Every program always wants to have a great national signing day. Truth be told, while it’s not fun to lose out on a top prospect at the end that you’ve been recruiting hard for over a calendar year (in most instances), there are really never any losers on signing day, just some programs that build more momentum than others.

Here are five Southeastern Conference programs that, come Feb. 3, could use a big momentum build for a variety of reasons.

Georgia

Let’s be honest here and say that the Bulldogs aren’t in dire need of a huge finish seeing as how they already have a top five class, but new head coach Kirby Smart has an outstanding reputation for being a great recruiter and there are several key UGA targets out there that could make for a big national signing day. Guys like five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown (Buford, Ga./Lanier) remain uncommitted and will go right down to the wire. Any first-year head coach wants positive momentum for his program heading into the first spring practice and first season and a big signing day, with a few possible surprises (i.e. beating Alabama on a prospect or two) would be huge for Smart and company.

Mississippi State

Signing day this year should be important for the Bulldogs because heading down the stretch, several top in-state targets remain uncommitted, including local stars like wide receiver A.J. Brown and defensive tackle Kobe Jones (Starkville High), offensive tackle Scott Lashley (West Point) and U.S. Army All-American defensive end Jeffery Simmons (Noxubee County). All are among the best prospects in the Magnolia State this cycle and all would be outstanding, impactful signings for Mississippi State, which has built a winning program by landing its share in-state and making great out-of-state evaluations.

South Carolina

Another first-year head coach and his staff, Will Muschamp, will try to salvage a solid recruiting class as the Gamecocks need help from a personnel standpoint at nearly every position on the field. There currently are 29 prospects scheduled to officially visit Columbia during the next three weekends, only 11 of which currently are committed to South Carolina. That leaves a wide delta of possibility for the Gamecocks to end with good momentum on Feb. 3.

Tennessee

During the next three weekends, the Vols have 13 prospects making official visits that are not currently committed to Tennessee. Under Butch Jones, Tennessee fans have become accustomed to highly-ranked recruiting classes and big success down the stretch and with a smaller class numbers-wise that sits ranked No. 21 nationally, it would be a big boost of momentum for the program to have some fireworks when the cycle comes to a finish. Keep in mind, the Vols are going to be the overwhelming favorites to win the SEC East next year and some are talking College Football Playoff. A big recruiting finish could be the start of a wave of momentum.

Texas A&M

Speaking of momentum, the Aggies have been trending in the opposite direction of the Vols of late. One way to stem the tide of negativity surrounding your program is to go land some surprising recruits. Texas A&M and Kevin Sumlin (who has never been anything but great when it comes to recruiting) have the chance to do just that as during the next three visit weekends, 10 prospects who are not currently committed to the Aggies will be visiting officially, including prospects who currently are committed to SEC West rivals LSU and Ole Miss and in-state “proxy” rival Baylor.