Ranking SEC football recruiting classes after National Signing Day
The SEC stacked many of the nation’s best recruiting classes in the 2021 class.
Alabama ran away with the nation’s top class, but a handful of SEC schools put together elite groups.
Here is how we ranked the SEC classes:
1. Alabama
Alabama won the national title, then signed the highest-ranked recruiting class in the history of the 247Sports Composite. The Crimson Tide landed 15 of the top 91 players in the 2021 class, including 12 of the top 58. They signed seven five-star prospects. The rest of the SEC signed eight combined.
2. Georgia
Georgia did Georgia things in the 2021 cycle. The Bulldogs signed another five-star quarterback, a five-star offensive tackle and two five-star linebackers. Kirby Smart raked in 14 top-250 prospects to keep the program in Athens, Georgia, humming.
3. Texas A&M
Texas A&M signed nine top-200 prospects, eight of whom are from Texas. Jimbo Fisher’s class featured blue-chip prospects at just about every position, but was especially deep on both lines. The Aggies signed five four-star defensive linemen and three four-star offensive linemen.
4. LSU
Only Alabama signed more prospects in the top 250 than LSU did with 15. The Tigers reeled in a pair of five-star defensive players from Louisiana. But Ed Orgeron only added two offensive linemen in the class, which looked to be a need for the Tigers.
5. Florida
Florida’s best work was in the transfer portal, where the Gators added two five-star prospects in running back Demarkcus Bowman and tight end Arik Gilbert. UF’s recruiting class is also stout, however. Eight of 13 four- or five-star prospects are on defense after the unit struggled in 2020.
6. Ole Miss
Most teams didn’t do much to change their class profile Wednesday. That’s not the case for Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin snagged defensive tackle Tywone Malone, the No. 62 prospect nationally and the highest-rated commitment in the class. The Rebels grabbed seven four-stars, including quarterback Luke Altmyer.
7. Tennessee
Tennessee’s class is hard to pin down. The Vols signed nine four-star prospects, putting it in the top half of the SEC. But top-ranked signee Dylan Brooks wants out and he might not be alone in that ambition. This class faded from its once-lofty national ranking, which it might continue to do after signing day.
8. Mississippi State
Mike Leach blended five four-star prospects with a handful of junior-college additions at Mississippi State. Four of the four-star prospects are on offense — a pair of wide receivers, a running back and quarterback Sawyer Robertson, the No. 134 prospect nationally.
9. Arkansas
Arkansas had a decent first season under Sam Pittman, whose success translated into recruiting. The Razorbacks turned in arguably their best class in the past decade. Arkansas went out of state for all three of its four-star recruits.
10. Auburn
Auburn didn’t sign a big class, landing only 14 prospects. But the first class under Tigers coach Bryan Harsin featured four four-star prospects and six top-300 recruits. While the class is not up to Auburn’s typical top standard, it features a decent percentage of highly-ranked prospects.
11. Kentucky
The Wildcats closed well by landing four-star linebacker Trevin Wallace on Wednesday. Kentucky secured four four-star recruits, including two wide receivers. Kentucky had a smaller class compared to most in the SEC, but made the most of its space by addressing offensive needs.
12. Missouri
Eliah Drinkwitz did well in his first full recruiting class at Missouri, especially in landing a handful of junior-college prospects to add depth. But the class lacked top-end talent with only two four-star prospects among the 23 commitments.
13. Vanderbilt
New Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea added four players to the Commodores class Wednesday, bringing the total to 23. At least 20 committed under former coach Derek Mason. Four-star defensive tackle Marcus Bradley highlights the class as the No. 190 prospect.
14. South Carolina
South Carolina was the lone SEC program to not sign a four-star prospect. Quarterback Colten Gauthier was the highest-ranked prep signee. New Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer did address some needs in the portal outside of the recruiting class, but the recruiting class did little to help the roster.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.