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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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Sep 5, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Commonwealth Stadium before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Kentucky defeated Louisiana Lafayette 40-33. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Commonwealth Stadium before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Kentucky defeated Louisiana Lafayette 40-33. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has raised the talent level in Lexington in each of his first three seasons with the Wildcats, but the program is still searching for its first bowl bid since 2010. With 15 starters roughly a dozen steady contributors returning from last year’s 5-7 squad, 2016 could be a make-or-break season for Stoops and his coaching staff.

A few key pieces added from a solid though unspectacular 2016 recruiting class could finally push the Cats over the hump.

Instant Impact Performer: OT Tate Leavitt

Four players return that started seven games or more on the offensive line for Kentucky in 2015, but there will be plenty of opportunity for newcomers to push for early playing time next season. While tackle Landon Young and center Drake Johnson were both U.S. Army All-Americans and both rank among the top six players in the country at their respective positions, the player that has the inside track to start is junior college transfer, Tate Leavitt.

A 6-foot-6, 298-pound rising junior, Leavitt has two years of experience at Hutchinson Community College, which included practice sessions against South Carolina’s Marquavius Lewis and Arkansas’ Jeremiah Ledbetter. He’s a three-star prospect ranked No. 28 overall among JUCO transfers, and No. 5 among JUCO offensive tackles.

Underrated Signee: QB Stephen Johnson II

Following the transfer of Patrick Towles, Drew Barker is expected to be the starter behind center for the Wildcats in 2016, and assuming all goes well, in 2017 and 2018. Should Barker falter, the Wildcats would likely turn to junior college transfer Stephen Johnson II, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound dual threat signal caller that is already on campus and will participate in spring drills.

The former starter at Grambling State, Johnson accounted for 3,639 total yards of offense and 42 total touchdowns last season at College of the Desert. Johnson reportedly has speed in the 4.5-second range, and could potentially help at receiver if he can’t unseat Barker atop the depth chart.

Unanswered Question: Did Kentucky find the missing piece?

Stoops has stockpiled talent, and developing the players already on the roster will be the most important step towards bowl eligibility and eventually competing in the SEC East. However, adding a few JUCO players like Leavitt, Johnson and linebacker Jordan Bonner could potentially be the missing piece UK needed.

Complete 2016 Kentucky Football Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: The strength of the 2016 Kentucky recruiting class is the offensive line, which is a good sign as the Wildcats continue to build. UK also continued its good work with 13 signees from the talent-rich state of Ohio. While the 2016 recruiting class doesn’t have the star power Stoops and company brought to Lexington in 2014 and 2015, this could be a more well-rounded group that will pay off in the long run.

Next: Mississippi State

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