Every SEC fan loves an exciting pass-catcher. After watching a few highlights of someone seemingly faster than everyone else on the field, it’s easy to want to sign to every blue-chip wideout available.

Signing such receivers is one thing. Developing them into SEC playmakers is another story.

In the past five recruiting classes, it’s common to see the combined number of 4- and 5-star wide receivers somewhere in the teens. The number who make a name for themselves in the SEC is usually around one-third of that.

With National Signing Day recently wrapped up, every SEC fanbase is hoping that their team signed the next great pass-catchers.

RELATED: Ranking the top WRs in the 2017 class

The highest-rated SEC wide receiver signee is Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, a 5-star product out of Deerfield Beach (Fla.). The Crimson Tide has done well recruiting South Florida’s finest, previously signing Amari Cooper out of Northwestern (Miami) and Calvin Ridley from Monarch (Pompano Beach, Fla.).

The Tide didn’t stop there, signing three more top-12 wideouts: Devonta Smith (No. 9), Henry Ruggs III (No. 11) and Tyrell Shavers (No. 12). The only other SEC team to get in the top 12 was Texas A&M, landing Jhamon Ausbon out of the IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The Aggies also signed No. 29 WR Hezekiah Jones.

Florida and Georgia also added a pair of 4-star receivers ranked among the top 50 at the position. Auburn, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina each added one.

Will this group buck the trend and produce more success stories than other classes? Here’s how the past five rank, admitting there’s not much of a gap separating the first three:

1. 2013

In this class, the No. 1 wideout, Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell, lived up to his billing and left his mark on the SEC. Things didn’t go so well for two of the other highly rated signees, Alabama’s Robert Foster and Tennessee’s Marquez North, but Florida’s Demarcus Robinson had a solid three-year career. Mississippi State’s Fred Ross, Alabama’s ArDarius Stewart and Texas A&M’s Ricky Seals-Jones were three of the other impact signees from the class.

Nov 5, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Fred Ross (8) catches a pass on a touchdown play defended by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back DeShawn Capers-Smith (26) during the second quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

A pair of under-the-radar recruits – 3-star ATH Pharoh Cooper (South Carolina) and 3-star WR De’Runnya Wilson (Mississippi State) – help cement this class’ status as No. 1 of the past five seasons.

The tight ends were outstanding too: O.J. Howard was ranked the No. 2 overall pass-catcher in the class, behind Treadwell. And Hunter Henry was No. 13.

2. 2012

It’s difficult to rate the class with Alabama’s Amari Cooper as anything but No. 1, considering the Crimson Tide wideout and former Heisman Trophy finalist was the best in the SEC of the past five years. The rest of the class, however, isn’t able to hold its own with 2013.

The 2012 class has, unfortunately, too many names behind promising careers that didn’t work out (Chris Black, Thomas Johnson and Pig Howard). Mizzou’s Dorial Green-Beckham was the No. 1-ranked player overall in the class. He had issues in college but has made it to the NFL. Auburn’s Ricardo Louis was drafted last year.

3. 2015

The 2015 class is light on blue-chippers with only 12, but the class doesn’t lack in young playmakers. Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk and Florida’s Antonio Callaway have been been three of the SEC’s top receivers the past two seasons. Ridley and Kirk were the two highest-rated SEC receiver signees of the class, while Callaway was an underrated 3-star prospect.

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a pass against Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss signee Van Jefferson was named to the 2016 SEC All-Freshman after a redshirt season. UGA’s Terry Godwin should be poised for a breakout year as the Bulldogs try to find their next top playmaker following Isaiah McKenzie’s departure.

If Ridley, Kirk and Callaway continue their ascent, this group could climb higher on this list.

4. 2014

The top three signees from this class – Texas A&M’s Speedy Noil, LSU’s Malachi Dupre and Tennessee’s Josh Malone – are on their way to the NFL, though one could make the case it’s more about their pro potential than their SEC resumes. None of the 2014 signees really lit the SEC on fire, but the above three and UGA’s Isaiah McKenzie flashed enough potential to earn a long look from the NFL.

Three-star signees Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M), Deebo Samuel (South Carolina) and Garrett Johnson (Kentucky) exceeded expectations.

5. 2016

Sometimes the youngest class is so good that it ranks higher than the more experienced classes. That’s not the case with the 2016 class.

The class’ headliner, Florida’s Tyrie Cleveland, had an impressive freshman season, albeit in limited action due to injuries and a legal matter in the offseason. Auburn signed a trio of highly ranked receivers, and two – Kyle Davis and Eli Stove – got some opportunities but did not post any eye-popping numbers.

South Carolina’s Bryan Edwards looks to be a big part of the Gamecocks’ passing game as the go-to man for Jake Bentley.