Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football and that saying holds true in the SEC.

Head coaches deservingly get a majority of the credit for hauling in top recruiting classes, but sometimes it’s the assistant coaches pulling double-duty as the team’s recruiting coordinator that should deserve some recognition for bringing in the top talent to their respective schools.

SDS takes a look at those recruiting coordinators in the SEC and ranks the five best within the conference.

No. 5 David Beaty, Texas A&M

The skinny: Since joining the SEC, Texas A&M has quickly developed into one of the “it” programs in college football and a big reason for that is because of recruiting coordinator David Beaty. The Aggies’ wide receivers coach has helped perpetuate Texas A&M’s growing reputation around the South and he’s led the Aggies to consecutive top-10 recruiting classes. He’s recently been named the new head coach at Kansas, but he left the Aggies in a great position recruiting-wise as they are currently boasting the nation’s No. 7 recruiting class. His absence will be a tremendous loss for Texas A&M moving forward.

No. 4 Rodney Garner, Auburn

The skinny: He arrived back at his alma mater in 2013. In addition to being the recruiting coordinator, Garner also coaches the defensive line and helped the Tigers to a SEC Championship in 2013. As a recruiting coordinator, the Tigers have seen great success under Garner. He helped the Tigers secure the No. 6 class in 2014 and recruits like Montravius Adams, Carl Lawson, Nick Marshall and others have come to Auburn during Garner’s time as a recruiting coordinator. Few schools can top Auburn’s recruiting momentum right now as the Tigers currently hold a top-10 class. As long as Garner remains at Auburn, the Tigers should be one of the top recruiting forces in the SEC.

No. 3 Zach Azzanni, Tennessee

The skinny: Since arriving with the Vols in 2013, recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni has been a dynamite recruiter for Butch Jones. Under Azzanni’s watch, the Vols brought in the No. 7 recruiting class in 2014 that featured some of the biggest impact freshmen in the SEC during the regular season like Jalen Hurd and Derek Barnett. Even in 2013, with limited amount of time to recruit at his new school, Azzanni helped bring in several recruits like Cam Sutton, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Marquez North and Josh Dobbs — four players that are playing a significant role in the future of this program. He’s only been at Tennessee for two seasons, but clearly Azzanni is making some great decisions for the Vols.

No. 2 Bryan McClendon, Georgia

The skinny: Bryan McClendon has only been Georgia’s recruiting coordinator for 2014, but if his past recruiting hauls are of any indication, the ‘Dawgs are in for some great things on the recruiting trail with McClendon leading the charge. Since becoming the running backs coach in 2009, he’s personally recruited some of UGA’s biggest stars to Athens including Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Isaiah Crowell, Keith Marshall and Lorenzo Carter. In his first year as recruiting coordinator, the ‘Dawgs currently stand at No. 3 nationally and have 25 commitments. Not a bad first impression.

No. 1 Frank Wilson, LSU

The skinny: Top recruiting classes are old hat for Frank Wilson. Since becoming LSU’s recruiting coordinator in 2010, the Tigers have been a force on the recruiting trail. LSU has pulled in four-top 10 recruiting classes since Wilson’s arrival, including the nation’s No. 2 class in 2014. Wilson was rewarded for his recruiting efforts in 2011 when he was named Rivals.com National Recruiter of the Year. Year in and year out, LSU is constantly near the top of the SEC during the season and Tigers fans can thank Wilson for having a big hand in their success.