This week and next, we're breaking down who we think are the top 10 players on each SEC team currently.

We started this morning with Alabama. Now we take a look at Arkansas:

1. Brooks Ellis: Ellis said he wants to be considered one of the best players in the league and a big 2016 season for him will get him into that conversation. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith considers Ellis, who will enter his third full season as a starter, the anchor of Arkansas' linebacker corps. He led the Razorbacks in tackles (102) and was 11th in the SEC in 2015. He tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (eight) and has eight pass breakups in the last two seasons, the most on the team in that span for a non-defensive back.

2. Dan Skipper: The 6-foot-10 offensive tackle is definitely the tallest player the Razorbacks have but he's also a good right tackle, where he spent all of last season after being at left tackle in 2014. Skipper is the lone returning Hog who was a 2015 All-SEC team member (the coaches chose Skipper for the second team) and it will be his third full season as a starter on the offensive line.

3. Drew Morgan: When injuries hit the Razorback receivers hard early in the 2015 season, the team needed someone to step up. That someone was Morgan, who had a breakout junior season, leading the team in receptions (63), receiving yards (843) and touchdown receptions (10). He excelled in some of Arkansas' biggest wins last year, particularly at Tennessee (where he caught five passes for 110 yards) and at Ole Miss (nine for 122 and three touchdowns), and he's back for his senior season, which could be even better.

4. Dre Greenlaw: Though he was a true freshman in 2015, it didn't take Greenlaw long to establish himself as a player worthy of seeing the field. A high school safety, Greenlaw played every game at linebacker last season (starting 11) and was second only to Ellis on the team in tackles (95) while adding 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup and two forced fumbles en route to earning SEC All-Freshman team honors. Ellis said that Greenlaw will be "huge for us" as a sophomore. "Now he knows what he's doing and he's still playing at the same speed."

5. Deatrich Wise: Wise came on strong toward the end of 2015, saving his best for the Razorbacks' biggest games. He led the team in sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (10.5) despite not starting a single game. He compiled most of those numbers in key SEC games, like LSU (2.5 sacks), Mizzou (two), Mississippi State (1.5), Alabama (one) and Ole Miss (one). If he can play all of 2016 like he did the second half of 2015, Wise has All-SEC potential.

6. Jared Collins: Since his arrival in Fayetteville, Collins has consistently, gradually and annually improved. A two-star recruit when he signed in 2012, Collins has started 27 games and led Arkansas in pass breakups each of the last two seasons, which included nine in 2015 along with 44 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. This season will be his third as a starter at cornerback.

7. Jeremy Sprinkle: By midseason, Sprinkle probably will move to near the top of this list. His time has finally arrived and it could be a big year for the tight end. Even though his production hasn't been huge while former Hog tight end Hunter Henry led the way at the position, Sprinkle's physical ability at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds has always been there. With Henry gone and heading to the NFL draft, Sprinkle is now the No. 1 pass-catching option over the middle, meaning his 27 catches for 389 yards and six touchdowns last year -- which were solid -- could all take a big jump in 2016.

8. Frank Ragnow: One of two returning starters on the Arkansas offensive line in 2016, Ragnow could be switching positions this year. After starting all of 2015 at right guard, Ragnow is working at center and guard this spring. Regardless of where he'll be, he'll have a starting spot somewhere on the interior line, as he's one of the Hogs' best up front. One Razorback coach last year called Ragnow "a freak," and the only question is where the junior's ability will be deployed.

9. Taiwan Johnson: His junior season wasn't quite what the Razorbacks had hoped but that could be remedied in 2016 with a move back to a familiar spot. As a sophomore, Johnson excelled at nose guard, finishing 2014 with eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. After switching positions and seeing those numbers dip in 2015 (five and 1.5, respectively), Johnson is moving back to the nose where Smith feels like he can best help the Hogs. This will be his third season as a starter in Fayetteville.

10. Jeremiah Ledbetter: Ledbetter led all Arkansas defensive linemen in tackles last season (55) and was fourth on the team in tackles for loss (7.5) to go along with two sacks. He could be on tap for a big senior season as he moves from defensive end inside to defensive tackle, where Smith hopes Ledbetter's athleticism will better serve the defensive line and give them a pass-rushing threat from the interior.