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Several programs in the SEC are already putting the pedal to the metal on the 2016 recruiting trail, ahead of others in the race for some of the top prospects in the Southeast.
Kentucky’s coaching staff has done an incredible job with a league-leading 15 verbal commits for 2016, a class currently ranked fifth nationally. If those players stick and the Wildcats can sign five or six others, it would be the most anticipated class in program history.
Well done, Mark Stoops.
Two five-star quarterbacks, Jacob Eason and Shea Patterson, have committed to Georgia and Ole Miss, respectively, as the crown jewel of those programs’ 2016 classes.
Editor’s note: 247Sports’ class and composite rankings were used for this story.
Alabama
Early 2016 rank: No. 24
Commits (4)
- Shyheim Carter, CB, Five-star
- Demetris Robertson, ATH, Four-star
- Raekwon Davis, DT, Three-star
- T.J. Simmons, WR, Three-star
Arkansas
Early 2016 rank: No. 45
Commits (2)
- Austin Capps, DT, Four-star
- Jordan Jones, WR, Three-star
Auburn
Early 2016 rank: No. 20
Commits (5)
- Nate Craig-Myers, WR, Five-star
- Stephen Davis Jr., ATH, Four-star
- Landon Rice, TE, Three-star
- David Marshall, SDE, Three-star
- Quinnen Williams, DT, Three-star
Florida
Early 2016 rank: No. 15
Commits (8)
- Chauncey Gardner, CB, Four-star
- Spencer Perry, S, Three-star
- Rick Wells, WR, Three-star
- Tyrek Tisdale, APB, Three-star
- Isaiah Johnson, WR, Three-star
- Vosean Joseph, OLB, Three-star
- JaQuan Bailey, WDE, Three-star
- Eric Mitchell, WDE, Three-star
Georgia
Early 2016 rank: No. 8
Commits (7)
- Jacob Eason, QB, Five-star
- Ben Cleveland, OT, Five-star
- Chauncey Manac, WDE, Four-star
- Darion Anderson, WR, Three-star
- Aaron Dowdell, OG, Three-star
- Tyrique McGhee, CB, Three-star
- B.J. Emmons, RB, Four-star
Kentucky
Early 2016 rank: No. 5
Commits (15)
- Drake Jackson, C, Four-star
- Landon Young, OT, Four-star
- Jordan Griffin, CB, Three-star
- AJ Rose, ATH, Three-star
- Tobias Gilliam, CB, Three-star
- Jaylin Bannerman, WDE, Three-star
- Ben Snell, RB, Three-star
- Zy’Aire Hughes, ATH, Three-star
- Roland Walder, ILB, Three-star
- Luke Fortner, OT, Three-star
- Justin Rigg, TE, Three-star
- Dakota Holtzclaw, TE, Three-star
- Kayaune Ross, WR, Three-star
- Davonte Robinson, CB, Three-star
- Kordell Looney, DT, Three-star
LSU
Early 2016 rank: No. 3
Commits (8)
- Saivion Smith, CB, Five-star
- Feleipe Franks, QB, Four-star
- Stephen Sullivan, WR, Four-star
- Dee Anderson, WR, Four-star
- Donavaughan Campbell, OG, Four-star
- Jamal Pettigrew, TE, Four-star
- Cameron Lewis, S, Four-star
- Clifford Chatman, S, Three-star
Mississippi
Early 2016 rank: No. 3
Commits (11)
- Shea Patterson, QB, Five-star
- DeKaylin Metcalf, WR, Four-star
- Benito Jones, DT, Four-star
- Octavious Cooley, TE, Four-star
- Justin Connor, RB, Four-star
- Charles Wiley, WDE, Four-star
- Denzel Mitchell, RB, Four-star
- David Luafatasaga, OLB, Four-star
- Gabe Angel, TE, Three-star
- Eli Johnson, C, Three-star
- Daniel Crowell, WR, Three-star
Mississippi St.
Early 2016 rank: No. 9
Commits (10)
- Tommy Champion, OT, Four-star
- Cameron Myers, ATH, Four-star
- Deshon Cooper, OLB, Three-star
- Lashard Durr, CB, Three-star
- Zaire Jones, S, Three-star
- Dee Nails, OG, Three-star
- Caleb Tillman, DT, Three-star
- C.J. Morgan-Walker, CB, Three-star
- Quincy Lenton, S, Three-star
- Dareuan Parker, OT, Three-star
Missouri
Early 2016 rank: N/A
Commits (0)
South Carolina
Early 2016 rank: No. 22
Commits (5)
- Kyle Davis, ATH, Four-star
- Brandon McIlwain, QB, Four-star
- CJ Freeman, RB, Four-star
- Bryan Edwards, WR, Three-star
- JaCorey Morris, ILB, Three-star
Tennessee
Early 2016 rank: No. 18
Commits (6)
- Devante Brooks, TE, Four-star
- Marquill Osborne, CB, Four-star
- Ryan Johnson, OT, Four-star
- Dorian Banks, ATH, Three-star
- Bailey Phillips, CB, Three-star
- Corey Henderson, WR, Three-star
Texas A&M
Early 2016 rank: No. 19
Commits (5)
- Gregory Little, OT, Five-star
- Travon Fuller, CB, Four-star
- Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Four-star
- Zarrian Holcombe, TE, Three-star
- Braden Mann, K, Two-star
Vanderbilt
Early 2016 rank: N/A
Commits (0)
