The SEC is loaded with star players for the 2015 season, so many that it’s extremely difficult to place top position groups in a correct order — but we’ve tried.

2015 SEC Team Position Rankings

Arkansas suffered a major blow Monday when Bret Bielema announced Jonathan Williams would undergo surgery on his left foot, forcing him to miss the regular season. Ranked No. 2 in SEC backfield depth coming into the season, the Razorbacks still have a 1,000-yard rusher in Alex Collins and will now lean on Kody Walker for substantial totes in Williams’ absence.

Ranking the SEC’s best position groups

10. Auburn’s quarterbacks: Most teams forced to replace a dynamic two-year starter under center are a bit leery heading into the season, but that’s not the case on the Plains where the Tigers welcome Jeremy Johnson to the fold, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound junior with Heisman buzz. The SEC’s most accurate passer in limited action last fall, Johnson appears to have all the tools to be successful including an NFL arm, his obvious size and good speed. The Tigers are grooming Sean White and Tyler Queen as viable backups in Gus Malzahn’s system.

9. Alabama running backs: Nick Saban may not have the depth he wants at the position with so many offseason injuries, a dismissal and a transfer, but the ball-carriers the Crimson Tide do possess are mighty special. In his first season as the featured back, Derrick Henry should surpass the 1,000-yard total rather easily considering he averages 6.5 yards per carry career. He’s the bulldozer (with speed and strength) while Kenyan Drake’s the multi-level threat Alabama’s depending on to make plays in the receiving game as well. Five-star true freshman Damien Harris will be the No. 3 and could break out during the later stages of the season.

8. Ole Miss defensive line: There’s been much debate during the offseason as to who has the SEC’s fiercest defensive line — the Rebels or the Crimson Tide? If you’re basing it on numbers, Alabama has the advantage, but not by much. Robert Nkemdiche’s the featured piece up front for Dave Wommack’s defense, a bull rusher who commands a double team almost every snap. His buddies Marquis Haynes and Issac Gross are complimentary talents who have produced sizable numbers in Nkemdiche’s shadow. If junior Fadol Brown continues to develop opposite of Haynes at end, this front four could lead the SEC in sacks this season.

7. Georgia’s offensive line: The Bulldogs return four starters up front on a unit that paved the way for a record-setting offensive attack during the 2014 season. Anchored by standout tackles John Theus and sixth-year senior Kolton Houston, Georgia expects to be even better with its veteran-laden nucleus. Isaiah Wynn worked out at center much of the spring to replace David Andrews, but has since moved to guard to make way for Brandon Kublanow in the middle. Greg Pyke is the most underrated starter and one of the SEC’s best guards.

6. Texas A&M’s wide receivers: Not only do the Aggies have two five-star quarterbacks on roster, but this offense’s cast of pass-catchers is easily the SEC’s most talented from top to bottom. Need size? Ricky Seals-Jones and Edward Pope are both 6-foot-4 plus with considerable strength. Speed? Multi-position threat Speedy Noil is a blossoming star. Josh Reynolds however is the total package in Texas A&M’s quick game and is the league’s returning leader in touchdown receptions (13).

5. Florida’s defensive backs: Closer to 1A than the SEC’s second-best secondary unit, Florida has a chance to regain bragging rights later this season when the Gators go into Baton Rouge to take on ‘DBU’ at Tiger Stadium. Without question, Vernon Hargreaves is the SEC’s best cornerback and sophomore Jalen Tabor on the other side already has established that he’s a force in coverage. Add feared hitter Keanu Neal and Florida’s experience-laden pass defense is lethal.

4. Georgia’s outside linebackers: Take your pick, Jeremy Pruitt. You won’t be wrong. Jordan Jenkins’ decision to return to Georgia for his senior season gives this group an outspoken leader on defense, a player capable of league-leading tackle numbers as an expert run-stopper. Leonard Floyd has the look of a future first-round pick and is the Bulldogs’ most skilled pass rusher when he’s healthy. Pruitt plans to utilize him at various positions this fall so that Lorenzo Carter, the third member of this trio, can get on the field. Carter’s a true sophomore who stood out during the second half of his rookie season, but still has room develop. He added some bulk during the offseason and is playing with more energy after Pruitt put him on the second team last week during camp.

3. LSU’s defensive backs: This secondary is stingy and hates giving up big plays, part of the reason the Tigers gave up the third-fewest touchdown passes in the country last season (10). All-SEC defender Tre’Davious White and Ed Paris man the corners while the league’s best safety combo — Jamal Adams and Jalen Mills — play centerfield. Add developing junior Rickey Jefferson and five-star freshman Kevin Toliver to the mix and LSU has immense depth at an already-loaded position group.

2. Alabama’s defensive line: Outside of perhaps Ohio State, it would be hard to find another team across college football with as much depth up front as the Crimson Tide. There’s All-American potential across the board — A’Shawn Robinson at nose as well as Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen on the ends. Seniors D.J. Pettway and Darren Lake provide stability off the bench. Five-star sophomore Da’Shawn Hand will get some action, but he’s still a situational pass rusher on Kirby Smart’s front line. There’s a reason Nick Saban has agreed with the sentiment that this could be the best front seven he has assembled in Tuscaloosa.

1. Georgia’s running backs: It bears repeating that Nick Chubb is one of the game’s best players overall, but have you seen the rest of Georgia’s stable of ballcarriers? Sony Michel and Keith Marshall are both former five-stars with star potential while A.J. Turman, a 2013 signee, is in the same position on the depth chart (fourth) as Chubb was to begin last season. And we all know what happened there. Michel, who averaged 6.4 yards per carry as a true freshman, should have double the total touches this season in a pro-style offense.