Star ratings are based on 247Sports’ 2016 player rankings.

1. Gregory Little, OT, Five-star (Texas A&M commit)

The prep teammate at Allen High of Kyler Murray, Little tops 247Sports’ player composite rankings for 2016 as a dominant tackle. He verbally committed to Texas A&M in June and is impressed by the program’s ability to pump offensive linemen into the NFL (Cedric Ogbuehi’s next in line a few months from now). Much like 2015 five-star tackle Martez Ivey, Little’s potential is All-SEC caliber.

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 280 pounds (Allen, Texas)
Notable offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma

2. Rashan Gary, DT, Five-star (uncommitted)

Alabama assistant and lead recruiter Mario Cristobal has been tracking this dominant interior defensive lineman for some time, a New Jersey native who spoke with several members of Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State in January. Almost all major Power 5s are in on Gary, potentially the top defender in next year’s class.

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 285 pounds (Scotch Plains, N.J.)
Notable offers: Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame

3. Jacob Eason, QB, Five-star (Georgia)

Considered the nation’s top pro-style quarterback in 2016, Eason’s the perfect fit for Brian Schottenheimer’s offense in Georgia if his commitment sticks. Mike Bobo originally lured Eason to Athens, but the Bulldogs have made sure to keep in touch after his departure to Colorado State. Jim Harbaugh wants him bad.

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 205 (Lake Stevens, Wa.)
Notable offers: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee

4. Derrick Brown, DT, Five-star (uncommitted)

Georgia has the early edge for this in-state product, a run-stopping force who would give the Bulldogs back-to-back signings of arguably the nation’s top-ranked interior defensive lineman (Trent Thompson, 2015). The South’s No. 1 player entering the unofficial start of the 2016 cycle, Brown has tremendous strength and an excellent initial step off the snap.

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 309 pounds (Buford, Ga.)
Notable offers: Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Florida

5. Malik Henry, QB, Five-star (Florida State commit)

Gus Malzahn wants this guy to run his offense, as does Butch Jones at Tennessee. For now, Henry is a Florida State commit looking to follow in Jameis Winston’s footsteps as a prolific pocket passer in the ACC. The top player in the state of California recently transferred to football power IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., home to three other prospects in the Top 20 for 2016. Henry is ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback behind Georgia commit Jacob Eason.

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
Notable offers: Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas

Rounding out the Top 20 SEC targets for 2016

  • 6) Salvion Smith, CB, Five-star (Bradenton, Fla): uncommitted
  • 7) Julian Rochester, DT, Five-star (Powder Springs, Ga.): uncommitted
  • 8) Keion Joyner, LB, Five-star (Havelock, N.C.): uncommitted
  • 9) Edwin Alexander, DT, Five-star (Hammond, La.): uncommitted
  • 10) Patrick Hudson, OT, Five-star (Silsbee, Texas): Baylor commit
  • 11) Ben Cleveland, OT, Five-star (Toccoa, Ga.): Georgia commit
  • 12) Jawon Pass, QB, Five-star (Columbia, Ga.): uncommitted
  • 13) Shavar Manuel, DE, Five-star (Bradenton, Fla.): uncommitted
  • 14) Isaac Nauta, TE, Five-star (Bradenton, Fla.): Florida State commit
  • 15) Jauan Williams, OT, Four-star (Washington, D.C.): uncommitted
  • 16) Dexter Lawrence, DT, Four-star (Wake Forest, N.C.): uncommitted
  • 17) Tavien Feaster, RB, Four-star (Spartanburg, S.C.): uncommitted
  • 18) Willie Allen, OT, Four-star (New Orleans, La.): uncommitted
  • 19) Javon Kinlaw, OT, Four-star (Goose Creek, S.C.): uncommitted
  • 20) Kareem Walker, RB, Four-star (Wayne, N.J.): Ohio State commit