The SEC is a dominant force in the recruiting world, and have more high-ranked prospects that any other conference in the country. Which schools in the conference have the most talent as we head into the 2016 season? Here's who should be the top seven teams in the SEC, based on the talent they have on their roster from the past five recruiting classes.
7) Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee's recruiting has drasticall picked up over the past three years under head coach Butch Jones, picking up the No. 4, No. 7, and No. 14 recruiting classes in the country. All of that talent is expected to pay off this year as they mature into upperclassmen.
6) Texas A&M Aggies
A&M recorded two straight top-10 classes in 2013 and 2014, but the wins haven't followed the Aggies as that talent has matured. They're just 21-20 all-time in the SEC.
5) Florida Gators
Jim McElwain is a great recruiter in his own right as he brought in the No. 13 recruiting class in the country this season, but all of Florida's upperclassmen were part of three-straight top 10 classes brought in by former head coach Will Muschamp.
4) Auburn Tigers
Dismal 2015 season year aside, Auburn has as much talent as anyone. Head coach Gus Malzahn has brought in four-straight top 10 recruiting classes, which is why many expect them to rebound and compete for a SEC West title again in 2016.
3) Georgia Bulldogs
From a pure talent perspective, there's no reason why Georgia shouldn't win the SEC East this year. Every member on their roster has been part of a top 12 recruiting class, four of which have been in the top eight.
2) LSU Tigers
LSU's quarterback problems aside, head coach Les Miles has brought in elite talent at every other position. Their last four recruiting classes have all ranked in the top six nationally, and two of them have been top three classes.
1) Alabama Crimson Tide
What else can you say about Nick Saban? There's a big reason why Alabama has won four national championships over the past seven years - it's their streak of five-straight No. 1 recruiting classes. The Tide have more blue chip prospects than anyone, and it shows on the field.