With 2017 recruiting officially in the rearview window, it’s time to take a look ahead to the prospects that will be dominating the headlines in SEC recruiting in the months to come.

Many of these prospects have already begun to narrow down their lists and in some cases, have outright committed already, but much can change between now and January enrollments/signing day of 2018 to give these prospects second thoughts.

QB – Trevor Lawrence

Currently committed to Clemson, the 6-foot-6, 196-pound Lawrence is rated by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for 2018. A native of Cartersville, Ga., Lawrence pledged to the Tigers over Georgia back in December but don’t think his recruitment is over just yet. When the January recruiting dead period ended, who was the first prospect Kirby Smart went to visit? It wasn’t any of the 2017 players preparing to sign, it was Lawrence. Nick Saban and Alabama continue to pursue Lawrence and Tennessee’s new QB coach Mike Canales went and visited the Georgia quarterback immediately after landing the job in Knoxville. Lawrence grew up a Volunteer fan and was once considered a Tennessee lean.

DL – Xavier Thomas

Thomas is not only South Carolina’s top-ranked prospect for 2018, but ESPN ranks him as the nation’s No. 1 recruit for 2018, as well. The 6-foot-2, 249-pound Florence, SC., native has already narrowed his options down to the in-state schools Clemson and South Carolina. Thomas holds offers from virtually every SEC school, don’t expect any of them to complete stop recruiting him anytime soon.

DB – Patrick Surtain Jr.

The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Surtain, son of NFL All-Pro defensive back Patrick Surtain and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native has his choice of elite programs to choose from heading into the 2018 season. Just how popular has Surtain’s recruitment become? A fake Twitter account went viral recently after “announcing” Top 24 list for the defensive back.

QB – Emory Jones

One of Georgia’s top prospects, the 6-foot-1, 193-pound Jones committed to Ohio State over Tennessee and Georgia back in July. Arguably the top dual-threat quarterback prospect in the nation, don’t expect any SEC team to stop recruiting this Franklin, Ga., native. With Tate Martell joining the Buckeyes roster, Ohio State currently has an abundance of talent under center, it will be interesting to see if Jones sticks with his commitment to play in the Big Ten.

QB – Justin Fields

Another Georgia product, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Fields committed to Penn State in December over Georgia and Tennessee offers. His mother did not hide the fact she would have been very pleased with her son playing his college football in Athens. Can Kirby Smart work his magic and get Fields to flip to the Dawgs by next fall?

DL – Greg Emerson

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound West Tennessee native already has the eye of several elite teams, including Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson. Interestingly enough, Emerson attended Trey Smith’s announcement ceremony when the big lineman picked Tennessee and seemed pleased with his decision. The Volunteers will be working hard to keep another elite prospect in state but will likely have to fight off everyone in the SEC to do it.

DB – Al Blades Jr.

A Miami legacy, the 6-foot, 170-pound Al Blades Jr. will be hard to pry away from Coral Gables, but that won’t stop the SEC’s elite programs from trying. Blades was committed to the Hurricanes but decommitted following Al Golden’s firing.

OL – Jamaree Salyer

The massive 6-foot-3, 327-pound Atlanta native has already begun to receive plenty of attention in his recruitment. Rated as a Top 10 overall prospect by 247Sports, Salyer will have his choice of any program he wishes to attend. Expect Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney and the like to be in pursuit until he signs his paperwork.

RB – Zamir White

North Carolina’s top prospect for 2018, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound White has already accepted his invitation to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game. Rated as the top running back prospect in the nation, White will have his pick of schools to attend with Clemson, Ohio State, and North Carolina leading for his services at this time.

DB/ATH – Tyreke Johnson

One of Florida’s best prospects, the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Johnson will need to put on some weight to make an immediate impact at the next level but already has college coaches dreaming of the possibilities of adding him to the lineup. Another early 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game commit, Johnson could very well develop into a Jabrill Peppers-type player if utilized correctly in college.

DL – Justin Mascoll

Proving what a talented class Georgia will have in 2018, the 6-foot-4, 237-pound Mascoll already rates as a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s finest defensive ends for next cycle. Kirby Smart will have his hands full keeping all these talent Peach State products to stay home, but judging by his first full class in Athens, it looks like he’s up to the challenge.