It’s been almost a year since the SEC’s 14 member schools finalized their 2015 recruiting classes, 12 of which ranked in the top 25 in the 247Sports rankings.

But how many of those classes lived up to the hype in their first year in the SEC? In an effort to answer that very question, Saturday Down South assigned grades to all 14 recruiting classes based on their performances in 2015.

To clarify, these grades were awarded based on the impact the class made on the field in 2015, not based on the quality of the class. Players who redshirted were not factored into these grades, nor were the relative non-contributors from every class. If a team had a small number of contributors (relatively speaking) from its 2015 class, it was reflected in that team’s grade.

Now that you know the general rules, let’s jump right in:

ALABAMA: A-

Key 2015 contributors: Calvin Ridley, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damien Harris, Daron Payne, Jarran Reed (JUCO), D.J. Pettway (JUCO)

Breakdown: If the Tide can defeat Clemson on Monday, this grade probably goes up to an A. Ridley is clearly following in the footsteps of A.J. Green and Amari Cooper. One day he will probably be playing on Sundays. Ridley has 83 passes for 1,031 yards and seven TDs. Fitzpatrick continues to play well in the secondary. He has 41 total tackles, eight pass defenses, two interceptions, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Heading into the National Championship Game, Reed is fourth on the team with 56 total tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. Payne and Pettway have also contributed on defense. Harris has 157 rushing yards.



ARKANSAS: A-

Key 2015 contributors: Dre Greenlaw, Rawleigh Williams III, Jeremiah Ledbetter (JUCO), Dominique Reed (JUCO)

Breakdown: Greenlaw was a standout, finishing second on the team with 95 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Greenlaw also had two forced fumbles and a pass defense. But Arkansas didn’t stop there. The Razorbacks also added a key defensive end, wide receiver and running back. Ledbetter finished fourth on the team with 55 tackles and 7.5 for a loss. Reed only caught 28 passes, but he averaged 19.1 yards per catch and scored 7 TDs. Williams, who could replace Alex Collins next season, had 56 carries for 254 yards and a TD in his freshman year.



AUBURN: B

Key 2015 contributors: Carlton Davis, Jovon Robinson, Kerryon Johnson, Jeff Holland

Breakdown: The Tigers nabbed two decent running backs and two solid defenders in this class. Robinson is the back of the future. He gained 639 yards with three TDs, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. Johnson rushed for 208 yards and three scores. Davis led the team with three interceptions and finished sixth on the team with 56 tackles. He also had eight pass defenses and 0.5 sack. Holland had 13 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

FLORIDA: B

Key 2015 contributors: Antonio Callaway, Martez Ivey, CeCe Jefferson, Jordan Cronkrite

Breakdown: By himself, Callaway gives this recruiting class a decent grade because he became the Gators most important offensive player after Will Grier was suspended. Callaway recorded 35 catches, 678 yards and four TDs. He was one of the conference’s most explosive players with a 19.4 yards per catch average. Callaway also returned two punts for a TD, including one in the SEC title game against Alabama. Cronkrite also found the end zone four times in 2015 with three rushing TDs and a TD reception. On defense, Jefferson contributed 28 total tackles, including 8.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks.

GEORGIA: C

Key 2015 contributors: Trent Thompson, Terry Godwin, Roquan Smith, Jonathan Abram, Natrez Patrick

Breakdown: Thompson has shown the skills to be a star defensive tackle in a couple years, and Godwin became a nice receiver. But that was about all Georgia got from this class. Thompson made 25 total tackles, including 2.5 for a loss with 0.5 a sack. Godwin had 35 catches for 379 yards and two TDs. He also had seven carries for 37 yards and another score. Patrick, Smith and Abram each had 20-25 tackles.

KENTUCKY: D

Key 2015 contributors: Chris Westry, C.J. Conrad, Derrick Baity, Sihiem King, Drew Barker

Breakdown: Contributions were minimal from this class. Westry was the only standout with 36 total tackles, seven pass defenses, two interceptions, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack. Baity at 19 total tackles. On offense, Conrad and King each contributed about 140 yards from scrimmage and scored once. Barker finished the season as the starting quarterback.

LSU: C+

Key 2015 contributors: Kevin Toliver II, Tyron Johnson, Maea Teuhema, Derrius Guice, Arden Key, Bry’Keithon Mouton

Breakdown: Toliver II and Key led a class that was average at best this season. Toliver II made 28 tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception while Key had 38 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Mouton was recruited as a tight end but became a good blocking fullback for Leonard Fournette. Teuhema also helped Fournette and the LSU running game as the starting left guard.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: D

Key 2015 contributors: Jamal Peters, Malik Dear, Mark McLaurin, Donald Gray (JUCO), Jonathan Calvin (JUCO)

Breakdown: The contributions were minimal for Mississippi State. Gray made some big plays down the field and should be the replacement for De’Runnya Wilson, but didn’t have a huge year. He finished with 21 catches, 386 yards and two TDs. Calvin, Peters, and McLaurin contributed on defense. Calvin led the class with 26 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.

MISSOURI: C-

Key 2015 contributors: Terry Beckner Jr., Drew Lock, Marcell Frazier, Corey Fatony

Breakdown: It is hard to look passed the struggles of QB Drew Lock when grading this recruiting class. Lock took over after coach Gary Pinkel suspended Maty Mauk. Lock completed just 49 percent of his passes for 1,332 yards, four TDs and eight interceptions. Without good protection and open receivers he didn’t have much chance to live up to his four-star rating. Beckner Jr. was an immediate contributor with 27 tackles, including eight for loss and three sacks at defensive tackle. Frazier contributed on the defensive line with 18 tackles, six for loss and two sacks. Fatony was the starting punter.

OLE MISS: A

Key 2015 contributors: Javon Patterson, Zedrick Woods, Chad Kelly (JUCO), D.J. Jones (JUCO), Tony Bridges (JUCO), Terry Caldwell (JUCO)

Breakdown: The true freshmen made minimal impact, but the junior-college transfers made tremendous contributions. Kelly made second-team All-SEC as he passed for 4,042 yards, 31 TDs and 13 interceptions. He also had 500 rushing yards and 10 more scores on the ground. Bridges, Jones and Caldwell played very well on defense for the Rebels. Jones led with 40 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Bridges had nine pass defenses and three interceptions as he became one of Ole Miss’ best defensive backs. True freshman Patterson made some starts on the offensive line when the team was shuffling the unit without Laremy Tunsil.

SOUTH CAROLINA: D

Key 2015 contributors: Blake Camper, Boosie Whitlow, Marquavius Lewis (JUCO), Dante Sawyer (JUCO)

Breakdown: Camper was the only standout among the four contributors from the 2015 recruiting class. He started at right tackle, but the offensive line was average at best. South Carolina allowed 2.17 sacks per game and finished tied for 88th in the country in rushing yards per game.

TENNESSEE: B-

Key 2015 contributors: Darrin Kirkland Jr, Chance Hall, Kahil McKenzie, Preston Williams, Justin Martin, John Kelly, Alvin Kamara (JUCO)

Breakdown: Kirkland and Hall worked their way into starting roles. Kirkland finished fourth on the team with 66 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one pass defense. Hall started at right tackle on an offensive line that blocked for the 21st-best rushing offense. Offensively, Kamara contributed in both the rushing and passing games. He had 698 yards and 7 TDs on the ground with 34 catches, 291 yards and three TDs in receptions.

TEXAS A&M: C+

Key 2015 contributors: Daylon Mack, Christian Kirk, Kyler Murray, Justin Dunning, Damion Ratley, Richard Moore, Jake Hubenak, Justin Evans (JUCO)

Breakdown: The Aggies found highlight-reel WR Christian Kirk, safety standout Justin Evans and a solid DT in Daylon Mack. Despite troubles at quarterback, Kirk caught 80 passes for 1,009 yards and seven TDs. Evans transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before the season and finished third on the team in tackles with 78. He also had a tackle for loss, one sack and three pass defenses. Mack worked into the defensive line rotation and made 32 total tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss. What holds this group’s grade back is the lack of impact at quarterback. Murray transferred at the conclusion of the season, and Hubenak was fairly unimpressive in his limited action.

VANDERBILT: F

Key 2015 contributors: Kyle Shurmur, Nehemiah Mitchell (JUCO)

Breakdown: The Commodores’ 2015 recruiting class ranked last among SEC teams a year ago, and remains on the bottom. Only two players from the class really contributed and their contributions were minimal. Shurmur started at the end of the season at quarterback, completing just 42.7 percent of his passes for 503 yards, five TDs and three interceptions. Mitchell started at outside linebacker, making 22 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss and one-half sack.