SEC Football: Grading the 2016 Recruiting Class in the East

Jan 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart answers questions at media day at Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart answers questions at media day at Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland reaches for the pass over Team Armour corner back Kristian Fulton (2) during the first half of the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game at Orlando Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland reaches for the pass over Team Armour corner back Kristian Fulton (2) during the first half of the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game at Orlando Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

National Signing Day 2016 was every bit as exciting and dramatic as expected, especially in the SEC. How did the East fare amidst the chaos?

Now that National Signing Day 2016 has come to a close, we can begin evaluating and comparing teams’ classes.

Related Story: Grading the 2016 Recruiting Class in the SEC West

We started with the SEC West — now we can move over to the Eastern division.

The East continues to lag considerably behind the West in recruiting — and results on the gridiron.

More from SEC Recruiting

Collectively, the SEC East earned a GPA of 2.91 (roughly a B-) compared to its Western counterpart’s 3.34 average.

But that didn’t stop coach Kirby Smart from at least trying to shift the power of balance for the 2016 season. And, in turn, Georgia was the only SEC East program that managed to crack the top 10 — despite Tennessee’s impressive late run.

Let’s take a look at how each program fared individually in the East on signing day.

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