McTelvin “Sosa” Agim was the crown jewel of Bret Bielema’s 2016 recruiting class. Given that the five-star defensive end has already practiced with the team as an early enrollee, it took some of the drama out of National Signing Day for Arkansas.

And as any coach will tell you, sometimes a quiet signing day is a great signing day. But that’s not to say excietment doesn’t abound in Fayetteville as 20 new Razorbacks joined the family.

WHERE THEY STAND

Bret Bielema finishes with his highest-ranked class in the SEC (No. 9 in the conference) since his first season in Fayetteville. That 2013 class featured the likes of the RB Alex Collins, TE Hunter Henry and LT Denver Kirkland — three players Bielema is looking to replace this offseason.

Arkansas appears locked in once again in the top 25, sitting at No. 24 nationally. Bielema’s recruiting classes have now ranked 24, 23, 29 and 23 since arriving on The Hill.

SIGNING DAY MISSES

Arkansas missed out on several targets. Among the most coveted that slipped through the Hogs’ fingers were CB Kristian Fulton (LSU) and RB Kyle Porter, who became a part of Texas’ big signing class.

Bielema addressed his secondary, which surrendered the most passing yards in the SEC this season, by adding three-star safeties Deon Edwards and Micahh Smith. But the biggest sting of National Signing Day might be the loss of Joseph Putu, who flipped late in the day from Arkansas to Florida. The North Dakota State College of Science corner was seen as a coup for Bielema’s staff after committing to the Razorbacks four days prior.

Losing out on Porter doesn’t sting as badly, considering that Arkansas was able to land four-star running backs Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammonds, although the latter potentially will find a home at wide receiver.

LINEBACKER DEPTH

The Razorbacks needed to add depth at the linebacker position and appear to have pulled off a steal with the addition of De’Jon Harris. The linebacker earned a three-star grade playing deep in LSU country. He’s joined in the 2016 class by outside linebackers Alexy Jean-Baptiste and Dee Walker, as well as fellow inside linebacker Giovannia LaFrance — all three-star prospects.

OFFENSIVE HELP

Arkansas missed out on WR Tyrie Cleveland, who de-committed from Houston and landed in Florida, but was able to finally officially ink Jordan Jones to catch passes. Jones is one of four Natural State recruits (including Agim, Hammonds and DT Austin Capps) and hails from arguably the best hometown in Smackover, Ark. Offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma State fell on deaf ears as Jones, who committed back June 2014, was the first player to fax his letter-of-intent on signing day around 7:30 a.m.

Cole Kelley, a three-star prospect from Lafayette, La., is the lone quarterback in the class, joining a list of players that should compete to replace Brandon Allen under center.

DEFENSIVE FRONT RICHES

Bielema bolstered his defensive front, complimenting Agim with four players to play along the line. Best among them is Briston Guidry and Austin Capps, both four-star recruits.

The biggest “get” for Bielema, however, might be landing Jonathan Marshall. The coach was able to flip the highly-rated three-star commit from Oklahoma State a few days ago.

SIGNEES

  • Devwah Whaley, RB, four-star
  • Austin Capps, DT, four-star
  • T.J. Hammons, ATH, four-star
  • Briston Guidry, DT, four-star
  • Jake Heinrich, OG, four-star
  • Jordan Jones, WR, three-star
  • Jonathan Marshall, SDE, three-star
  • Kofi Boateng, WR, three-star
  • Alexy Jean-Baptiste, OLB, three-star
  • De’Jon Harris, ILB, three-star
  • Paul Ramirez, OT, three-star
  • Giovanni LaFrance, ILB, three-star
  • Deon Edward, S, three-star
  • Cole Kelley, QB, three-star
  • Hayden Johnson, SDE, three-star
  • Grayson Gunter, TE, three-star
  • Dee Walker, OLB, three-star
  • Micahh Smith, S, three-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

  • McTelvin “Sosa” Agim, SDE, five-star
  • Terrance Malone, OG, three-star

HARD COMMITS

  • Dylan Hays, OG, three-star

All ratings are based on 247Sports composite rankings.