Grading the SEC's recruiting classes

A team-by-team look at the recruiting classes in the SEC.

The Gators signed arguably one of the best classes of all time on paper. The class features the No. 1 and No. 3 overall players in Ronald Powell (Corona, Calif./Rancho Verde) and Dominique Easley (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) respectively. Those two are just part of a fine defensive line haul, which also includes Sharrif Floyd (Philadelphia/George Washington) and Leon Orr (New Port Richey, Fla./Gulf). The Gators addressed a need by signing an outstanding defensive back class headlined by Under Armour All-American and five-star safety Jonathan Dowling (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast) as well as four-star cornerbacks Josh Shaw (Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale) and Jaylen Watkins (Fort Meyers, Fla./Cape Coral). Furthermore, five-star athlete Matt Elam (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer) will likely play DB. Running back Mack Brown (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King) could be the big-play feature back that has eluded Florida in the past. Coming into signing day with the No.1 class, the Gators continued to impress on the big day with the signature of one of the top offensive tackles in the country Chaz Green (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic).

This is Nick Saban's third straight top-three recruiting class, and it is a very well-balanced class with needs met on both sides of the ball. The defensive-minded head coach landed and will groom two of the nation's top four cornerbacks in DeMarcus Milliner (Millbrook, Ala./Stanhope Elmore) and John Fulton (Manning, S.C./Manning). The Tide signed a great pair of defensive ends in Under Armour All-Americans Adrian Hubbard (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) and Alfy Hill (Shallotte, N.C./West Brunswick). The duo will likely compete for playing time in that Jack role. Alabama also signed the premier quarterback in 2010 in the strong armed and athletic Phillip Sims (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith).

In-state rival Alabama has been force on the recruiting trail, but Gene Chizik in his first full season with the Tigers has proven that he can have Auburn recruiting on an elite level also. A buzz was started last spring and has continued through signing day with the pickup of No. 9 DE Corey Lemonier (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah). ESPN's No. 1 running back Michael Dyer (Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian), headlines this class and could make an immediate impact. The Tigers also boosted the overall speed and athleticism on their roster with the signings of Trovon Reed (Thibodaux, La./Thibodaux), Antonio Goodwin (Atlanta/Booker T. Washington) and Shaun Kitchens (College Park, Ga./Benjamin E. Banneker).

LSU could not match its No.1 overall ranking from a year ago, but it still did well finishing with a top-10 class thanks in large part to their ability to close on signing day. Landing ESPNU 150 receiver Kadron Boone (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic) from Texas Tech was big after the Tigers lost some receivers during the process and gaining the signature of fellow 150 defensive tackle J.R. Ferguson (Frederick, Md./Hargrave Military) was big for their defensive front. Four-star TE Travis Dickson (Ocean Springs, Miss) should fill his older brother Richard’s shoes well. The Tigers bolstered their secondary once again, signing Eric Reid (Geismar, La./Dutchtown) and Tharold Simon (Eunice, La./Eunice), a pair of top-10 safety prospects with great size, physicality and range.

Derek Dooley did his best to make Tennessee fans forget about the departed Lane Kiffin by landing a top 10 class. He did a good job of retaining talented prospects like ESPNU 150 offensive tackle Ja'Waun James (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) and Under Armour All-American defensive end Corey Miller (Duncan, S.C./James Byrnes), as well as sleeper QB Tyler Bray (Kingsburg, Calif./Kingsburg), who could be a steal. The new coach also made some noise on signing day as well by landing elite receiver Da'Rick Rogers (Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun) and Under Armour All-American offensive tackle James Stone (Nashville, Tenn./Maplewood), once considered a Alabama lean.

Georgia took one of the biggest hits on signing day, sliding from No. 4 heading early on the day out of the top 10. Still, it's a testament to the overall strength of this class that despite some late bumps the Dawgs still managed to assemble a top 15 class. The class is highlighted by one of the top safety/outside linebacker hybrids in four-star DB Alec Ogletree (Newnan, Ga./Newnan). While Georgia lost two players on signing day, it did add top 20 defensive tackle Michael Thornton (Stone Mountain, Ga. / Stephenson). The Dawgs put an emphasis on their offensive front and signed a pair of four-star linemen in OG Kolton Houston (Buford, Ga./Buford), the fifth-ranked guard in the country, and Brent Benedict (Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles), the No. 11 OT.

On the night before signing day, Steve Spurrier made a huge pick-up by keeping the nation's No. 2 running back Marcus Lattimore (Duncan S.C./James Byrnes) in-state. Lattimore is a big back who is also very good in the passing game and could contribute quickly for the Gamecocks. Last year. there was an emphasis on the defensive back seven and this year the Gamecocks put an emphasis on improving their O-line. In fact, six prospects signed in South Carolina's class are linemen, led by athletic A.J. Cann (Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt), who could play guard or center. Brandon Golson (Saint Matthews,S.C./Calhoun County), a hybrid OLB who can get after the quarterback, is a prospect to keep an eye on. While versatile athlete Connor Shaw (Flowery Branch, Ga./Flowery Branch) could see some time under center, South Carolina still failed to sign an upper-tier quarterback, which was needed.

Ole Miss kept its numbers down this year, but still signed a class that features quality players. A good signing day addition was a top-25 defensive end Delvin Jones (Miami/Palmetto). In addition to Jones, the Rebels also added some other good end prospects like high school teammates Carlton Martin (Madison, Miss./Central) and Bryon Bennett (Madison, Miss./Central), who are great in-state pickups. A solid late addition was No. 16 corner Tony Grimes (Hollywood, Fla./Hollywood Hills). Running back Nicholas Parker (Batesville, Miss./South Panola) is a strong load back who could develop into an every-down workhorse. The No. 16 athlete Clarence Jackson (College Park, Ga./North Clayton) has an impressive blend of size and speed on a large frame making outside linebacker or safety a likely possibility for him.

Losing much needed four-star back Rajion Neal (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) in the final days hurts, but Dan Mullen has recruited well in his first full season on the trail. Damien Robinson (Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch) is the No. 10 offensive tackle and a major late in-state get. The Bulldogs have done a very good job overall in their own backyard, signing the top-three-rated athletes from the Magnolia State in Michael Carr (West Point, Miss./South), Brandon Hill (Columbus, Miss./West Lowndes) and Robert Johnson (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove). Carr is a dynamic skill player who could project at a number of positions. Fellow four-star Hill will likely be employed at outside linebacker. Safety Chris Hughes (Mobile, Ala./Davidson) is a speedy and athletic in-the-box defender who could play throughout the back seven. Mississippi State needed a defensive end in this class and has a raw but athletic guy to develop on the edge with Kaleb Eulls (Yazoo City, Miss./Yazoo County).

The Razorbacks signed a top 25-caliber class filled with impressive three-star depth. Under Armour All-American offensive tackle Cam Feldt (Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point) is their only marquee name, but he is a significant land. He's a strong, powerful run-blocker with the ability to also play guard. The Razorbacks signed great young talent at corner last year and will add a top-25 safety in the rangy and well-rounded Daunte Carr (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville). Their second-highest-rated prospect is high three-star Jatashun Beachum (Dallas/A. Maceo Smith), one of the best jumbo athletes in this class. Plus, don't underestimate the importance of a kicker and Arkansas has a good one in Eduardo Camara (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill).

Joker Phillips inherits a class that lacks four-star prospects but fills a lot of needs. The Wildcats needed to restock the interior of their defensive line and they have a good one with DT Brice Laughlin (Summerville, S.C./Summerville). He's a quick, one-gap penetrator who can cause some disruption. Three-star Malcolm McDuffen (Hopkinsville, Ky./Christian County) is a scheme versatile OLB or DE. The secondary gets a boost with the signing of two top-25 rated corners in speedster Eric Simmons (Atlanta, Westlake) and the instinctive Dale Trimble (Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden). Tyler Robinson (Alcoa, Tenn./Alcoa) is a great football player who could develop at TE or DE.

Vanderbilt's three-star depth in 2010 is impressive when you consider Vanderbilt's rigorous academic standards. With the signing of OT Grant Ramsey (Marietta, Ga./Alan C. Pope), coach Bobby Johnson put an emphasis on the offensive line, which was a necessity. In fact, the majority of the Commodores' top-rated prospects lie on the offensive or defensive fronts. DTs Jared Morse (Oxford, Ala./Oxford) and Vince Taylor (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove) need to add some size, but are tough and stout interior defenders. Under Armour All-American James Kittredge (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco) could play end or tackle along the front. Kenneth Ladler (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) is a ball-hawking, well-balanced safety.