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National Signing Day 2016: SEC football winners and losers

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 3, 2016; Buford, GA, USA; Lanier High School defensive tackle Derrick Brown commits to the Auburn Tigers at Auburn University during national signing day at Lanier High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Buford, GA, USA; Lanier High School defensive tackle Derrick Brown commits to the Auburn Tigers at Auburn University during national signing day at Lanier High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver John Diarse (9) celebrates with head coach Les Miles (R) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at NRG Stadium. The Tigers won 56-27. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver John Diarse (9) celebrates with head coach Les Miles (R) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at NRG Stadium. The Tigers won 56-27. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: LSU Tigers

From winner to loser to winner again. National Signing Day 2016 was a wild ride for the LSU Tigers.

The Tigers entered February with the No. 1 ranked class in the nation, thanks in large part to their ability to completely dominate the state of Louisiana in one of the best possible years to do so. Of the 22 players to sign with LSU, 11 were in-state prospects rated as four-star prospects and the Bayou Bengals ended up with nine of the top ten prospects from Louisiana.

However, there were a few weak spots. As solid as the 2016 LSU recruiting class is, there are no elite five-star prospects. Also, the Tigers lost longtime commitment and four-star quarterback Feliepe Franks to Florida in January, which left a big hole in a position of great need. LSU added three-star QB Lindsay Scott shortly before Signing Day, but Scott isn’t nearly as talented as Franks at this point.

And, Signing Day itself was a bit of a rocky road. First came the news Tuesday night that three-star wide receiver Da’Monte Coxie was de-committing from the class. Wednesday morning, LSU missed out on top ten cornerback prospects Trayvon Mullen, who chose Clemson instead, and Shyheim Carter, who picked Alabama.

Then, the Tigers received news that outside linebacker Erick Fowler, ranked No. 7 among the nation’s outside linebackers and No. 75 overall, flipped to Texas.

LSU lost its grip on the No. 1 ranking, and in the early afternoon fell to No. 3 behind Florida State and Ohio State. Finally, Alabama’s strong finish pushed the Crimson Tide ahead of LSU and into the top spot.

But, late in the day, LSU landed its highest rated recruit, and only five-star: No. 21 overall player and No. 2 cornerback Kristian Fulton. The Tigers finished a solid No. 4 nationally and second in the SEC.

Next: Georgia

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