It’s been almost a year since the SEC’s 14 member schools finalized their 2014 recruiting classes, 11 of which ranked in the top 30 in the 247Sports industry rankings.

But how many of those classes lived up to the hype in their first year in the SEC? In an effort to answer that very question, Saturday Down South assigned grades to all 14 recruiting classes based on their performances in 2014.

To clarify, these grades were awarded based on the impact the class made on the field in 2014, not based on the quality of the class. Players who redshirted were not factored into these grades, nor were the relative non-contributors from every class. If a team had a small number of contributors (relatively speaking) from its 2014 class, it was reflected in that team’s grade.

Now that you know the general rules, let’s jump right in:

ALABAMA: A

Key 2014 contributors: Cameron Robinson, Da’Shawn Hand, Tony Brown, Rashaan Evans, JK Scott, Jarran Reed (JUCO), D.J. Pettway (JUCO)
Breakdown: The Crimson Tide’s No. 1-rated recruiting class had more immediate impact players than most, aiding in yet another run to the conference title. Robinson stepped in right away as a starter on the Crimson Tide offensive line and held his own for a line that allowed the third-fewest sacks in the SEC. Junior college transfers Reed and Pettway each helped Alabama boast the SEC’s No. 1 run defense, and Scott established himself as one of the best punters in the nation in his first season in Tuscaloosa. Hand, a top 10 recruit in the 2014 class, broke into a deep defensive line rotation and added 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Brown and Evans combined to 24 tackles, including 3.0 for loss.

ARKANSAS: C

Key 2014 contributors: Sebastian Tretola (JUCO), Jared Cornelius, Khalia Hackett, Bijhon Jackson,
Breakdown: The Razorbacks didn’t have many immediate contributors in their 2014 class, but the ones who did see the field often earned their keep. Tretola asserted himself as one of the best interior offensive linemen in the conference, and he even threw a touchdown pass this season. Cornelius showed flashes of brilliance at wide receiver in the Hogs’ run-heavy offense, and has the potential to be the team’s No. 1 wideout before his career ends. Hacket and Jackson each broke into the defensive rotation, combining to make 19 tackles as part of a veteran-laden unit.

AUBURN: C+

Key 2014 contributors: D’haquille Williams (JUCO), Roc Thomas, Derrick Moncrief (JUCO)
Breakdown: Auburn returned an experienced group in 2014 as it aimed to defend its 2013 conference title, and very few signees from last year’s recruiting class saw significant time as a result. Williams was far and away the stud of the class, establishing himself as one of the most exciting playmakers on the outside in the conference. Thomas sat behind two senior tailbacks but still saw limited time in the backfield, proving Gus Malzahn thinks he could be the future of the Tigers run game. Moncrief got plenty of run in the Auburn secondary, but has yet to develop into the playmaker many thought he’d be this season.

FLORIDA: C-

Key 2014 contributors: Treon Harris, Jalen Tabor, Gerald Willis III, Brandon Powell, Quincy Wilson
Breakdown: Florida took a step in the right direction in 2014 on the heels of a disastrous 2013, and many of the Gators 2014 signees played a big role in that turnaround. Harris took over as the starting quarterback sooner than expected, and with limited responsibilities in the passing game he threw for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns against four interceptions (although he completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes). He also ran for 332 yards and three scores. Tabor was an instant contributor in the Gators secondary, logging an interception, nine passes defended, a forced fumble, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Wilson also contributed an interception, a forced fumble and three passes defended to a secondary that served as one of Florida’s strengths in 2014. Willis, who has since announced he will transfer, recorded 14 tackles and a forced fumble in his lone season in Gainesville. Powell amassed 217 total yards and two touchdowns as a versatile weapon on offense.

GEORGIA: A

Key 2014 contributors: Nick Chubb, Lorenzo Carter, Sony Michel, Jeb Blazevich, Malkom Parrish, Isaiah McKenzie, Dominick Sanders
Breakdown: The Bulldogs might have gotten more out of their 2014 recruiting class than any other team in the SEC, earning the only A+ in the conference. Chubb was the SEC’s second-leading rusher in 2014 despite only starting eight of Georgia’s 13 games, and Michel managed to rush for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns as the team’s third-string back. Blazevich is already regarded as one of the conference’s best tight ends, McKenzie one of the conference’s best kick returners, and Carter one of the best young pass rushers. Sanders logged three interceptions in his first year in the SEC, and Parrish added 17 tackles and a forced fumble to make his presence felt in the secondary.

KENTUCKY: B

Key 2014 contributors: Boom Williams, A.J. Stamps (JUCO), Mikel Horton, C.J. Johnson, Dorian Baker, Garrett Johnson, Ryan Flannigan (JUCO)
Breakdown: Kentucky relied heavily on its 2014 recruiting class as it continues to build its program from the ground up, and a handful of players rose to the challenge in 2014. Williams was as exciting a playmaker as any in the SEC, although his abilities and a rusher, receiver and returner were overshadowed by a bevy of other star freshmen tailbacks. Stamps logged more interceptions by himself than Kentucky’s entire secondary did in 2013, and Flannigan overtook Khalid Henderson for a starting outside linebacker spot with his tremendous talent. Horton added 306 yards and two touchdowns as one of four primary backs on the team. Baker and Garrett Johnson combined to catch 41 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns in an emerging Air Raid offense. C.J. Johnson proved himself to be among the best young pass rushers on the team, and earned more playing time as the season progressed.

LSU: B

Key 2014 contributors: Leonard Fournette, Malachi Dupre, Jamal Adams, Brandon Harris, Darrel Williams, Davon Godchaux
Breakdown: The Tigers boasted one of the best recruiting classes in the nation in 2014, and that class began paying dividends immediately for a young LSU squad. Fournette, the No. 1 player in the class of 2014, was one of only seven players in the SEC to rush for 1,000 this season, emerging as the season progressed. Dupre was second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and Adams broke into the starting lineup at safety and logged 66 tackles (5.0 for loss) and five passes defended. Williams added 300 yards and three touchdowns as the team’s fourth tailback, and Godchaux was eighth on the team with 42 tackles. Harris, a four-star quarterback prospect, made one start and saw time in seven other games, throwing six touchdowns against just two interceptions.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: D

Key 2014 contributors: Jamoral Graham
Breakdown: Mississippi State was among the most experienced teams in the SEC in 2014, and it did not rely much on its 2014 recruiting class. Graham, a four-star wide receiver prospect, spent most of the season returning kicks and punts and was inconsistent in that role. Many of the Bulldogs other top recruits redshirted, and the D the Bulldogs earned was not for the lack of quality recruits, but for the lack of early-impact players.

MISSOURI: D+

Key 2014 contributors: Kenya Dennis (JUCO), Ish Witter, Thomas Wilson, Nate Brown
Breakdown: Missouri was yet another veteran team more reliant on veterans than young talent in 2014. Dennis, a junior college transfer, was able to step in right away and contribute from his safety position. He finished sixth on the team in tackles with 61, 4.5 of which were for loss, and he added nine passes defended for the reigning East Division champs. Witter sat behind the two-headed tailback monster that was Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy, but still managed to rush for more than 100 yards and a touchdown on the year. Wilson added 17 tackles as a reserve safety, and Brown caught five passes for 45 yards as a reserve in a woeful passing offense.

OLE MISS: C-

Key 2014 contributors: Marquis Haynes (JUCO), Markell Pack, Fahn Cooper (JUCO), Jeremy Liggins (JUCO), Gary Wunderlich
Breakdown: Few teams in the SEC have recruited as well as Hugh Freeze and the Rebels since he arrived at Ole Miss in 2012. His 2014 class once again ranked in the top 20 in the nation, and a handful of stars from the class made a huge impact on the Rebels’ nine-win season this year. Haynes ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in sack total with 7.5 on the year, although he only ranked third among SEC freshman in that category. Pack made his presence felt as the Rebels primary punt returner, and he grew more comfortable in that role as the season continued. Cooper stepped in right away and started for an offensive line in desperate need of reinforcements aside from Laremy Tunsil. Liggins converted from quarterback to tight end and fullback, and served as the key cog in the Rebels’ power running game. Wunderlich made 6 of 8 field goal tries and all 20 of his extra point attempts.

SOUTH CAROLINA: D

Key 2014 contributors: Bryson Allen-Williams, Chris Lammons, Al Harris Jr.
Breakdown: Many of the key contributors from South Carolina’s 2014 recruiting class played on the defensive side of the ball, which was a glaring weakness for the Gamecocks this season. Allen-Williams cracked the rotation at linebacker and recorded 27 tackles, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble as a capable run-stopper with modest pass rushing abilities. Lammons and Harris combined to make 42 tackles from the secondary, although the two combined to record just one pass breakup all season.

TENNESSEE: B+

Key 2014 contributors: Derek Barnett, Jalen Hurd, Von Pearson (JUCO), Todd Kelly Jr., Evan Berry, Ethan Wolf, Aaron Medley, Josh Malone
Breakdown: Tennessee began infusing its young talent into the lineup, and that young talent played a major role in leading the Vols to their first bowl win since the 2007 season. Barnett was one of two SEC freshman to break Jadeveon Clowney’s former freshman sack record this season, and Hurd was fourth among freshman tailbacks in the conference with 899 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season. Pearson was second on the team with 38 catches for 393 yards and five touchdowns, and Malone added 23 catches for 231 yards and another touchdown as a big-play threat still adjusting to the speed of the college game. Medley made 20 of 26 field goal tries, Berry established himself as one of the most explosive kick returners in the conference, Wolf showed a greater combination of physicality and pass-catching ability than any other tight end in the league and Kelly was second on the team with three interceptions.

TEXAS A&M: A

Key 2014 contributors: Myles Garrett, Speedy Noil, Kyle Allen, Ricky Seals-Jones, Otaro Alaka, Armani Watts, Josh Reynolds (JUCO)
Breakdown: Texas A&M overcame the loss of three first round NFL Draft picks by replacing those former stars with loads of talent from the 2014 class. Garrett set a new freshman sack record in the conference with 11.5 on the year, and fellow defenders Otaro Alaka and Armani Watts made their presence known by season’s end. Alaka only recorded 33 tackles on the season from his linebacker position, but 28 of those came in A&M’s final six games. Watts led the team with three interceptions and was the only Aggie to record more than one pick on the year. Kyle Allen took over as the starting quarterback midway through the season and led A&M to a 3-2 record while throwing for 13 touchdowns against five interceptions. Reynolds stepped in and immediately led the team in receiving with 52 catches for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns (which ranks top 5 in the nation), and Noil added 46 catches for 583 yards and five touchdowns while also contributing as a kickoff and punt returner. Seals-Jones caught 49 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns, good for fourth on the team in those categories.

VANDERBILT: D-

Key 2014 contributors: Dallas Rivers, Wade Freebeck, Tre Tarpley
Breakdown: The Commodores took a major step back in 2014, and their 2014 recruiting class made little impact in the process. Freebeck was one of four quarterbacks to start a game for Vanderbilt in 2014, and he completed just 47 percent of his passes with one touchdown against five interceptions. Rivers ran for 218 yards and two scores as the backup tailback to Ralph Webb, although he averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry in doing so. Tarpley led all Vandy true freshmen in tackles with 18 on the year.