After a lackluster linebacker 2016 recruiting class in which SEC teams signed only seven of the top 30 prospects, conference teams placed a priority on blue-chip prospects at the position, and it shows. SEC teams dominated the position in the 2017 class, with five teams landing seven of the top 10 linebackers.

In typical Alabama fashion, the Crimson Tide dominated the blue-chip linebacker haul. Nick Saban (and linebacker coach Tosh Lupoi, an ace recruiter) landed four of the top 11 linebackers in this year’s class: No. 2 Dylan Moses, No. 7 VanDarius Cowan, No. 9 Markail Benton and No. 11 Christopher Allen.

The SEC nearly swept the the top five linebackers, with LSU (No. 3 Jacob Phillips), Texas A&M (No. 4 Anthony Hines) and Mississippi State (No. 5 Willie Gay) getting in on the action to join Alabama (Moses). For those wondering, the No. 1 linebacker, Baron Browning, is from the SEC footprint (Kennedale, Texas) but signed with Ohio State.

UGA landed the trio of No. 14 Jaden Hunter, No. 15 Nate McBride and No. 19 Walter Grant for second most blue-chip linebackers behind Alabama. LSU (Phillips, No. 23 Tyler Taylor), Auburn (No. 10 Tadarian Moultry, No. 28 Kenney Britt), and Texas A&M (Hines, No. 31 Santonio Marchiol) all managed multiple blue-chip signees.

Ole Miss and Tennessee join MSU as teams with only one blue-chip linebacker signee. The Rebels landed No. 25 Bree Dixon in their class while No. 30 Will Ignont is among the Volunteers’ signees.

The 2017 SEC linebacker class featured 16 4- or 5-star signees. Only one class from the past five boasts more blue-chippers. Here’s how those classes rank, potentially offering some insight into what to expect from the latest class:

1. 2012

With Reggie Ragland, Ryan Anderson, Kwon Alexander and Leonard Floyd all in the same class, 2012 is head and shoulders above the rest. As usual, Alabama dominated, signing four of the top 12 (No. 2 Ragland, No. 8 Anderson, No. 11 Dillon Lee and No. 12 Tyler Haynes).

Florida’s Marcus Maye was the No. 14 linebacker of the class, but ended moving to strong safety for the Gators and is expected to get an opportunity at that position in the NFL. While the SEC signed 20 blue-chippers from the class, one of the class’ 3-star products, Deion Jones, made the NFL’s 2016 All-Rookie team.

2. 2013

Another class headlined by signees from Alabama. This time it’s No. 2 Reuben Foster and No. 4 Jonathan Allen at the top of the class — though Allen transitioned to defensive end in college. After successful careers in Tuscaloosa, both will find out their professional future in this spring’s NFL Draft. It’s a big loss to UA’s front seven, but this is why Saban signs top linebackers year after year.

For Florida’s Alex Anzalone, his college career is four years of what might have been. The injury bug shortened the No. 5 linebacker’s season in 2012, 2015 and ’16. When healthy, he can impress with his speed and athleticism. Hopefully he can stay healthy in the NFL.

Notable blue-chip standouts from the class include LSU’s Kendell Beckwith, Tennessee’s Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham. The class had notable 3-star signees in Florida’s Jarrad Davis and Tennessee’s Corey Vereen (moved to defensive line).

3. 2015

Fourteen blue-chip linebackers pledged to SEC teams in 2015, and nearly half (six) signed with Alabama or Auburn. The Tigers landed No. 10 Jeffery Holland, No. 17 Darrell Williams, No. 20 Richard McBryde and No. 29 Montavius Atkinson. The Crimson Tide signed No. 16 Adonis Thomas and No. 25 Joshua McMillon.

The group of 14 blue-chippers is book-ended by Georgia signees, No. 5 Roquan Smith and No. 36 Gary McCrae. No signees from the class made the 2016 All-SEC team, but that should change in Year 3.

4. 2014

There were 12 blue-chip signees in this class, and four went to the Crimson Tide. Alabama led the way by signing No. 1 Rashaan Evans, No. 5 Christian Miller, No. 8 Ronnie Clark and No. 26 Shaun Dion Hamilton.

The only other teams with multiple blue-chip signees this class were Tennessee (No. 12 Dillon Bates, No. 31 Gavin Bryant) and Texas A&M (No. 17 Otaro Alaka, No. 29 Josh Walker).

Auburn’s Tre Williams was No. 2 on the team in tackles last season.

5. 2016

Last year was the only time in the past five years that the blue-chip total for linebacker signees hit single digits (8). It’s no surprise that Alabama still managed to do well, signing No. 1 Ben Davis and No. 3 Mack Wilson.

The Crimson Tide was the only team to land multiple blue-chip signees. LSU (No. 7 Michael Divinity), Texas A&M (No. 20 Aaron Hansford), Tennessee (No. 24 Daniel Bituli), Georgia (No. 27 Jaleel Laguins), Florida (No. 30 Jeremiah Moon) and Kentucky (No. 31 Kash Daniel) all picked up one each.

Maybe the 2016 class’ 3-star signees will surprise everybody and make up for the lack of 4- or 5-star prospects. For now, however, it looks like a lackluster class compared to the others.