Having an elite pass rusher at defensive end can change the outlook of a program and defense in a hurry. Aside from quarterback, give me a dominant pass rusher who can get after the quarterback in the backfield.

Here are the SEC’s top five defensive end signees:

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings.

1. Byron Cowart, Auburn (Seffner, FL)
The Skinny: Byron Cowart already looks like an NFL player. His 6-4, 250-pound frame just oozes potential, and he was a monster in high school. Cowart will see early playing time in Will Muschamp’s defense, and he’s the ideal candidate for Muschamp’s hybrid linebacker/defensive end Buck. Cowart’s upside looks great, but some have questioned his drive and motor of wanting to be great.

2. CeCe Jefferson, Florida (Glen Saint Mary, FL)
The Skinny: Granted, CeCe Jefferson hasn’t signed with Florida yet, but it’s imminent. Jefferson is the prototypical pass rusher, and he’s the perfect fit for Geoff Collins’ defense. Jefferson is also over 19 years old, and that concerns some naysayers. Jefferson missed most of his senior season due to a shoulder injury, and some have said he would have been the No. 1 player in the 2015 recruiting class if he had finished.

3. Kyle Phillips, Tennessee (Nashville, TN)
The Skinny: Kyle Phillips just added to an already very good Tennessee defensive line. Phillips playing opposite Derek Barnett for the future is downright scary. Phillips was elevated to a fifth star by many following his dominant showing at the Army All-American Game. Phillips is an early enrollee, and he’ll get his feet wet this spring. Tennessee hopes he’ll make a major impact in 2015.

4. Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia (Tucker, GA)
The Skinny: The former Alabama commit is already enrolled at Georgia, and Jeremy Pruitt has to be licking his chops using Jonathan Ledbetter in 2015. Ledbetter is very strong and very quick at the point of attack, and he’s the prototypical 3-4 defensive end. Ledbetter also played tight end in high school, and it shows what type of athlete he truly is. Georgia signed a great one in Ledbetter, and he’ll be the cornerstone of the Dawgs’ defensive line for the next few years.

5. Arden Key, LSU (Atlanta, GA)
The Skinny: The biggest flip flopper of the 2015 recruiting class, Arden Key eventually settled on LSU and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. Key knows playing time is available early, and he’ll look to make an immediate impact. His 6-5, 230-pound frame is ready to add another 25 pounds and become an elite defensive end.

SEC’s top five signees by position breakdown: