An overall look at how the seven schools in the Southeastern Conference Western Division fared Wednesday on Signing Day.
ALABAMA
National rankings (Rivals 1; Scout 1).
Best in class: DE Da’Shawn Hand of Woodbridge, Va., could bring a pass rushing prowess that Saban has been seeking. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder collected 56 sacks during his four-year high school career.
Best of the rest: LB Rashaan Evans, OL Cam Robinson, ATH Bo Scarbrough, OL Dominick Jackson and CBs Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey are also five-star prospects, according to at least one service.
Late addition: For the second straight year, Alabama raided rival Auburn’s backyard for a high-profile linebacker. Evans joined Reuben Foster in leaving Auburn High School for Tuscaloosa. “As soon as Rashaan committed to us, Reuben Foster called me and absolutely said that he was a much better recruiter than I was and he was really responsible for that,” Saban said.
One that got away: There weren’t many important targets the Tide whiffed on. They made a late run for Miami commitment (and signee) Chad Thomas, a five-star defensive end.
ARKANSAS
National rankings: (Rivals 29; Scout 32).
Best in class: Bijhon Jackson, DT, El Dorado, Ark.
Best of the rest: Kendrick Edwards, WR, Miami, Fla.; Cole Hedlund, K, Argyle, Texas; Frank Ragnow, OT, Chanhassen, Minn.; Brian Wallace, OT, Florissant, Mo.
Late addition: JoJo Robinson, WR, Miami, Fla.
One that got away: Solomon Thomas, DE, Coppell, Texas.
NOTE: “Brian might have been one of our more heavily recruited kids. He’s a very talented young man with nothing but upside in front of him. He has the potential to maybe help us right away.” — Arkansas coach Bret Bielema on OT Brian Wallace.
AUBURN
National rankings (Rivals 9; Scout 9).
Best in class: RB Roc Thomas is a top-15 overall recruit by both Rivals and Scout. He could compete with Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne to replace Heisman Trophy finalist Tre Mason in the backfield. “We really feel like he’s got the ability to come in immediately and make a huge impact,” Malzahn said.
Best of the rest: Five-star WR D’haquille Williams, who is already enrolled, was Rivals’ No. 1 junior college prospect. LB Tre’ Williams is another five-star recruit who was rated one of the nation’s top two linebackers by several recruiting sites. Both play positions where Auburn has immediate needs.
Late additions: Auburn picked up two more big men on signing day. Braden Smith of Olathe, Kan., was rated the nation’s top guard by Scout. Auburn targeted him hard after Greg Robinson left for the NFL draft. Auburn beat out Clemson and Georgia for Andrew Williams, rated as the No. 12 defensive end by 247Sports and Rivals.
One that got away: Auburn High School five-star linebacker Rashaan Evans chose Alabama in another signing-day announcement. He would have been Auburn’s top-rated signee if he had signed with his hometown school.
LSU
National rankings: (Rivals 2; Scout 2).
Best in class: Leonard Fournette, RB, New Orleans, La.
Best of the rest: Malachi Dupre, WR, River Ridge, La.
Late addition: Travonte Valentine, DT, Hialeah, Fla.
One that got away: Cameron Robinson, OL, West Monroe, La. (Alabama)
NOTE: Les Miles on Leonard Fournette: “The inhibitor for a running back is he is big and doesn’t have great speed or he has speed and is not quite big enough. So, you have to work on his speed or build him up. Leonard Fournette has both size and speed. He has ball skills and great vision. He is a guy who will step in and play.”
OLE MISS
National rankings (Rivals 18; Scout 14).
Best in class: Rod Taylor, OL, Jackson, Miss. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Under Armour All-American could help the Rebels right away on the offensive line. He was the consensus top-rated recruit in Mississippi and among the nation’s top interior offensive linemen.
Best of the rest: Breeland Speaks, DL, Jackson, Miss.; Markell Pack, WR, Purvis, Miss. Speaks and Pack will be expected to compete for playing time quickly. Pack could help fill the void left by WR Donte Moncrief, who declared for the NFL Draft.
Late addition: Tee Shepard, DB, Fresno, Calif. The Rebels surprised many by landing one of the nation’s top junior college defensive backs. He could help immediately at a spot the Rebels need some depth. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Shepard has some work to do academically, but the coach is optimistic he can be eligible next season.
One that got away: Malachi Dupre, WR, New Orleans. The Rebels wanted Dupre, but it was always a long shot to lure the star receiver from LSU.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
National rankings: (Rivals 41; Scout 39)
Best in class: Aeris Williams, RB, West Point, Miss. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Williams rushed for nearly 4,000 yards during his prep career and could help the Bulldogs’ backfield immediately.
Best of the rest: Gerri Green, LB, Greenville, Miss.; Jamoral Graham, WR, Decatur, Miss. Mississippi State hopes Green is the latest in a long line of quality linebackers in Starkville.
Late addition: Cory Thomas, DL, Bessemer, Ala. The Bulldogs were able to add some depth along the defensive line with Thomas. The 6-foot-5, 273-pounder was also considering Tennessee.
One that got away: Tee Shepard, DB, Fresno, Calif. Mississippi State thought it had a great shot at Shepard, who was one of the nation’s top junior college defensive backs. He ended up signing with rival Mississippi.
TEXAS A&M
National rankings (Rivals 6; Scout 5).
Best in class: QB Kyle Allen.
Best of the rest: DE Myles Garrett.
Late addition: Zaycoven Henderson, DT, Longview, Texas.
One that got away: Mattrell McGraw, DB, New Orleans.
Note: One member of Texas A&M’s recruiting class will never play a down of football for the Aggies. Dallas Skyline cornerback Cedric Collins committed to the Aggies before his junior year in 2012, but discovered at the end of that season that he had a rare congenital cervical problem and couldn’t continue his football career. The Aggies chose to give him a scholarship anyway, and Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said the decision was about “honoring commitments.”
— Associated Press
