KNOXVILLE—We looked at where each class in the SEC ranks both nationally and within the conference. To determine where each class stands, we averaged the rankings of ESPN, 247 Sports, and Rivals.

Some observations: Three of the top five classes in the nation belong to SEC schools. Auburn has the highest ranked class for a program that made a coaching change, and three of the bottom five classes in the SEC have new coaches. Of the top seven classes in the SEC, five belong to SEC West programs, while four of the bottom five teams in the rankings are from the SEC East. Ole Miss jumped six spots in the national rankings on Signing Day. Georgia fell from fifth, to seventh; somewhat surprising for a team that was just five yards away from playing in the BCS Championship Game.

#1 Alabama: The 2013 Tide class ranks first nationally according to 247 Sports, Rivals, and ESPN. This is Alabama’s third consecutive No. 1 class, and it is composed of 26 prospects with an average star rating of 3.84.

#2 Florida:  Will Muschamp built quite a class in Gainesville. It ranks second according to ESPN and fourth per 247 Sports and Rivals, for an average ranking of 3.33. Florida signed 27 players with an average rating of 3.67 stars.

#3 Ole Miss: Head coach Hugh Freeze is turning heads around the nation with his recruiting success. Ole Miss’ class ranks second per 247, seventh according to Rivals, and fifth per ESPN; good for an average ranking of 4.67 nationally. The Rebels signed the No. 1 recruit in the nation, Robert Nkemdiche and Freeze’s class is composed of 27 prospects with an average rating of 3.56 stars.

#4 LSU: The Tigers’ 2013 class ranks sixth per 247 Sports, sixth according to Rivals, and seventh per ESPN; that’s a composite ranking of 6.33. LSU has 26 signees with an average star rating of 3.73.

#5 Texas A&M: Kevin Sumlin signed a top 10 class in just his second year at the helm of the Aggies. Sumlin’s class ranks seventh per 247 Sports, eighth according to ESPN, and 10th per Rivals, for a composite ranking of 8.33 nationally. The Aggies have 31 signees with an average rating of 3.45 stars.

#6 Auburn: Despite a coaching change, the Tigers pulled together a class which ranks 8th per Rivals, 10th according to 247, and 11th per ESPN, for a composite ranking of 9.67. The Auburn class consists of 23 prospects with an average star rating of 3.57.

#7 Georgia: The Bulldogs’ 2013 class is ranked tenth by ESPN, and 12th by 247 Sports and Rivals, good for an average ranking of 11.33; that’s second in the SEC East behind the Gators. Georgia has 32 signees with an average star rating of 3.47.

#8 South Carolina: The Gamecocks’ class ranks 20th according to 247, 17th per ESPN, and 16th according to Rivals, good for an average ranking of 17.67. South Carolina signed 21 prospects with an average rating of 3.38 stars.

#9 Mississippi State: Dan Mullen’s class ranks 22nd according to 247, and 25th per Rivals and ESPN; that leaves the Bulldogs with a composite ranking of 24.0. Mississippi State’s class is composed of 20 signees with an average rating of 3.1 stars.

#10 Tennessee: Butch Jones’ first class as the head coach of the Vols ranks 20th according to Rivals, 27th per 247, and 29th according to ESPN, for combined average of 25.33 nationally. The Vols currently have 21 signees with an average star rating of 3.19. Tennessee will likely add a couple more commitments, and this Vol class could still climb a few spots. Though technically tied with Vanderbilt, we broke the tie by comparing the average rating of each signee. The Vols win the category slightly.

#11 Vanderbilt: The Commodores’ recruiting class ranks 19th per Rivals, 22nd according to ESPN, and 35th per 247, for an average ranking of 25.33. Vanderbilt signed 27 players with an average star rating of 3.15.

#12 Arkansas: The Razorback class ranks 22nd according to 247, 26th per Rivals, and 31st according ESPN, for an average of 26.33. Bret Bielema signed 23 prospects with an average rating of 2.96 stars.

#13 Kentucky: New Wildcat head coach Mark Stoops is doing a remarkable job with one of the worst programs in the SEC. His first class ranks 27th per Rivals, 39th according to 247, and 36th per ESPN, for a combined ranking of 34.0. The Wildcats have 22 signees with an average rating of 3.05 stars.

#14 Missouri: The Tigers’ class ranks 38th per ESPN, 33rd according to 247, and 48th per Rivals, for an average rating of 40.67. Missouri’s class  consists of 20 prospects with an average star rating of 2.95.