Published May 15, 2012 - 10:39am
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Here it is, the middle of May, and the recruitniks area already counting down until National Signing Day in February. The SEC is off to a fantastic start to the 2013 recruiting class, and according to 247Sports, the SEC has nine out of the top 15 classes in the country. More and more talented prospects are committing earlier than in the past for several different reasons, and this year several schools in the SEC are off to a hot start.
And quite frankly, there is no better tool for recruiting than DirectSnap. You can keep up with everything going on in the recruiting game via Twitter, and it brings a whole new (and free!) way to get your information for recruiting in real-time.
Many SEC schools recruit the same caliber of talent and many of the same prospects because coaches evaluate prospects and decide if they can play in the SEC. The South is full of prime talent – always has been and always will be.
Here are the early numbers for the SEC for 2013, and the rankings are based on 247Sports’ expert opinion, overall team ranking and SEC ranking:
Alabama Crimson Tide – 11 Commitments
Rank: No. 4 SEC, No. 6 Overall
Top Commitment: LB Reuben Foster (6-1, 246)
Still On The Board: DE Robert Nkemdiche (6-4, 275)
Alabama will go head-to-head with Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU and Clemson for the consensus No. 1 prospect in the country. The Tide have been the long-time favorite, but look out for several dark horses.
Arkansas Razorbacks – 2 Commitments
Rank: No. 12 SEC, No. 55 Overall
Top Commitment: RB Kaleb Blanchard (6-1, 200)
Still On The Board: QB Austin Allen (6-2, 205)
Allen is one of the top-ranked QBs in the state of Arkansas, and he really likes the Hogs, along with Oklahoma State. This will be a battle to the end, but the coaching situation is of obvious concern.
Auburn Tigers – 8 Commitments
Rank: No. 10 SEC, No. 16 Overall
Top Commitment: DT Dee Liner (6-3, 277)
Still On The Board: LB Reuben Foster (6-1, 246 committed to Alabama)
Foster transferred high schools, and he now goes to Auburn High with Auburn assistant coach Trooper Taylor’s son. Do you think pressure from the Auburn fans will be there? I think so. This one could come down to the end.
Florida Gators – 16 Commitments
Rank: No. 1 SEC, No. 4 Overall
Top Commitment: RB Kelvin Taylor (5-10, 216)
Still On The Board: OT Laremy Tunsil (6-6, 295)
Tunsil’s commitment will come down to Florida and Georgia for his services. He loves both schools, and Florida is closer. However, Georgia has immediate need on the OL. This could come down to National Signing Day.
Georgia Bulldogs – 15 Commitments
Rank: No. 2 SEC, No. 3 Overall
Top Commitment: RB/ATH Derrick Henry (6-3, 240)
Still On The Board: DE Robert Nkemdiche (6-4, 275)
Georgia is trying to keep the most wanted man in recruiting for 2013 in state, and it will likely come down to Georgia and Alabama for his commitment, with LSU and Ole Miss being on the outside looking in.
Kentucky Wildcats – 1 Commitment
Rank: No. 14 SEC, No. 68 Overall
Top Commitment: OG Jacob Hyde (6-3, 315)
Still On The Board: OT Joey Bloomfield (6-6, 300)
Bloomfield is still on the board, but the Cats better woo him fast, because he could be cooling. It’s hard for Kentucky to pull recruits in Louisville’s backyard.
LSU Tigers – 9 Commitments
Rank: No. 7 SEC, No. 12 Overall
Top Commitment: ATH Jeryl Brazil (5-10, 180)
Still On The Board: DT Robert Nkemdiche (6-4, 275)
The No. 1 overall prospect is a wanted man, and while most have penciled him as an Alabama man, LSU did make quite the impression on him. Nkemdiche decided to push back his commitment to a later date until after his football season.
Mississippi State Bulldogs – 2 Commitments
Rank: No. 13 SEC, No. 59 Overall
Top Commitment: WR Brandon Wells (6-2, 175)
Still On The Board: RB Kailo Moore (5-10, 190)
The No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Mississippi will come down to an in-state battle between Ole Miss and State. Which one will reel Moore in on NSD?
Ole Miss Rebels – 9 Commitments
Rank: No. 8 SEC, No. 14 Overall
Top Commitment: DT Marquel Combs (6-3, 305)
Still On The Board: DT Robert Nkemdiche (6-4, 275)
Nkemdiche’s brother currently plays football for the Rebels, and some think that his younger brother might join in Rebel Nation. Ole Miss is certainly a dark horse candidate to land his services.
Missouri Tigers – 11 Commitments
Rank: No. 6 SEC, No. 11 Overall
Top Commitment: LB Nick Ramirez (6-2, 225)
Still On The Board: DE Elijah Daniel (6-4, 250)
Missouri needs big DL players immediately, and Daniel is just that. He likes several schools, and Mizzou can sell him playing time.
South Carolina Gamecocks – 12 Commitments
Rank: No. 5 SEC, No. 9 Overall
Top Commitment: QB Connor Mitch (6-3, 220)
Still On The Board: DT Kelsey Griffin (6-2, 290)
Griffin is from Georgia, and the Bulldogs will try and keep this young man in state. However, the Gamecocks are right up there with the in-state Dawgs. This will be close.
Tennessee Volunteers – 6 Commitments
Rank: No. 11 SEC, No. 31 Overall
Top Commitment: WR Camion Patrick (6-2, 198)
Still On The Board: CB Kendall Fuller (6-0, 175)
Fuller is a dynamic athlete, and Tennessee is right up there for his services, along with Virginia Tech, Clemson and Michigan. Will this Maryland product pick the Vols, or stay out of the SEC?
Texas A&M Aggies – 15 Commitments
Rank: No. 3 SEC, No. 5 Overall
Top Commitment: WR Derrick Griffin (6-7, 210)
Still On The Board: DE Torrodney Prevot (6-4, 205)
The Aggies need a rush end, and he is the best available remaining on the board. Griffin hails from the Houston area, and if the Aggies can pull get a commitment from him, it would help solidify that Houston-metro area.
Vanderbilt Commodores – 9 Commitments
Rank: No. 9 SEC, No. 15 Overall
Top Commitment: LB Nigel Bowden (6-1, 230)
Still On The Board: ATH Jalen Ramsey (6-0, 185)
Ramsey is one of the top prospects in the state of Tennessee right there in Nashville, and the Dores are going to do their best to keep this young man at home. He’s a dynamic athlete who would have a tremendous impact on that program.
