No matter what recruiting service at which you look, the SEC has as many as 10 programs in the top-25 and seven in the top-14 of the 2015 rankings.

While you may or may not put a lot of stock into rankings, there’s no question the SEC recruits better than any other conference in the country.

With National Signing Day less than a month away, Saturday Down South looks at the top 20 prospects at each position group and how many will or could play for SEC teams in 2015.

Editor’s Note: Below is a list of the consensus top 20 linebackers across all three major recruiting services: 247Sports, Rivals and Scout.

Linebackers: There are some potential star linebackers in the 2015 class. Currently, 40 percent of the top 20 players in the country are set to join SEC programs this offseason.

Uncommitted Targets: There are just two uncommitted prospects in the top 20. However, both are expected to join SEC teams.

Top 20 linebackers

1. Malik Jefferson, Texas — The five-star is the top linebacker in the country and chose Texas over several interested SEC teams.

2. Justin Hilliard, Ohio State — A product of Ohio power St. Xavier, Hilliard in athletic, rangy linebacker heading to Columbus.

3. Roquan Smith, uncommitted — Smith is a sought-after linebacker from central Georgia, and is expected to stay home and sign with Georgia.

4. Leo Lewis, Ole Miss — Lewis is a talented inside linebacker who will add a world of talent to Dave Wommack’s defense.

5. Jeffery Holland, uncommitted — Holland’s a prized prospect from the state of Florida deciding between Florida and Auburn.

6. Jahvoni Simmons, Virginia — The Cavaliers kept this Virginia Beach product at home.

7. Cameron Smith, USC — Smith’s a big, versatile linebacker capable of playing inside or outside. He’ll suit up for the Trojans.

8. Anthony Wheeler, Texas — Wheeler is a strong, physical linebacker from Dallas who is a huge pickup for Charlie Strong at Texas.

9. Darrin Kirkland, Jr., Tennessee — Kirkland is a versatile player joining a top-five class for the Volunteers.

10. Adonis Thomas, Alabama — At 6-foot-3.5, 229-pounds, Thomas joins a crowded linebacking corps for the Crimson Tide and likely will sit early.

11. Darrell Williams, Auburn — The Hoover, Ala., star played well at the Under Armour game and is college-ready. He could be an impact player early for the Tigers.

12. Richard McBryde, Auburn — McBryde heads to Auburn this summer and could use a year of development and maturation under Will Muschamp.

13. Nick Conner, Ohio State — Urban Meyer is keeping the sixth-rated inside linebacker at home in Ohio.

14. Joshua McMillon, Alabama — McMillon’s a big outside linebacker heading to Tuscaloosa.

15. Sh’mar Kilby-Lane, Florida State — The Hallendale, Fla., native is a solid prospect who develop into a good player in Tallahassee.

16. Chad Smith, Clemson — Smith is long and athletic at his outside linebacker position and will be a solid addition to the Clemson defense.

17. Kyahva Tezino, Washington State — Tezino is a bit undersized, but will be a good linebacker in the Pac-12.

18. Cameron Townsend, Texas — A solid four-star prospect, Townsend will add some athleticism to a physical Longhorns defense.

19. Eli Brown, Kentucky — The Bowling Green, Ken., native should develop into a great player under Mark Stoops.

20. Sherrod Pittman, South Carolina — Pittman is an athletic linebacker heading to South Carolina.

Recruiting by position