With the regular season coming to a close, programs are now ardently focusing upon the recruitment of talented high school and junior college prospects.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any team. One can be great at the tactical side of the game. However, you need those excellent athletes to truly compete at the highest level.

The next two months will be absolutely wild — as coaches flock to the homes of recruits, as well as host them on campus for visits.

This piece will look at the best verbal commitment for every program within the SEC Eastre. The pledges are not set in stone — and won’t be until the prospect signs a letter of intent. Recruiting rankings within the analysis come from the 247Sports composite rankings system.

Florida: 4-star DE Zachary Carter

Carter appears to fall in line with many of the talented defensive players Florida has signed over the years.

The Tampa product is at his best when he can pin his ears back and rush after opposing quarterbacks with reckless abandon. Carter possesses an elite first-step, and looks primed to contribute early in his career.

Georgia: 5-star DB Richard LeCounte III

LeCounte III is one of the best athletes — regardless of position — within the 2017 class.

Versatility is the name of the game for this Georgia native. While he’s likely destined to begin his career in the secondary, he’s more than capable of performing on the other side of the ball at a skill position. LeCounte III is also incredibly dynamic in the return game.

Expect him to be an integral member of the team for head coach Kirby Smart going forward.

Kentucky: 4-star WR JaVonte Richardson

Kentucky has had a proclivity for recruiting the state of Ohio very hard under head coach Mark Stoops, and the 2017 cycle is no different.

Richardson is a big receiver at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Understandably so, he’s very good in red-zone situations — as well as on jump-ball plays down the field.

He appears to be a very valuable piece going forward for Eddie Gran’s offense.

Missouri: 3-star ATH DaRon Davis

Barry Odom and his staff are hoping that Davis can come in right away and make a big impact.

A native of Kansas City, Davis is a fantastic athlete — possessing the ability to shine at both running back and wide receiver. The No. 3 player in the state of Missouri, Davis chose Mizzou over offers from Illinois, Iowa State, and Kansas.

South Carolina: 4-star DB Jamyest Williams

While a bit undersized, Williams is an explosive prospect. The corner out of Georgia has cat-quick agility — which enables him to stick with smaller, shifty slot receivers.

Dually, Williams has great ball skills. His lack of size is made up by the fact he’s as competitive as any prospect within the state. Williams chose USC over offers from Georgia, Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida State, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and LSU, among others.

Tennessee: 4-star DB Maleik Gray

The in-state safety accrued offers from all across the country — and for good reason.

Gray is a heavy-hitter from the secondary. He’s also very good at covering a lot of ground on the back end. Couple that with great size, and Gray is the prototype safety in today’s game.

With his frame, Gray could also bulk up a bit and end up as a speedy outside ‘backer.

Vanderbilt: 3-star QB Jacob Free

During the Derek Mason era, quarterback play has been a bit of an adventure.

The Commodores are hoping Free can eventually lead them back into SEC East contention. At 6-foot-5, he’s the archetype pro-style gunslinger.

Regarded as one of the best signal-callers from the state of Alabama, Free opted for Vanderbilt over an offer from Louisville.