A team-by-team look at the 2016 recruiting classes in the SEC:
National rank: 2
Coming off four straight No. 1 classes, the Crimson Tide have already experienced some ups and downs in the 2016 cycle, but still boast a deep class that closed strong. No. 1-ranked ILB Ben Davis is a scheme fit and big land on signing day. A talented collection of offensive linemen join him in ESPN 300s Jonah Williams, Deonte Brown and Chris Owens, but it's ESPN JC50 No. 1-overall Charles Baldwin who will likely hit the field first. There might not be a bigger prospect in the country than ESPN 300 Kendell Jones -- big as in 6-foot-5 and 361 pounds. ESPN 300 No. 1-ranked running back B.J. Emmons will report to Tuscaloosa with a college-ready body. Four-star Jalen Hurts is the quarterback in the class. ESPN 300 receiver Trevon Diggs is the brother of former Maryland standout Stefon Diggs. ESPN 300 cornerback Nigel Knott is pound-for-pound the best athlete in the 2016 class. Corner Shyheim Carter was another big win down the stretch, bringing size and athleticism to the perimeter.
National rank: 3
Defensive line was the big need for the Tigers, and Ed Orgeron delivered. The haul includes ESPN300s Rashard Lawrence, Edwin Alexander, end/linebacker Rahssan Thornton, end Andre Anthony, tackle Glen Logan and end/tackle Caleb Roddy, who has considerable upside. The secondary also needs to be built up, and the Tigers have done just that with ESPN 300s Saivion Smith, Eric Monroe, Cameron Lewis and Andraez Williams all headed to Baton Rouge. ESPN 300 OLB Michael Divinity is terrific in space. Offensive lands include ESPN 300 tackle Willie Allen, pass-catcher Dee Anderson, elite playmaker Drake Davis and guard Donavaughn Campbell. The lone running back LSU offered in the 2016 cycle was Devin White, who has already enrolled for the spring.
National rank: 4
The Rebels bounced back in a big way after posting the No. 19 class in 2015. Signing day proved fruitful with No. 1 safety Deontay Anderson and No. 7 wide receiver A.J. Brown coming on board. Five-stars Gregory Little (No. 2 overall and No. 1-rated offensive tackle), defensive tackle Benito Jones and ESPN 300 quarterback Shea Patterson are also in the fold. Five ESPN 300 skill players are set to join Patterson in Oxford, including big receivers DeKaylin Metcalf and Octavious Cooley, and a future jet in the slot -- Tre Nixon. Four-star guard Chandler Tuitt is one of five solid offensive line prospects. ESPN 300 defensive end Charles Wiley and safety Jaylon Jones are key grabs on defense. Four-star running back D'Vaughn Pennamon is one to watch who doesn't receive much national attention.
National rank: 7
The Bulldogs' class is led by quarterback Jacob Eason and five-star tight end Isaac Nauta, with both capable of being on the field in Game 1 of 2016. The 6-foot-6 Eason has future protectors on the offensive line in ESPN 300 Ben Cleveland and four-star Chris Barnes. On defense, look for ESPN 300 athlete Mecole Hardman to lock down at corner. ESPN 300 defensive tackle Michail Carter was another big land on signing day. Also on defense, ESPN 300s Julian Rochester and Chauncey Manac and four-star tackle Tyler Clark fit well with the group inked in 2015. Also in the fold is ESPN 300 cornerback Chad Clay and versatile tight end/receiver Charlie Woerner. ESPN 300 running back Elijah Holyfield is the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield. Junior college receiver Javon Wims has as much upside as any player in the class, save Eason.
National rank: 9
Auburn had a big signing day, including the pickup of five-star DT Derrick Brown, who should produce as a freshman. The Tigers needed receivers in the 2016 class, and have delivered in a big way. They scored big with No. 2 WR Nate Craig-Myers on signing day. He joins No. 5-ranked pass-catcher Kyle Davis, ESPN 300 Eli Stove and sleeper three-star Marquis McClain. That makes ESPN 300 quarterback Woody Barrett and junior college signal-caller John Franklin III very happy, as does having a future multiyear starter at tight end in ESPN 300 Landon Rice. Defensive line was a major need, and ESPN 300 Marlon Davidson was a big in-state victory over Alabama, as was ESPN 300 No. 7-ranked defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson Jr. out of the Atlanta area. The duo is joined by ESPN JC50 end Paul James and upside three-star Nick Coe. At corner, ESPN 300 John Broussard could see the field early.
National rank: 12
The Gators' class came together on the heels of the SEC East title. The headliners are defensive end Antonneous Clayton, No. 10 in the ESPN 300, and quarterback Feleipe' Franks, who flipped from LSU late in November. Tyrie Cleveland, the fourth-ranked receiver, was a huge flip on signing day. ESPN 300 receiver Josh Hammond, the younger brother of former Gators wideout Frankie Hammond, is a talented pass-catcher at a position of need, as is Freddie Swain. ESPNJC 50 running back Mark Thompson and receiver Dre Massey are expected to make an instant impact. ESPN 300 safety Chauncey Gardner will bring enthusiasm and leadership to the defensive backfield. ESPN 300 end Jordan Smith could develop into a disruptive presence. Four-star defensive tackle/end Jachai Polite had a tremendous senior campaign.
National rank: 14
Butch Jones and the Vols are at it again. ESPN 300 athlete Tyler Byrd was a huge win over Miami on the eve of signing day. Safety Nigel Warrior was a big land with his scheme-fitting skill set. Under Armour All-America corner Marquill Osborne leads a class that includes ESPN 300 quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and running back Carlin Fils-Aime. ESPN 300 linebacker Daniel Bituli was another huge in-state battle won. Junior college receiver Jeff George will bring size to the position, as will junior college defensive tackle Alexis Johnson. Four-stars receiver Brandon Johnson and tackle Marcus Tatum will be ones to watch after a year of physical development. The same can be said for ESPN300 tackle Ryan Johnson.
National rank: 20
The Aggies continue to build up depth on defense, and landing ESPN 300 tackling machine Aaron Hansford on signing day was significant. At defensive end, ESPN 300 Justin Madubuike and four-star Alton Robinson are on board, while the future of the cornerback position is in good hands with ESPN 300s Travon Fuller and Charles Oliver. Replenishing the offensive line was also a major need in the class, and the flip of ESPN 300 Kellen Diesch was big, as well as the flip of three-star tackle Ryan McCollum from Oklahoma State. The Pelican State continues to be good to Kevin Sumlin and his staff, and that includes ESPN 300 receiver Clyde Leflore-Chriss. WR Quartney Davis (No. 234 in ESPN 300) was a good get on signing day. Three-star athlete Moses Reynolds is the younger brother of Aggies receiver Josh Reynolds. Kicker Braden Mann could be the first to see the field.
National rank: 24
The Razorbacks inked a top-25 class last February and have followed up with another impressive haul. Five-star and No. 11 overall McTelvin Agim is a beast in the defensive trenches, and defensive tackle Briston Guidry is a solid land. Under Armour All-America running back Devwah Whaley is a future load-carrier. The quarterback in the class will be hard to miss -- he's 6-foot-7 Louisiana prospect Cole Kelley. ESPN 300 T.J. Hammonds and four-star Jordan Jones are in-state players who fill a key need at receiver. Four-star guard Jake Heinrich is another talented lineman headed to Arkansas. Three-star receiver Kofi Boateng is a name to remember.
National rank: 27
New Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp got great news in mid-December when ESPN 300 quarterback Brandon McIlwain announced he would stick with his plan to enroll in January. Four-star receiver Bryan Edwards is one of the Southeast region's most improved players as a senior, and junior college tackle Akeem Cooperwood is expected to make an instant impact in Columbia. The same can be said for ESPN JC50 cornerback JaMarcus King. ESPN 300 defensive end Keir Thomas is already enrolled and will be a disruptor for the Gamecocks. Defensive tackle Stephon Taylor was a big pickup on signing day.
National rank: 33
The Bulldogs are following a top-20 class in 2015 with another solid effort. ESPN 300 DT Kobe Jones was a significant pickup on signing day, as was well-rounded DE Jeffery Simmons. ESPN 300 linebacker Erroll Thompson joins them, as do four-star linebacker Jamal Couch and cornerback C.J. Morgan-Walker. Along with Morgan-Walker at defensive back is four-star athlete Nero Nelson. Four-star running back Korey Charles out of Florida is a welcome addition.
National rank: 35
The Wildcats are building from the inside out offensively in the 2016 class, led by ESPN300 tackle Landon Young and guard/center Drake Jackson, both from inside state lines. Three-star quarterback Gunnar Hoak leads a strong group of prospects from Ohio. On defense, four-star cornerback Jordan Griffin leads the way. Kentucky built good depth in this class with junior college prospects.
National rank: 48
The two four-stars in the Commodores’ class -- safeties Joejuan Williams and Zaire Jones -- have already enrolled. Among the three-stars to know are receivers Donaven Tennyson, Kalijia Lipscomb and Jackson Winrow. Offensive line is a major need, and center Sean Auwae is a likely multi-year starter. The signal-caller in the class is Deuce Wallace, a former Northwestern verbal. Cornerback Elijah Hamilton will bring size and long arms to the position.
National rank: 51
There’s no doubt that new coach Barry Odom can evaluate defensive prospects, and in-state edge-rusher Tre Williams can get after the quarterback. Three-star safety DeMarkus Acy is another recruit who has a bright future. On offense, running backs Natereace Strong (210 pounds) and Damarea Crockett (211 pounds) both bring big bodies to the backfield. Three-star kicker Tucker McCann is one of the top specialist prospects in the country.