Top 10 recruits from the state of Missouri in 2016

We’re a long way from National Signing Day 2016, but many of the SEC’s top recruiters have been targeting the top players in this class for months now.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, the Top 10 players in the class from the state of Missouri include seven offensive players, counting three-star athlete Al Young, a receiver/running back at Central High School in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

To be honest, the ’16 class from the Show Me State looks relatively weak. Whereas last year’s state-of-Missouri class finished with three four-star players, this year’s currently features just one: four-star running back A.J. Taylor.

As of now, it appears that Mizzou will be in a dogfight with Notre Dame to secure Taylor’s services. Russell Hansbrough runs out of eligibility after this fall. Chase Abbington is a junior-college transfer who should be gone after 2016, along with Morgan Steward. The Tigers traditionally use three backs every year, so the team could really use Taylor.

RELATED: Mizzou’s strong 2015 recruiting class represents upward trend

Last year, Missouri went out of state to sign DT Terry Beckner Jr. (Illinois) and G A.J. Harris (Kansas), the No. 1 players in their respective states, as well as QB Drew Lock, a four-star pull from Lees Summit, Mo. The Tigers secured four of the state’s 10 best players.

Nebraska poached two. Alabama, Mississippi State and Oregon each poached one. The Ducks swooped in late in the process to steal away four-star WR Alex Ofodile with Mizzou in desperate need of talent at the position.

The second-best player in the ’16 class again is a receiver in 6-foot-2, 180-pound Harry Ballard. There’s not much info available on his recruitment, but apparently Wisconsin is interested.

Unsurprisingly, the top defensive end in the state — three-star Tre Williams — is projected to pick Mizzou.

None of the 10 best ’16 recruits from Missouri are committed yet.

*Already committed.