10 best SEC recruiting classes in the last decade
Over the last 10 years, the SEC has easily been college football’s most successful conference, which in turn has resulted in vast success on the recruiting trail.
Stars like Tim Tebow, Cam Newton and many others have come through the SEC in the past decade and there have been several top recruiting classes within the conference. We’re judging these class based on how they looked on paper as well as the on-field contributions for their respective teams.
Here are the top 10 SEC recruiting classes in the last decade.
10. 2014 Alabama
Class ranking: 1st
Notable players: Cam Robinson, Marlon Humphrey, Da’Shawn Hand, Tony Brown, DJ Pettway, JK Scott
The skinny: With only one year under their belt at Alabama, it’s hard to tell just how great of a recruiting class this will be for Alabama. That determination likely won’t be made for another couple of years. However, on paper this looks to be one of Alabama’s strongest classes ever under Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide hauled in six five-star recruits, including offensive tackle Cam Robinson who became a first-year starter. We’ve yet to see the full potential for this group, but it appears to be another recruiting class primed to continue Alabama’s run atop the SEC.
9. 2011 Texas A&M
Class ranking: 35th
Notable players: Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans, Howard Matthews, Deshazor Everett, Drew Kaiser
The skinny: This 2011 recruiting class played a huge impact on Texas A&M’s first few seasons in the SEC. Quarterback Johnny Manziel evolved into one of the sport’s most polarizing figures and became the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy. Wide receiver Mike Evans became an All-American wide receiver at Texas A&M and was an eventual top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Both Matthews and Everett are still with Texas A&M and are currently two of the Aggies’ most impactful defensive players this season. Punter Drew Kaiser is also one of the standouts from this class as he developed into one of college football’s top punters. This class had several of the players that helped make Texas A&M what it is today in the SEC as a high-powered offense.
8. 2009 Georgia
Class ranking: 5th
Notable players: Aaron Murray, Orson Charles, Arthur Lynch, Kwame Geathers, Marlon Brown, Branden Smith
The skinny: Quarterback Aaron Murray headlines this top recruiting class for Georgia. The four-year starter eventually became the most prolific passer in SEC history, holding the conference’s all-time records for competitions, passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense. In addition to Murray, the ‘Dawgs also had several key defensive starters in this class and helped them to their back-to-back SEC Championship berths in 2011-12. Unfortunately, this class was unable to win the big games as the ‘Dawgs failed to win either SEC Championship appearance.
7. 2010 Florida
Class ranking: 1st
Notable players: Ronald Powell, Matt Elam, Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Chaz Green, Mike Taylor
The skinny: On paper, this was considered to be one of the greatest recruiting classes ever assembled. Urban Meyer and his staff hauled in five five-stars and 17 four-star recruits, including three of the nation’s top four recruits. While this group played a big role in Florida’s Sugar Bowl run in 2012, the group largely failed to live up to its monstrous expectations. Injuries and transfers really limited this class’ potential as Powell and Easley suffered multiple ACL injuries. This also turned out to be Urban Meyer’s final recruiting class at Florida and eventually was considered the beginning of Florida’s decline.
6. 2010 Auburn
Class ranking: 6th
Notable players: Cam Newton, Corey Lemonier, Jake Holland, Cody Parkey, Mike Dyer, Trovon Reed, Chris Davis
The skinny: The obvious crown jewel of this class was JUCO transfer Cam Newton, who led Auburn to an undefeated BCS Championship season in 2010. Newton also took home the Heisman Trophy and was later the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. In addition to Newton, several players in the 2010 class also played a significant role in Auburn’s 2013 SEC Championship season. And let’s not forget Chris Davis, who returned the field goal attempt for the game-winning touchdown in the 2013 Iron Bowl.
5. 2009 LSU
Class ranking: 1st
Notable players: Russell Shepard, Rueben Randle, Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo, Michael Brockers, Morris Claiborne
The skinny: Russell Shepard failed to live up to expectations while at LSU, but the rest of the class certainly rose up to the challenge. Arguably LSU’s best prospect in the class turned out to be three-star athlete Morris Claiborne, who ended up being a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft and a standout corner for the Tigers. Michael Brockers and Barkevious Mingo also became eventual first-round picks. This recruiting class also was a huge foundation for the Tigers’ undefeated regular season in 2011.
4. 2007 Florida
Class ranking: 1st
Notable players: Aaron Hernandez, Joe Haden, Carlos Dunlap, Major Wright, John Brantley, James Wilson, Deonte Thompson, Chris Rainey, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Pouncey, Ahmad Black
The skinny: Although some of the most heralded recruits in Florida’s 2007 recruiting class were a bust (see John Brantley, John Brown and others), this was one of the most productive recruiting classes under Urban Meyer. Aaron Hernandez became a game changer at the tight end position and was an eventual All-American. Carlos Dunlap was a playmaker on the defensive line and Joe Haden, a four-star athlete in the class, became one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC. Haden, Major Wright and Ahmad Black all became starters in the secondary on Florida’s 2008 BCS Championship team. Oh, and did I mention Cam Newton? While Newton never made much of an impact for the Gators, he certainly lived up to the hype in 2010 with Auburn after transferring away from Florida to the JUCO ranks. At one point there was 11 different players on NFL rosters from this class.
3. 2009 Alabama
Class ranking: 2nd
Notable players: Trent Richardson, Dre’ Kirkpatrick, DJ Fluker, AJ McCarron, Eddie Lacy
The skinny: This class didn’t even finish atop the 2009 rankings, but it’s tough to argue with the players’ on-field contributions. Richardson, Kirkpatrick, Fluker, McCarron and Lacy were a major part of Alabama’s three national championships from 2009-2012. Even some of the lower-rated guys like Ed Stinson, Chance Warmack and Kevin Norwood became significant contributors for Nick Saban during their time at Alabama. All in all, this class featured six first-round draft picks.
2. 2006 Florida
Class ranking:
Notable players: Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Brandon Spikes, Riley Cooper, Brandon James, Maurice Gilbert, Jermaine Cunningham
The skinny: In terms of impact, it doesn’t get much better than Florida’s 2006 recruiting class. Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes make this class one of the best in the SEC just by themselves. All three players are considered some of the best to ever play their respective positions at Florida and Tebow’s all-time legacy speaks for itself. The 2006 class as a whole featured eight NFL players and finished with two BCS Championships, three SEC Championship appearances, a Heisman Trophy and a record of 48-7 by the time they had finished their career at Florida.
1. 2008 Alabama
Class ranking: 3rd
Notable players: Julio Jones, Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw, Barrett Jones, Mark Ingram, Marcell Dareus
The skinny: This was Nick Saban’s first dominant recruiting class while at Alabama and his 2008 recruits didn’t disappoint. Aside from containing double-digit NFL draft selections, this 2008 recruiting class was essential to Alabama’s three national titles, including the Crimson Tide’s undefeated BCS Championship season in 2009. Some of Alabama’s best players in school history were featured in this class as the 2008 recruiting haul began what we know now as the Alabama dynasty.