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Power Ranking SEC Recruiting Classes Post 5-Star OT David Sharpe to Florida

Tyler DonohueDec 12, 2013

Elite offensive tackle prospect David Sharpeย announced his collegiate decision Thursday morning, committing to Florida. The Jacksonville star selected the Gators from a slew of SEC teams, including Alabama, Tennessee, LSU and Georgia.

Sharpe, rated a 5-star recruit andย the nation's No. 10 overall player by 247Sports, shakes things up in the conference's recruiting spectrum. We rank each SEC squad's 2014 recruiting success inย the aftermath of the 6'7", 315-pound prospect's decision.

Recruit ratings based on 247Sports composite rankings, which list Sharpe as a 4-star prospect.

14. Arkansas

1 of 14

Total Commitments: 17 (two 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: The Razorbacksย secured a commitment from impressive 4-star quarterback Rafe Peavy, who will quickly grow familiar with Florida tight end prospect Ravian Pierce.ย Defensive tackle Bijhon Jacksonย pulled the trigger on a commitment during his junior year, providing the team with a top-tier building block on defense.

Still Targeting: St. Louis productย Brian Wallaceย ranks among the top uncommitted offensive tackles and is still considering Arkansas. The Razorbacks are also on the short list of defensive backs Raymond Wingoย and Payton Hendrix.

13. Mississippi State

2 of 14
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Total Commitments: 18 (three 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Mississippi State is stockpiling talent at skill positions, highlighted by running back Aeris Williams, wide receiver Jesse Jacksonย andย athlete Jamoral Graham, who could ultimately play on either side of the ball.ย Will Colemanย is considered one of the country's best JUCO defensive ends.

Still Targeting: The team remains in the mixย for No. 1 overall cornerback prospect Marlon Humphrey, who is also considering Clemson, Florida State and Alabama.ย Mississippi State is also a finalist in the recruiting race for top-ranked JUCO cornerback Tee Shepard.ย Either player would provide immediate help in the defensive secondary.

12. Missouri

3 of 14

Total Commitments: 25 (three 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Given the Tigers' recent success at receiver, it's no surprise the team was able to land commitments from a pair of talented pass-catchers. Nate Brownย is one of the top offensiveย players in Georgia, whileย Lawrence Leeย is an intriguing speedster from Florida. Mizzou picked up two 4-star prospects in November, adding offensive tackle Andy Bauerย and linebacker Brandon Lee.

Still Targeting: The Tigers would love to add depth along the defensive line. Missouri is the chase forย 3-star JUCO tackles Calvin Heurtelouย and Rika Levi. In-state tight end recruit Kendall Blantonย would be a quality addition to offensive depth.

11. South Carolina

4 of 14

Total Commitments: 15 (four 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: The Gamecocks welcome in playmaking wide receivers Shaq Davidsonย and Terry Googer. Offensive guard Donell Stanleyย and JUCO defensive tackle Abu Laminย beef up the front line on both sides of the ball.

Still Targeting: The Gamecocks can shore up theย offensive backfield by addingย 4-star running back Derrell Scott. Georgia cornerbacks D.J. Smithย and Wesley Greenย would both provide an upgrade on the depth chart.

10. Vanderbilt

5 of 14

Total Commitments: 20 (three 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuelsย is a candidate to start early for the Commodores. The talented passerย is a product ofย San Jose, Calif. Chicago running back Mikale Wilbonย and Atlanta wide receiver Kameron Uterย give the team a fresh infusion of offensive talent. Defensive backs Kyle Gibsonย and Emmanuel Smithย could both see significant reps as underclassmen.

Still Targeting: Vanderbiltย remains in contention to land a pair of 4-star defenders. Linebacker Nyles Morgan and cornerback Parrker Westphalย are considering the Commodores, along withย Floridaย receiver Trevon Lee.

9. Ole Miss

6 of 14

Total Commitments: 24 (four 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Offensive guard Roderick Taylorย is an absolute road ย added coveted wide receiver Markell Packย in late November and continues to land commitments this month. Two 3-star JUCO prospects,ย Christian Russellย (linebacker) and Fahn Cooperย (offensive tackle), pledged in the past week. arguablyย the nation's best offensive guard.

Still Targeting: Ole Miss is a front-runner to land 4-star defensive tackle Elisha Shaw. The Rebels are also in the picture for 5-star Texas safety Jamal Adams.

8. Kentucky

7 of 14

Total Commitments: 24 (five 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Kentucky's offense appears to have a bright future with 4-star prospects Thaddeus Snodgrassย (wide receiver),ย Drew Barkerย (quarterback) and Stanley Williamsย (running back) each committed. Safety Darius Westย and defensive end Denzel Wareย add immediate depth.

Still Targeting: Kentucky is a finalist for 5-star defensive tackle Matt Elam, who is the crown jewel of 2014 in-state recruiting. Florida defensive backs T.J. Harrellย and Kendall Randolphย have kept the Wildcats on their radar.

7. LSU

8 of 14

Total Commitments: 15 (11 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Wideย receiver commit Trey Quinnย became the nation's all-time leader in receiving yards during his senior season. He may eventuallyย run routesย for 4-star quarterback Brandon Harris.ย ย Defensive ends Davon Godchauxย and Deondre Clarkย are special players.ย Darrel Williams, aย 4-star running back, joined the class this week after decommitting from Arizona State.

Still Targeting: Leonard Fournetteย is theย Tigers' top target. The nation's No. 1 running backย will likely decide between Alabama and LSU.ย Like Fournette, 5-star receiversย Speedy Noilย and Malachi Dupreย are both New Orleans natives. Texas cornerback Tony Brown, a 5-star recruit,ย is aย good bet to end up in Baton Rouge.

6. Auburn

9 of 14

Total Commitments: 19 (eight 4-stars, one 5-star)

Best of the Bunch: Auburnย holds a commitment fromย wide receiver D'haquille Williams, who is considered the top JUCO player in America.ย Racean Thomas, aย 5-starย prospect,ย should compete for playing time in the running back rotation as a freshman. Tre' Williamsย is an instant-impact inside linebacker. He'll be joined on defense by 4-star cornerback Kalvaraz Bessent, who recently flipped from Alabama.

Still Targeting: Elite outside linebacker Rashaan Evansย is from Auburn, and the Tigers aim to keep him in town. Auburn is also looking to add 5-star recruit Raekwon McMillan, the nation's top-ranked linebacker. Wide receiver Travis Rudolphย is probably the team's top offensive target.

5. Georgia

10 of 14

Total Commitments: 16 (11 4-stars,ย one 5-star)

Best of the Bunch: Georgia star Nick Chubbย and Florida standoutย Sony Michelย may be the nation's top tandem of 2014 running back recruits.ย The Bulldogs also welcome quarterback Jacob Parkย and 4-star tight end Jeb Blazevichย to the offensive attack.ย Defensive tackleย Lamont Gaillardย looks like an instant beast up front.

Still Targeting:ย Lorenzo Carterย is at the top of the board. The defensive end is arguably Georgia's top senior player. The team would love to pair him with fellow Peach State standouts Dontavius Russellย and Elisha Shaw, who are each 4-star defensive tackles.

4. Florida

11 of 14

Total Commitments: 18 (seven 4-stars,ย two 5-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Florida remains on track to produce an impressiveย recruiting haul, especially on offense. Quarterback Will Grierย spent his entire high school career carving up defenses in North Carolina is expected to be on campus next month. Wideย receiver Ermon Laneย and running back Dalvin Cookย are among the best in the nation at their positions, but each player appears to be exploring other options, including Florida State.

Defensive tackle Khairi Clarkย could contribute as a freshman. Today's pledge from offensive tackle David Sharpeย gives the Gators stability up front. Florida also received a pledge from promising tight end Moral Stephensย on Thursday.

Still Targeting: Florida is a finalist for 5-star athlete Adoree' Jackson,ย who may be tempted to journey to Gainesville from his home in the Los Angeles area.ย The Gators hope to add defensive firepower in the form of 5-star prospects Lorenzo Carterย (defensive end) and Jamal Adams (safety).

3. Texas A&M

12 of 14

Total Commitments: 19 (12 4-stars, two 5-stars)

Best of the Bunch:ย Myles Garrettย is a dominant 5-starย defensive end from Arlington. Heย gives the Aggies a disruptive pass-rusher in a conference loaded with elite quarterback talent.ย Texas A&M likely loses a Heisman-Trophy winning passer thisย winter but brings Arizona product Kyle Allen, whoย is ranked the nation's No. 1ย quarterback by 247Sports.ย He'll be joined in the backfield by 4-star running back Varshaun Nixon. ย Defensive backs Nick Harveyย and Dylan Sumner-Gardnerย are each top in-state talents.

Still Targeting:ย Texas A&M lured 5-star receiverย Speedy Noilย to College Station for a visit. Texan defensive backs and 5-star recruitsย Tony Brownย and Jamal Adamsย are strong possibilities.

2. Tennessee

13 of 14

Total Commitments: 34 (17 4-stars)

Best of the Bunch: Athlete Jalen Hurdย and JUCOย receiver Lavon Pearsonย are explosive playmakers. Elite receiver Josh Maloneย added to an already strong Tennessee class when he committed earlier this month. Safeties Todd Kellyย and Cortez McDowellย form an excellent tandem; while outsideย linebacker Dillon Bates is one of the best at his position.ย 

Still Targeting: The Vols are keeping a close eye on a pair of 5-star defenders from beyond state borders. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson (California) and linebacker Clifton Garrett (Illinois) still have Tennessee in the mix. You have to think Butch Jones is close to capacity in this class.

1. Alabama

14 of 14

Total Commitments: 23 (13 4-stars,ย four 5-stars)

Best of the Bunch: The Crimson Tide won't finish atop the BCS poll again thisย season, but Alabama is likely to end up No. 1 in recruiting for the fourth straight year. Theย talent level is exceptional, including commitments fromย topย prospects atย offensive tackle (Cameron Robinson), defensive end (Da'Shawn Hand) and linebacker (Christian Miller). Do-it-all athlete Bo Scarbroughย is also a 5-star recruit.ย Quarterback David Cornwellย is headed to Tuscaloosa, along with 5-star safety Laurence Jones

Still Targeting:ย The Crimson Tide are contending with LSU for top-ranked running back Leonard Fournette. Marlon Humphreyย (cornerback) and Matt Elamย (tackle), two 5-star defenders, would add to a nasty defensive attack.