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We’re just two months away from 2015’s National Signing Day, but recruiting for 2016 is already in full spring. In a stacked defensive line class, eight of the SEC’s 14 teams have already secured a commitment from a defensive line prospect, including four four-stars that have already committed.
In total, 11 defensive linemen in the class of 2016 have committed to SEC schools. Here’s how they’re spread out across the conference:
Commitments
| Player | Team | Rating | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT Raekwon Davis | Alabama | 3-star | Meridian, Miss. |
| DT Austin Capps | Arkansas | 4-star | Star City, Ark. |
| DT Briston Guidry | Arkansas | 4-star | Metairie, La. |
| DT Quinnen Williams | Auburn | 3-star | Birmingham, Ala. |
| DE JaQuan Bailey | Florida | 3-star | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| DE Eric Mitchell | Florida | 3-star | Miami, Fla. |
| DE Courtney Manac | Georgia | 4-star | Homerville, Ga. |
| DE Jaylin Bannerman | Kentucky | 3-star | Pickerington, Ohio |
| DT Kordell Looney | Kentucky | 3-star | Springfield, Ohio |
| DT Caleb Tillman | Mississippi State | 3-star | Dothan, Ala. |
| DT Benito Jones | Ole Miss | 4-star | Waynesboro, Miss. |
| DE Charles Wiley | Ole Miss | 4-star | Stockbridge, Ga. |
The upcoming class is loaded with defensive line talent, especially at defensive tackle. In all, there are still ten uncommitted five-star defensive line players in the country. Nine of them are being chased by SEC schools.
Top targets
| Player | Interest | Rating | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT Rashan Gary | Alabama, Auburn | 5-star | Paramus, N.J. |
| DE Shavar Manuel | Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU | 5-star | Bradenton, Fla. |
| DT Derrick Brown | Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee | 5-star | Buford, Ga. |
| DT Edwin Alexander | LSU, Florida | 5-star | Hammond, La. |
| DT Rashard Lawrence | LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss | 5-star | Monroe, La. |
| DT Dexter Lawrence | Florida, Arkansas | 5-star | Wake Forest, N.C. |
| DT Ed Oliver | LSU, Alabama | 5-star | Houston, Texas |
| DT Julian Rochester | Auburn, Georgia | 5-star | Powder Springs, Ga. |
| DE Marlon Davidson | Alabama, Auburn, Gerogia | 5-star | Montgomery, Ala. |
Recruiting ratings are in reference to 247sports industry composite.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
