LSU Football: Mo Claiborne and the Top SEC Players at Each Position

There isn't much argument when it comes to talking about the best conference in college football over the past decade.

The SEC has been the staple of college football as of late, and with great teams, comes great individual players, which this conference has plenty of.

College football fans have been fortunate enough to see how impressive LSU cornerback Mo Claiborne has been through the first four weeks of the season, but who are the other great stars in the SEC this season?

Let's break this down and take a look at the top player at each position in the SEC.

Quarterback: Aaron Murray, Georgia

As loaded as the SEC is with talent, quarterback is not one of its strongest positions.

However, there is a special quarterback at the University of Georgia by the name of Aaron Murray.

In his second year starting under center for the Bulldogs, Murray has completed 64 percent of his passes for 940 yards in four games. He has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions.

It's scary to think that Murray still has two more years of college ahead of him because he is already NFL-ready at this point.

Runner Up: Tyler Bray, Tennessee

Running Back: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

While the quarterback position might not be stacked from top to bottom in the SEC, the running back spot certainly is.

Leading the way is South Carolina super sophomore Marcus Lattimore, who is having another standout season.

Lattimore has already rushed for 607 yards and eight touchdowns in the Gamecocks' first four games of the season. His 246-yard outing against Navy in Week 3 was arguably the most impressive showing of the year thus far.

In addition to his rushing numbers, Lattimore also has 139 receiving yards and a touchdown. He would be a lock to be a first-round draft pick if he was in this year's 2012 NFL draft.

Runner Up: Trent Richardson (Alabama) and Michael Dyer (Auburn)

Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina

There isn't a more physically dominant receiver in the country than South Carolina's Alshon Jeffrey.

At 6'4", 230 pounds, Jeffrey has the size and speed combination to be an elite deep threat. He had an exceptional sophomore season and is on his way to another standout season with 246 yards and a touchdown through four games.

If South Carolina was stronger at the quarterback position, they would have the top offense in college football with Lattimore and Jeffrey.

Runner Up: Marquis Maze

Tight End: Orson Charles, Georgia

When it comes to the elite tight ends in the country, Orson Charles tops the list.

Charles has been a big-time playmaker for the Bulldogs since his freshman season, hauling in 20-plus catches in his first two seasons and now well on his way to 30-plus in his junior campaign.

Charles has already accumulated 13 catches and has scored a touchdown in each of the three games he has played this season. If he can add more bulk and improve his blocking skills, he should be a starter in the NFL in a few years.

Runner Up: Michael Williams, Alabama

Offensive Lineman: Barrett Jones, Alabama

Barrett Jones is one of the most experienced offensive lineman in the country on arguably the best team in the country over the past four years.

He has helped pave the wave for Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson over the past three seasons and was an All-SEC selection last year.

This season, he has already helped get Alabama off to a perfect 4-0 start and could pave the way for another Heisman trophy running back with the type of numbers that Trent Richardson should continue to post at Alabama this season.

Runner Up: Bobby Massie, Mississippi

Defensive Lineman: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Courtney Upshaw is another one of the many promising players that Alabama features on this talented defense.

Last season, Upshaw led the Crimson Tide with seven sacks, while adding 52 tackles and four forced fumbles. Upshaw is the type of player who will develop into a dominant 3-4 pass-rusher at the NFL level. 

At 6'2", 265 pounds he has big size for the position and has good feet and speed as well.

Runner Up: Devin Taylor, South Carolina

Linebacker: Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower is the staple of this dominant Alabama defense. He is the man who calls the shots at the middle linebacker position and should end up as the team's leading tackler at the seasons end.

Hightower suffered a season-ending knee injury back in 2009, but he came back last year and has looked even better early on this season.

He is as physical as they come and truly brings meaning to the term "ball-hawking" linebacker. Look for Hightower to be one of many early-round draft picks from Alabama in 2012.

Runner Up: Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

Defensive Back: Mo Claiborne, LSU

This is the most difficult position to choose from because there are so many talented defensive backs in the SEC.

In fact, there is a legitimate possibility that as many as four defensive backs from the SEC could be selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. But one who is a for sure lock is LSU's Mo Claiborne.

Anyone who has watched the Tigers' first four games of this season know very well just how talented Claiborne is. And the best part is that he comes up big during the crucial times of the closet games.

His interception against Mississippi State was arguably the play of the year thus far in the 2011 college football season.

Runner Up: Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Kicker: Blair Walsh, Georgia

Blair Walsh was arguably the top kicker in college football last season, making 20-of-23 field goals, including 2-for-2 from 50-plus yards.

This season, Walsh has not been as good, but he does already have a 50-plus field goal and is a perfect 18-for-18 on extra goal attempts.

He has tremendous leg strength and should be kicking on Sundays in the near future.

Runner Up: Caleb Sturgis, Florida

Punter: Drew Butler, Georgia

Georgia punter Drew Butler was the second-best punter in the SEC last year and looks to be at the top of the class this season.

Butler averaged 44.5 yards per punt with 19 downed inside the 20-yard line.

Look for LSU freshman Brad Wing to be close on his tail, however, after a stellar performance against West Virgina last wekennd.

Runner Up: Brad Wing, LSU