When evaluating recruiting classes, it’s impossible to assess a proper evaluation until after the class has completed its collegiate career. Not only are the top classes determined by what they looked like on paper, but on-field contributions also play a big part.

SDS takes a look at the each SEC team’s best recruiting class of the last decade based off of the recruiting rankings as well as how effective the class was on the field.

NOTE: Recruiting rankings taken from 247sports

Arkansas Razorbacks

Head coach Bobby Petrino hauled in an impressive class in his second year in Fayetteville, bringing in one five-star and five four-stars. Petrino, slowly but surely, changed the culture and upped the talent level of an Arkansas program steeped in mediocrity from the Houston Nutt era.

The 2009 class Petrino signed produced a 10-win and 11-win season for the Razorbacks faithful capped by a Cotton Bowl win and a Sugar Bowl appearance.

2009 recruiting class

Record: 33-18 overall

SEC Championships: None

BCS Championships: None

Class ranking: 21st overall; 9th in the SEC

Cream of the crop: Petrino and his brother, offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, brought in some serious firepower to compliment returning quarterback Ryan Mallett. A pair of four-star running backs — Ronnie Wingo, Jr. and Knile Davis — would go on to standout in the Razorbacks’ backfield.

Three-star wide receiver Cobi Hamilton joined a receiving corps laden with talent in sophomores Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Chris Gragg. Petrino’s offense would go on to average 33.2 points per game during its four-season tenure.

Bust of the class: Darius Winston — the top player from the state of Arkansas and the fourth-rated cornerback in the country — never panned out. Winston played all four seasons in Fayetteville, but recorded just 52 tackles as a four-year starter. The West Helena, Ark., native was in and out of the lineup and, for the only five-star in the 2009 class, was a huge disappointment.

Biggest surprise: Just a three-star prospect from Texarkana, Texas, Cobi Hamilton starred in the SEC West becoming the most reliable target in the Hogs’ receiving corps. As a senior, Hamilton earned All-SEC honors recording 90 catches for 1,335 yards and five touchdowns. Both the receptions and yards were school records. Hamilton set a SEC record for receiving yards in a single game with 303.