Everybody needs a few good outside linebackers. They harass quarterbacks into making mistakes, stop running backs in their tracks, and deliver big hits.

Making sure he gets the highest-quality recruits at every position is a huge part of a college football coach’s job. But outside linebacker is one of the top positions where you don’t want talent to dry up. Always having a reliable outside linebacker is crucial to a strong foundation for your defense, especially if your team plays a lot of 3-4 fronts.

Here are five of the best outside linebackers from the class of 2016 with verbal commitments to SEC schools:

1. Erick Fowler (Manor, Texas) — LSU commit

  • The skinny: Although Fowler lives 15 minutes away from the University of Texas campus, and was also highly recruited by the Longhorns, he has committed to LSU for now. A four-star recruit ranked third among high school outside linebackers, Fowler has a great sense of where the ball is and tracks it down, often crossing the field to make tackles if necessary.

2. Jaleel Laguins (Watkinsville, Ga.) — Georgia commit

  • The skinny: Another four-star recruit, Laguins announced his commitment just last Wednesday. Considering OT E.J. Price (class of ’16) and ATH Jamyest Williams (class of ’17) showed up at a preseason scrimmage to support Laguins, Georgia is hoping this one recruit eventually will lead to two more. Laguins’ long legs and speed helps him stay with scrambling quarterbacks, and allows him to track and tackle running backs.

3. Jeremiah Moon (Birmingham, Ala.) — Florida commit

  • The skinny: This four-star recruit will be a huge part of Florida’s defense come 2016, as Antonio Morrison and Anthony Harrell graduate at the end of this season. Throughout high school, Moon provided excellent run defense, able to either stop the ball carrier in the backfield or only allow a couple of yards. He will be part of the squad that maintains Florida’s defensive strength.

4. David Luafatasaga (Yuma, Ariz.) — Ole Miss commit

  • The skinny: Luafatasaga is a three-star junior college recruit who rates as the second-best JUCO outside linebacker in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the class of 2016. He’s comfortable playing both outside and inside, spots and exploits gaps in the offensive line, and makes big hits. Luafatasaga is already looking forward to being a part of the Landshark defense.

5. Deshon Cooper (Wesson, Miss.) — Mississippi State commit

  • The skinny: Ranked fourth among JUCO outside linebacker recruits in 2016, Cooper brings excellent pass rush ability with him to Mississippi State. He has 24.5 career sacks. As seen in his highlights video, he also spent some of his playing time at wide receiver.