Power Ranking Every SEC Team's 2015 Recruiting Class

National signing day 2015 is in the books, and this year's edition provided much more intriguing than previous editions.

Florida had an uphill climb after coaching uncertainty left the cupboard bare for new head coach Jim McElwain. But the former Colorado State head coach closed strong in his first recruiting season for the Gators and became the talk of national signing day for all the right reasons.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Alabama, as head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide notched their fifth straight recruiting national championship, signing six 5-star players.

How do we rank the SEC's recruiting classes? Our picks based on talent, immediate needs and overall effectiveness are in this slideshow.

14. Vanderbilt Commodores

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason

You can't judge coaches by their first recruiting classes, but Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason's second class in Nashville is about what you'd expect from a program that's been the cellar-dweller in the SEC more times than not.

The Commodores bring up the rear in the SEC, but the class is actually solid from a national perspective. Mason and his staff reeled in three 4-star players—linebacker Josh Smith, cornerback Donovan Sheffield and pro-style quarterback Kyle Shurmur.

Smith and Sheffield will get tremendous coaching from Mason, who made a name for himself as a defensive mastermind and will take over the defensive play-calling duties in 2015. Shurmur fits the mold of what Vandy wants to do but will have his work cut out with him beating out Johnny McCrary for early playing time. 

Overall, Vandy's class is proof that recruiting in the SEC is tough, because it's an effective class that is solid nationally but makes the 'Dores vulnerable in the conference. Basically, Vandy bought a fixer-upper in a high-end neighborhood and have a tight renovation schedule. 

13. Kentucky Wildcats

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has upped the ante in Lexington, making a concerted effort to recruit the state of Ohio in addition to the Bluegrass State.

It paid off in 2015, as Stoops and Co. reeled in five kids from Ohio, including 4-star early enrollee tight end C.J. Conrad and 3-star cornerback Kei Beckham. Linebacker Jordan Jones should be able to compete for playing time right away as an early enrollee. Defensive end Kengera Daniel is raw but could blossom into a star, and Eli Brown should start right away once he arrives on campus later this summer.

There is a lack of star power in this class, though, which will prevent Kentucky from taking a gigantic leap forward in Stoops' third season in Lexington.

12. South Carolina Gamecocks

Throw the actual ranking out the window, because this South Carolina class can't be viewed as anything other than a disappointment.

Head coach Steve Spurrier lost 4-star cornerback Mark Fields to intrastate rival Clemson and missed out on 4-star defensive lineman Arden Key late, after Key signed on the dotted line with LSU. These are two players in positions of immediate need that South Carolina had and let slip through its fingertips.

The Gamecocks did get immediate junior college help with defensive end Marquavius Lewis, versatile slot receiver/athlete Jalen Christian and 4-star defensive end Shameik Blackshear—all of whom will compete for playing time right away.

This class, though, won't be defined by who South Carolina got. Rather, it will be defined by those who got away.

Even Spurrier wasn't thrilled with it.

"

Steve Spurrier: "I don’t think I did a very good job of maybe going full speed as much as we needed as it turned out."

— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) February 4, 2015"

That speaks volumes.

11. Arkansas Razorbacks

If you're looking for the most underrated class in the county, Arkansas had it.

Head coach Bret Bielema reeled in a top-25 class that features the quarterback of the future in 4-star pro-style stud Ty Storey, 4-star defensive tackle Hjalte Froholdt, 4-star tight end Will Gragg and 4-star offensive guard Jalen Merrick. What's more, those four stars are part of the seven new Razorbacks who enrolled in January.

Toss in 4-star defensive end Jamario Bell and underrated 3-star offensive tackle Colton Jackson, and Bielema's class has a nice blend of star power and highly effective players who will work well in his system.

Unfortunately, the loss of 4-star wide receiver K.J. Hill to Ohio State will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Razorback fans, but this class is still solid.

10. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss has become synonymous with late charges on the recruiting trail, but in 2015, the Rebels didn't close as strong as initially anticipated.

Leo Lewis, a 4-star linebacker from Brookhaven, Mississippi, and Drew Richmond, a 4-star offensive tackle from Memphis, bailed on head coach Hugh Freeze during the final week of the 2015 cycle, which dropped the Rebels back in the SEC standings.

There was one savior, though. Damarkus Lodge, a 4-star wide receiver from Cedar Hill, Texas, will be a star in Freeze's offense. 

Junior college transfer Chad Kelly will compete for the vacant quarterback position right away, while 4-star wide receiver Van Jefferson will add some depth to the wide receiving corps, and 4-star offensive lineman Javon Patterson is versatile and excels in pass blocking.

Ole Miss' class is solid and has plenty of star power, but it didn't live up to the potential it had in the weeks leading up to national signing day.

9. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State annually fights an uphill battle on the recruiting trail and needs to rely on players with upside and the state's fertile junior college system to stay competitive in the SEC.

In the 2015 recruiting class, head coach Dan Mullen accomplished his mission.

The star is linebacker Leo Lewis, who previously was an Ole Miss commit before signing with the Bulldogs on national signing day. The 6'3", 225-pounder is the heir apparent to the spot formerly occupied by Benardrick McKinney.

Donald Gray, a 4-star wide receiver from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, will slide right into the slot and become a force in Mullen's offense. Martinas Rankin is a 4-star offensive tackle from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College who should be able to compete for playing time up front for the Bulldogs.

What's more, big-bodied wide receiver Dontea Jones will present matchup problems once he becomes more polished under Mullen's guidance.

Mississippi State is never going to recruit like Alabama, LSU and other SEC powers and has to rely on developmental players and instant impact junior college kids. Mullen achieved both goals in the class of 2015.

8. Missouri Tigers

Missouri has made a name for itself under head coach Gary Pinkel as "DL Zou," and the next in line to continue that trend is 5-star defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr. 

The 6'4", 293-pounder from East St. Louis, Illinois, will be a monster in the middle of the Tigers defensive line, is light on his feet and will help free up Missouri's defensive ends to do work off the edge.

Pinkel's class isn't just Beckner, though.

Drew Lock, a 4-star pro-style quarterback, will push incumbent Maty Mauk for playing time—especially if Mauk continues to struggle to complete passes consistently. Lock has tremendous pocket presence, possesses the arm strength to push the ball downfield and is the perfect fit for what Missouri wants to do offensively.

Natereace Strong is a 6'1", 210-pound all-purpose back who's quick off the edge but big enough to take the punishment between the tackles.

This is better than a typical Missouri class—one that features players who aren't exactly stars but have tremendous upside and fit into Pinkel's goals. Add in Beckner, the headliner, and this is a solid class heading to Columbia.

7. Florida Gators

Florida missed out on 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart and 4-star linebacker Jeffery Holland, but national signing day wasn't a total loss for first-year head coach Jim McElwain. 

The new Florida staff did nab 4-star running back Jordan Scarlett—previously a Miami commit—5-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey, 5-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson and slot receiver Antonio Callaway.

These are immediate impact guys who will make a splash as freshmen for the Gators. They were immensely important to the new staff in this ever-significant transition year.

It still is a disappointment, though. Florida fans got picked apart by former head coach Will Muschamp early on national signing day.

"

hate u so much right now will muschamp

— SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) February 4, 2015"

"

WE'D FIRE YOU AGAIN

— SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) February 4, 2015"

On top of that, 4-star athlete Derrick Dillon flipped to LSU, making national signing day a roller coaster for the folks in Gainesville.

6. LSU Tigers

Another year, another solid recruiting class for LSU head coach Les Miles. The Mad Hatter reeled in one of the nation's top classes, headlined by 5-star cornerback Kevin Toliver, 5-star wide receiver Tyron Johnson and 4-star defensive end Arden Key.

Key's late commitment to LSU was huge for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. The Tigers had just one defensive line commit heading into the final week of the cycle, and shoring up the trenches was huge for a team that had only 19 sacks in 2014.

Quarterback, though, is still an issue. Dual-threat quarterback Justin McMillian enrolled early, but the Tigers missed on 4-star Torrance Gibson. Furthermore, there's nothing to suggest that Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron can produce a competent offense with dual-threat quarterbacks anyway.

This class was critical for Miles, who has to improve upon last season's 8-5 record in 2015. Unfortunately, though, this class is mostly sizzle and not enough steak.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

It was a big day for Georgia head coach Mark Richt, as he and his staff reeled in one of the top classes in the country.

That class includes No. 1 overall prospect Trent Thompson, a monster defensive tackle who, at 6'2", 313 pounds, is big enough to play nose in Georgia's 3-4 system right away.

Thompson will lead the defensive injection into Athens that includes 4-star defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter, 4-star defensive end Natrez Patrick, 4-star defensive end D'Andre Walker, 4-star safety Rashad Roundtree and 4-star defensive end Chauncey Rivers.

Offensively, the Bulldogs loaded up on offensive tackles and nabbed 5-star athlete Terry Godwin—who'll play wide receiver—late Wednesday afternoon. That's what new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wanted to see in his first recruiting class in Athens.

4. Auburn Tigers

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn was the talk of the college football world on Wednesday, as his Tigers closed stronger than any team in the country.

The Tigers nabbed 4-star wide receiver Darius Slayton—previously a Georgia commit—while you were sleeping in preparation for national signing day. Malzahn followed it up with the commitment of 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart and 4-star linebacker Jeffery Holland.

Even before national signing day, though, Auburn's class was stout.

Jovon Robinson, a 5'11", 225-pound 4-star junior college running back, will compete for No. 1 carries in Malzahn's offense immediately. Kerryon Johnson, a 4-star athlete who won Mr. Football in the state of Alabama in 2014, will push him in the backfield initially but could move to the other side of the ball and play safety for defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Darrell Williams and Richard McBryde will provide depth initially and transition into more prominent roles later in their careers.

Overall, it's a tremendous class for Auburn that's a nice blend of immediate impact and long-term potential.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

Superstar dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray is the headliner in Texas A&M's recruiting class, but make no mistake, this class is more steak than sizzle.

Christian Kirk will step in right away in the deep and talented wide receiving corps and compete for playing time. Defensive tackle Daylon Mack is the kind of playmaking interior lineman that new defensive coordinator John Chavis needs, and the safety duo of Justin Dunning and Larry Pryor will add some much-needed depth to the Aggies secondary.

Texas A&M won head-to-head battles against SEC foes and intrastate rival Texas this season, which will help the program take the next step and become a contender in the SEC West over the next four or five years.

2. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee reversed a trend in 2014, making a bowl game for the first time since 2010. On the recruiting trail, though, the 2015 cycle was par for the course.

Head coach Butch Jones reeled in one of the nation's top classes on Wednesday, bringing in 16 4- or 5-star prospects, 10 early enrollees and players who will contribute right away on Rocky Top.

The biggest—quite literally—name in this class is 6'3", 354-pound defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie. The Vols' legacy isn't just a space-eater in the middle of the defensive line, though. He has the speed and quickness to move up and down the line, and he will be a huge benefit to rising sophomore end Derek Barnett and incoming defensive linemen Shy Tuttle and Kyle Phillips.

Offensively, 4-star junior college running back Alvin Kamara will provide the lightning to rising sophomore Jalen Hurd's thunder in the backfield, and 4-star wide receiver Preston Williams will add to the long list of superstar wide receivers who have made their way to Knoxville since Jones arrived.

Jones laid the ground work for success with last season's class, and the 2015 newcomers will put the finishing touches on his renovations on Rocky Top.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Ho hum, just another recruiting national championship for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

You look up and down this class, and it's loaded with players who solve pressing issues and others who will provide depth early in their careers.

Quarterback of the future? Check. Blake Barnett, a 5-star pro-style quarterback from Corona, California, enrolled early and will compete right away. Don't be fooled by his pro-style designation, though. Barnett is mobile enough to be a weapon with his legs and will press Jake Coker and the rest of the contenders for the top spot on the depth chart right away.

Cornerback issues? Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kendall Sheffield—two 5-stars—are coming in to provide depth at worst and fix Alabama's most pressing issue at best.

Daron Payne, a 5-star defensive tackle, will provide depth up front. Damien Harris, another 5-star (are you seeing the trend here?) will complement Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake and the rest of the Crimson Tide running backs. Calvin Ridley, another 5-star stud, has the jets and the hands to be the sequel to the Amari Cooper experience at wide receiver.

You can shake a tree in Tuscaloosa, and superstar prospects just fall off.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.