–Garrett Jones 

While the Heisman Trophy is the most coveted of all postseason awards in college football, in the conference where “It just means more,” conference accolades are still valued at a premium. Here’s where the Southeastern Conference’s best stand in the running for each player of the year award as of week 3:

Offense

1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB- If you’re leading ESPN’s Heisman Watch like Tagovailoa is, you should lead the SEC Player of the Year discussion as well. Alabama’s Hawaiian lefty has impressed on a national level with his pinpoint accuracy on downfield throws.
2. Drew Lock, Missouri QB- In his senior season, Lock has lived up to the preseason hype. Through three games, he’s recorded three more touchdowns and 100 more total yards than last year’s Heisman Trophy winner- Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield- while also limiting turnovers.
3. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M RB- Williams emerged as the FBS leader in rushing yards after week one, and has not relented on that pace- leading the conference with 399 yards.
4. Jake Fromm, Georgia QB- Fromm has run Georgia’s offense to near perfection under center in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 start. He hasn’t put up huge numbers- likely in part due to a soft early season schedule and the emergence of freshman QB Justin Fields’ as backup- but has been a quintessential game manager.
5. Benny Snell, Kentucky RB- The face of Kentucky for the past three seasons, Snell’s play has spearheaded Kentucky’s 3-0 start, and his play helped the Wildcats get a 32-year old monkey off their back in the team’s win at Florida on Sep. 8.

Defense

1.Greedy Williams, LSU CB- Sometimes, it’s good to be greedy. Williams is tied for the conference lead in interceptions with two, and has led LSU’s overachieving start by anchoring its strong secondary.

2.Montez Sweat, Mississippi State DL- Sweat is tied for the conference lead with 3.0 sacks through 3 games, pacing a staunch defense allowing just 10.0 points per game (9^th-lowest in FBS).

3. Devin White, LSU LB- Along with Williams, White has been the figurehead of LSU’s elite defense, and has caught the eye of professional scouts at the middle linebacker position.

4. Deonte Thompson, Alabama CB- Thompson is tied with Williams for the conference lead in interceptions, and has been a big part of Alabama’s historic defensive effort- the Tide have allowed 14, 7 and 7 points respectively in each of its games this season.

5. Deandre Baker, Georgia CB- A popular preseason pick for the award, Baker has helped Georgia continue more of what made it such a feared unit last season, tied with Williams and Thompson for the conference lead in INT’s.

Special Teams

1.  Cole Tracy, LSU K- Tracy has been heavily used to this point in the season, and has delivered- going 8/9 on field goals and kicking a walk-off winner over No. 7 Auburn last week.

2. Tucker McCann, Missouri K- McCann has been called upon the most of any SEC kicker, going 8-11 on field goals this season, and like Tracy, kicked a walk-off field goal in Week 2- his to beat Purdue on the road

3. Josh Jacobs, Alabama KR- Jacobs may be buried deep in Alabama’s running back rotation, but he makes his impact on special teams. The sophomore is averaging 59 yards per return, including a 77 yarder for a touchdown week one.