It’s no secret that the SEC is home to the best players in college football. This is proven every year in the NFL Draft, where the SEC perennially pumps out more pros than any other conference.

Thanks to this, the SEC has seen 5 programs win national titles in the past 20 years, with 11 titles in all. And that’s not even counting Auburn’s 13-0 season of 2004. During that span, the ACC has 3, the Big Ten has 2, the Big 12 has 2, the Pac-12 with 1 (with another vacated), and the Big East with 1. That’s dominance.

The SEC is again home to the best players nationally in 2018. You can very much make the case that the nation’s best QB, RB, WR, OT, OG, DE, DT, LB and CB reside in the SEC.

Consider this a ranking of the very best of the best. There are easily 75-plus players worthy of consideration, and to whittle it to 25 means many very gifted players are unfortunately left off.

These All-SEC caliber players just missed the cut: 35. Terry Beckner, DT, Mizzou; 34. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Florida; 33. Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama; 32. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia; 31. Marlon Davidson, DE/DT, Auburn; 30. Emanuel Hall, WR, Mizzou; 29. Jake Bentley, QB, South Carolina; 28. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama; 27. Jamel Dean, DB, Auburn; 26. Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky.

As for the top 25, let the debate begin.

25. DJ Wonnum, DE, South Carolina

The 6-5, 258-pound junior is one of the more complete DEs in the SEC, with the ability to play the run and get after the QB. He finished 2017 with 57 tackles, 13 TFLs and 6 sacks, and should improve on those numbers with another offseason of development. He’s also an excellent leader, which continues to pay dividends for a rapidly improving Gamecocks defensive line.

24. Charles Wright, LB, Vandy

Wright really came along at 3-4 OLB for the Dores in 2017, his first full season as a starter, finishing with 43 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and 9 sacks, and that’s while spending much of the year battling minor injuries. At 6-3, 240, he’s not the longest or most physical edge rusher, but he’s twitchy and plays with good leverage, with the ability to dip and bend underneath. Expectations are very high for him this fall.

23. Isaiah Buggs, DE/DT, Alabama

Constantly one of the more underrated players in the SEC, Buggs is a far better pass rusher than his modest 1.5 sacks indicate. He’s a very consistent player who can stuff the run inside and outside while also being able to apply pressure against regular double teams. His versatility and well-rounded game make him a favorite among scouts.

22. Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee

If he gets back to the level he was at prior to the blood clot issue he faced in the offseason, consider him too low on this list. He’s a gifted athlete with the kind of footwork, length and power to eventually become a first-round draft pick, but he needs to show he’s fully healthy this fall. Getting him back after missing all of spring is huge for the Vols and should make life much easier for QB Keller Chryst (or whoever else is under center).

21. D’Andre Walker, LB, Georgia

Walker was arguably the Dawgs’ best pass rusher in 2017, despite rotating in behind Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy. He finished with 40 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. With Carter and Bellamy in the NFL, it’ll be very interesting to see what kind of impact Walker can make with an increased workload. As he continues to improve his hands and repertoire of rush moves, he’s going to be even harder to block.

20. Hjalte Froholdt, OG, Arkansas

The Great Dane has made remarkable strides since moving to the offensive side of the ball just two years ago, developing into one of the best interior linemen in college football. At 6-5, 315, and blessed with light feet and a powerful base, he has become a complete blocker who can generate a push drive blocking and mirror in pass protection. He could challenge to be the first OG drafted next spring.

Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

19. Tyrel Dodson, LB, Texas A&M

Dodson erupted as a sophomore in 2017, finishing with 97 tackles, 11 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and 3 INTs, becoming one of the most complete linebackers nationally. The 6-2, 242-pounder is expected to thrive in new DC Mike Elko’s scheme and will be playing alongside a talented (and underrated) front seven, which is why many in College Station believe he could be in store for an even bigger season this fall.

18. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas wasn’t even the highest rated OT the Dawgs signed in the class of 2017, yet he wasted little time becoming an absolute rock up front for the SEC champs, starting all 15 games at RT and earning numerous Freshman All-American honors. The 6-5, 320-pounder will now slide over to the blind side with Isaiah Wynn off to the NFL, where he should be an excellent fit given his length and athleticism. Another future first-rounder for the Dawgs.

17. Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky

The self-proclaimed best RB in the SEC certainly has confidence in himself, which he should, especially after last year. The 5-11, 223-pound Snell was named to the all-conference team after finishing third in the SEC in rushing with 1,333 yards and 19 TDs, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He runs with good vision and power, though I’d like to see the Cats use him out of the backfield more often and become a bigger part of their passing game.

16. Landis Durham, DE, Texas A&M

Durham found his groove last year at DE after switching over from LB, and became one of the best edge rushers in the country, finishing with 56 tackles, 12 TFLs, 10.5 sacks a 3 FFs. Seven of those sacks came in SEC play, so it’s not like he just piled on against lesser teams. The 6-3, 255-pounder is electric off the edge, showing an elite first step with the ability to convert speed to power.

15. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Many were surprised Baker came back for his senior season after an All-SEC season in 2017, finishing the year with 44 tackles and 3 INTs. He was the best cover corner on one of the best secondaries in the country and was at his best when it counted the most, in the title game. He’s a wet blanket in coverage, showing smooth feet and hips in transition with good speed and ball skills.

14. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

The 5-9, 215-pound Swift flew a bit under the radar as a true freshman in 2017, despite finishing with 618 yards and 3 TDs, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. That should change now that he won’t have to share carries with Sony Michel (31st overall draft pick) and Nick Chubb (35th overall draft pick) anymore. He’s an electric back who runs with very good power and a low center of gravity, showing great lateral quickness, burst and vision.

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13. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

Samuel was off to an explosive start in 2017, with 15 receptions, 250 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 1 rushing TD and 2 KR for TDs before breaking his leg Week 3 against Kentucky. Samuel (6-0, 210) is expected to be fully healthy for 2018 and should provide the kind of playmaking ability the Gamecocks missed much of last year. He’s exceptionally fast, a legitimate deep threat constantly necessitating safety help over the top.

12. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Brown is an absolute force of nature at 6-5, 325 pounds, blessed with rare athleticism for a man of his size. He’s light on his feet, is powerful at the point of attack, can split doubles, stuff the run and collapse the pocket. He’s the best defensive lineman on what might be the best defensive line in the SEC, with legitimate first-round talent.

11. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Simmons is one the most physically gifted players in all of college football, regardless of position. The 6-4, 300-pound Simmons enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, finishing with 60 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, and 3 blocked kicks – all enough for him to earn first-team All-SEC honors. He’s explosive and powerful off the ball, constantly bullying interior linemen to make plays in the backfield and pressure the QB.

10. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss

Little was the top-ranked OT coming out of high school in 2016 and really began to play like it last year as a sophomore, earning second-team All-SEC honors after starting all 12 games for the Rebs. He’s a good athlete with quick feet and long arms, showing a powerful base in drive blocking as well as the shuffle to dance off the edge in pass protection. There’s a reason he’s being talked about as a potential early first-round pick, and it’s because he’s a rare talent.

9. Drew Lock, QB, Mizzou

The 6-4, 225-pounder enjoyed a record-setting season in 2017, completing 57 percent of his passes for 3,964 yards with a 44/13 TD to INT ratio. The 44 TD throws set an SEC single-season record and helped catapult him to the All-SEC first team. He’s being hyped as a potential No. 1 overall draft pick, though much will depend on how well he adapts to what should be more of a pro-style offense under new OC Derek Dooley.

8. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

After taking a circuitous route to StarkVegas, Sweat made the most of his first year starting for Mississippi State, finishing the season with 48 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks earning first-team All-SEC honors and being named defensive lineman of the week three times. At 6-6, 241, he has prototypical length for an edge rusher with long arms and a flexible frame. He’s equally adept at rushing from both a 2 and 3-point stance, which will provide great flexibility to the Hail State defense this year. He’s easily one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the college game.

7. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama

Williams has been the best offensive lineman on one of the best offensive lines in all of college football the past two years. He very well could become the fourth Alabama offensive lineman under Nick Saban to win the Outland Trophy with another great season. The 6-5, 300-pound Williams is a rock on the left side of the line, thriving in man and zone blocking while consistently protecting the QB. He could be in the running to be the first OT picked next spring, potentially in the top-10 overall.

6. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn

After a slow start to 2017, Stidham really found his groove down the stretch, finishing the final four regular-season games and SEC Championship Game completing 68 percent of his passes for 1,099 yards with a 9/1 TD to INT ratio, with wins over both Georgia and Alabama. The 6-3, 215-pound Stidham will have even higher expectations this year, on a team with legitimate national title aspirations. He’s a very good athlete who shows excellent velocity to all three levels with good touch, timing and anticipation.

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5. Devin White, LB, LSU

The 6-1, 240-pound White is arguably the best linebacker in college football. After a modest freshman campaign of 2016, he blew up as a sophomore last year, racking up 133 tackles, 14 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and 1 INT, earning numerous All-American honors following the season. He’s a perfect fit inside Dave Aranda’s scheme, with the power to stack and shed blockers inside while also providing blitz pressure through the A and B gaps. He should again have an enormous season in 2018 and will be a strong contender for the Bednarik Award.

4. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Harris is seeking his third consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2018 after compiling 2,040 yards the previous two seasons. At 5-11, 213, he’s a complete back who has the power to rush between the tackles and the burst to break it loose once he gets to the second level. He shows excellent patience and vision as a ball carrier, is an above average blocker and underappreciated receiver out of the backfield. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded back in college football, and his skill set should translate nicely to the NFL.

3. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

Williams redshirted his freshman year with the Tigers sporting an absolutely loaded secondary (Jamal Adams, Tre’Davious White, Donte Jackson, etc.). He certainly made a name for himself as one of the most dangerous CBs in the country to throw on in 2017, finishing with 38 tackles and 6 INTs, the latter of which was tied for most in the SEC and third nationally. He has ideal length for a press corner at 6-2 with long arms, showing fluid hips and excellent ball skills. Don’t expect high INT numbers in 2018, because it’s unlikely many QBs are going to test him.

2. AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss

Yet another SEC player who is arguably the best at his position nationally is AJ Brown, who is being hyped as the top receiving prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft class. At 6-1, 225 pounds he looks like he should be playing RB for Nick Saban, and plays as physically as his size would suggest. He uses his strength and quickness to separate from DBs and attacks the ball in the air, showing a toughness and aggression rarely seen in receivers. After the catch, he’s brutally tough for smaller DBs to try and bring down, and constantly picks up chunk yardage while dragging defenders behind him.

1. Raekwon Davis, DE/DT, Alabama

The SEC is loaded with freakish talent, especially along the defensive line, and Davis is arguably the most freakish of all, displaying otherworldly power, speed and lateral mobility at 6-7, 310 pounds. He finished his sophomore campaign of 2017 with 69 tackles, 10 TFLs, 8.5 sacks and an INT, and seemed to only get better as the year went on.

He has the quickness and burst to penetrate from the inside, the strength and power to play the run and the speed and range to come off the edge and close the perimeter. He can virtually play every position on the defensive line in every scheme, and that kind of athleticism and versatility is nearly unheard of. In a draft class that features an historic level of top-shelf talent, Davis might be the most talented of all.