Coaches in the SEC are always trying to stack their rosters and build depth in the conference that needs it the most.

To win in the SEC, the line of scrimmage play has to be really good and really deep. The Gators closed strong in the 2015 recruiting class, landing five-stars Martez Ivey and CeCe Jefferson on National Signing Day, and that gives Florida fans hope that Jim McElwain and staff can make headway in its first full recruiting class.

After evaluating the current roster and projecting the Gators’ on-field needs in ’16 and ’17, here are Florida’s top three positions of priority for the current recruiting cycle:

OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing after 2015: Trip Thurman

Knowing the versatile Trip Thurman is gone after the 2015 season, the Gators return the following impact players:

OT David Sharpe (Should start at left tackle)
OT Martez Ivey (Should start at right tackle)
OG Andrew Mike (Projected to start at right guard)
OG Antonio Riles (Projected to start at left guard)

Jim McElwain’s offense will receive the benefit of getting bookend tackles — Sharpe and Ivey — for at least two seasons, 2015 and 2016. Depending on whether Sharpe leaves early for the NFL draft in 2017, Ivey could slide over to left tackle. The Gators are set at tackle, but the interior O-line leaves much to be desired. Counting Ivey, Florida signed six offensive linemen this past recruiting cycle, but they need more in the 2016 recruiting class.

The Gators already have Stone Forsythe committed for 2016. Forsythe is listed at 6-7, 331 pounds. That’s a good start.

LINEBACKER

Losing after 2015: Antonio Morrison

In addition to Antonio Morrison, Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone and Daniel McMillian are all draft-eligible juniors. Now, it’ll take a big year from any of the trio to enter the draft, but all have enough talent to leave early.

Geoff Collins and Randy Shannon need to get to work on the Gators’ linebacker depth. In two years, perhaps just Matt Rolin will return at the position, and that’s assuming he stays healthy. Florida signed just one linebacker — Rayshad Jackson — in the 2015 recruiting class.

It’s not 2016 that’s the biggest issue at linebacker. It could be 2017. Florida has to build depth in this recruiting class. The Gators have Vosean Joseph currently committed, a three-star prospect from Miami.

QUARTERBACK

Losing after 2015: Nobody currently

Will Grier and Treon Harris will both return in 2016, assuming neither transfers, although that is a real possibility. Whichever quarterback wins the starting job, the other could elect to pursue another program for playing time.

Regardless, Florida doesn’t even know whether its quarterback of the future is on campus or not. If Grier shows up and shows out this season, it will calm some fears, but McElwain and Doug Nussmeier need to find their guy in the 2016 recruiting class after missing on Deondre Francois last recruiting cycle.