SEC Football: 10 best returning players for the 2020 season

8. Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

In the simplest terms, Nick Bolton was a breakout player that few saw coming from the Missouri Tigers last season. Bolton was, in essence, forced into a large starting role in the middle of the Mizzou defense due to injury. Rather than struggle with that burden being placed upon him, however, the linebacker shined in his first year in the starter and was one of the best linebackers in college football.

Bolton finished his only season as a starter for the Tigers with 100 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions, eight passes defended and a defensive score. He’s got speed from sideline-to-sideline to defend against the run but is a real force when dropping into coverage as he’s proven to be a monster when matched up with running backs, tight ends and even some receivers. He’ll cause SEC offenses some problems if he can stay at that level in the 2020 season.

7. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Given his bloodlines and an enticing frame to play cornerback, Patrick Surtain II came to Alabama as a 6-foot-2, 203-pounder with a ton of expectations placed upon him. But ever since he took over the starting job early in his true freshman season, the defensive back has done nothing but live up to those expectations and now seems primed to establish himself as one of the nation’s premier corners.

Last season, Surtain ended the year with two interceptions, eight passes defended, 42 total tackles and three forced fumbles. He’s adept and dangerous in coverage with his length and physicality while also being more than willing to come up and lay the wood in the run game when asked to. While he may not be the top returning cornerback in the SEC, he’s far from being a slouch.