College Football Recruiting 2012: Power Ranking the Classes of the SEC

Now that the college football season is officially over, our entire focus should be on the recruiting process. Which top schools will get richer, and which surprising schools will make a run and land some of the top players in the country? Those are just some of the questions we'll be asking over the next couple of months.

The SEC is the conference that normally always does fairly well in recruiting because that's where a lot of the top players in the country are located. It's also a conference that includes schools that have great coaches and compete in BCS bowl games every season. It's a conference that attracts a lot of talent, to where even some of the schools that experience down seasons are still loaded with quality players.

As the recruiting process is heating up, here are the power rankings for each recruiting class in the SEC.

12. Kentucky

5 stars: Zero

4 stars: One

3 stars: 17

Kentucky may have the worst recruiting class right now in the SEC, but that doesn't mean they lack talent. Quarterback Patrick Towles has the ability to be a steal in this class, as he's a dual-threat quarterback and can absolutely kill you in the running game. He's a playmaker and could provide the Wildcats with some much-needed success.

Other notable names include: kicker Landon Foster, DT Thomas Chapman and OG Jordan Watson

11. Mississippi State

5 star: One

4 star: Three

3 star: 18

The Bulldogs had an extremely disappointing season last year, but if they're able to reel in recruiting classes like this, they'll be fine.

The top player Mississippi State picked up is a 6'2", 318-pound defensive tackle that goes by the name of Quay Evans. He's extremely athletic, and obviously, with his size, he's going to clog running lanes all day long.

Other solid players include Will Redmond, who was recruited as a cornerback, but with his speed and athleticism, he could play several other positions. This is a team that could make some noise in the next couple of years.

10. Mississippi

5 stars: One

4 stars: Two

3 stars: Eight

This would be a solid recruiting class if you were a school outside of the SEC, but when the other teams are more top-heavy, this is where the Rebels are for now. With that said, don't sleep on this team, as they've picked up some good defensive players and a solid running back in I'tavius Mathers.

They're top player is defensive end Channing Ward, who has a ton of athleticism and could become a beast as he continues to bulk up. It says a lot for him picking Mississippi considering he had offers from schools like Alabama and LSU. He's really the main reason the Rebels are inside the top 10, as he has the potential to be a difference maker.

9. Vanderbilt

5 star: Zero

4 star: Three

3 star: 15

Vanderbilt is making huge strides under head coach James Franklin, and this recruiting class continues to show that. Running back Brian Kimbrow is one of the fastest players in the country, and he turned down offers from several top programs to join this program.

Quarterback Patton Robinette could be one of the steals of this class. The kid has great size at 6'5", 200 pounds and throws a very pretty ball.

The Commodores have been an SEC doormat for quite some time. Things appear to be changing, as this team is clearly on the come-up.

8. Arkansas

5 star: Zero

4 star: Four

3 star: 17 

If Arkansas gets any more offensive weapons, they may end up breaking some type of NCAA rule. Seriously, just how many talented wide receivers does one team need to have?

I guess they don't think they have enough, as they added Jalen Cobb, Courtney Gardner and Keon Hatcher. All are playmakers. Running back Jonathan Williams was another good pickup, as he has a great combination of speed and power.

On the defensive side of the ball, they added a pair of talented defensive ends in Deatrich Wise and Taiwan Johnson.

7. Georgia

5 star: Two

4 star: Four

3 star: 11

Georgia already has a very young and talented team that just got even better. They landed one of the top running backs in this year's class in Keith Marshall. He has great acceleration, great field vision and is a flat out playmaker. You can expect to see him soon on the football field.

The Bulldogs also paid close attention to the defense, picking up players such as Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd.

You can put all of those fire Mark Richt rumors to rest, because this team will be winning quite a few games over the next several years.

6. Auburn

5 star: Zero

4 star: 10

3 star: Six

The player I'm looking most forward to hitting the field for Auburn is tight end Ricky Parks. This guy is a monster when he gets the ball in his hands and can get down the field in a hurry. He's a very important weapon for these young Tiger quarterbacks.

Other players include quarterback Zeke Pike, who has ridiculous size at 6'6", 225 pounds and superb arm strength.

On defense, Auburn landed a top middle linebacker in Cassanova McKinzey, cornerback Josh Holsey and defensive tackle Tyler Nero.

Auburn may never again experience the year they had with Cam Newton, but they could very well inch their way closer to a BCS National Championship with recruiting classes like this.

5. LSU

5 star: Zero

4 star: Eight

3 star: 10

LSU missed out on quarterback Gunner Kiel, but they do have a top prospect already on their team in Zach Mettenberger. I think he'll be just fine running the team. The Tigers did manage to land a top linebacker prospect in Torshio Davis, a solid cornerback in Derrick Raymond and a few good offensive linemen, including Vadal Alexander.

The Tigers may hurt a bit with a few key players leaving early for the NFL draft, but classes like this make it hard not to keep them as a favorite for a BCS National Championship.

4. Tennessee

5 star: Zero

4 star: 10

3 star: Six

Although the Volunteers have struggled the last few seasons, it hasn't been due to a lack of talent. This team recruits well, and this season is no different. Players like Davante Bourque are going to make a huge difference for this football team. Originally recruited for running back, he has the size to play linebacker, wide receiver or even linebacker.

They've also received a commitment from one of the top middle linebackers in Dalton Santos and one of the top safeties in Ladarrel McNeil. This is a team that's really on the rise.

3. South Carolina

5 star: One

4 star: Seven

3 star: 15

South Carolina is a team that's losing a top wide receiver in Alshon Jefferey, but will be able to replace him with Shaq Roland. They're also getting a healthy Marcus Lattimore and will be able to add another talented back to help him out in Mike Davis. 

With this talented class coming in and the talented players returning, the Gamecocks are a sleeper in the SEC next season.

Other notable names include: Joe Harris, Kwinton Smith and Brock Stadnik

2. Florida

5 star: Three

4 star: 10

3 star: Five

The Florida Gators may have had a disappointing first year under new head coach Will Muschamp, but you can bet those days are over. This class includes an absolute monster at defensive end in Jonathan Bullard, two top tight ends in Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson and a top cornerback in Brian Poole.

They also fixed a few holes in their offensive line by adding players like D.J. Humpries and Jessaman Dunker.

It may have been a down year for Florida football last year. Next year looks to be a lot different with so many promising players.

Other notable names: Austin Hardin, Marcus Maye and Matt Jones

1. Alabama

5 star: Three

4 star: 12

3 star: 12

As if this team needed any more talent, they got even more. You don't have to worry with the Crimson Tide losing a lot of players to the NFL, because they replaced it with this class.

Starting on the defensive side of the ball, they landed a top middle linebacker in Reggie Ragland, two top safeties in Landon Collins and Eddie Williams and a top cornerback in Geno Smith.

On offense, how about a speedy wide receiver in Cyrus Jones and a top running back prospect in T.J. Yeldon.

Needless to say, the BCS National Champions aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Other notable names include: Adam Griffith, Dillon Lee, Denzel Devall and Amari Cooper

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]