SEC's best players — No. 8 Greg Hardy, Ole Miss

No. 8 — Greg Hardy

Mississippi

Jr., defensive end

Why he's No. 8:Hardy is one of those athletic freaks who could well be playing his final season in Oxford. A big year should propel him to the NFL as a top 15 pick. Hardy led the SEC in sacks last season with 10 and was second in tackles for a loss with 18. He has explosive speed around the corner and the bulk at 250 pounds to be a run-stopper as well.

Key number: 2. Number of touchdowns scored by Hardy last season for the Rebels. The 6-foot-5 Hardy was used as a situational tight end for Ole Miss last season and has three touchdown catches in his career.

Fun fact: How many athletes can say they have lined up against both Tim Tebow and Joakim Noah? Hardy can. He played 14 minutes in a loss against Florida's national champs as a freshman. Hardy played in 15 games as a power forward in 2006-07 scoring 13 points and grabbing 26 rebounds.