1 week from Early Signing Period: The strength of every SEC team’s recruiting class

The SEC continues to enjoy an embarrassment of riches in recruiting. As SEC programs hold down the top four spots and 10 of the top 20 spots in the 247Sports.com Composite rankings, it’s clear that the young talent is there for the conference to remain the most competitive in the nation for the next several years.

One week from the start of Early Signing Period (Dec. 19-21), here’s a quick look at the strength of each SEC class.

THE FIRST TIER

Alabama

National rank: 1

To the shock of no one the Crimson Tide are working toward another top national class. Currently the Tide are in striking distance of the highest-ranked recruiting class in history, according to 247Sports.com Composite Rankings. The strength of this class comes on the defensive end and especially in the front seven. Five-star defensive lineman Antonio Alfano is the top prospect in New Jersey and a top 5 defensive lineman nationally.

Four-star linebacker Shane Lee is the top prospect in Maryland and a top 5 linebacker nationally. Four-star defensive linemen Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young and Kevin Harris are all top 10 nationally at their respective positions. And don’t think Alabama forgot about the secondary. The top-rated prospect in the Tide’s class is 5-star safety Daxton Hill out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who flipped to the Tide from Michigan last weekend.

Georgia

National rank: 2

With the recent commitment of 5-star center Clay Webb, the Bulldogs continue to get deeper and stronger in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Georgia’s top three commitments are defensive end Nolan Smith, the top-rated prospect in the nation from IMG Academy; Webb, who is the top-rated interior offensive lineman in the country; and in-state defensive tackle Travon Walker — a top-5 prospect in Georgia.

With eight of the 10 top prospects in Georgia’s class on the offensive line, defensive line or linebacker, the Bulldogs are clearly focused on being even tougher to push around in the future.

Texas A&M

National rank: 3

The Aggies are going all in on in-state prospects with all of their top 10 prospects in the class hailing from the Lone Star state. The Aggies have secured 4 of the state’s top 10 players and 9 of the top 25.

Much like Alabama and Georgia, Texas A&M is targeting players on the lines. Five-star offensive linemen Kenyon Green from Humble, Texas and 5-star defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal, from Converse, Texas, are the top two players in the class.

Four-star safety Brian Williams from Dallas and 4-star tight end Baylor Cupp from Brock, Texas, are top 10 prospects in Texas.

LSU

National rank: 4

The Tigers are putting together a well-balanced group lead by blue-chip prospects in the secondary. Five-star cornerback Derek Stingley is the top-rated player at his position in the nation. Four-star cornerback Maurice Hampton, out of Memphis, is the top prospect in Tennessee and a top-10 cornerback prospect nationally.

LSU is also grabbing top prospects on the offensive line, led by 5-star guard Kardell Thomas. and linebacker with 4-star prospects Marcel Brooks and Donte Starks.

THE SECOND TIER

Auburn

National rank: 12

It’s another offseason of rumors and turmoil at Auburn, but the recruiting class remains strong. Five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe is the centerpiece of the class, but the strength comes from potential skill players on both sides of the ball. Four-star quarterback Bo Nix has been doing his part on and off the field to help Auburn’s class. The Tigers’ biggest concern is 4-star wide receiver George Pickens, who is a threat to flip to LSU or Florida State.

If Nix and Pickens stay, it’s possible 4-star commits Cam’Ron Kelly out of Chesapeake, Va., and Jashawn Sheffield from St. Simons Island, Ga., could also stay on the offensive side of the ball to make a formidable pitch-and-catch group for the future.

Tennessee

National rank: 15

With upgrades needed all over the field, Jeremy Pruitt and his staff have focused on the offensive line and the back seven on defense. Five-star offensive tackle Wanya Morris is rated as the third-best tackle in the nation. Morris along with 4-star offensive guard Jackson Lampley and 4-star tight end Jackson Lowe could all play early and provide some strength up front for the Volunteers.

Four-star safeties Jaylen McCollough and Anthony Harris are the keys to Tennessee’s rebuild of the secondary. Four-star cornerback Tyus Fields, a top-10 prospect out of North Carolina, is another piece for the defensive backfield.

Mississippi State

National rank: 16

The Bulldogs lost some guys on defense in 2018 and Joe Moorhead is working hard to replace them for 2019 and forward. Four of Mississippi State’s top seven prospects are defensive linemen. Four-star defensive tackle Nathan Pickering and 4-star defensive end Charles Moore look like they could step in and contribute next year. Four-star defensive end De’Monte Russell and 4-star pass rusher Ani Izuchukwu are intriguing building blocks for the future.

Arkansas

National rank: 17

After a 2-10 season, Chad Morris needs immediate help everywhere. He’s getting it. Four-star tight end Hudson Henry and 4-star wide receivers Treylon Burks and Trey Knox look like they can play immediately. For those concerned about Morris’ ability to recruit in-state, Henry and Burks are the top-2 prospects in Arkansas.

For some immediate help Arkansas is looking to the junior colleges as well. Former LSU linebacker Sci Martin played this past year at East Mississippi Community College and is leaning to the Razorbacks. If standout JUCO offensive linemen Myron Cunningham and Chibueze Nwanna sign with the Razorbacks next week, it will turn a potentially good day into a great one.

Ole Miss

National rank: 19

The Rebels want to get the offense rolling again and have received commitments from several skill players to help speed up that process. Four-star running back Jerrion Ealy is a top 50 prospect in the nation and 4-star wide receiver Dannis Jackson and Jonathan Mingo rated in the top 200. One potential hiccup: Ealy is a baseball star, too, and a potential first-round pick in the June draft.

Florida

National rank: 20

The Gators are a team to watch as Dan Mullen has the 2019 class in a position to close strong. The Gators’ top-3 prospects are linebackers with 4-star inside linebacker Diwun Black and 4-star outside linebackers Tyron Hopper and Mohamoud Diabete. All three are in the top-10 nationally at their position. Four-star prospect Jaelin Humphries is a big body at defensive tackle.

South Carolina

National rank: 22

The Gamecocks secured the two 2 prospects in the state, 5-star defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and 4-star cornerback Cameron Smith as part of a defensive rebuild. Four-star defensive lineman Joseph Anderson is a top-5 prospect in Tennessee and top 150 nationally.

THE THIRD TIER

Kentucky

National rank: 30

No surprise that a defensive-minded coach like Mark Stoops is going to focus his class on defense. Five of the Wildcats top six prospects are projected to play on defense. Four-star linebacker Jared Casey and 4-star defensive end JJ Weaver and are top-10 prospects in Kentucky.

Missouri

National rank: 42

Two of the top-5 prospects in Missouri’s class are safeties. Four-star safety Jelani Williams is a top 300 national prospect and the highest-rated player in the class. Three-star offensive guard Jack Buford and 3-star wide receiver C.J. Boone are both top-10 prospects in Missouri.

Vanderbilt

National rank: 51

With only 19 commits, the Commodores still might have room to move up after the Early Signing Period. There are no 4-stars in the class. Three-star athlete Anfernee Orji is a top 60 prospect in Texas and top 500 nationally. He could play on either side of the ball. With Orji and 3-star, two-way prospects Devin Boddie and Jayden Harrison, the Commodores are recruiting for some roster flexibility.

Corey Long

Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.