Fans can find comfort in knowing that in a little more than a month, their Saturday afternoons and evenings will be filled with the heart-stopping SEC action they've been craving all offseason.In honor of this joyous occasion, I thought it would be good to identify three breakout players in the conference that you need to know heading into the 2026 season.GREG SANKEY ADDRESSES SEC BREAKAWAY TALK AS MICHIGAN TRIES TO STEAL SPOTLIGHT WITH AD WARDE MANUEL DECISIONThese are players that are relatively unknown to all but the most hardcore fans, but will be household names by season's end.Let's get to know some of the next big things in the SEC, shall we?DJ Pickett No.3 of the LSU Tigers celebrates against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov.
15, 2025.(Ella Hall/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)Though several schools claim to hold the title of "DBU," the Tigers of LSU are one of the few programs that have a legitimate stake to that claim by churning out droves of NFL-ready corners and safeties over the years.Sophomore D.J.
Pickett might be the next in a long line of LSU cornerbacks to stamp his name in the annals of SEC lore, and it's easy to see why.The 6'5" prodigy saw the field extensively as a true freshman, racking up 35 total tackles (28 solo) and three interceptions.ED ORGERON-LANE KIFFIN PAIRING ALREADY PAYING DIVIDENDS FOR LSU TIGERS DURING PIVOTAL RECRUITING WEEKENDIf he keeps up with his growth trajectory, Pickett's second year should catapult him to legendary status, and the sky is truly the limit for this young man.He has every physical tool you could possibly want in a modern day defensive back, with an insane wingspan to complement his 6'5" frame and legit sub-4.4 speed.I fully expect Pickett to blossom under second-year defensive coordinator Blake Baker, and I can see an All-American selection in his future.Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) prepares to throw during warmups before the Vanderbilt Comm...