Johnny Manziel made more headlines off the field this past winter and spring than he made on it last fall, but let’s talk about Johnny Manziel, the football player.

The electrifying sophomore has been a lightning rod of debate regarding his ability and how it projects to, you know, the NFL.

Opinions always change and will change throughout a player’s career. But one thing that isn’t changing – Manziel will remain the most debated player in next year’s draft class, if he declares for the 2014 draft.

You thought Tim Tebow was debated exiting college? Well, get ready for Manziel overload, which already adds to your existing fatigue.

Opinions seem to be divided right down the center for Johnny Manziel and his NFL future.

One current NFL general manager even told Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com that Manziel might be better than Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, three of the best rookie quarterbacks ever. Another GM told Freeman that Manziel could end up being a better passer than any of the spectacular trio.

But not all opinions are pro-Manziel. Two other GMs told Freeman that Manziel is Canada bound, and another added he would have a hard time making an NFL roster.

Manziel has often been compared to former NFL quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia, as both were “sandlot” style performers.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks thinks Manziel is a sexy college player, but because of a lack of arm strength, he doesn’t project well in the NFL. Some say he’s too small at 6-1, and regardless of arm strength, he’s just too short to be an effective NFL passer. Try telling the 5-11 Russell Wilson that.

With just one season in College Station, the sample size just isn’t there to make an accurate decision.

I’ve contended that Manziel will improve as a player in 2013, but he may not have the spectacular plays, highlights or numbers to go along with it.

If you look at his film from last season, he was such a raw player with unpolished passing skills, living on nothing more than pure explosiveness – and it was explosive. This year, he should improve as a passer, and this spring he showed added arm strength.

Manziel may not combine for 5,116 yards and 47 touchdowns again, but his dedication to continuing to develop his game seems relentless, regardless of his Twitter account or party pics.

Let’s not forget that Manziel is just 20 years old, and his game is now just evolving and beginning to scratch the surface of the future player he’ll become.

The continual evolution and evaluation of Johnny Football’s ability will continue to be one attractive and bewitching storyline.

Photo Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Note: CBS Sports’ original article only included two SEC teams. A third team was added after the original article was published.

The SEC bias is sometimes at its height when talking about non-conference schedules.

SDS ranked the SEC’s non-conference schedules, and Vanderbilt exited the weakest. The Commodores play Austin Peay, UMass, UAB and Wake Forest.

CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman produced the top 10 softest non-conference schedules in the country, and three SEC teams are included.

Feldman had Auburn, Alabama and Vanderbilt as three teams that play the softness non-conference schedules in the country based on a formula he derived. Here’s the snippet, via CBS Sports:

3. (tie) Auburn – Index: 1.50: New coach Gus Malzahn couldn’t ask for a much better non-conference schedule. All four games are at home. The Tigers open with a visit from a Washington State team coming from the opposite side of the country and the Cougars have also won just 12 games in the past five seasons combined. Then comes an Arkansas State team from the Sun Belt that’ll be playing for its fourth head coach in four seasons. Later in the season, the Tigers get one of the worst FCS programs in Western Carolina (1-10 last fall) and FAU, which is 4-20 the past two seasons.

8. Alabama – Index: 1.69: The only team on this list that faces a traditional power team. The Tide opens the 2013 season with Va. Tech, which has finished in the Top 20 of the Coaches Poll in eight of the past nine seasons. Tech did just go 7-6, but the Hokies do have nine starters back on D. Even with a bunch of questions on offense, VT, at a neutral site, is more than a respectable draw. It’s the rest of the Tide’s non-con that brings the index way down. Colorado State has won only four of its past 20 games. Ga. State was 1-10 in 2012, while Chattanooga was 6-5 in FCS.

9. (tie) Vanderbilt – Index: 1.75: James Franklin’s program has gained momentum beating up on mediocre opponents and the Commodores have four more likely Ws here. They get FCS Austin Peay, UAB, visit hapless Umass before facing a decent Wake Forest squad.

Ohio State was also included on the softest schedules list tied at No. 9. It seems like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer are on a collision course for the BCS Championship.

Photo  Credit: Daniel Shirey/CFA-pr via USA TODAY Sports

But the two hottest teams in the country right now are Alabama and – wait for it – Kentucky. Alabama is Alabama, but what Mark Stoops is doing at Kentucky is phenomenal. Of 17 commitments, eight of them hail from Ohio, the same state the Stoops’ brothers call home. And it’s not just three-star prospects. Stoops is going after the big boys, and with the SEC brand at their back, the Wildcats are doing some serious damage. Are the Wildcats this year’s Ole Miss? February is still eight months away.

Alabama picked up the nation’s top pro-style QB David Cornwell from Norman, Oklahoma. The five-star Cornwell will fit perfectly into Alabama’s offensive system. I guess Nick Saban won’t sign a top dual-threat quarterback after all.

The SEC currently has eight of the top 15 classes in the country, along with three of the top five.

Here’s how the SEC stacks up against each other.

Rankings are based on composite team rankings from 247Sports.com.

Texas A&M
14 commitments
No. 1 class in SEC
No. 1 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* OLB Hoza Scott
Headlined by 4* QB Kyle Allen, 4* CB Nick Harvey and 4* S Dylan Summer-Gardner

Alabama
13 commitments
No. 2 class in SEC
No. 2 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* ATH Bo Scarbrough
Headlined by 5* QB David Cornwell, 4* CB Kalvaraz Bessent and 4* LB Zach Whitley

Tennessee
16 commitments
No. 3 class in SEC
No. 4 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* RB Jalen Hurd
Headlined by 4* S Todd Kelly, 4* CB D’Andre Payne and 4* LB Gavin Bryant

Kentucky
17 commitments
No. 4 class in SEC
No. 7 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* DE Denzel Ware
Headlined by 4* QB Drew Barker, 4* S Darius West and 3* RB Stanley Williams

Ole Miss
17 commitments
No. 5 class in SEC
No. 9 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* S CJ Hampton
Headlined by 4* OT Andy Bauer, 4* ATH Jeremy Liggins, and 4* RB DK Buford

Georgia
10 commitments
No. 6 class in SEC
No. 12 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* RB Sony Michel
Headlined by 4* QB Jacob Park, 4* DT Dontavius Russell and 4* CB Malkom Parrish

LSU
10 commitments
No. 7 class in SEC
No. 13 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* S Edward Paris,
Headlined by 4* OG Garrett Brumfield, 4* S Devin Voorhies and 4* OG Will Clapp

Florida
10 commitments
No. 8 class in SEC
No. 15 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* RB Dalvin Cook
Headlined by 4* QB Will Grier, 4* DT Anthony Moten and 4* CB Duke Dawson

Auburn
9 commitments
No. 9 class in SEC
No. 18 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* LB Tre’ Williams
Headlined by 4* DE Justin Thornton, 4* S Derrick Moncrief and 4* CB Nick Ruffin

Vanderbilt
9 commitments
No. 10 class in SEC
No. 29 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* QB KJ Carta-Samuels
Headlined by 4* RB Mikale Wilbon, 3* S Emmanuel Smith and 3* ATH Dallas Rivers

Mississippi State
10 commitments
No. 11 class in SEC
No. 32 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* ATH Jamoral Graham
Headlined by 3* OT Norman Price, 3* RB Dontavian Lee and 3* QB Elijah Staley

Missouri
11 commitments
No. 12 class in SEC
No. 33 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 3* S Greg Taylor
Headlined by 3* OT Michael Fairchild, 3* CB Logan Cheadle and 3* OLB Grant Jones

South Carolina
5 commitments
No. 13 class in SEC
No. 53 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* OLB Bryson Allen-Williams
Headlined by 4* TE Kevin Crosby, 3* TE Kalan Ritchie and 3* ILB Joe Blue

Arkansas
5 commitments
No. 14 class in SEC
No. 62 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* DT Bijhon Jackson
Headlined by 4* Dual-threat QB Rafe Peavy, 3* TE Jack Kraus and 3* RB Juan Day

Photo Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports

• Ranking the SEC schedules by strength of schedule
• Ranking the SEC’s non-conference schedule
• August/September’s toughest schedules
• August/September’s easiest schedules
• October’s toughest schedules
• October’s easiest schedules
• November’s toughest schedules
• November’s easiest schedules
• SEC East toughest three-game stretches

Every SEC schedule features a rough three-game stretch that will present a survival of the fittest challenge, and we’ll rank the toughest three-game stretches in the coming days.

But for now, here’s a look at each SEC West team’s toughest three-game stretch – and yes, Alabama cannot play Alabama:

Alabama

• Aug. 31 – vs. Virginia Tech
• Sept. 14 – at Texas A&M
• Sept. 21 – Colorado State

Buzz: Alabama’s schedule is favorable overall, but the first two games against Virginia Tech and Texas A&M will test the Tide as they make another run at a championship.

Arkansas

• Oct. 5 – at Florida
• Oct. 12 – South Carolina
• Oct. 19 – at Alabama

Buzz: The Razorbacks have a gutless four-game stretch in the middle of the schedule, and the three against Florida, South Carolina and Alabama are downright nasty.

Auburn

• Nov. 9 – at Tennessee
• Nov. 16 – Georgia
• Nov. 30 – Alabama

Buzz: Auburn’s three-game stretch against Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama is brutal, but a bye week between the Bulldogs and Tide will give the Tigers a chance to regroup before playing in the Iron Bowl.

LSU

• Nov. 9 – at Alabama
• Nov. 23 – Texas A&M
• Nov. 29 – Arkansas

Buzz: LSU’s three-toughest games fall in the last half of the season, with a road game to Tuscaloosa and hosting both Texas A&M and rival Arkansas. What a nasty stretch.

Mississippi State

• Nov. 2 – at South Carolina
• Nov. 9 – at Texas A&M
• Nov. 16 – Alabama

Buzz: Much like LSU’s back-loaded schedule, MSU plays a nasty three-game stretch featuring two road games to South Carolina and Texas A&M while hosting Alabama. That’s just brutal.

Ole Miss

• Sept. 28 – at Alabama
• Oct. 5 – at Auburn
• Oct. 12 – Texas A&M

Buzz: Ole Miss’ toughest three-game stretch features trips to Alabama and Auburn before hosting Texas A&M. That is three consecutive weeks of madness.

Texas A&M

• Sept. 14 – Alabama
• Oct. 21 – SMU
• Sept. 28 – at Arkansas

Buzz: Texas A&M’s overall schedule sets up favorably, and Alabama, SMU and Arkansas provide the toughest three-game stretch.

Photo Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Athlon asked current coaches to talk anonymously about their opponents, and it’s always interesting to get opposing coaches’ impressions off the record, especially when it’s not bland ‘coach speak’.

Here are some excerpts as to what coaches thought about their opponents in the SEC East:

Florida Gators

“Oddly enough, and I don’t think they were the best offense, but Florida was the most difficult offensive team to prepare for last year. They have so many different personnel groupings, and they can do so many different things, and their identity changed on a weekly basis. They are kind of like South Carolina – they want to win games on defense and not turn the ball over. They are trying to find their identity. They probably thought they had their identify at one point, but then some of the bigger, stronger teams of our league kind of challenged that identity. I like Will Muschamp. I respect him a lot. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. His mentor is Nick Saban, and he put his stamp on the team in Year 2 in regard to toughness and winning games in the kicking game and on defense.”

Georgia Bulldogs

“Aaron Murray is really good. If you commit people to stop the run and put one-on-one on the perimeter, he has such a nice feel with his wide receivers. If you play two deep or quarters, then they will kill you with the run. It’s the combination of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall that kills you…They don’t wow you with Xs and Os because they don’t have to. They will remind you of the Miami teams in the 2000s. They lined up in pro sets and twins and you got a chuckle out of it, then 450 yards and 42 points later they got the last laugh…Gurley and Marshall complement each other so well. Gurley runs tackle to tackle as well as anyone. He bullies you and he is a big boy, but don’t underestimate how fast he is.”

Kentucky Wildcats

“Kentucky, for the past few years, hasn’t had anybody that’s scared you on offense, on the perimeter or at running back. When your best player is your right guard [Larry Warford], that’s probably a little bit of a problem. I’m sure Mark Stoops will come in and attract some talent. The fact of where Lexington is and his ties to Ohio, you will see an outside the box thinking as far as recruiting. Stoops is well regarded as a defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator Neal Brown is very confident. He has a little bit of a swagger to him.”

Missouri Tigers

“I respected their scheme tremendously. They got off to a decent start last year. Between James Franklin and some of the other guys getting hurt, especially on the offensive line, they really had trouble moving the ball. And I think the overall SEC took its toll on them as the year went on. WR Dorial Green-Beckham didn’t do much at all, and he was the No. 1 recruit in the nation. I get the impression he needs to mature a little bit. The running back coming back from injury, Henry Josey, he’ll be dangerous if he returns healthy. Really talented back.”

South Carolina Gamecocks

“I like quarterback Connor Shaw. He’s underrated. All he does is win. And he is fiercely tough. Dylan Thompson may be the more talented of the two, and clearly South Carolina knows that their defense is legit, and if they don’t turn the ball over and make mistakes, they will win a lot of games. They should be able to absorb the loss of Marcus Lattimore. Mike Davis is a very good back. Ace Sanders was a great return guy and a good slot receiver. I always thought he was dangerous, but I didn’t look at him and say he was an elite wide receiver in the league. He’s a loss, but they have established some really solid depth at receiver.”

Tennessee Volunteers

“They will be an up-tempo, no huddle spread offense that will play with a lot of enthusiasm. Butch Jones hired some coaches with some experience in the SEC, like John Jancek and Willie Martinez, who know the league and the type of player it takes to be successful in this league. The offensive line was very good. Losing OL coach Sam Pittman may hurt more than losing any of the players. They have won two SEC games in two years. That is bizarre. It just shows you how fiercely competitive the SEC is – for a school with those resources to have only two wins in two years. Butch Jones is a hit ‘em in the face kind of guy who will try and win back the state of Tennessee in recruiting.”

Vanderbilt Commodores

“Their wide out, Jordan Matthews, is pretty good. He’s really good, actually. He’s pretty athletic, and he will make guys miss. Keeping him is pretty big. He had a chance to go to the NFL. The quarterback that transferred from Wyoming [Austyn Carta-Samuels], they feel he’s as talented as the guy they had, Jordan Rodgers. You know, the won nine games and play you really tough, but I think they’ll be middle of the road – the middle of the pack in the SEC. But the next step is to become an elite SEC team, and I’m just not sure they have the personnel yet.”

Photo Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

While what’s happening in Tuscaloosa is fascinating, let’s be honest, we expect greatness every season for the Tide. The consistent domination of Nick Saban’s team isn’t as exciting as some other teams. It’s a bit like the San Antonio Spurs being unfairly labeled as boring because of how consistently good they are.

When it comes down to being interesting in college football, the Aggies are it in 2013. Get ready for some serious media coverage…

One can easily argue that no SEC team has a more important season ahead of them than the Texas A&M Aggies. 2012 was a coming out party for the Aggies. They had a new coach, a new quarterback and were simply happy to be a member of the SEC. They were excited for the future… you know, a few seasons down the road. 11 wins and a Heisman Trophy later, expectations have been moved up, and now the Aggies sit at a crossroads.

Do the Aggies take the next step to secure a place as a consistent top ten team in college football? Domination of the state of Texas and the opportunity to regularly make a run at winning the toughest division in college football are both at stake in 2013.

What’s so fascinating is the Johnny Manziel situation. He’s been so instrumental in just one short season in catapulting the Aggies to the forefront of college football, yet what is at stake for the Aggies is the program’s post-Manziel era.

If this team can put together another dominant season and even play for a national championship, Kevin Sumlin has everything in place to put a machine in place that keeps the talent flowing into College Station and keeps the team in the BCS/playoff conversation year after year. The impact of the 2012 was and continues to be significant, but putting together back-to-back seasons of extraordinary success has the potential to lead to a new era of domination for Texas A&M.

Confidence is high in Kevin Sumlin. Truly he’s one of the more impressive individuals in the head coaching club in the SEC. In fact, if I had one word to describe Sumlin, that would be it. Having the opportunity to meet the SEC coaches at recent press events, one-word descriptions are easy: Les Miles? Goofy. Nick Saban? Machine. Mark Richt? Relaxed. Will Muschamp? Football. Spurrier? Hilarious. James Franklin? Enthusiastic. Sumlin? Impressive.

Physically impressive. Smooth. Confident. Youthful. The Aggies have a leader in Kevin Sumlin that could lead to big, big things down in College Station… if they can keep him.

And, then we get back to Manziel. It’s one thing to exceed all expectations when you come out of nowhere. It’s another to stay on top when the entire world is looking at you. Manziel’s been a bit all over the place this off-season, most notably on Twitter. Anything to overreact to? No, but not exactly encouraging either.

Manziel was the best athlete on the field essentially all season in 2012. While his athleticism will again be on his side, it’s safe to assume that teams will better prepare for him in his second season in the SEC. For the Aggies to win the SEC West and contend for a national championship, Manziel will need to do more than just make plays. He’ll need to become the leader of the team that pushes them to greatness. Tweeting about wanting out of College Station isn’t cause for panic, but it’s also not the leadership that his team will need in 2013.

If Sumlin can get his quarterback to lead, the potential is there for a significant run in 2013. A significant run in 2013 could help cement the next decade of football in College Station, especially while teams like the Texas Longhorns struggle to get back to greatness. Many teams have special, single seasons. Auburn had one just a couple years ago.

2013 will be a pivotal year to see whether the coming years in College Station look more like Alabama’s recent seasons or Auburn’s.

Recent five-star quarterback commit David Cornwell sent shockwaves through the media when he tweeted that a waterfall in Bama’s locker room is about to be legit.

That waterfall in Bama’s locker room is about to be legit! C’mon who has a waterfall.. No one!

— DC5 (@DavidCornwell5) June 17, 2013

Alabama sports information director Jeff Purinton says it’s true.

Now, it’s not like we’re talking about a lazy river fit with inner tubes and waterfalls for the ladies, but the waterfall is small and it’s real. Purinton told AL.com that ‘it will be coming from a system that can flow from a few feet above the hot and cold tubs’, which are located in the new shower area on the first floor.

The waterfall is part of Alabama’s $9 million project to renovate and upgrade the Tide’s ongoing ‘process’, which includes new graphics, lockers, meeting rooms and one theater-style meeting room.

That’s what two championships in a row will get you – a waterfall. I wonder what happens if the Tide pull off a three-peat?

Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

• Ranking the SEC schedules by strength of schedule
• Ranking the SEC’s non-conference schedule
• August/September’s toughest schedules
• August/September’s easiest schedules
• October’s toughest schedules
• October’s easiest schedules
• November’s toughest schedules
• November’s easiest schedules
• SEC West’s toughest three-game stretches

Every SEC schedule features a rough three-game stretch that will present a survival of the fittest-type challenge, and we’ll rank the toughest three-game stretches in the coming days.

But for now, here’s a look at each SEC East team’s toughest three-game stretch:

Florida

• Nov. 2 – vs. Georgia
• Nov. 9 – Vanderbilt
• Nov. 16 – at South Carolina

Buzz: November is a brutal month for Florida. Not only do Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina come calling, but FSU also awaits on November 30th.

Georgia

• Aug. 31 – at Clemson
• Sept. 7 – South Carolina
• Sept. 21 – North Texas

Buzz: Georgia has a brutal opening two weeks but will find relief when North Texas comes to Athens the third week. Georgia’s schedule is very manageable, but the beginning is tough as nails.

Kentucky

• Sept. 28 – Florida
• Oct. 5 – at South Carolina
• Oct. 12 – Alabama

Buzz: Kentucky arguably has the toughest three-game schedule of any team in the SEC. Florida, South Carolina and Alabama is just brutal, and playing the three in consecutive weeks is awful.

Missouri

• Oct. 12 – at Georgia
• Oct. 19 – Florida
• Oct. 26 – South Carolina

Buzz: Missouri has a nasty SEC East three-game draw, featuring a road trip to Georgia and hosting both Florida and South Carolina in consecutive weeks.

South Carolina

• Nov. 16 – Florida
• Nov. 23 – Coastal Carolina
• Nov. 30 – Clemson

Buzz: South Carolina’s schedule is the most favorable of the SEC East powers, and hosting Florida and Clemson with Coastal Carolina sandwiched in between makes it manageable.

Tennessee

• Oct. 19 – South Carolina
• Oct. 26 – at Alabama
• Nov. 2 – at Missouri

Buzz: Tennessee has a brutal schedule overall, but the three toughest games come in consecutive weeks with a home game against South Carolina and back-to-back road trips to Alabama and Missouri.

Vanderbilt

• Oct. 19 – Georgia
• Oct. 26 – at Texas A&M
• Nov. 9 – at Florida

Buzz: Vanderbilt has a favorable schedule overall, but hosting Georgia and back-to-back road trips to Texas A&M and Florida will make it tough for the Dores to steal any of the three.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Elam, Baltimore Ravens (Florida)

Former Florida safety and first-round pick Matt Elam is picking things up quickly in Ravens’ camp. With safety Ed Reed gone to Houston, Elam has a chance to win a starting job as a rookie. Ravens’ secondary coach Teryl Austin, who used to be Florida’s defensive coordinator, said Elam is going to be a big player for the Ravens soon, via Baltimore Sun.

“[He’s] going through the usual changes that a rookie goes through, but he’s smart,” said Ravens secondary coach Teryl Austin. “He’s tough, he’s fast, he gets football, and I think he is going to be a fine player for us soon.”

Fellow defensive back Corey Graham said Elam is picking things up quickly, too.

“He’s picking things up very fast,” Graham said. “He’s at safety, they are putting him in the dollar package, he’s coming down playing nickel. When you have the ability to play all those positions, that’s pretty impressive. You don’t see that much, especially in the first couple of months of being on the team.”

Elam expects to be busy as a rookie in Baltimore.

Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals (LSU)

The much-maligned and questioned former LSU DB Tyrann Mathieu is making an instant splash in NFL OTAs. Mathieu is “buzzing around plays” and has been working with the first-team defense in the Nickel package. He has also impressed the coaching staff and players at safety. Carson Palmer compared Mathieu to one of the NFL greats, via NFL.com.

“He reminds (me) of Troy Polamalu with his closing speed,” said Carson Palmer. “He might not be the fastest guy out there, but he can change directions and get to the ball really fast, like Troy.”

Head coach Bruce Arians said Mathieu picks up things quickly, via Fox Sports Arizona.

“He gets thing the first time the coaches tell it to him,” Arians said. “He’s got natural instincts to play football. I’m really happy for him. He’s playing really well.”

Mathieu will see early playing time in Arizona. Here’s to hoping he stays clean.

DJ Swearinger, Houston Texans (South Carolina)

The former No. 57 overall pick is making major strikes in offseason OTAs. DJ Swearinger was one of the more underrated players for the Gamecocks, but he brought the wood on every hit and gave the defense an identity and a leader.

Texans’ head coach Gary Kubiak has been pleasantly surprised with Swearinger while normal starter Ed Reed remains out. Kubiak describes what Swearinger has brought to the defense in two weeks, via Houston Texans.

“Confidence,” Kubiak said. “He’s got a ton of confidence. He just walks out here like he belongs, and he does. He’s got a ton of ability. He’s a smart player. When the ball is close to him, he’s going to make the play. That’s the difference between a good player and a great player in this league is being in the right spot and making big plays when you get there. He’s got a chance to make those plays.”

Texans DB Vance Joseph also had great things to say about Swearinger.

“Obviously, he’s a guy who’s got great talent, great instincts, got some ball skills to make plays on the ball,” Joseph said. “He’s also a very, very smart guy. He’s picked the system up very quickly, and he’s playing well for a rookie. You don’t know until you coach guys how smart they are, but his football IQ’s very high.”

When Ed Reed returns, Swearinger is expected to be the third-team safety, but with the moves he’s making in offseason OTAs, Swearinger may earn himself some playing time as a rookie.

Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Four-star prospect, according to 247Sports Composite, Derek Kief committed to the Tide in arguably the most elaborate commitment video ever.

Kief is 6-5, 200 pounds from Cincinnati, Ohio, and he’s a big-time possession receiver every head coach and quarterback covets.

With Kief’s commitment, Alabama moves up to No. 3 on 247Sports’ Composite Team rankings.

[H/T SBNation]