As National Signing Day draws closer, certain trends within the SEC become clearer. At this point in the process, teams have distinguished themselves or fallen behind.

Every SEC team is looking to improve upon its 2016 campaign, but no two plans are alike. Some programs choose to add veteran talent with JUCO players, while others play the numbers game and hope to find a few hidden gems.

The Class of 2017 is almost in the books, so here are the 10 biggest recruiting trends for this class in the SEC.

Alabama is reloading at linebacker: The Crimson Tide lost Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams from their awe-inspiring defense, but they are reloading with some talented linebacker prospects. Dylan Moses, the nation’s No. 2 outside linebacker prospect, is the top defender in Alabama’s class, and he’s not alone.

VanDarius Cowan, Markail Benton and Christopher Allen also are ranked in the top 11  linebackers for the 2017 class, and they give the Tide one of their most talented hauls at a single position in recent memory. This is a versatile group, but each player excels at most phases of the game. It won’t be long before they are making noise on Saturdays.

The trenches are a priority for Georgia: Although the Bulldogs are bringing in talent at several positions, most notably at defensive back, their biggest additions will come along the offensive and defensive lines. Georgia needed to add size on offense and speed on defense, which it has certainly accomplished.

Six offensive linemen have committed who have the size Kirby Smart desires. The average height and weight of the incoming linemen are 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds. On defense, Georgia has two talented pass rushers in Robert Beal and Malik Herring on the way.

LSU has two 4-star QBs for the first time since 2013: Quarterback play has been a problem for the Tigers, but Ed Orgeron will have some options. LSU is bringing in two 4-star prospects for the first time since 2013, when it had Hayden Rettig and Anthony Jennings.

Unlike Rettig and Jennings, who were both pro-style quarterbacks, however, the Tigers will have different styles to choose from in this class. Lowell Narcisse, the nation’s No. 9 dual-threat quarterback, is already on campus. If the Tigers want a more traditional passer, Myles Brennan has a big arm and is one of the most productive quarterbacks coming out of high school.

Only one defensive lineman on the books for Auburn: Auburn has one of the best young defensive lines in the country. This has allowed the Tigers to focus on other positions of need in their 2017 recruiting class.

Alec Jackson, 3-star defensive tackle, is the only defensive lineman committed to Auburn, but it will likely look to add another player to the mix. Due to the defensive line talent already on The Plains, the Tigers have given priority to the offense. Three offensive linemen are already in the fold, and more should be on their way.

Tennessee has more 3-stars than any class in the Top 50: The Vols are determined to find out whether there is, in fact, strength in numbers. With 28 committed prospects, Tennessee has the biggest recruiting class in the SEC.

That size is likely the biggest reason the Vols’ class is No. 11 nationally, because an overwhelming majority of the prospects are 3-star recruits. Tennessee’s average prospect rating (87.11) is the lowest among the top 15 recruiting classes. With several veterans leaving Knoxville, the Vols will need to have some hidden gems in the bunch.

South Carolina adding playmakers on offense: Will Muschamp had no problem getting South Carolina’s defense to play at a high level, but the offense took awhile longer to get up to speed. It appears Jake Bentley is the answer at quarterback, but South Carolina is intent on surrounding him with talent.

In their 2017 class, the Gamecocks have three perimeter weapons who should immediately blend with the likes of Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards. OrTre Smith, a 4-star receiver, is a 6-3, 215-pound athletic prospect who should vie for playing time immediately. Joining him are Shi Smith and Chad Terrell. Smith is the nation’s No. 9 athlete and a polished route runner with great agility. Terrell is another big target at 6-3, 205.

Florida needs a big finish: As Jim McElwain closed the deal on his first recruiting class at Florida, the Gators landed a school-record seven commitments on National Signing Day. This year, the Gators might be in position to land even more.

With only 14 prospects committed, Florida has one of the smallest recruiting classes in the SEC. The Gators have room for about eight or nine more players in this class and could have one of the busiest signing days of any program in the country.

Kentucky putting together a memorable class: The Wildcats’ class is ranked No. 23, but a big finish could give Kentucky its best recruiting class in a long time. The Class of 2014 finished ranked No. 22 and this class could surpass that ranking with another key addition or two.

Kentucky has plenty of talent in this class at the skill positions, especially at wide receiver. Lynn Bowden, the nation’s No. 4 athlete prospect out of talent-rich Ohio is a versatile player who should become one of the Wildcats’ top weapons.

Mississippi State pulling from JUCO ranks: Mississippi State is adding a lot of experience with this recruiting class. Of the Bulldogs’ 20 committed prospects, nine are from the JUCO level.

Mississippi State has Chauncey Rivers, the top JUCO weak-side defensive end prospect, Johnathan Abram, the No. 2 JUCO safety, and the Nos. 1 and 2 JUCO defensive tackles in the fold. All of the players with post-high school experience are already on campus and should be ready to contribute in 2017.

Ole Miss striking out with in-state prospects: If current ranks hold, this Rebels class will be the worst under Hugh Freeze, but there are a couple of reasons for that. For starters, a looming NCAA investigation has repelled some of the nation’s top prospects.

A bigger reason, however, is Ole Miss’ lack of success with in-state prospects. Six of the top 10 in-state recruits in the Class of 2017 have signed out of state, which is more than the past three years combined. LSU and Louisville have more of Mississippi’s top 10 commitments (2 apiece) than the in-state Rebels.

D.D. Bowie, a 4-star wide receiver, is the only top 10 in-state prospect committed to the Rebels. Ole Miss’ class currently ranks No. 50 in the nation, No. 13 in the SEC.

To make up some ground, the Rebels will need a strong finish.

All rankings courtesy of the 247Sports Composite