Winners and Losers on National Signing Day

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Winner

3. Auburn Tigers

Rivals Class Rank: No. 6

The Alabama Crimson Tide may have felt like losers on National Signing Day, but across the state, a school with a lower ranked recruiting class still came across as a winner. Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers had a huge day and were just one recruit away from having the best Signing Day in history.

Still, nailing the best player in the country, 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart, was a huge deal, and for Malzahn to beef up his defensive line immediately like that is exciting. Add in Wide Receivers Ryan Davis, Javarius Davis, and Darius Slayton, linebacker Jeffery Holland, and offensive lineman Mike Horton, and you have got yourself a heck of a class.

Auburn put together a deep class, a talented class, and a class that will only make Malzahn more lethal with his brilliant coaching. Remember, Alabama wins with recruiting. Auburn wins with a great system. But add great recruits to cover up the deficiencies in that great system, and you have a recipe for a very scary team.

Heck, that is what Urban Meyer has been doing for years, and it brought him three national championships. Malzahn could be on the way to doing the same thing.

This Signing Day was a heck of a start, even if they did lose out on CeCe Jefferson and Martez Ivey.

Next: No. 3 Ranked Loser: Texas Longhorns