Who are the SEC’s top 10 players — regardless of position — through 10 weeks this season? There are several methods used to define this group of Heisman frontrunners, defensive player of the year candidates and irreplaceable assets to their respective teams, but the easiest way is best.

  1. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
  2. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
  3. Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State
  4. Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn
  5. Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn
  6. Shane Ray, DL, Mizzou
  7. Senquez Golson, DB, Ole Miss
  8. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
  9. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
  10. Cody Prewitt, DB, Ole Miss

Takeaways: Projected as the co-SEC Heisman frontrunner during the preseason alongside Todd Gurley, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall’s getting into rhythm at the right time for the Tigers who have won back-to-back conference games since a loss at Mississippi State … Marshall’s helped co-lead the league’s top rushing offense with Cameron Artis-Payne and has accounted for eight total touchdowns over his last two starts … SEC Defensive Player of the Year favorite Shane Ray established a new school record for sacks in a season during last week’s win over Kentucky, slinging quarterback Patrick Towles to the ground twice. Ray ranks third in the nation with 16.0 tackles for loss and fifth in sacks with 10.5 … The SEC’s second-best player with the last name Cooper is also just behind Amari in mulitple receiving categories — receptions (51), yards (786) and touchdowns (8). Pharoh Cooper’s been the go-to player on a South Carolina offense on pace to break several school records despite a disappointing season in Columbia. His shiftiness and reliable hands helps the Gamecocks on third down as Dylan Thompson’s primary option.

Just missed the cut: A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee; Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss; Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina; Preston Smith, DL, Mississippi State; Myles Garrett, DL, Texas A&M; Vernon Hargreaves, DB, Florida; Elliott Fry, K, South Carolina; A.J. Stamps, DB, Kentucky; Markus Golden, DL, Mizzou; Jonathan Williams, Arkansas; Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee