The SEC East continues to lag behind the West in recruiting (and results), but Kirby Smart did his best to try to shift the balance of power this season.

RELATED: Grading the 2016 recruiting classes for the SEC West

Georgia was the only SEC East program in the top 10, although Tennessee made an impressive late run.

How did we grade each SEC East team’s 2016 recruiting class based on meeting needs and overall talent?

Florida: B

247Sports Composite Rank: 13

For the first half of the season Florida was building the sort of momentum that looked like it would result in a top 5 class or better, but then Will Grier happened. The momentum the program lost on the field trickled down to its recruiting class. That being said four-star wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland is a stud and gives the Gators their first legitimate receiving threat in a couple of years. Flipping Joseph Putu from Arkansas was a surprise and could turn out to be fruitful, but losing Shavar Manuel hurts because Jim McElwain wants to establish the Gators as the top program for Tampa-area prospects. It was mixed bag on signing day for Florida. A good class that could have been great.

Georgia: A-

247Sports Composite Rank: 7

Kirby Smart pulled off some miracle with only about four weeks of work without the distractions of being Alabama’s defensive coordinator in a title game. Landing five-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. was a major get because the program needs more speed on the perimeter. The Bulldogs had to get more depth in the trenches and they did well with four-star defensive tackle Michail Carter and flipping three-star defensive lineman David Marshall from Alabama. Obviously having a five-star quarterback (Jacob Eason) in the recruiting class gives Georgia an extra boost in my opinion. Had the Bulldogs landed in-state prospects Derrick Brown (Auburn) or E.J. Price (USC) this class could have been great, but remember five-star wide receiver Demetris Robertson is still out there and he’s supposed to be visiting Georgia this weekend.

Kentucky: B

247Sports Composite Rank: 34

There wasn’t much for Kentucky to do on signing day other than watch the faxes roll in and hope for no headaches or controversy. With four-star offensive linemen Landon Young and Drake Jackson, the Wildcats got much needed depth up front for next season and Young has the potential to be a very good one down the line. Three-star running back Ben Snell and three-star athlete A.J. Rose are two other recruits that I really liked on film and think they could contribute immediately.

Missouri: C+

247Sports Composite Rank: 51

Without that big in-state centerpiece prospect like Dorial Green-Beckham or Terry Beckner Jr. to build around, it was going to be tough sledding for Barry Odom and his staff with just a few weeks on the job. Flipping three-star tight end Brendan Scales from Alabama is a bigger win for Mizzou than it is a loss for Alabama because Odom needed to prove he could take care of business with in-state prospects. The class could have added four-star defensive lineman Keyshon Camp, but when defensive line coach Chris Wilson left for the NFL, so went the school’s relationship with Camp. A little bad luck there, but the staff is already putting in good groundwork for 2017.

South Carolina: B

247Sports Composite Rank: 26

The Gamecocks needed a defensive tackle to close out their class and got a nice surprise with four-star Louisiana prospect Stephon Taylor, whom many pegged to be going to Texas. Will Muschamp filled as many other holes as he could and worked hard to keep the commitment of four-star quarterback Brandon McIlwain, who is enrolled on campus and ready for spring football. This is a strong recruiting staff and with a full season it will be interesting to see how much they can improve on this effort.

Tennessee: A-

247Sports Composite Rank: 14

The Volunteers were a Derrick Brown commitment from really having an impressive signing day (he chose Auburn). Finishing the class with four-star safety Nigel Warrior and four-star defensive end Jonathan Kongbo is strong. And pulling both four-star cornerback Tyler Byrd and three-star wide receiver Latrell Williams away from Miami coach Mark Richt in the final days proves that no matter where Richt goes he can’t escape being harassed by Tennessee. Another three-star prospect I think could develop into something special is offensive lineman Marcus Tatum. He’ll need a redshirt to gain weight, but he’s a very good left tackle prospect.

Vanderbilt: C-

247Sports Composite Rank: 54

It was tough for Vanderbilt to lose three-star defensive end/linebacker Bradlee Anae to Utah on signing day as they probably would have gained 5-7 spots in the rankings with that pickup and they really needed another pass-rushing prospect in the class. The wide receiver holes were filled, however, with three three-star prospects. Of the three I really think Jackson Winrow might be a little underrated as he’s a physical kid with good ball skills.