Top defensive classes by position
Recruiting is as much about filling needs and addressing attrition as it is about pursuing the best available prospects in each class. With that in mind, here is a position-by-position look at the programs that signed top groups.
RELATED: Offensive position groups
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1. AUBURN
Derrick Brown, Sugar Hill (Ga.) Lanier, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Antwuan Jackson, Elwood, Ga. Cedar Grove, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Tashawn Manning, Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva, 2-stars, 5.3 Rivals Rating
In a critical year that included various coaching changes in the SEC, the Tigers were opportunistic by going into the state of Georgia to add some size inside. Five-star Brown and four-star Jackson, the No. 3- and No. 9-rated defensive tackles in the 2016 class, respectively, gave Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn major out-of-state victories against several big-name programs while replenishing the depth chart with players capable of contributing right away. Brown and Jackson are physically ready to crack the rotation, and the Tigers need it after allowing over 180 rushing yards per game -- an average that was in the bottom half nationally.
2. ALABAMA
Raekwon Davis, Meridian, Miss., 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Quinnen Williams, Birmingham (Ala.) Wenonah, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Kendell Jones, Killeen (Tex.) Shoemaker, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
3. GEORGIA
Michail Carter, Jackson, Ga., 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Julian Rochester, Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Tyler Clark, Americus (Ga.) Americus Sumter, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
David Marshall, Thomaston (Ga.) Upson Lee, 3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
4. CLEMSON
Dexter Lawrence, Wake Forest, N.C., 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Nyles Pinckney, Seabrook (S.C.) Whale Branch, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
5. TEXAS
Dandre Christmas-Giles, New Orleans (La.) St. Augistine, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Chris Daniels, Euless (Tex.) Trinity, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Marcel Southall, Duncanville, Tex., 3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
Jordan Elliott, Houston (Tex.) Westside, 3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
Gerald Wilbon, Destrehan, La., 3-stars, 5.6 Rivals Rating
DEFENSIVE END
1. FLORIDA STATE
Brian Burns, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage, 4-stars, 6.0 Rivals Rating
Janarius Robinson, Panama City (Fla.) Bay, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Josh Brown, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Consider this quite the accomplishment for Jimbo Fisher and Co., given that the Seminoles convinced three of the top 10 weakside defensive ends in this class to sign with the same program. Two are already on campus and should benefit from the upcoming spring practices. Four-star Burns, the No. 4-rated weakside end, could be viewed as the jewel, especially since Fisher beat out rival Florida in the final weeks, but early enrollees Robinson and Brown are certainly capable of making an impact down the road for a team that ranked second in scoring defense in the ACC last year.
2. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Jeffery Simmons, Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Marquiss Spencer, Greenwood, Miss., 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Emmit Gooden, Brownsville (Tenn.) Haywood, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Drelan Porter, Batesville (Miss.) South Panola, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
3. AUBURN
Marlon Davidson, Greenville, Ala., 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Nick Coe, Asheboro, N.C., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Prince Sammons, Cincinnati (Ohio), Hills Christian Academy, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Paul James III, Wesson (Miss.) Copiah-Lincoln C.C., 3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
4. OHIO STATE
Nick Bosa, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, 5-stars, 6,1 Rivals Rating
Jonathon Cooper, Gahanna (Ohio), Lincoln, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
5. USC
Wole Betiku, Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra, 4-stars, 6.0 Rivals Rating
Connor Murphy, Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
LINEBACKERS
1. UCLA
Mique Juarez, Torrance (Calif.) North, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Breland Brandt, Los Angeles (Calif.) Windward, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Krys Barnes, Bakersfield (Calif.) Liberty, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Lokeni Toailoa, Rialto (Calif.) Wilmer Carter, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
After losing Myles Jack early to the NFL Draft, the Bruins needed to boost their linebacker corps in this class and linebackers coach Scott White was able to do just that. Five-star Juarez, the top-rated prospect in California, is the headliner given his potential to start immediately, but there are three others that are certainly worth monitoring. Toailoa was an Under Armour All-America selection and has shown to be physical inside. Brandt, a U.S. Army All-American, is a talented pass rusher on the outside and Barnes brings some versatility to the group. UCLA struggled to replace the production of Eric Kendricks last season, but added some help with these four prospects.
2. CLEMSON
Rahshaun Smith, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Tre Lamar, Roswell, Ga., 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
3. ALABAMA
Ben Davis, Gordo, Ala., 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Lyndell Wilson, Montgomery (Ala.) Carver, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
4. TEXAS
Erick Fowler, Manor, Tex., 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Jeffrey McCulloch, Houston (Tex.) Aldine Davis, 5-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
DeMarco Boyd, Gilmer, Tex., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
5. FLORIDA STATE
Dontavius Jackson, Houston (Tex.) Elsik, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Emmett Rice, Miami (Fla.) Miami Norland, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Keion Joyner, Havelock, N.C., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
CORNERBACK
1. TENNESSEE
Tyler Byrd, Naples, Fla.4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Marquill Osborne, Charlotte (N.C.) Hough4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Baylen Buchanan, Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
Desmond Henderson, Dodge City (Kans.) Dodge City C.C.3-stars, 5.7 Rivals Rating
Some last-week magic helped the Volunteers make a splash. Four-star Byrd, a Florida native and longtime Miami commit, flipped to Tennessee just before National Signing Day to join No. 8-rated corner Osborne in the class. Byrd was one of the top performers at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and is an aggressive corner that makes big plays. Butch Jones also landed three-star Buchanan, a Georgia-based prospect who garnered offers from several other heavy hitters, and also added Henderson from the junior college ranks.
2. WASHINGTON
Byron Murphy, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro, 4-stars, 6.0 Rivals Rating
Isaiah Gilchrist, Bellevue, Wash., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Kentrell Love, Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
3. FLORIDA STATE
Levonta Taylor, Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes, 5-stars, 6.1 Rivals Rating
Kyle Meyers, New Orleans (La.) Holy Cross, 4-staras, 5.8 Rivals Rating
4. ALABAMA
Nigel Knott, Madison (Miss.) Germantown, 4-stars, 6.0 Rivals Rating
Jared Mayden, Sachse, Tex., 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
5. MICHIGAN
David Long, Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Lavert Hill, Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
SAFETY
1. LSU
Saivion Smith, Bradenton (Fla.) Img Academy, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Eric Monroe, Houston (Tex.) North Shore, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Cameron Lewis, Monroe (La.) Wossman, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
There is a reason why the Tigers have earned a reputation as 'DBU' across recruiting circles. LSU signed three of the top 12 safeties in the 2016 class, spearheaded by No. 2-rated Smith of IMG Academy. Despite being committed to the program for nearly a full calendar year, Smith did not scare off any others at the same position and that's certainly a testament to how well LSU recruits. Monroe is leaving Texas for Baton Rouge and Lewis, another four-star, also stayed firm with his pledge for a long time.
2. NEBRASKA
Lamar Jackson, Elk Grove (Calif.) Franklin, 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Marquel Dismuke, Calabassas, Calif., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
3. OLE MISS
Deontay Anderson, Manvel, Tex., 4-stars, 5.9 Rivals Rating
Jaylon Jones, Allen, Tex., 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
4. NOTRE DAME
Jalen Elliott, Chesterfield (Va.) Lloyd C. Bird, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Donte' Vaughn, Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
D.J. Morgan, Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
5. NORTH CAROLINA
Myles Dorn, Charlotte (N.C.) Vance, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating
Patrice Rene, Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal, 4-stars, 5.8 Rivals Rating