The SEC landed five of the nation’s 20 best outside linebacker recruits in the 2016 class.

That total would thrill most leagues, but it qualified as a slump in the SEC.

In 2015, the SEC signed eight of the top 20 OLBs. And in 2014, Alabama alone signed three of the top five OLBs available and the league again brought in eight of the top 20.

Here’s a look at the top five OLB signees in the 2016 class, based on 247Sports.com’s composite rankings.

1. Lyndell “Mack” Wilson, Alabama (Montgomery, Ala.)

Wilson was the No. 2-ranked OLB in the class. He chose the Tide over Kirby Smart and Georgia. He did so on Signing Day, adding to the Tide’s star-studded class that also included top-ranked inside linebacker Ben Davis.

“It was neck and neck,” Wilson told his hometown paper, the Montgomery Advertiser. “It was real close. I was almost crying when I had to call coach Smart and tell him that I was going to Alabama. He’s one of those guys that’s been there for me since I first came here. He rode me like he was my dad and everything. I just feel proud of myself and proud of the decision that I made.”

Wilson, an Under Armour All-American, said reuniting with former high school teammate and fellow linebacker Shaun Hamilton was important. Hamilton had 27 tackles for the Tide last season.

Wilson isn’t a projected step-in starter, but he will be in the mix for playing time in Alabama’s revamped linebacking corps.

2. Michael Divinity, LSU (Marrero, La.)

DBU added a four-star OLB in Divinity, ranked No. 5 at his position in the 2016 class.

Divinity, 6-2, 215 pounds, decommitted during the controversy surrounding Les Miles’ future but ultimately chose the Tigers over Texas A&M.

He’s also a fan of new coordinator Dave Aranda’s scheme.

“He likes to have a lot of linebackers on the field and sometimes just two (defensive tackles),” Divinity told nola.com. “That gets a lot of linebackers exposure and he likes a lot of speed on the field and I like that.”

3. Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M (Washington, D.C.)

Hansford, the nation’s No. 12-ranked OLB, doubled as a wide receiver in high school — and that’s where he said he prefers to play for the high-scoring Aggies.

At 6-3, 220 pounds, he’ll give the Aggies another big, fast, physical play-maker, regardless of which side of the ball he ultimately lands.

“The culture down at Texas A&M is great and I playing in the SEC is the best conference to help me get to the next level,” he told the Washington Post.

4. Daniel Bituli, Tennessee (Nashville)

At 6-3, 235, most view the nation’s No. 15-ranked OLB as the next Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

He dominated a smaller high school classification as a star at Nashville Christian, and his speed and athleticism eventually could turn him into an edge rusher.

It’s his speed that shows up on film and part of Butch Jones’ overall recruiting philosophy.

“We thought we needed to bring in as much speed and athleticism as we could,” Jones told the Knoxville News. “Bring in players that can play multiple positions and give us flexibility, whether it’s on the offensive side of the ball, defensive side of the ball or special teams. You can never have enough team speed.”

5. Jeremiah Moon, Florida (Birmingham, Ala.)

At 6-4, 210 pounds, Moon projects as a player who as the frame to fill out enough to move inside. Moon was the No. 20-ranked OLB in his class, but he’s told reporters he is fine playing either position. The first step is to get on campus and get in the weight room.

Florida coaches eventually think Moon will play at 230, 240.

“Moon filled our needs,” UF coach Jim McElwain told the Gainesville Sun. “He’s a really good player.”

 

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