By Brian Harbach

Nothing gets a discussion going better than ranking teams, players, mascots, tailgating… well SEC fans will pretty much fight about everything. Today will be a ranking of the leagues offensive positions. They will be listed in order of who is the best player at their respective position, followed by a player who might fall out of that Top 5 and a player that might surprise this season and move into the Top 5.

As in the last list, this will not include any true freshmen or players that were significantly injured from the previous year. It is too hard to assume how players will perform after a serious injury or how true freshmen will play once on campus. Also players that have moved positions such as South Carolina’s Eric Norwood will not be listed because we have not seen them play at their new position.

Defensive Ends

1) Tyson Jackson, LSU
2) Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
3) Antonio Coleman, Auburn
4) Jermaine Cunningham, Florida
5) Jeremy Jarmon, Kentucky

Most likely to move in: Carlos Dunlap (Florida) The next great Gator defensive end will be Carlos Dunlap, the kid is huge, fast and is going to have a breakout season this year. He will be fun to watch being opposite of Jermaine Cunningham, quite a duo.

Most likely to move out: Greg Hardy (Ole Miss) Hardy has dealt with a number of suspensions in his time at Ole Miss and while the talent is definitely present, but the question is if he will be available to the Rebels all year.

Defensive Tackles

1) Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn
2) Geno Adkins, Georgia
3) Corey Peters, Kentucky
4) Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
5) Demonte Bolden, Tennessee

Most likely to move in: Ricky Jean Francois (LSU) This kid is a difference maker on the defensive line and once he gets to play more he will be noticed nationally. Expect big things out of Francois in 2008.

Most likely to move out: Demonte Bolden (Tennessee) Bolden is good defensive tackle, but he could be over taken by a number of players if they have strong seasons. There are too many special defensive tackles in the SEC and there isn't always space for just good players.

Linebackers

1) Brandon Spikes, Florida
2) Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
3) Rico McCoy, Tennessee
4) Darry Beckwith, LSU
5) Tray Blackmon, Auburn

Most likely to move in: Rolando McClain (Alabama) This kid is big, physical and fast. He was a Freshmen All American last year; McClain should take the next step towards 1st Team SEC this year if he can get a little help from the Alabama D line.

Most likely to move out: Tray Blackmon (Auburn) Blackmon has yet to play a full season for Auburn with injuries and suspensions causing him to miss time. When he is on the field he is a bulldozer, but he isn’t always on the field.

Cornerbacks

1) Asher Allen, Georgia
2) DJ Moore, Vanderbilt
3) Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
4) Jerraud Powers, Auburn
5) Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina

Most likely to move in: Jai Eugene (LSU) LSU always has good corners and Eugene has the potential to be the next great one at LSU. He has good size and speed, once he gets some starts under his belt he should be a special player for the Bengal Tigers.

Most likely to move out: Captain Munnerlyn (South Carolina) Munnerlyn was injured the last part of 2007 and while he was active in tackles last season, he did get burned quite a bit when in coverage.

Safeties

1) Eric Berry, Tennessee
2) Derek Pegues, Miss State
3) Emmanuel Cook, South Carolina
4) Rashad Johnson, Alabama
5) Zac Etheridge, Auburn

Most likely to move in: Chad Jones (LSU) Jones had a great first year playing in the LSU defense, he was very active and really made his presence felt on a defense that was really stacked.

Most likely to move out: Zac Etheridge (Auburn) Etheridge is the low man on the totem poll in this list and he would be the first player to be bumped. He is a productive player, but will that production be enough to get him noticed all year long?

What do you think? Are these lists accurate or do you have a better one? E-mail me Brian Harbach

Harbach's Top 5 SEC Offensive Players by Position, July 27, 2008
Harbach's Top SEC Games, July 13, 2008
Championship Game Hurts SEC, July 6, 2008
Harbach's 2008 SEC Preview, June 30, 2008
Let's Get This Started, June 9, 2008 <