The SEC East is playing catch up, talent-wise, to the SEC West. Here are instant-impact recruits in the SEC East for 2012:

Florida

Dante Fowler, BUCK: Fowler looks like he’s the missing link to Will Muschamp’s 3-4 defense. Fowler will be perfect for Muschamp’s defense, and he will absolutely play in year one. Will he have a big impact? Who knows, but he will have an impact if he can stay healthy.

Damien Jacobs, DT: Jacobs was a huge pickup for the Gators this season because he is a JUCO guy who can come right in and play for the Gators. Florida is losing Jaye Howard at DT; so, Jacobs will have a shot to play day one. He’s currently enrolled and will get a leg-up in the spring over other linemen.

Brian Poole, DB: I think Poole could have the biggest impact of all the freshmen. Poole is a tough, hard-nosed cover corner who will most likely play some nickel in his first year. Poole is fast enough and big enough, and let’s see how well he adapts to the defensive scheme.

Georgia

Jordan Jenkins, DE/LB: Out of all the SEC commitments this season, Jordan Jenkins might be the most ready to play right now. He’s big and very athletic. Jenkins should make an impact on defense for the Bulldogs in year one playing rush end. He’s just too good to keep off the field for Todd Grantham.

John Theus, OL: It’s very unusual that a freshman ever makes an impact along the offensive line, but Georgia needs numbers and talent at the position. I can see Theus playing an impact role in his first year. The Bulldogs need players to step up along the offensive front, and Theus could be the guy. IF a freshman is going to do it, it will be Theus.

Keith Marshall, RB: Marshall will be an impact player in year one because he has to be. All the questions about Isaiah Crowell being healthy or tough enough will always be there. Marshall has the opportunity to win the job and play from day one. Could he be good enough to be the running back the Bulldogs have been missing for quite some time?

Kentucky

Justin Taylor, RB: I love this pickup for Kentucky in Taylor. Taylor is recovering from an ACL injury in 2011, but he is very talented and was a big-time prospect before his injury. He was committed to Alabama for the longest time but decided after having a conversation with Nick Saban, his best bet would be to either wait and sign with Alabama next year or go somewhere else. If Taylor can get healthy, he could be the running back for the Wildcats. Great pickup for Joker Phillips.

Daron Blaylock, DB: Let’s face it, any one of the defensive backs for the Wildcats could be called an instant-impact player because there is such a need there. But I do think Blaylock will one of the guys to do it next year.

Missouri

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR: DGB was a huge pickup for the Tigers. Missouri needs a little momentum heading into the SEC next year, and other prospects want to play with players like DGB. He should be a first-round prospect in three years, and he will absolutely make a huge impact for the Tigers next year in the SEC East.

South Carolina

Shaq Roland, WR: I think Shaq Roland might be the most underrated prospect of this class. I think he is going to be dynamite in Steve Spurrier’s offense, and with the loss of Alshon Jeffery, he becomes that much bigger. He should start in year one, and he should make a big impact for the Gamecocks.

Jordan Diggs, DB: The South Carolina secondary is losing talent this season, and coupled with the fact that South Carolina runs a lot of 4-2-5 on defense, he should have a chance to come in and compete for playing time early. Diggs is physically ready to play right now at safety, so we’ll see.

Tennessee

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR: Patterson was the top-rated JUCO player in the country at wide receiver in 2012. And he will line up nicely with Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter. Tyler Bray can make all throws on the field, and I expect Patterson will have a big impact for the Vols starting next year.

Daniel McCullers, DT: This was a huge area of need for the Vols along the defensive front. Tennessee got help at that position with the signing of JUCO DT McCullers at 6-6, 380lbs. McCullers should make an immediate impact at nose tackle.

Davante Bourque, RB: Tennessee is searching for a big-time running back who is the total package. Marlin Lane is currently on campus and will be the leading candidate for the most playing time, but Bourque will push for playing time. He’s big, strong, powerful and fast. He’s SEC-ready right now. Whether he can or will learn the playbook might be the biggest question surrounding him right now. However, he looks like a guy who can come in and play right away. Tennessee needs someone to step up at running back, bad.

Vanderbilt

Brian Kimbrow, RB: Kimbrow is really a testament to the changing culture at Vanderbilt. To pull an in-state kid, a highly ranked in-state prospect, to Vanderbilt is all the proof I need about the excitement level surrounding this program right now. Kimbrow should get some playing time behind Zac Stacy this next year because he’s a burner.

Caleb Azubike, DE: Vanderbilt has both defensive end positions open next year, and Azubike should have an opportunity to make an impact starting in year one. He’s another in-state kid who the Commodores are very excited about moving forward in the future.

This is just another reason why college football is awesome and recruiting is crazy emotional – for both the fans and the prospects.

Welcome to the SEC, DGB!

What do you think?

With the National Championship over, it’s time to turn the attention towards another national title – the recruiting national title. We are only a mere three weeks away from February 1st – National Signing Day.

Several SEC schools are ranked very high overall by the different recruiting services. This is going to be a pressure-packed race to NSD.

Let’s have a look at each team and where they sit currently:

Alabama Crimson Tide: 26 commitments
Headliners: DB Landon Collins, WR/DB Eddie Williams and RB TJ Yeldon.
Rankings: 247Sports (1), Rivals (1), Scout (1) and ESPN (1)
Top Targets: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, QB Jameis Winston

Arkansas Razorbacks: 21 commitments
Headliners: WR Courtney Gardner, RB Jonathan Williams
Rankings: 247Sports (20), Rivals (28), Scout (16) and ESPN (NR in Top 25)
Top Targets: WR Dorial Green-Beckham

Auburn Tigers: 15 commitments
Headliners: QB Zeke Pike, RB Jovon Robinson, WR Ricardo Lewis
Rankings: 247Sports (15), Rivals (17), Scout (18) and ESPN (14)
Top Targets: DL Leonard Williams, WR Stefon Diggs

Florida Gators: 18 commitments
Headliners: DE Jonathan Bullard, OT DJ Humphries
Rankings: 247Sports (5), Rivals (3), Scout (5) and ESPN (4)
Top Targets: WR Stefon Diggs, WR Nelson Agholor

Georgia Bulldogs: 16 commitments
Headliners: DE Jordan Jenkins, RB Keith Marshall
Rankings: 247Sports (16), Rivals (19), Scout (21) and ESPN (7)
Top Targets: LB/WR Josh Harvey-Clemons, RB Mike Davis

Kentucky Wildcats: 23 commitments
Headliners: DT Thomas Chapman, QB Patrick Towles
Rankings: 247Sports (43), Rivals (NR in Top 50), Scout (34) and ESPN (NR Top 25)

LSU Tigers: 21 commitments
Headliners: QB Gunner Kiel, LB Torshiro Davis
Rankings: 247Sports (9), Rivals (5), Scout (6) and ESPN (11)
Top Targets: DB Ronald Darby, DB Landon Collins (Alabama commit)

Mississippi State Bulldogs: 25 commitments
Headliners: DT Quay Evans, DE Denico Autry
Rankings: 247Sports (25), Rivals (32), Scout (17) and ESPN (NR in Top 25)
Top Target: LB Beniquez Brown

Missouri Tigers: 17 commitments
Headliners: OL Evan Boehm, TE Sean Culkin
Rankings: 247Sports (34), Rivals (), Scout (31) and ESPN (NR in Top 25)
Top Target: WR Dorial Green-Beckham

Ole Miss Rebels: 15 commitments
Headliners: DE Channing Ward, DT Isaac Gross
Rankings: 247Sports (50), Rivals (36), Scout (55) and ESPN (NR in Top 25)
Top Targets: JUCO WR Cordarrelle Patterson

South Carolina Gamecocks: 23 commitments
Headliners: DB Jordan Diggs, WR Shaq Roland
Rankings: 247Sports (15), Rivals (14), Scout (11) and ESPN (15)
Top Target: RB Mike Davis

Tennessee Volunteers: 18 commitments
Headliners: WR Alton Howard, DT Danny O’Brien
Rankings: 247Sports (18), Rivals (21), Scout (26) and ESPN (16)
Top Targets: RB Mike Davis

Texas A&M Aggies: 25 commitments
Headliners: QB Matt Davis, RB Trey Williams
Rankings: 247Sports (10), Rivals (11), Scout (4) and ESPN (8)
Top Target: WR Thomas Johnson

Vanderbilt Commodores: 21 commitments
Headliners: RB Brian Kimbrow, DE Caleb Azubike
Rankings: 247Sports (41), Rivals (25), Scout (30) and ESPN (22)
Top Target: WR Andre McDonald

Missouri absolutely gashed North Carolina up and down the field last night in the Independence Bowl in Louisiana and won 41-24. The Tigers’ sophomore quarterback James Franklin, who was 15 for 23 for 132 yards and a touchdown, led Missouri. Franklin also led the charge on the ground carrying 18 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

SEC fans will have to deal with Franklin next year both on the ground and through the air as a new contender in the SEC East. Franklin threw for 2,733 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year during the regular season, and he also ran for 839 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground as well. He’s a legit dual-threat quarterback in any league.

But can Missouri run the spread offense in the SEC?

No one thought it was seemingly possible until Urban Meyer did it at Florida with Tim Tebow. And then Auburn did it with Cam Newton. Is Franklin and Missouri next in the short line of quarterbacks and programs that can run the spread offense in the SEC? We’ll have to find out.

I will submit to you that Missouri is most likely the third or fourth best team in the SEC East right now. Georgia and South Carolina are clearly the top two right now. Then, you have Florida, and who else? Tennessee, Vanderbilt, or Kentucky cannot beat Missouri right now.

Franklin will be a junior next year in Missouri’s first year in the East – a year stronger, and a year more seasoned. The 6-6, 225lb quarterback made UNC look silly, but clearly that UNC team last night is not SEC material. Can Franklin take the pounding in the SEC with 245lb linebackers hitting him head on?

There are a ton of questions that no one can answer right now about Missouri heading into the SEC East and how they will compete, but they will have a seasoned quarterback leading the charge. That always increases your chances.

I can’t wait to see Missouri running the spread against good SEC defenses. It will be fun to watch.

LSU welcomed the Missouri Tigers into the SEC in the Shreveport Times, urging fans to get out and support the newest member of the SEC in the 2011 AdvoCare Independence Bowl.

Here’s the text that was accidentally released:

Given the ever-changing conference paradigm over the past year, the Southeastern Conference has continued to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining its stature as one of the nation’s premier conferences by welcoming the University of Missouri as the league’s 14th member, Commissioner Mike Slive announced Monday.

Missouri joins Texas A&M University as the league’s two new institutions who will begin full membership on July 1, 2012. It is the first expansion of the SEC membership since Arkansas and South Carolina joined the conference in 1992.

Missouri was a charter member of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1907, which became the Big Six Conference in 1964, the Big Eight Conference in 1964 and the Big 12 Conference in 1996.

Geographically, it is a natural fit as the state of Missouri touches more states (Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee) that currently are home to an SEC institution than any other state that is not in the league’s previous 13-member footprint. Like the majority of the cities in the SEC, Columbia, Mo., is a college-centered town with a metropolitan population of 164,283, making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Missouri.

With an enrollment of 32,415, the University of Missouri boasts a strong academic resume, as it is one of only five universities nationwide with law, medicine, veterinary medicine and a research reactor on one campus. Six of Missouri’s sports teams last season led the Big 12 in graduation rate for their respective sports.

Culturally, Missouri is as well known for its barbecue, country music, history and rich tradition as the majority of the current states of the SEC.

Missouri is one of only 35 public U.S. universities invited to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). It will become the fourth SEC school that is part of the AAU, joining Florida, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

I’d say we’re close!

h/t USA Today

14. Ole Miss
13. Kentucky
12. Mississippi State

Ole Miss has had a terrible year so far, losing all of their conference games and getting slaughtered at Vanderbilt…Kentucky has had an offensive nightmare this year in Lexington, and the Wildcats will be lucky to beat 1AA Jacksonville State this weekend…Mississippi State has had a very underwhelming year in Starkville, and the preseason noise was a lot of hype the Bulldogs could not back up.

11. Vanderbilt
10. Missouri
9. Tennessee

I like the direction of the Vanderbilt program right now, but they are not a contender in year one of James Franklin’s tenure. The Commodores are earning a little bit of respect, though…Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel and the Tiger fan base will not find it as easy to win the SEC as it has been in the Big 12. They will most notably notice it within the offensive and defensive lines, something SEC play dominates…Tennessee has had a disappointing season by far this year, and they have lost all three of their conference games heading into the meat of their schedule.

8. Florida
7. Auburn
6. Georgia

Florida has lost three in a row, and they could go on to lose four in the month of October if they cannot beat Georgia in a week and a half…Auburn has won some close games this year, and it hasn’t been pretty, either. But you cannot discount the fact the Tigers are 3-1 in the SEC…Georgia has won five in a row, and the Bulldogs look to be the possible favorite to win the East, even with the loss to South Carolina.

5. South Carolina
4. Texas A&M
3. Arkansas

South Carolina is the East favorite right now, record-wise. However, their road will now get much tougher without Marcus Lattimore at running back…Texas A&M is ready to be an SEC team. They have a solid defense and offense right now, and they could make some noise in the SEC if it were this season. However, there will be a learning curve, but I’m very interested in learning more about this storied program…Arkansas beat the Aggies head-to-head at Jerry World earlier this season by dominating the Aggies in the second half. There is no doubt the Razorbacks are the third best team in the SEC right now…and it isn’t close.

1b. LSU
1a. Alabama

You could either put Alabama or LSU as No. 1 or No. 2. One of these two teams will be playing for it all in New Orleans.

This is how I think the conference stacks up if Texas A&M and Missouri were a part of it right now.

Where do you think they would rank in the SEC?

There will likely be a press conference today following last night’s vote, and President R. Bowden Loftin will accept the invitation.

Also, there are rumblings that SEC Commissioner Mike Slive has been given authority by the SEC presidents to negotiate with both West Virginia and Missouri to possibly be the fourteenth conference member.

This could get very interesting.

Update: Baylor has withdrawn their approval of Texas A&M withdrawing from the Big XII, and there could be a possible suit pending. The SEC will not approve TAMU until this possible suit gets resolved or dropped. Look, Baylor has no choice here but to fight to keep this thing together. They are the about to be homeless – as in no conference to call home – because the Big XII is about to fall apart.

Potential opponents have rumored to be Texas Tech, Kansas and Missouri who all have an opening in their 2011 schedule.  Les Miles apparently has a relationship with Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones and the Dallas-Fort Worth area is very strong recruiting ground.

Note that Arkansas played Texas A&M in Cowboy Stadium last year so this is not a major surprise.  That game however did not receive the attention, in my opinion, that LSU would receive going into Dallas.

In my opinion, this is a trend that is just ramping up.  Big school using big out-of-conference games in neutral stadiums that draws a big, national audience.  What better way to bring brand recognition to the program and help recruiting in areas outside your state?  Alabama has been playing big non-conference matchups in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta now for a couple years – Clemson (2008), Virginia Tech (2009).  The Penn State matchup this year will be in Tuscaloosa.  ESPN’s Game Day is most likely already scheduled for Tuscaloosa on this date.

This is what college football fans want.  We want big out-of-conference matchups so we can talk trash with other leagues.  Am I a ‘Bama fan?  No.  But I will sure as heck be watching ‘Bama vs Penn State so that I can tell all my Big Ten fans how crappy their conference is.  Right?

LSU versus a Big 12 team in Cowboys Stadium in 2011 will be just the same for all SEC fans.  For LSU fans, well, it’s a reason to storm Dallas.

The SEC as a conference and the big powers of the conference should all embrace this trend, and maximize their ability to draw big games in big stadiums in front of big audiences.