Biggest recruiting need for every SEC team… and which recruit will fill it
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Some players will graduate, others will opt early for the NFL draft. As is the case every year, each SEC team will have to replenish its roster with talent. Here’s a look at each team in the SEC, its most pressing needs and one player who could best address it.
Alabama
Need: Linebacker. It’s a toss-up between that and defensive line. But big shoes will need to be filled when LBs Reuben Foster, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson depart. Five-star LB Dylan Moses could help fill the void. The 6-2.5, 235-pound pledge out of Bradenton, Fla., is considered the nation’s top recruit at his position by 247sports.com.
Arkansas
Need: Tight end. The Razorbacks could lose five receivers at the end of this season as well, but replacing TE Jeremy Sprinkle in this key position in the Arkansas offense will be critical. Junior college transfer Jeremy Patton is a 4-star recruit from Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. The 6-6, 230-pound verbal commit could help in that area.
Auburn
Need: Quarterback. The Tigers are looking for someone to step up and take control of the offense. Sean White still could be that player, but a solid leader is what the Tigers seek. Jarrett Stidham, out of Stephenville, Texas, is a highly sought after junior college talent who began his career at Baylor and has made his intentions known that he will transfer to Auburn.
Florida
Need: Linebacker. With LBs Jarrad Davis and Daniel McMillian departing and perhaps another in Alex Anzalone entering the draft as a redshirt junior, the Gators will need to replenish the position. Three-star LBs Ventrell Miller and James Houston could provide depth there. The instate prospects will have to prove themselves, however, and the Gators could look to add another linebacker in the class of 2017.
Georgia
Need: Offensive tackle. There’s a lot of young talent at the position. But you can never have enough big guys up front. Atlanta’s Andrew Thomas is a 4-star verbal commit. The 6-5, 310-pounder is the latest in a line of big guys the Bulldogs hope solidify the position for years to come.
Kentucky
Need: Running back (maybe). If Boom Williams enters the NFL Draft, the Wildcats will need depth behind freshman Benny Snell. Three-star prospect Bryant Koback is a 5-11, 191-pounder from Ohio who looks to play a role in the Wildcats’ backfield.
LSU
Need: Quarterback. Stop me if you heard this before. The Tigers have been a quality quarterback away from being serious challengers for the last couple of years now. Four-star pledge Myles Brennan is a 6-3, 180-pound pro style signal-caller who could answer that need. Though is commitment to LSU has wavered as the program’s coaching staff has evolved, he seems to be favoring the Tigers again.
Mississippi State
Need: Offensive line. Three along the line are gone after this season. Three-star tackle Tommy Champion, a 6-5, 320-pound verbal commit from in-state could help replenish the group.
Missouri
Need: Cornerback. Both corners are seniors and the Tigers will look to youth next season. Three-star pledge Terry Petry, a 5-11, 180-pound Texan from just outside of Houston, could provide some answers.
Ole Miss
Need: Wide receiver. Senior Quincy Adeboyejo and junior Damore’ea Stringfellow, who declared early for the NFL draft, have finished up their careers. Four-star verbal commit D.D. Bowie could step in and make an impact. At 6-1, 170, Bowie will get a chance to take a place among the long list of outstanding receivers at Ole Miss.
South Carolina
Need: Linebacker. Starters Jonathan Walton and T.J. Holloman will play their last game this month. But four-star recruit Hamsah Nasirildeen, a 6-3, 210-pounder from North Carolina, is a highly-touted athlete who has a chance to make a name for himself.
Tennessee
Need: Running back. With one back leaving the school and another, Alvin Kamara, likely to declare for the NFL, that leaves a large hole in the Vols offense. Four-star verbal commit Ty Chandler is a 5-11, 195-pounder from Nashville who could fill the void.
Texas A&M
Need: Defensive end. The era of bookends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall comes to an end with the bowl game. Four-star verbal commit Michael Clemons could become the next best thing. The 6-6, 240-pound Clemons is a JUCO transfer from Cisco College.
Vanderbilt
Need: Offensive tackle. Looking ahead to next season it will be a youthful group to vie for the position. Three-start verbal commit Bryce Bailey, a 6-5, 290-pounder from New Jersey, looks to throw his hat in the mix.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
