Early Signing Period breakdown: SEC

The early signing period for the SEC went about as well as anybody could reasonably expect. Six of them 14 programs made their way into the Top 35 Class Rankings, and 11 of the 14 schools added at least one four-star prospect. Once again though, Kentucky and John Calipari sit atop the conference (and the country) after their late addition of five-star point guard Quade Green.

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The class: PF P.J. Washington (No. 17), C Nick Richards (No. 19), PG Quade Green (No. 23), PG Shai Alexander (No. 53)

Analysis: Calipari may not have added any of the clear-cut one and done prospects he usually signs, but he added three five-star prospects during the early signing period that will ensure the Big Blue stays at the top of the SEC. Green is the ultimate floor general, while Alexander adds scoring punch in the backcourt. Washington gives the Wildcats a versatile forward, while Richards will be the imposing force in the paint at both ends.

The class: PG Collin Sexton (No. 7), SG John Petty (No. 30), SG Herb Jones (No. 72), PF Alex Reese (No. 73), C Galin Smith (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Avery Johnson landed the type of class that can help Alabama elevate to the top of the SEC. Sexton will make a huge impact right away at point guard, and he’ll have plenty of help on the wing with Petty and Jones. Reese possesses the talent to be a really productive SEC player, while Smith is an athletic post player with plenty of upside.

The class: C Austin Wiley (No. 16), PG Davion Mitchell (No. 41), PF Chuma Okeke (No. 55)

Analysis: It’s not often you see Auburn near the top of the SEC in basketball recruiting, but Bruce Pearl seems to attract players wherever he goes. Wiley will give the Tigers one of the elite low-post players in the 2017 class. Mitchell is a highlight play waiting to happen with his elite athleticism at point guard. Okeke’s versatility will be a welcomed addition as well.

The class: SF Savion Flagg (No. 57), PG T.J. Starks (No. 123), PG Jay Jay Chandler (No. 126), PF Isaiah Jasey (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Billy Kennedy continues to add quality players to his program. Flagg is one of the more effortless scorers in the 2017 class. Starks and Chandler add more firepower to the backcourt for the Aggies, while Jasey adds important depth up front.

The class: SG Nick Weatherspoon (No. 28), PF Garrison Brooks (No. 127), PF Keyshawn Feazell (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Weatherspoon is the headliner for the Bulldogs in the 2017 class. He’ll join his brother Quindary in Starkville and gives Ben Howland another talented scorer. Garrison Brooks and Keyshawn Feazell solidify the frontcourt.

The class: C Daniel Gafford (No. 33), SG Khalil Garland (No. 141), SF Darious Hall (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Mike Anderson didn’t have to go far from Fayetteville to land his three-man 2017 recruiting class. All three signees are Arkansas natives. Gafford is the highest ranked of the bunch and should be an immediate contributor. Garland gives the Razorbacks a talented scorer on the wing.

The class: SF Galen Alexander (No. 99), SG Brandon Rachal (No. 122)

Analysis: Like Arkansas, the Tigers didn’t leave their state to add two really good players in the early signing period. Johnny Jones has two very good athletes coming in that will help right away in Baton Rouge.

The class: SF Rayshaun Hammonds (No. 60), PF Nicolas Claxton (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Mark Fox signed an in-state four-star prospect for the third straight year in the early signing period with Hammonds picking the Dawgs over several top programs. He joins another skilled forward in Claxton.

The class: C Ejike Obinna (No. 125), SG Maxwell Evans (No. 145), PG Saben Lee (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Bryce Drew’s first class at Vanderbilt started off nicely. He signed a big body in the post in Obinna who is agile and a talented scorer on the block. Evans is one of the better athletes in the entire 2017 class, while Lee gives the Commodores a point guard to run the team.

The class: SG Devontae Shuler (No. 104), PF Jamarko Pickett (NR, 3-star), SG Parker Stewart (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Andy Kennedy did what does happen often at Ole Miss by adding a four-star prospect in Shuler, a talented combo guard from Oak Hill Academy. Pickett is one of the more underrated prospects in the country with his versatility and athleticism at the forward spot.

The class: PG C.J. Roberts (No. 96)

Analysis: Kim Anderson only added one player during the early signing period, but it was a good one. The Tigers dipped into Texas to add a very talented scoring guard.

The class: SF Deaundre Ballard (No. 128), PF Chase Johnson (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Florida took a hit right before the early signing period started when Alexander decommitted from the Gators and eventually headed to SEC rival Kentucky. It did hang on with Ballard, a sharp shooter out Georgia, and added Johnson as a skilled power forward.

The class: SG David Beatty (No. 135), SF Ibrahim Doumbia (NR, 3-star), C Jason Cudd (NR, 3-star), C Felipe Haase (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Frank Martin went up the eastern seaboard to snag a late commitment from David Beatty out of Philadelphia, who will fill the shoes of Sindarius Thornwell very nicely. The Gamecocks also plenty of size and toughness with Doumbia, Cudd and Haase.

The class: Zach Kent (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Rick Barnes also went up into the northeast for his lone signee in the early signing period. Kent, out of Blair Academy (NJ), will head to Knoxville to give the Vols some much needed size in the post.