Signing Day is in the books and it’s easy to get distracted by all the shiny new recruits who will be walking onto the program’s showroom. However, we’re just one year removed from the last group of shiny new recruits and many of them have yet to see the field or have an impact on their respective program.

So before we look too far ahead, let’s look back at the 2016 classes and identify a player from each class that could step up in 2017.

Alabama – Ben Davis, LB (5-star): The top-rated inside linebacker in the nation took a redshirt this season after he suffered a high ankle sprain near the end of training camp. Davis said he spent the season working with the scout team and putting on 20 pounds of muscle. With Reuben Foster and Ryan Anderson set to move on to the NFL, Davis appears to be one of the guys ready to take over as the next wave of athletic, massive, hard-hitting linebackers for the Crimson Tide.

Arkansas – McTelvin Agim, DL (5-star): Agim got a head start on the 2017 season when he started the final five games of the 2016 season and was tied for third on the team with 2.5 sacks. Overall the Razorbacks pass rush and play up front left a little to be desired so Agim will now take a leadership role with Arkansas losing four seniors off the defensive line.

Auburn – Nate Craig-Myers, WR (4-star): The Tigers will be looking for a lot more out of their downfield passing game in 2017 with Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham likely to take over at quarterback. Craig-Myers and Kyle Davis have the opportunity to step in and become playmakers at the outside receiving positions.

Florida – Feleipe Franks, QB (4-star): The development of Franks (or 2-star QB Kyle Trask) will likely hold Jim McElwain’s job in the balance. McElwain was smart in redshirting Franks despite the struggles that Florida had on offense and at the quarterback position. Franks clearly wasn’t ready last year. This year he’ll have to be ready because the Gators need him if they want to compete for something other than secondary bowl game.

Georgia – Mecole Hardman, ATH (5-star): Hardman played in 11 games in 2016 but spent most of his team on kick coverage teams where he finished with six tackles. It appears likely that Hardman could end up playing slot receiver (although defensive back isn’t out of the question) and he’ll have the first crack at being the primary kick and punt returner. Either way the 5-star prospect has to get on the field as much as possible next season.

Kentucky – Kash Daniel, LB (4-star): Daniel played in all 13 games last season, mostly on special teams and as a backup linebacker. The Wildcats have a lot of defensive players returning, but Daniel was recruited to upgrade the position and he’ll be expected to challenge for a starting role and improve a defense that gave up more than 30 points eight times in 2016.

LSU – Eric Monroe, S (4-star): With Jamal Adams leaving early for the NFL and Rickey Jefferson graduating there will be some open competition with upperclassman John Battle for the starting safety spots in 2017. Monroe had to have knee surgery last spring and eventually took a redshirt in 2016.

Mississippi State – Kobe Jones, DL (4-star): The Bulldogs will have to replace three seniors on the defensive line. Former 5-star Jeffery Simmons will take one of them, but two of those spots appear to be wide open. Jones took a redshirt this season and will be ready to toss his name in the hat for one of those starts.

Missouri – DeMarkus Acy, CB (3-star): Acy was on special teams for most of the 11 games he appeared in during the 2016 season. He did get one start, however, and with Missouri graduating both of its starting cornerbacks, Acy will be expected to win one of those spots.

Ole Miss – Shea Patterson, QB (5-star): Patterson lost his redshirt late in the season when Chad Kelly was injured and he got his taste of the good life with a comeback win against Texas A&M. It went downhill from there, but that’s no fault of his. This is Patterson’s team now and will be for at least the next couple of years, so the Rebels’ success will rely on his performance.

Doubt him at your own risk.

South Carolina – Stephon Taylor, DL (4-star): The Gamecocks have departures as starter and backup on the front seven, which is why Will Muschamp signed seven defensive linemen in his first class at South Carolina. Taylor was the highest rated of the bunch. Now that he’s spent a year redshirting and watching, he will be expected to compete for a starting spot or become a solid contributor as a backup.

Tennessee – Tyler Byrd, ATH (4-star): Regardless of whether sophomore Quinten Dormady or redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano wins the starting quarterback job, they need to get the ball to Byrd, who showed flashes of brilliance as a playmaker in 2016 with 15 catches for 209 yards and averaging over 25 yards on kick returns. With Josh Malone deciding to go pro, Byrd can step in and be the Vols big playmaker.

Texas A&M – Quartney Davis, WR (4-star): Davis was expected to compete for a starting wide receiver spot in 2016 but tore his ACL during training camp and missed the season. Texas A&M is losing four receivers from the rotation, so if Davis’ knee is good to go, the expectations for him will remain high.

Vanderbilt – Devin Cochran, OT (3-star): Cochran spent all season as the Commodores’ top reserve at left tackle but never needed to get in the game. But with Will Holden graduating, it’s Cochran’s job to lose this spring going forward and the Vanderbilt coaching staff is high on what the 6-7, 310-pound prospect can provide up front.