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Now that we've looked at draft guru expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s early list of the top wide receivers and defensive ends for the 2014 NFL draft, it's time to check out two more positions.

Today, we're on to running backs and safeties . The interesting thing about the SEC is it's extremely deep at running back, but most of the top returning backs aren't draft eligible. No SEC backs made Kiper's top five, but Auburn rising junior Tre Mason made his "Next up" list.

Mason was Auburn's best overall player last year, rushing for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Mason should have even more room to move around in Gus Malzahn's spread offense. He has a pounding nature about him, but has the ability to break the big one and has the agility to make defenders miss at times.

Other draft-eligible running backs I'd keep an eye on in the SEC this fall:

• Jeremy Hill, LSU: Now, this one is interesting because he's dealing with legal trouble. If he makes it back to the playing field, he'll be one of the best running backs in the league with his strength, size and speed. He's a sophomore, but is three years removed from his graduating high school class.
• Henry Josey, Missouri: The redshirt sophomore back from that devastating knee injury he suffered halfway through the 2011 season. Josey says he's finally back to 100 percent, which is scary because he was one of the top backs in the country before his injury.
• Ben Malena, Texas A&M: He surprised some when he shot to the top of A&M's depth chart, but he's an extremely hard worker and can be a bear to take down. He'll be challenged by younger players, but he proved last year that he isn't intimidated by competition.
• LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State: He can be a solid downhill runner or a weapon in the passing game. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark last year and returns as Mississippi State's top offensive player.
• Jeff Scott, Ole Miss: He isn't the biggest back in the league, but he has great speed and his very shifty. He won't be a viewed as an every-down back, but he's solid in open space and in the return game.

When it comes to safeties, there are a few more SEC faces on Kiper's list. Headlining his top five is Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He's such a rangy player and covers so much ground with his speed. He's also very good in coverage, which NFL scouts will surely drool over this season. Clinton-Dix also showed last year that he isn't afraid of contact and can play up in the box if needed. He's probably the league's most versatile ballhawk.

Coming in on Kiper's "Next up" list are LSU's Craig Loston and Ronald Martin, and Mississippi State's Nickoe Whitley. Loston is someone people are really starting to rave about. He's always had the potential, but his work ethic has been called into question. However, with more responsibility thrown his way last year, he really started to make strides with his game. He's also a hard-hitter who will basically be the captain of the defensive backfield this fall.

As for Martin, he was Eric Reid's backup last year and played in 13 games with one start. He really is an athlete and showed off some of his breakaway speed and instincts when he intercepted a tipped pass in the Idaho game and took it 45 yards for a touchdown. He doesn't have a ton of experience, but he'll make up for that this season.

Whitley has been a solid weapon for Mississippi State's secondary for the past few years. He has 10 career interceptions and was third on the team with 88 tackles last season. Whitley is a big-play safety and covers a lot of ground in the back of the Bulldogs' defense.

Other draft-eligiblle safeties I'd keep an eye on this fall:

• Eric Bennett, Arkansas: He's been around for a while now and has had some up-and-down moments, but he has a ton of skill. He has smooth movements and can be a very physical player.
• Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt: The rising senior wasn't afraid to mix it up all over the field last year. He can play closer to the line if needed and certainly isn't afraid of delivering a good amount of contact.
• Floyd Raven, Texas A&M: He was a backup corner last year, but moved to safety this spring and it proved to be the right decision by coach Kevin Sumlin. He's fast, rangy and extremely athletic. He has all the tools to be a stud, but just has to keep learning the position.
• Jaylen Watkins, Florida: He started his Florida career off as a cornerback, but moved to safety this spring. He's a very physical defensive back, has experience at safety and is a very smart player on the field.

LSU TIGERS

2012 record: 10-3

2012 conference record: 6-2

Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 3; special teams: 1

Top returners: QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill, RB Alfred Blue, OL La'el Collins, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Odell Beckham, LB Lamin Barrow, SS Craig Loston, CB Jalen Mills

Key losses: DE Barkevious Mingo, DE Sam Montgomery, DT Bennie Logan, LB Kevin Minter, FS Eric Reid, CB Tharold Simon, OT Josh Dworaczyk, C P.J. Lonergan, K Drew Alleman, P Brad Wing

2012 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Jeremy Hill* (755 yards, 12 touchdowns)

Passing: Zach Mettenberger* (2,609 yards, 12 touchdowns)

Receiving: Odell Beckham* (43 receptions, 713 yards), Jarvis Landry* (56 receptions, 573 yards)

Tackles: Kevin Minter (130)

Sacks: Sam Montgomery (8)

Interceptions: Tharold Simon (4)

Spring Answers

1. A new offense: The arrival of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron saw the Tigers throwing the football around all spring. It's clear LSU's sometimes anemic passing offense will be asked to carry a larger load this fall, with Mettenberger returning along with his favorite deep threat (Beckham) and his go-to possession receiver (Landry).

2. Barrow's a leader: After losing Minter to the NFL draft, LSU will look to its other 100-tackle linebacker for leadership. Barrow was productive all spring while staying at the weak-side linebacker spot where he excelled in a 104-tackle junior season. He could possibly move to middle linebacker in the fall.

3. More power: Even in a more open offense, LSU should be able to run the ball. With La'el Collins moving from left guard to left tackle and Josh Williford replacing him at left guard (sliding over from right guard), the Tigers will be able to start four offensive linemen who have started at least the majority of a season somewhere on the line. With fullback J.C. Copeland and four proven running backs returning, don't look for Cam Cameron's offense to abandon the run.

Fall questions

1. The Hill situation: LSU's leading rusher was suspended from the team indefinitely after he was arrested for his part in a bar fight that happened while he was on probation for a previous charge. If Hill serves a long suspension or is not on the team, the Tigers will be down to three scholarship running backs. Would that force the Tigers to change their offensive identity?

2. A new front four: The Tigers lost all four starters on the defensive line, including three (plus a backup) who were picked in the NFL draft. LSU has recruited well, but a lot of unproven talent will have to perform up to expectations for the defense to be as good as it was in 2012. Defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, who played starter-like snaps as the third tackle last season, will take on a leadership role.

3. Special teams dominance?: Under Les Miles, LSU has usually outplayed opponents on special teams. But with Wing giving pro football a try and kicker Alleman finished, there are serious questions about whether LSU can be as consistently good as years past. Walk-ons will be asked to replace Alleman's consistency.

I heard "Sweet Home Alabama" from all the way up here in Atlanta. I can only imagine what it was like on South Beach with all of those Bama fans last night.

• Here's a reader's guide to Alabama's 42-14 win over Notre Dame in the Discover BCS National Championship Game.
• Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack says the Tide's offensive line left a legacy.
• Nick Saban cracks a smile and savors Alabama's second straight national championship.
• Alabama juniors considering leaving early for the NFL draft will announce their decisions Wednesday.
• Kentucky freshman offensive lineman T.J. Jones was arrested on a weapons charge.
• LSU keeps safety Craig Loston, but junior running back Michael Ford decides to take his talents to the NFL.
• Johnny Manziel's good times there for all to see.
• Florida defensive end Dominique Easley announces that he's returning for his senior season.
• Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace will undergo shoulder surgery and could be out four to six months.
• Auburn lands junior college defensive tackle Ben Bradley, who plans to enroll early.
• Athlete Ashton Shumpert quietly commits to Mississippi State.
• Two names emerge for Missouri's vacancy at wide receivers coach.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- When LSU’s defense brilliantly contained Johnny Manziel in a 24-19 win over Texas A&M on Oct. 20, the young Tigers secondary had never looked better.

With an effort to keep the dynamic freshman out of his comfort zone after he got off to a quick start, LSU employed the strategy of keeping him in the pocket as opposed to trying an all-out rush to get to the elusive young star.

It gave Manziel time to throw, but he often simply could not find receivers because the Tigers perfectly executed the coverage downfield.

At the time, the secondary -- which only has one starter back from last season and employs two freshmen among its top five players -- looked all grown up.

Not so much any more. Read the full story here.

Hard to believe there are only two weeks left in the regular season.

So before we get to the end of the year and everybody starts talking about All-SEC selections and Player of the Year candidates, let’s take a moment to recognize some of the most underrated players in the SEC this season.

Here’s our look at 10 guys who’ve had outstanding seasons and have maybe flown under the radar to some degree:

Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt: Throughout his career, Johnson has been Mr. Versatile for the Commodores on their offensive line. He settled in at left tackle this season, but moved over to right tackle last week against Ole Miss and also played a few snaps at center.

Patrick Lewis, C, Texas A&M: The Aggies have the best offensive tackle tandem in the country in Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, but everybody on that offense will tell you that it all starts with Lewis in the middle of that offensive line. He makes all the calls and is as smart as he is tough.

Craig Loston, S, LSU: A fourth-year junior, Loston has avoided the injuries that plagued him earlier in his career and been an integral part of an LSU defense ranked third nationally in total defense. He’s fourth on the team in tackles with 41 and has two interceptions, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown last week in the 37-17 win over Mississippi State.

Denzel Nkemdiche, LB, Ole Miss: While the recruiting spotlight has been on his younger brother, Robert Nkemdiche, Denzel Nkemdiche has emerged as one of the most productive freshman defenders in the country. He’s second on the team with 66 total tackles, including a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss, and has also forced four fumbles.

Ross Rasner, S, Arkansas: It hasn’t been a season to remember for the Hogs, and they’ve taken their lumps on defense. But Rasner has played his heart out. He leads the Hogs with 74 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and also has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with two forced fumbles.

Mychal Rivera, TE, Tennessee: One of the more polished pass-catching tight ends in the league. Rivera is third on Tennessee’s team with 30 catches for 485 yards and four touchdowns. He’s averaging 16.2 yards per catch and has proven to be a tough matchup for defenses.

Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida: Everybody talks about Alabama’s Dee Milliner and Mississippi State’s Johnthan Banks when the subject of the league’s best cornerback comes up, but don’t forget about Roberson. He’s tied for second in the league with 11 passes defended.

Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina: Even though he doesn’t have big numbers in terms of catches (25), Sanders is still tied for the team lead with five touchdown receptions. He also returned a punt for a touchdown against Georgia and is third in the SEC in punt returns with a 13.9-yard average.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M: While he’s not the Aggies’ leading receiver, Swope is the guy who makes the tough catches and makes the clutch catches. He does lead the team with six touchdown receptions and put on a show last week in the win over Alabama with 11 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Shawn Williams, S, Georgia: He might not have the name recognition of a Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree or Bacarri Rambo, but Williams is the enforcer on that Georgia defense and leads the team with 66 total tackles. His words obviously mean something, too, when you consider how this defense has played ever since he spoke up just prior to the Florida game.

Gary Laney writes: LSU is finding its balance and playing its best football of 2012, but come bowl selection time, the Tigers will likely get passed over in favor of some sexier SEC teams.

Laney : 3 Up, 3 Down – LSU 37, Miss. State 17

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The 37-17 score was a bit deceiving, as LSU didn't quite have its way with Mississippi State on Saturday night. But the Tigers bounced back from the loss to Alabama with a solid SEC win -- a win that was aided by a second straight big performance from LSU's much-maligned passing game.

Here's how the Tigers celebrated Les Miles' 59th birthday from a chilly Tiger Stadium:

It was over when: LSU safety Craig Loston picked off Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell late in the fourth quarter and raced 100 yards for a touchdown. The full-field pick-six put the Tigers up by 20 points with less than two minutes to play. Loston made the interception in LSU's end zone, where a Mississippi State touchdown would have cut the Tigers' lead to six.

Game ball goes to: LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger followed up his aerial explosion against Alabama with another impressive performance against the Bulldogs. The junior once again showed off the talent LSU fans were hoping for in the offseason by completing 19 of 30 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Mettenberger once again showed great chemistry with sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who hauled in nine receptions for 109 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown catch.

Game ball, part II: It would be unfair not to recognize a superb effort from Russell, even in a loss. Russell dissected the LSU secondary for 295 yards on 26-of-38 passing. He completed 68 percent of his passes and was essentially mistake-free up until the heartbreaking interception to Loston. Even more impressive was that he carried the load without starting tailback LaDarius Perkins, who left the game early in the first half and did not return. Mississippi State rushed for a measly 47 yards.

Key stat: 154. That number isn't a passing total or a rushing total -- it's the discrepancy between LSU's 273 passing yards and 119 rushing yards. Anyone who has watched the Tigers play in the last two or three years knows that it's a bit unusual to see a Les Miles-coached team lean on the passing game en route to a win. LSU struggled on the ground but made up for it with a dynamic passing effort -- however odd that might be to admit.

Unsung hero: Michael Ford's stat line isn't bound to jump off the page at anyone. He carried once for five yards and had one reception for 27 yards. But he did average nearly 30 yards per return on three kickoff returns -- two of which gave LSU excellent field position on scoring drives. His lone reception was a beautifully-executed screen pass that set the Tigers up on Mississippi State's 4-yard line for an eventual touchdown.

What it means for LSU: The Tigers effectively put the loss to Alabama behind them with a nice, albeit not dominating, win against a ranked opponent. Fans might have been hoping for a more convincing effort, but the Tigers' offense maintained its groove, and the defense did enough -- though Loston's interception made the game look much more lopsided than it was. With Ole Miss and Arkansas remaining, 10-2 is an attainable goal for the end of the season -- which could put LSU into BCS-bowl consideration.

What it means for Mississippi State: There aren't any moral victories in the SEC, but anyone who watched the game knows the Bulldogs put up a much better effort against LSU than they did in their blowout losses to Alabama and Texas A&M. Mississippi State fell behind as much as 20-10 at halftime and 30-17 late in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs bounced back and were able to keep the Tigers on their toes until the dying minutes, though it still was their third straight loss after a 7-0 start. The final two games, against Arkansas and Ole Miss, are winnable, which would give the Bulldogs good bowl standing.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- One week after getting bowled over by a physical Florida running game, No. 9 LSU took those frustrations out on someone else. The Tigers pounded their way to 258 rushing yards on a whopping 53 attempts in a 23-21 upset of No. 3 South Carolina on Saturday night.

Despite a lopsided box score, the Tigers were never able to put the Gamecocks away, however. South Carolina rallied from a 23-14 fourth-quarter deficit and had a chance to steal a win on its final drive.

Here’s how it played out from a raucous Tiger Stadium:

It was over when: LSU safety Craig Loston intercepted South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw’s desperate heave on the game’s final play to preserve a 23-21 margin.

Shaw brought the score within two when he connected with Bruce Ellington on a 1-yard touchdown pass with three minutes to play. The Gamecocks couldn’t recover the ensuing onside kick, but they forced an LSU punt with 35 seconds to play, giving them a chance at a last-second win.

Game ball goes to: LSU has been lauded for its depth at running back all year long, and the Tigers utilized it against South Carolina. When starter Spencer Ware left the game briefly in the first half, freshman Jeremy Hill took over. Hill, with just 13 career carries heading into the game, exploded for 124 yards and both of LSU’s touchdowns on 17 carries. The youngster broke the game open on a 50-yard scoring romp in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Key stat: The closeness of the score line is baffling when looking at the box score. The Tigers outgained the Gamecocks 406-211, and won the time of possession battle 36:57 to 23:03. The Gamecocks’ defense was crucial in keeping it close -- South Carolina forced LSU to settle for field goal attempts on four of five trips to the red zone.

Key stat II: The LSU defense limited South Carolina to a 3-of-13 effort on third downs, sacked Shaw four times and stonewalled the Gamecocks for a mere 34 rushing yards.

What it means: Considering how easily No. 1 Alabama is tearing through its schedule, a second SEC loss could have ended the Tigers’ SEC championship dreams. LSU’s success running the ball behind a makeshift offensive line is encouraging, but the Tigers’ troubles in the red zone? Not so much.

Now it’s the Gamecocks’ turn to have their backs against the wall. South Carolina travels to Florida next weekend for a showdown with the surprising Gators, who could go a long way toward claiming the SEC East with a win.

Happy Friday! Here are a few links to send you into the weekend:

• Cyrus Kouandjio is "just having fun" as the youngest member of Alabama's vaunted offensive line.
• Alabama first-year offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier says junior quarterback AJ McCarron has a "very, very high ceiling."
• Redshirt freshman receiver Ja'Juan Story is transferring from Florida.
• There's a hotly contested battle raging for Florida's starting cornerback spots.
• Tennessee is taking its preseason camp on the road.
• LSU safety Craig Loston is banged up in practice.
• Georgia's kickers have some big shoes to fill.
• Vanderbilt's scheme helps bring out the best in senior defensive tackle Rob Lohr.
• After Ace Sanders, there's plenty of playing time to go around at receiver at South Carolina.
• Josh Robinson, Mississippi State's bowling ball of a running back, gives the Bulldogs another option.
• Auburn's linebackers are making progress this preseason.
• Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock takes in Arkansas' practice.
• Injuries hit Missouri's offensive line hard, but help is on the way.
• Texas A&M's Christine Michael looks to be healthy in what will be a deep Aggies' backfield.
• Kentucky true freshman quarterback Patrick Towles might be best saved for later, writes Mark Story of The Lexington Herald-Leader

Schedule: The Tigers’ first practice is Thursday morning with the varsity players. The freshmen and selected veterans will practice later in the day. The first full-squad practice is Sunday, and the first day in pads is scheduled for Monday. LSU opens the season Sept. 1 against North Texas in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised by ESPNU.

Returning starters: Six on offense, six on defense and the place-kicker, punter and top return man on special teams.

Star power: Junior cornerback Tyrann Mathieu was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season. He tied for the team lead with 76 total tackles and led the SEC with six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.

New faces: Lamar Louis and Ronnie Feist, a pair of true freshmen, went through spring drills and showed enough that that they’re going to be in the rotation at linebacker this season. Also keep an eye on incoming true freshman Kwon Alexander. In the secondary, redshirt freshman Jalen Collins could end up being the Tigers’ third cornerback, while redshirt freshman Micah Eugene is expected to push Craig Loston for the starting strong-safety spot.

Don’t forget about: Sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk didn’t go through the spring and missed all of last season with a knee injury. The NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility, and he adds a wealth of experience to an already-talented offensive line. Dworaczyk started at left guard in all 13 games of both the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but will have to beat out promising sophomore La'El Collins if he’s going to return to the starting lineup.

Big shoes to fill: Morris Claiborne picked up right where Patrick Peterson left off the year before and took away one whole side of the field at cornerback last season. He was an eraser back there for the Tigers and also contributed a key 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia. Next in line is junior Tharold Simon, who has the size, skills and drive to be the next great corner to come out of LSU.

Key battle: LSU coach Les Miles likes to play a lot of running backs, but he can’t play five, and the Tigers have five who could start for a lot of teams. The new kid on the block is 6-foot-2, 225-pound freshman Jeremy Hill, who might be the most complete package physically. Juniors Michael Ford and Spencer Ware combined for more than 1,450 rushing yards last season, and 240-pound sophomore Kenny Hilliard came on toward the end of the season. There’s also junior Alfred Blue, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry a year ago. The competition at running back should be fierce over the next month.

Rising star: After starring on special teams last season and blowing up a few opposing return men, sophomore Jarvis Landry is ready to make his mark at receiver. He runs excellent routes and catches everything. He’ll be a vital part of the Tigers’ passing game this fall.

Bottom line: The Tigers came up one game short a year ago after winning 13 in a row against a brutal schedule and then laying an egg in the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama. They lost three talented underclassmen to the NFL draft, but the defense has a chance to be even better in 2012. Good luck in finding a deeper, more talented defensive line this side of the NFL. The secondary won’t be too far behind. If quarterback Zach Mettenberger can have success throwing the ball down the field, it’s going to open up all sorts of things on offense for the Tigers. Their running game will be as potent as ever. The schedule is also much easier, and Alabama has to come to Baton Rouge this season. When you add it all up, it has the feel of another national-championship run for the Tigers, who are still smarting from what happened to them in New Orleans last season.

We continue to rank all the positions in the SEC and turn our attention to groups of defensive backs the conference has to offer.

Past rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs
• Wide receivers/tight ends
• Offensive line
• Defensive line
• Linebackers

On to the league's secondaries:

1. LSU: The Tigers bring back a load of talent here. Tyrann Mathieu and his Honey Badger persona return, but he might not be LSU's best pure corner. While Mathieu has a true knack for finding the ball, no matter where he is, junior Tharold Simon, who replaces Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne, might have the best cover ability on the team. Junior safety Eric Reid takes the back end of the field away and will challenge to be one of the nation's top safeties this fall. The coaches are still waiting for safety Craig Loston to break out, and his solid spring was an encouragement. Keep an eye on safety Micah Eugene, who turned heads this spring.

2. Georgia: The Bulldogs have some depth concerns and some players will face early-season suspensions, but the Bulldogs are loaded at the top. Bacarri Rambo is one of the nation's best safeties and he has a very solid partner in Shawn Williams, who led the Dawgs in tackles last year. Seniors Sanders Commings and Branden Smith are back, but will likely sit out the start of the year because of suspension. That leaves Malcolm Mitchell, who moved from receiver, to fill in and he's no stranger to defense. The coaches are also excited about youngster Damian Swann, who will play early.

3. Alabama: With three starters gone, this group is drawing a lot of comparisons to the 2010 unit that struggled at times. However, this batch of DBs insists it'll be more prepared this fall and shakes off the comparisons. Veteran Robert Lester is back at safety and is an All-SEC-type player. Junior cornerback Dee Milliner has 16 career starts under his belt and is an underrated talent, and the coaches are expecting to get a lot out of junior college transfers Travell Dixon and Deion Belue. Keep an eye on safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, who has the talent to be a star in this league.

4. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs own one of the league's best corner duos in seniors Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield. Banks might hold the title as the league's best returning cover corner. Darius Slay is also another corner to watch, as he has some legit playmaking ability. Junior safety Nickoe Whitley is back as well and he would have had better numbers if not for a ruptured Achilles tendon that cut his 2011 season short. He grabbed four interceptions in nine games and should be 100 percent this fall.

5. Florida: This group was pretty young last year, but now has some quality experience under its belt. Safety Matt Elam is the best of the bunch and should challenge to be the league's top safety this year. Sophomore Marcus Roberson had a solid freshman season and has the makings to be a top cover corner in this league. The other corner spot is up for grabs, but keep an eye on sophomore Loucheiz Purifoy, who the staff is very excited about. Josh Evans had a good spring at free safety, but he'll have his hands full fighting off sophomore De'Ante Saunders, who started nine games last year.

6. Missouri: The star of this group is junior corner E.J. Gaines, who recorded only two interceptions, but he broke up 16 passes in 2011 and is bonafide All-SEC candidate. Across from Gaines is senior Kip Edwards, who returns for his second year as a starter and has 37 games to his credit. Edwards turned into a solid cover man toward the end of last season. Seven players return with starting experience, including safeties Kenronte Walker (four starts), who was named the team's most improved safety this spring, and Braylon Webb (four), who had a strong freshman year.

7. South Carolina: The Gamecocks are down three starters, but they aren't without talent. Senior safety D.J. Swearinger, the lone returning starter, is one of the league's top safeties and is solid against the pass and the run. Vet Akeem Auguste returns after missing all of last year with a foot injury, and he's back at corner after moving to safety in 2010. The questions begin with sophomores Victor Hampton (corner) and Brison Williams (safety). Hampton has the talent to succeed, but has some maturing to do. Williams struggled in his only start last year, but the staff really likes his upside.

8. Vanderbilt: Casey Hayward and Sean Richardson are gone, but the Commodores still possess some pretty good talent in the secondary, starting with corner Trey Wilson, who had a solid 2011 in Hayward's shadow. The coaches like what they've seen from junior corner Andre Hal, and safety Kenny Ladler could be a real player at free safety. Expect Eric Samuels and Javon Marshall, who have both see plenty of field time in their careers, to get into the safety rotation this fall.

9. Auburn: The Tigers' secondary took some lumps last year, but certainly has experience back there. Three veteran starters are back with 33 combined starts from a year ago. Fifth-year senior cornerback T'Sharvan Bell didn't go through spring while he recovered from knee surgery, but has the talent to be a top corner in this league. Juniors Chris Davis (corner) and Demetruce McNeal are both back and sophomore Jermaine Whitehead, who had a solid freshman campaign, will get time at safety.

10. Tennessee: Tennessee gave up 7 yards per attempt last year, but things could turnaround this fall. Tennessee has a lot of game experience at corner, including senior Prentiss Waggner, who is the leader of the group. Sophomore Brian Randolph had a solid freshman campaign and junior Brent Brewer is returning to the other safety spot after suffering an ACL injury in late October. Izauea Lanier was ruled ineligible this summer, meaning Marsalis Teague and Eric Gordon will compete with Justin Coleman for a corner spot.

11. Arkansas: Sophomore Tevin Mitchel had a solid first year in Fayetteville and is on course to have a true breakout year this fall. Junior Eric Bennett is holding down one of the safety sports and started 13 games in 2011 after moving from cornerback last spring. The staff is still waiting on senior corner Darius Winston to live up to the hype that followed him from high school. Freshmen Kelvin Fisher Jr. and Davyon McKinney will get their chances to play this fall and help with depth.

12. Ole Miss: The Rebels should be better against the pass this year and things start with veteran safety Charles Sawyer, who has All-SEC quality and should have had at least three more than the four interceptions he recorded last year. Former JUCO transfer corner Wesley Pendleton had an impressive year last season, but looked even better this spring. Nickolas Brassell is gone, but the coaches hope to get more out of former freshman standout Senquez Golson, and junior Brishen Mathews returns from back injury to take the hybrid Husky position.

13. Kentucky: The Wildcats must replace two starting corners, but the coaches feel good about senior Cartier Rice and redshirt freshman Marcus Caffey. Caffey, who moved from running back, might have the most upside and was one of Kentucky's top players this spring. Senior starting safeties Martavius Neloms and Mikie Benton are back. Neloms had a solid spring and racked up 71 tackles last year. Behind them, the Wildcats are full of unproven youngsters.

14. Texas A&M: This is where the Aggies could really struggle. Texas A&M ranked 109th nationally in pass defense last year and could start three sophomores in its secondary this fall. Senior safety Steven Campbell can be a real playmaker for this group, but he's struggled to stay healthy during his career. Senior Dustin Harris has shown flashes on defense, but left spring as a backup to sophomore Deshazor Everett. Sophomore Floyd Raven, who was impressive this spring, has the edge over JUCO transfer Tremaine Jacobs at the other corner spot. The coaches are hoping this is a more athletic group in 2012.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU held its last practice of the spring Thursday prior to Saturday's spring game, and coach Les Miles opened up the practice to the students.

Following practice, the students were invited inside to the indoor practice facility, where they had a meet-and-greet with the players and coaches.

It's Miles' way of reaching out to the student body, and the students' chance to get an up-close view of the team.

Just like the LSU team that went 13-1 last season, this team certainly passes the look test.

Most of the attention this spring has been on quarterback Zach Mettenberger, and specifically, the Tigers' passing game. Miles said Thursday there's no doubt in his mind that LSU will throw the ball much more efficiently in 2012, and a lot of that has to do with the way everybody on offense has rallied around Mettenberger, entering his junior season.

"He plays the game the way I want all of my players to play it," Miles said. "I enjoy his attitude. He's bringing the passing game to life, and he wants to compete on every single play. He doesn't mind stirring the pot, either."

Already this spring, Mettenberger went after defensive tackle Josh Downs in a scrimmage after Mettenberger felt there had been a late hit, and several in the LSU program said Mettenberger delivered the kind of tackle that even defensive coordinator John Chavis admitted was impressive.

Speaking of Chavis, he's losing two first-rounders off last season's defense. Both cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers elected to give up their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft.

They will certainly be missed, but Chavis isn't exactly fretting.

In a lot of ways, he thinks the Tigers will be even faster on defense in 2012. They're two-deep at every position in the defensive line, and even though Brockers is gone, Chavis thinks junior tackle Bennie Logan was one of the more underrated defenders on the team last season. Chavis said sophomore tackle Ego Ferguson had also made a big jump.

Chavis really likes the way Kevin Minter and Tahj Jones have answered the call at linebacker, even though Jones has been out recently with turf toe.

"It's the best Kevin Minter has played since he's been here," Chavis said. "He really looks like an SEC linebacker and is playing like an SEC linebacker."

Two redshirt freshmen making big moves in the secondary this spring have been Jalen Collins at cornerback and Micah Eugene at safety. Chavis likes Collins' size and length. He's 6-foot-1 and 184 pounds, which gives the Tigers a pair of bigger corners. Tharold Simon is 6-3 and 187 pounds.

Chavis said Craig Loston was also playing well at safety until a foot/toe injury slowed him.

"Loston was really grasping things, but with him out, it's given us a chance to work several other kids," Chavis said. "Ever since Eugene got a chance to jump in there and work with the first unit, he got a lot of people's attention really quick. He's still learning the position, but he has a chance to be a really good safety for us."

Chavis said junior Tyrann Mathieu would continue to play both the cornerback and nickel back roles.

"We'll have some young kids that aren't here on campus yet that will come in and help us, too," Chavis said. "We like this class, and the linebacker group has a chance to be special. They have to come in here and do it, but we like the kids we signed there."

Some Tuesday linkage for you:

• Bruce Ellington's former high school coach expects him to return to football at South Carolina.
• Vanderbilt, looking to get its best athletes on the field, finds a new home for the three quarterbacks it signed in James Franklin's first class.
• LSU safety Craig Loston is finally feeling healthy and eager to prove his worth.
• Barrett Jones' latest spring break mission trip takes the Alabama Outland Trophy winner to Nicarugua.
• Auburn releases its spring practice times. The Tigers open practice on Friday.
• Florida is counting on receiver Quinton Dunbar to get it right next season.
• Seth Emerson of The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph takes a closer look at Georgia's team as the Bulldogs get ready for spring practice.
• How Texas A&M stacks up with its new conference mates.
• The defense wins the day last Saturday in Missouri's scrimmage.

Spring doesn't just bring pretty flowers and more favorable weather, it brings new and fresh opportunities for college football players.

Somewhere, a surprise or two are lurking.

So, we've come up with five potential spring surprises in the SEC, and we want you to vote on them. These players could earn themselves starting jobs, more playing time for the fall, more praise from coaches and teammates, or just do things that make us look at them twice.

Can LSU junior safety Craig Loston be that guy? He played in 10 games last year, with no starts, and was considered one of LSU's top reserves at safety. He did most of his work on special teams, but with Brandon Taylor gone, maybe this is Loston's time to break through and finally start. His potential has been raved about since he arrived, but he just hasn't taken the next step in his game. Maybe he'll do that this spring.

Then there's Alabama linebacker Adrian Hubbard, who has a chance to come in and play at the Jack position -- the same position held by Courtney Upshaw. No big deal, or anything. He played in eight games during his redshirt freshman year, recording nine tackles. And while he isn't Upshaw, he could really make noise off the edge this spring with his speed. The coaches have been pretty excited about his potential in this defense.

Cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy at Florida is another youngster to keep an eye on. He played mostly on special teams last season, and while he's pretty raw, Florida coach Will Muschamp has said that he thinks Purifoy, a rising sophomore, could be a solid corner in this league with his size and athleticism. With Marcus Roberson coming off of an injury and Jeremy Brown's status for the spring unknown, this could be Purifoy's chance to step away from special teams and make a real impact in Florida's secondary.

Wide receiver Joe Morrow at Mississippi State redshirted in 2011, but that doesn't mean the coaches weren't impressed with what they saw from the freshman in practices. He wasn't physically ready to compete at the beginning of last season, but by the end of the season he was making all kinds of plays in practice. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has the speed to be a real downfield threat for the Bulldogs, something they've lacked in their offense for the past few years. He'll get his shot to take reps away from veterans and could help evolve Mississippi State's offense.

Finally, there's Tennessee offensive tackle Antonio Richardson. During his freshman season, Richardson lined up for field goals and extra points, but he's a talented, athletic lineman who could break through on an offensive line that has a lot of returnees, but struggled at times last fall. Richardson was a top lineman recruit coming out of high school and has pretty good measurables (6-6, 325), so he will get his shot at a spot this spring.

LSU could get sophomore safeties Eric Reid and Craig Loston back for the Arkansas game.

Loston, who dealt with a concussion and a hand injury, missed the Ole Miss game. Reid, who is a starter, left the Ole Miss game with a thigh injury.

For now, Miles feels good that Loston will return, and while he expects Reid to play, nothing is definite. Loston did move around some Tuesday.

“I don’t think there’s any question that Loston will play,” Miles said Wednesday. “Eric Reid is much better. He ran yesterday and felt good.

“We’re very optimistic about Eric Reid.”

If Reid isn’t able to go, Miles said Loston is prepared to play the entire game, though he hasn’t played much in the secondary since the early part of the season.