Amid conference realignment that is changing college football, we decided to rank the top 10 recruiting classes from 2010 to 2019 for each Power 5 conference.
We recently evaluated our recruiting class rankings, considering how player rankings translated into actual production and how well each class did in the win column over the course of four years.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have broken down the Big 12, the Pac-12 and the ACC. This time, we go through the SEC.
Over this span, the SEC accounted for eight No. 1-ranked classes and seven total national titles, indicating its prowess on the recruiting trail and ability to translate it into on-field production.
Of those impressive numbers, Alabama accounted for six of those top-ranked classes and five of those national championships, so it should be no surprise that it is well represented on this list.
A few other SEC powers were able to break up the Crimson Tide's dominance here. LSU, which won a national title, and Georgia, which signed a top-rated class and competed for the national title, are among the other programs also represented among the conference's best classes.
Here are the top 10 recruiting classes in the SEC over the past decade.
1. Alabama, 2017
Class of 2017 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: OL Alex Leatherwood (No. 8)
Top defensive prospect: LB Dylan Moses (No. 5)
Among a recent ranking of all the No. 1 classes in the ESPN 300 era, this class topped that list, so it is no surprise to see it at No. 1 just within the conference as well. This group included 21 ESPN 300 prospects, which at the time was a record, and has proven to be one of the best classes this century. Alabama has gotten (and in a few cases still is getting) outstanding production from this class, which has been a part of two conference titles, three College Football Playoff appearances and two national championships. Anchored by three five-star signees, this class quickly tasted success, winning a national title its first year with several of these signees playing key roles, including No. 1 dual-threat QB Tua Tagovailoa and No. 3 OT Leatherwood. This class included two QBs that delivered titles, with four-star prospect Mac Jones exploding when he got his opportunity in a monster 2020 season. This class has produced a Heisman Trophy winner in DeVonta Smith as well as eight first-round selections in the NFL draft, including Jedrick Wills Jr., Jerry Jeudy and Najee Harris.
2. Alabama, 2015
Class of 2015 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: QB Blake Barnett (No. 14)
Top defensive prospect: CB Kendall Sheffield (No. 12)
This group included 18 ESPN 300 prospects with 10 who ranked in the top five at their respective positions. Among that group were a few missteps who moved on, but overall, they supplied plenty of impact talent, including No. 1 WR Calvin Ridley. This class contributed to a great deal of success in Tuscaloosa, winning two national championships and three SEC titles. This class played in the championship game each year and produced multiple first-round NFL draft picks, including Ridley, CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, and DL Daron Payne.
3. Alabama, 2014
Class of 2014 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: OT Cam Robinson (No. 3)
Top defensive prospect: DE Da'Shawn Hand (No. 6)
The Crimson Tide signed the most five-star recruits in any one class with five in this cycle, including No. 1 OT Robinson and top-five CB Marlon Humphrey. Much of the talent in this class helped keep Alabama rolling on the field, as this class contributed to two national titles and three SEC titles. Special teams even got a boost from this class with All-SEC punter JK Scott.
4. Alabama, 2013
Class of 2013 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: RB Derrick Henry (No. 9)
Top defensive prospect: LB Reuben Foster (No. 16)
Over four seasons, this class never won fewer than 11 games, and it took home three SEC titles as well as a national title in 2015. Headlining the class were the MVPs of two of those SEC title games (Henry in 2015 and Foster in 2016), as well as Alabama's national title win (O.J. Howard on offense and Eddie Jackson on defense). Henry in 2015 ran for a school and conference record 2,219 yards and won the Heisman Trophy. Howard, Foster and DL Jonathan Allen went on to be first-round draft selections.
5. Alabama, 2012
Class of 2012 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR Chris Black (No. 22)
Top defensive prospect: S Landon Collins (No. 6)
This class, comprising 13 ESPN 300 prospects, brought in some impact talent on both sides of the ball, led by No. 1 safety Collins. This cycle's top-ranked class delivered some key defensive players. Ryan Anderson led the team with 19 tackles for loss and was an All-SEC selection as a senior, and punishing LB Reggie Ragland was among the team-leading tacklers for multiple seasons. RB T.J. Yeldon was another key in-state pickup during this cycle, leading the team in rushing in 2013 and ranking second on the Tide with over 900 yards in 2014. This class also marked the start of what has been a successful pipeline of wide receivers out of Florida coming to Tuscaloosa with the signing of Amari Cooper. Over the span of four seasons, this class helped win two national titles and three SEC crowns.
6. LSU, 2017
Class of 2017 ranking: 7
Top offensive prospect: OT Austin Deculus (No. 19)
Top defensive prospect: CB Kary Vincent Jr. (No. 23)
This was a top-10 class that helped deliver LSU a national title in 2019. While 2018 QB transfer Joe Burrow propelled the Tigers' offense that season, some other key offensive pieces arrived in 2017. Local RB signee Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the team in rushing yards (1,414) and TDs (16). In a class that featured 15 ESPN 300 prospects, it was lightly touted WR Justin Jefferson who emerged into a big-play target. They signed several four-star OLs that became starters, including Deculus and Saahdiq Charles. Their championship defense was anchored by this class with their top-five leading tacklers that season having all signed in 2017, including leading tackler Jacob Phillips (113) and disruptive edge defender K'Lavon Chaisson, who led the team in sacks (6.5).
7. Alabama, 2016
Class of 2016 ranking: 2
Top offensive prospect: OT Jonah Williams (No. 25)
Top defensive prospect: LB Ben Davis (No. 24)
Over the span of three seasons, this class won two SEC titles and played in three national title games, winning in 2017. While ranked No. 2, some of its most impactful performers came from a little further down among its signees. On the defensive line, Quinnen Williams developed into one of the most dominant defenders in college football and won the Outland trophy in 2018. Raekwon Davis was another top DL that came in this class. Highly touted OT Jonah Williams delivered by starting every game of his Alabama career at tackle. A late riser on the recruiting trail, three-star Josh Jacobs developed into a key versatile contributor.
8. Georgia, 2018
Class of 2018 ranking: 1
Top offensive prospect: QB Justin Fields (No. 1)
Top defensive prospect: CB Tyson Campbell (No. 9)
This was a No. 1 overall class with a few significant signees that vacated, notably No. 1 overall prospect Justin Fields, and it remains an exceptionally talented group with several contributing to a top-ranked 2021 Georgia team. Both leading rushers, Zamir White and James Cook, arrived in this class. Trey Hill, Jamaree Salyer, and Warren Ericson were all ESPN 300 in-state pickups who have started on the offensive line. The defensive side of the ball benefited from this class. Five-star CB Campbell and ESPN 300 LB Azeez Ojulari have already moved onto the NFL. The top-ranked defense in college football this season includes key contributors from 2018, like disruptive big man Jordan Davis and leading tackler Channing Tindall.
9. Georgia, 2017
Class of 2017 ranking: 3
Top offensive prospect: OT Isaiah Wilson (No. 2)
Top defensive prospect: ATH DeAngelo Gibbs (No. 10)
Ranked third this cycle, this class contributed to a team that won the SEC title and played for a national title. QB Jake Fromm was not expected to play an immediate role when signed, but he seized the opportunity and was awarded SEC Freshman of the Year, leading Georgia to the CFP. He was a three-year starter, helped bring Georgia to three straight SEC title games and left ranked fourth in the program in career passing yards (8,224). RB D'Andre Swift was another immediate contributor, as he ran for more than 600 yards and added 17 receptions as a freshman. Swift finished his career in the top 10 in career rushing at Georgia. Wilson and Andrew Thomas were highly touted signees that became starters and eventual first-round NFL picks. ESPN 300 safety Richard LeCounte III was a productive defender for the Bulldogs, leading the team in tackles in 2018 (74) and interceptions (four) in 2019.
10. Auburn, 2016
Class of 2016 ranking: 9
Top offensive prospect: WR Nate Craig-Myers (No. 37)
Top defensive prospect: DT Derrick Brown (No. 9)
In true rivalry form, this last spot came down to Auburn and the 2018 Alabama class, but over the course of four seasons, having helped win two Iron Bowls and playing for the SEC title in 2017, the Tigers got the nod. Defense led this class, with top signee Brown as a multiyear starter and consensus All-American in 2019. Marlon Davidson was another highly touted DL signee that met expectations as a four-year starter and All-SEC selection. Three-star Nick Coe was another strong contributor to the defensive line.
Best of the rest
Arkansas, 2013
Class of 2013 ranking: 31
Notable recruit: TE Hunter Henry (No. 69)
Florida, 2013
Class of 2013 ranking: 2
Notable recruit: CB Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 3)
Kentucky, 2016
Class of 2016 ranking: 35
Notable recruit: RB Benny Snell Jr. (three stars)
Mississippi State, 2011
Class of 2011 ranking: 21
Notable recruit: QB Dak Prescott (three stars)
Missouri, 2012
Class of 2012 ranking: unranked
Notable recruit: OL Evan Boehm (No. 42)
Ole Miss, 2013
Class of 2013 ranking: 5
Notable recruit: DL Robert Nkemdiche (No. 1)
South Carolina, 2011
Class of 2011 ranking: 15
Notable recruit: DE Jadeveon Clowney (No. 1)
Tennessee, 2014
Class of 2014 ranking: 5
Notable recruit: DE Derek Barnett (No. 298)
Texas A&M, 2015
Class of 2015 ranking: 12
Notable recruit: WR Christian Kirk (No. 35)
Vanderbilt, 2010
Class of 2010 ranking: unranked
Notable recruit: WR Jordan Matthews (two stars)