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National Signing Day 2016: Ranking and grading each SEC football recruiting class

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 3, 2016; Gordo, AL, USA; Gordo High School linebacker Ben Davis fields questions after committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama during national signing day at Gordo High School. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Gordo, AL, USA; Gordo High School linebacker Ben Davis fields questions after committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama during national signing day at Gordo High School. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers helmet lays on the sidelines against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Florida Gators 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers helmet lays on the sidelines against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Florida Gators 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into National Signing Day, it looked like the LSU Tigers would land the consensus No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, which would give them the recruiting national title for the first time since 2009.

LSU signed a grand total of 18 players ranked among the top 300 prospects in the country according to 247Sports, and 19 were ranked in the ESPN300, which ties the 2014 Alabama class for the most all-time, but the Tigers fell short over the top spot after missing out on a couple of high-profile players at the last minute.

Still, head coach Les Miles and his coaching staff put together one of the SEC’s best classes and ranked in the top three nationally thanks to the late addition of five-star cornerback Kristian Fulton.

Instant Impact Performer: LB Michael Divinity

The LSU depth chart is loaded on both sides of the football heading into 2016, with 18 starters returning from last season’s 9-3 squad. However, the Tigers have a long history of playing true freshmen under head coach Les Miles, and especially on defense. Plus, the linebacker position was the largest area of need for the Tigers following the graduations of Lamar Lewis and Deion Jones.

With two starting spots open, expect early enrollee Michael Divinity to compete for a spot in the linebacker rotation this spring.

Underrated Signee: WR Da’Monte Coxie DE Caleb Roddy

Until he de-committed from the Tigers on the eve of National Signing Day, this spot went to three-star wide receiver Da’Monte Coxie, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound wide receiver ranked No. 91 nationally at his position and No. 579 overall with a great deal of upside. However, Coxie’s defection opened a spot for defensive end, Caleb Roddy.

One of just three three-star prospects headed to Baton Rouge, Roddy has great size for a defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, and could move inside later in his career if he adds additional weight. Though he ranks No. 398 overall, Roddy received 22 offers, including eight from LSU’s SEC rivals.

Unanswered Question: Is Lindsay Scott the answer at quarterback?

LSU landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country this year, but there is one glaring weakness: the quarterback position.

The Tigers had Feliepe Franks on board until he decomitted in November before eventually signing with Florida and enrolling early in Gainesville. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound four-star signal caller is ranked No. 5 among pro-style QBs in the 2016 class, and would have provided excellent depth behind Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings before likely taking over as the team’s starter in 2018.

Instead, Franks will compete for the Gators’ quarterback job, and will eventually play against the Tigers instead of for them. And, making matters worse, LSU did not find a quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class to fill his shoes until landing 5-foot-11, 205-pound Lindsay Scott less than a week before Signing Day.

Scott, a three-star prospect ranked among the top 25 dual-threat QBs in the country, certainly has potential. However, he’s a big step down from Franks in terms of overall talent.

Complete 2016 LSU Football Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: Overall, there are few complaints surrounding the nation’s highest rated talent crop, but not landing a top-flight quarterback is the only thing keeping the 2016 LSU recruiting class from receiving an A+ grade.

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