospects who were drafted in the first-round of the 2017 draft — including the No. 1 pick Myles Garrett.

Six of those 12 players were underclassmen. The demand for quality talent out of college football’s top conference makes the idea of leaving early tempting for young players.

While there are some who will choose to return for their final season of eligibility, several will give in to that temptation.

As a result, we decided to take a look at the top 10 draft-eligible underclassmen from the SEC West, with four-round mock draft projections from USA Today‘s Luke Easterling.

10. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn

Projected Round: 3rd

Skinny: At this point, it’s not likely that Stidham will forgo his final two years of eligibility. Still, Easterling has evaluated the Auburn quarterback, and he determined there’s a lot to like.

He’s certainly not wrong. The rust to start the season was very real for the Baylor transfer, but Stidham finished the year strong.

He finished with 21 touchdowns (17 passing, 4 rushing) along with 2,827 passing yards. He also finished the regular season as the SEC’s most accurate passer (66.7 percent).

Stidham still holds on to the ball too long from time to time, but he has the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback — whenever he chooses to move on to the next level.

9. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Projected round: 2nd-3rd

Skinny: Harris managed to stay healthy this season, and the results have been solid, to say the least.

Because he’s in a timeshare with Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs and others, Harris still hasn’t reached the 1,000-yard mark (906). But he leads the SEC in yards per carry (8.24) and in carries of 60-plus yards (3).

Harris comes with a compact frame (5-11, 212). He has parlayed his vision, his ability to make people miss — check out the jump-cut in the clip below — and his attitude that make himself a serious NFL prospect.

8. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Projected round: 2nd

Skinny: There was a time when Kirk was projected as a top 10 pick, but A&M’s lack of consistent, quality play at the quarterback position has squashed that somewhat.

Also, Kirk has some limitations along with his dynamic play-making skills. He isn’t going to be the type of player to consistently win 50-50 balls.

On the other hand, he’s electric with the ball in his hands and can be a nice safety blanket for a quarterback. He can also make an impact as a return man.

7. Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

Projected round: 2nd

Skinny: Davis may be a surprise name on this list for some, but there’s no doubt that he deserves to be on it. In fact, there are some draft analysts who believe he is first-round material.

He’s a long, thick cornerback (6-1, 203) who uses that size to his benefit in press coverage. What makes Davis so valuable is that his size-strength combination is mixed with excellent feet and technique.

Players such as Kerryon Johnson and Jeff Holland have bigger names, but Davis may be the top Auburn player drafted.

6. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Projected round: 1st-2nd

Skinny: Like with Kirk, there were a lot of people who predicted Ridley as a top 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Those people haven’t completely gone away, either.

Ridley doesn’t have elite size (6-1, 190) at the receiver position. He doesn’t really need it, though. His route-running — seen in the clip below — and ability to create separation make him an extremely value commodity for NFL teams.

Alabama’s Jalen Hurts is a good quarterback, but his deficiencies as a passer absolutely could have affected Ridley’s draft stock. He’ll be a steal for some lucky team.

5. Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Projected round: 1st-2nd

Skinny: Payne is listed at 6-2, 308 pounds on Alabama’s roster. He plays a lot bigger than that, however.

Like previous nose tackles for the Tide, Payne is extremely hard to move in the run game. His raw power mixed with his violent hands may have some thinking that he’s simply a space-eater, but Payne can move for a man his size.

Payne certainly lives up to his last name, as evidenced by the clip below.

4. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Projected round: 1st

Skinny: Easterling has Harrison mocked to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There may be some fans who don’t like the selection considering the Jags’ need at quarterback, but the Alabama safety is an excellent prospect.

He’s got elite size for the position (6-3, 214) and he uses it to create bone-crushing, game-altering hits on opposing ballcarriers. Harrison can move for a guy with his size as well, which allows him to be effective against tight ends.

3. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Projected round: 1st

Skinny: Guice has endured some injuries this season, but he could end up being the top running back prospect before the draft actually rolls around in late April.

He’s got everything you could want as a runner — size (5-11, 212), balance, explosion and vision. Guice hasn’t been utilized much as a receiver — only 29 receptions in three years — but he has looked capable in limited opportunities.

Penn State’s Saquon Barkley is considered the top prospect at the position, but Guice isn’t far behind.

2. Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

Projected round: 1st

Skinny: Much like Guice, the injury bug hit Key before the season began — preventing him from making any sort of early impact.

He’s steadily gotten better, but his 0.5 sacks per game is a far cry from the 1.09 that he averaged in 2016.

After playing last year at 238 pounds, Key added close to 30 more (265 now) onto his 6-6 frame. It’s likely that sort of weight gain killed some of his explosiveness, as the limitations from his shoulder injury didn’t allow him to properly adjust.

Key isn’t the same caliber of prospect that Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett was last season, but he should still be a solid first-round selection.

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama

Projected round: Top 10

Skinny: An argument could be made that Fitzpatrick is the best player in the country.

His ability to play multiple positions in Alabama’s defense makes the comparisons to former LSU corner Tyrann Mathieu warranted. Fitzpatrick’s 6-1, 202 frame gives him a much better advantage in the size department, however — Mathieu is only 5-9, 186.

From the time that Fitzpatrick stepped onto the Tide’s campus, he’s been a stand-up addition — on and off the field.

The versatile defender is going to make some NFL team extremely happy come April.

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