By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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What SEC units are most likely to help their respective teams reach the next level?

A single unit does not make a team, but one or two dominant units are capable of carrying a team from average to good or from good to great.

What SEC units are most likely to help their respective teams reach the next level? Lets look at the SECs 10 best position groups.

10. Georgia Linebackers

Projected Starters: OLB Leonard Floyd (Jr.), OLB Jordan Jenkins (Sr.), ILB Reggie Carter (Jr.), ILB Tim Kimbrough (Jr.)

The Bulldogs defense made noticeable strides, save for one early November afternoon in Jacksonville, in defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitts first season. That should carry over into Year Two, with the linebackers being the strength of a talented group. Jenkins has started 32 games in the past three seasons, while Floyd led the team in sacks in 2014. Balance is the only concern here, as the outside spots are more well-stocked than the inside positions with mainstays Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson having moved on. Finding ways to get sophomore Lorenzo Carter on the field for more than just a backup role is a must for Pruitt.

9. Tennessee Running Backs

Projected Starter: Jalen Hurd (So.)

Hurd was the first mega-recruit to commit to the Volunteers after Butch Jones was hired, leading to a major uptick in signing top prospects over the past two years. An 899-yard freshman season has sent expectations soaring for Hurd, but now hell have an equally-talented running mate in Alabama transfer Alvin Kamara. Im against all self-appointed nicknames, but Hurd and Kamara referring to themselves as The CMG (Chain-Moving Gang) is somewhat creative.

8. Alabama Offensive Line

Projected Starters: OT Cam Robinson (So.), OT Dominick Jackson (Sr.), OG Alphonse Taylor (Jr.), OG Ross Pierschbacher (Fr.), C Ryan Kelly (Sr.)

There has yet to be a subpar offensive line at Alabama under Nick Saban, but the 2015 unit should be one of his best. It starts with Robinson, who easily earned the starting left tackle role as a true freshman. Robinson and third-year starter Kelly, two of the best in the country at their respective positions, will help ease the loss of three starters. There are likely three men for two spots at guard, with sophomore Bradley Bozeman battling Pierschbacher and Taylor. This will be Jacksons first year as a full-time starter, but the senior did see time a year ago as a blocking back in jumbo packages.

7. Auburn Running Backs

Projected Starter: Jovon Robinson (Jr.)

Robinson had to take a bit or a circuitous route to Auburn after a grade-changing issue in high school forced him to spend two seasons in junior college. If the spring was any indication, it was worth the wait for the Tigers. There will be competition, however, as Roc Thomas returns as the only running back on the roster with any significant experience. Freshman Kerryon Johnson will factor into the mix as well. The position has been mostly a plug-and-play one under Gus Malzahn, and this year should be no different with the multitude of options.

6. Texas A&M Wide Receivers

Projected Starters: Ricky Seals-Jones (So.), Josh Reynolds (Sr.), Speedy Noil (So.)

Kevin Sumlin has cleaned up at recruiting receiver talent since coming to College Station four years ago. The Aggies welcome back four wideouts who produced at least 450 yards in 2014, led by senior Josh Reynolds. Aptly-named sophomore Speedy Noil is a defenses nightmare with the ball in his hands, and Seals-Jones is a matchup problem at 65d and 235 pounds. Theres also slippery blue-chip recruit Christian Kirk and veteran Edward Pope to add depth.

5. Arkansas Running Backs

Projected Starter: Jonathan Williams (Sr.)

Williams was inherited by Bret Bielema upon his arrival in Fayetteville, but has blossomed into the type of running back with which Bielema had so much success at Wisconsin. He doesnt do it alone, however, as junior Alex Collins also returns. The pair combined for almost 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, as the Hogs ended their two-year skid of missing the postseason. Theres no better backfield duo in college football than Collins and Williams.

4. Ole Miss Defensive Backs

Projected Starters: CB Tony Bridges (Jr.), CB Tee Shepard (Jr.), NB Tony Connor (Jr.), S Mike Hilton (Sr.), S Trae Elston (Sr.)

So what if Senquez Golson was a second-round NFL Draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers? The Rebels probably wont miss him much on the back end of Dave Wommacks defense. Bridges and Shepard, both junior college transfers, are much more imposing physically than Golson and will likely earn the two starting roles. If needed, senior Hilton is right behind them with experience at multiple positions. Connor is an All-American candidate as a hybrid linebacker-safety.

3. Georgia Running Backs

Projected Starter: Nick Chubb (So.)

Chubb burst onto the scene a year ago with 1,547 yards as a freshman, drawing obvious comparisons to a freshman phenom from 34 years ago by the name of Herschel Walker. Injuries and suspensions derailed the Bulldogs depth at the position a year ago, but even with Todd Gurley off to the NFL, Georgia is well-stocked behind Chubb with senior Keith Marshall and sophomore Sony Michel fully mended. Brendan Douglas and A.J. Turman showed in the spring that they can be viable options as well. While Chubb can handle a heavy load physically, Georgia has enough options that 200 carries may be all it needs to ask for from its super sophomore.

2. Alabama Defensive Line

Projected Starters: DE Jonathan Allen (Jr.), DE Jarran Reed (Sr.), NT AShawn Robinson (Jr.)

The Crimson Tide have been somewhat lacking in star power up front the past few seasons, but the 2015 Alabama defensive line may be the deepest that its ever been. Robinson will be a star in likely his final college season, while Reed and Allen are the best of a loaded group of defensive ends that also includes veterans D.J. Pettway and Dalvin Tomlinson and former five-star recruit DaShawn Hand. The much-publicized dismissal of Georgia transfer Jonathan Taylor will not have a significant on-field impact with so much talent compiled in Tuscaloosa.

1. Arkansas Offensive Line

Projected Starters: OT Dan Skipper (Jr.), OT Denver Kirkland (Jr.), OG Sebastian Tretola (Sr.), OG Frank Ragnow (So.), C Mitch Smothers (Sr.)

It was only a matter of time before the Razorbacks developed one of the nations most dominant offensive lines. A veteran unit that helped Arkansas run for 218 yards per game a year ago remains almost fully intact. Third-year head coach Bret Bielema welcomes back four of five starters, with only the right guard position vacated by Kirkland this spring when he moved to the left tackle opening. Standing 610d, Skipper is a mass of humanity at right tackle and one of the best in the business. Tretola is most famously known for his touchdown pass against UAB last season, but has also turned into one of the conferences best interior blockers.