SEC Football: Every Team's Most Important 2015 Recruit

The SEC once again cleaned up in the recruiting aisle, landing more than half of the nation's 5-star prospects and placing five teams in the top 10 of 247Sports' composite team rankings. Alabama grabbed the top spot once again, while Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee also pulled in top-tier classes.

Stacking up the conference's future stars against those from other leagues is an easy comparison, but when looking internally to find which signee matters most to each team, there's more room for debate. Is it a player who can step in and contribute right away, someone who is looked at as the future of the program or simply a prospect who provides great depth and intriguing options?

Take a look at our picks for each SEC team's most important 2015 recruit, along with what to expect from them (if anything) as true freshmen this fall.

Alabama: Calvin Ridley

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6'0", 170 lbs

Rank: 11th

Why he's important

Have you seen the amount of production that returns for Alabama from the receiving game? If you haven't, here's a quick summary: There's not much.

Heisman finalist Amari Cooper's amazing 2014 season was only part of what the Crimson Tide had to replace, as seniors Christion Jones and DeAndrew White are also gone. Combined, that trio had 183 receptions for 2,495 yards and 21 touchdowns, and the top receiving option returning is a tight end (O.J. Howard) who had 17 catches and didn't score.

Calvin Ridley put up huge numbers in high school in Florida, and Alabama had him targeted early as a potential successor to Cooper knowing that he was apt to turn pro after his junior season.

Will he play in 2015?

The top-rated wide receiver in the country is a shoo-in to be part of the rotation this fall, and he likely will end up starting. Junior Chris Black and sophomore ArDarius Stewart are his main competition, but Ridley's pedigree is far superior, and he'll be out there on most offensive snaps.

Arkansas: C.J. O'Grady

247Sports

Position: Tight end

Height, weight: 6'4", 230 lbs

Rank: 198th

Why he's important

After No. 1 in-state prospect K.J. Hill backed out of his commitment to Arkansas and ultimately signed with Ohio State, it was a blow to the Razorbacks' goal of keeping all of the best local talent at home. C.J. O'Grady keeps that mission moving forward as the second-best prospect and one who enables Arkansas to keep churning out quality tight ends.

"We love his soft hands and his ability to be a factor in the run game as a blocker as well," Barton Simmons of 247Sports wrote of O'Grady, one of three tight ends Arkansas signed this year.

Will he play in 2015?

Three tight ends were regularly involved in the passing game last year, with only AJ Derby moving on. There's room for O'Grady to get touches, and he can easily move up to second on the depth chart by the fall.

Auburn: Byron Cowart

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'4", 250 lbs

Rank: 3rd

Why he's important

The most visible deficiency with Auburn's defense last season was a complete lack of tackling acumen, but that just masked the fact the Tigers were woeful at rushing the passer. No player had more than 3.5 sacks on the season, and as a whole, the team ranked 94th with just 21.

Byron Cowart has had little trouble getting to the quarterback, registering 24 sacks in the past two seasons. Admittedly, that was at the high school level, but in all-star workouts last summer and in the winter, he matched up with big-name offensive line recruits and dominated.

Auburn doesn't need a 15-sack guy as much as someone who is at least going to disrupt the pocket, and Cowart fits for that purpose.

Will he play in 2015?

There's no reason to expect Cowart won't be heavily used as a true freshman. His 4.6-second speed in the 40-yard dash is great for a player his size, and he'll only get faster as he improves on strength and technique.

Florida: Jordan Scarlett

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'10.5", 202 lbs

Rank: 118th

Why he's important

Most of the attention given to Florida's recruiting after Jim McElwain came on board centered around the burgeoning rivalry with Auburn for 4- and 5-star players Will Muschamp recruited for the Gators before joining Auburn's staff. But as great as Martez Ivey and others whom Florida landed will be in the long run, the most critical single player at this point was one that previously had been attached to Florida Atlantic.

Jordan Scarlett's stock has been on the rise over the past year, which prompted the 4-star back from Fort Lauderdale to first back off a commit to the Sun Belt school and then flip from Miami (Florida) to the Gators in the final days. By doing so, he gave Florida a much-needed running back prospect whom McElwain and his staff can develop into a star.

In his last two years at Colorado State, McElwain turned transfers Kapri Bibbs (junior college) and Dee Hart (Alabama) into players confident enough to turn pro a year early. He'll have more time to work with Scarlett but could produce similar results.

Will he play in 2015?

Florida lost leading rusher Matt Jones, but it brings back the promising Kelvin Taylor. Scarlett likely won't start, but he'll get his touches.

Georgia: Trent Thompson

247Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 313 lbs

Rank: 1st

Why he's important

When you can land the top overall prospect in a recruiting class, you're doing pretty well. When he's also from the home state, it's even better.

For the second time in three years, the No. 1 recruit in the country came from Georgia. In 2012, it was Robert Nkemdiche, but he ended up at Ole Miss, yet this time the Bulldogs had the inside track on Trent Thompson for a while. Alabama, Auburn and others gave heavy pursuit, but he committed to Georgia months ago and held true to that pledge.

He's a major space-eater who will also do wonders to the pass rush, and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will turn Thompson into a star.

Will he play in 2015?

Two-thirds of Georgia's starting defensive line has departed, leaving big holes Thompson can help fill. If he doesn't start, he'll be a regular rotation player.

Kentucky: George Asafo-Adjei

247Sports

Position: Offensive guard

Height, weight: 6'4", 295 lbs

Rank: 448th

Why he's important

There are several other players in the recruiting class who are rated higher, but George Asafo-Adjei is the one prospect who is wowing scouts more than any other. And with a need to build depth on the offensive line, he can be a big boost to Kentucky for years to come.

"The scary part is, he is just scratching the surface of what he could become," wrote Josh Edwards of CatsPause.com. "Asafo-Adjei looks like he could play in the NFL today. He has a wide NFL body. He's strong as an ox."

Will he play in 2015?

Kentucky's offensive line isn't hurting for instant-impact players, so Asafo-Adjei figures to be a strong redshirt candidate. By the time he becomes draft eligible, though, he could be a great one with continued development.

LSU: Kevin Toliver II

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'2", 185 lbs

Rank: 8th

Why he's important

LSU didn't land an instant-impact quarterback, an area of great need in 2014. It did grab the next-best thing, a cornerback who can step right in and fill an opening in a secondary that was third nationally in pass defense and wants to stay that way.

Many consider Kevin Toliver II to be one of the best bets to play as a true freshman among all top recruits—not just because he's enrolled early but because Toliver possesses all of the skills the Tigers are looking for in a cornerback without having to do much tweaking.

"His speed and 6'2" frame will have him ready to compete for playing time immediately in the Tigers' immensely talented secondary," Bleacher Report's Carter Bryant wrote.

Will he play in 2015?

Jalen Collins turned pro early, leaving a starting spot open. If that doesn't end up going to Toliver, he'll certainly get reps as a reserve or in nickel and dime packages. He is also a candidate to get some tries as a punt returner, similar to how last year's top recruit (Leonard Fournette) also shined as a kick returner.

Mississippi State: Jamal Peters

Position: Safety

Height, weight: 6'1.5", 206 lbs

Rank: 58th

Why he's important

With two rising programs in the state, the battle for Mississippi's best players is always a tough one. Throw in interlopers from throughout the SEC and other conferences, and Mississippi State is lucky to get a handful of the state's better players each year.

The Bulldogs got a great one, though, in Jamal Peters. As the third-best safety in the country, he has the opportunity to help shore up a back line that struggled down the stretch and has holes to fill.

"If he showed up on campus today, without stepping on the field, he might be on the two-deep rotation right now," coach Dan Mullen said Wednesday, per Bulldawgs247.com.

Will he play in 2015?

Making the two-deep as a freshman won't be the ceiling for Peters, who can contend for the open starting safety spot left by the graduating Jay Hughes.

Missouri: Terry Beckner Jr.

USA TODAY Sports

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'4", 293 lbs

Rank: 13th

Why he's important

Terry Beckner Jr. couldn't hold back tears as the East St. Louis native announced on Wednesday he was staying home and playing for Missouri rather than going to Florida State, Ohio State or elsewhere. Odds are some Mizzou coaches had to deal with dusty conditions after knowing they were going to be able to continue their reputation as "D-Line U."

Beckner, the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country, will make it so the loss of edge-rushers Markus Golden and Shane Ray doesn't hurt as badly. He could conceivably move outside if needed, but his skills fit better on the interior.

"For Missouri to once again defend their SEC East title, they need players to step up on the defensive line and make an impact," wrote Tyler Brett of Rant Sports.

Will he play in 2015?

Howard Brantley is the only returner from Missouri's defensive line, so Beckner will get the opportunity to play immediately.

Ole Miss: Chad Kelly

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'1", 210 lbs

Rank: 37th (junior college)

Why he's important

Chad Kelly has the skills that could make him a perfect successor to the hot-and-cold Bo Wallace, who spent three years gunslinging Ole Miss to 24 victories and improved records each year. The key is whether Kelly the on-field performer will stand out more than Kelly the beyond-the-sidelines version.

Kelly was booted from Clemson's team last spring after run-ins with the coaching staff. After excelling at East Mississippi Community College, he became an early pickup for the Rebels. He then had a run-in with police in his hometown of Buffalo and ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal misconduct.

Wallace played the vast majority of the snaps during his time with Ole Miss, and no backup emerged as a viable replacement. Kelly can be that guy. He just has to show he's matured.

Will he play in 2015?

He'll have to compete with DeVante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan, but Kelly seems to be the favorite heading into the spring.

South Carolina: Shameik Blackshear

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'5", 240 lbs

Rank: 151st

Why he's important

South Carolina's defensive line was a huge letdown in 2014, especially compared to what it did the previous seasons with Jadeveon Clowney and Kelcy Quarles roaming the edges. The push to get back to some version of those older lines was made with this recruiting class, which went heavy on defensive linemen, including some expected impact players from the junior college ranks.

But Shameik Blackshear is the most important of the group because he's got the time to develop into a star. As a high school recruit (from within the state, to boot), Blackshear has time to grow into his body and learn the college game without the need to show immediate results.

Will he play in 2015?

Blackshear could still get involved as a freshman, but it's not necessary. The Gamecocks have Gerald Dixon, Darius English, David Johnson and several others already ahead of him, so it will depend on how quickly he progresses.

Tennessee: Jauan Jennings

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 188 lbs

Rank: 167th

Why he's important

Tennessee landed another whale of a class, and while it might not end up having 20-plus of them play as true freshmen like in 2014, it will still be filled with prospects seeing early playing time. A guy the Volunteers hope won't have to be used much this first year is Jauan Jennings, though it's very possible because of the program's dearth of quarterbacks.

Joshua Dobbs was the only scholarship passer on the roster prior to signing day, as Nathan Peterman opted to transfer and Justin Worley graduated. Dobbs is the guy—there's no debating that—but with his mobile passing style, he could easily get injured, and Tennessee will need someone ready to go if that happens.

Jennings is one of three quarterbacks Tennessee signed this year, along with fellow 4-star Quinten Dormady, both of whom have enrolled early, and 4-star Sheriron Jones. The program is building depth at the position, as needed, but it will still be youthful this season.

Will he play in 2015?

Jennings has the best chance of being the backup at this point, but it figures to be a wide-open competition with Jones and Dormady for the No. 2 spot behind Dobbs.

Texas A&M: Daylon Mack

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'1", 330 lbs

Rank: 14th

Why he's important

For Texas A&M to take the next step, its defense has to contribute enough to make the work of the Aggies' dynamic offense not be wasted. That hasn't happened much the past two years, especially in 2014, though the addition of Daylon Mack to the defensive line should lead to immediate improvement.

The enormous Mack—who also played running back in high school, steamrolling defenders on his way to the goal—has great quickness for a player his size, so he'll make an impact both in the run stopping and against the pass. Paired with Myles Garrett, who set the SEC freshman sack record last season from the defensive end spot, A&M finally has the makings of a serviceable defense.

"Daylon Mack is a name we will be talking about in the first round of the draft in a couple years," tweeted Raymond Summerlin of Rotoworld after watching Mack take over January's Under Armour All-America Game.

Will he play in 2015?

Ivan Robinson has graduated, leaving a starting spot open. Mack has some other promising young players to compete against this summer, but he has the inside track to be starting by the season opener if he continues to progress.

Vanderbilt: Kyle Shurmur

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 215 lbs

Rank: 301st

Why he's important

Vanderbilt tried four different quarterbacks last season, and none of them worked. The ones who have returned for 2015 could still be in the mix, but it might be time to go back to the drawing board, which is why Kyle Shurmur is a huge piece of the newest recruiting class.

Grabbed out of California, and someone the Commodores identified and locked down before last season's bad performance ever happened, Shurmur has good size and could end up being a better fit than junior Patton Robinette or sophomore Johnny McCrary.

Will he play in 2015?

It all depends on how the returners look in the spring and whether they progress enough before Shurmur arrives in the summer. If he doesn't have to make up much ground, he'll be involved in game action as a true freshman.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.