Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leads his team to the field before the 2016 CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leads his team to the field before the 2016 CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban continues to cement his status as the nation’s best recruiters and its strongest closer. The 2016 Alabama recruiting class was ranked No. 8 in the country and fifth in the SEC less than a week prior to National Signing Day, yet the Crimson Tide shot up the rankings past LSU and fellow late-charger Florida State to land the No. 1 overall class according to the 247Sports Composite.

Not only was Alabama a “winner” Wednesday, the defending national champions earned the top-ranked class on Signing Day for an unprecedented sixth consecutive season.

Alabama’ meteoric rise began with the commitment of Nigel Knott, who announced his plan to cross the state line from Mississippi two days before Signing Day. The Crimson Tide added a second four-star standout from the Magnolia State Tuesday by luring longtime Mississippi State lead Scott Lashley to Alabama.

Wednesday the Tide added five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Mack Wilson, as well as four-star defensive lineman Terrell Hall and corner Shyheim Carter. All four players were ranked among the nation’s top 75 recruits with Davis coming in as the No. 1 inside linebacker and Wilson as the No. 2 outside linebacker.

Overall, Alabama brought in 16 new signees to join the seven early enrollees already on campus. All told, the Crimson Tide landed three five-star prospects, 14 four-stars, and a total of nine players ranked among the top 100 high schoolers in the nation.

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide