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It’s never too early to take a look at potential SEC recruits.
LSU has the top recruiting class in the conference for 2016, but what about 2017?
Obviously, a lot can change in the next 14 months. Still, it might be fun to take a look at a premature ranking of kids already committed for the class of 2017.
Here is an early list:
1. Alabama — The Crimson Tide have the most commitments with eight. Alabama landed the top running back in the class, Najee Harris, and seven four-star recruits. Three of those seven commitments are ranked in the top 10 at their respective positions.
2. Auburn — Five-star OT Calvin Ashley is committed to the Tigers. He is ranked the second-best tackle and fourth-best overall player in the class. Auburn also has two four-star recruits and one three-star.
3. Kentucky — The Wildcats are the biggest surprise of the early rankings. Kentucky doesn’t have any five-star or four-star commitments, but they do have six three-star players coming. As the offseason progresses, though, the Wildcats will likely slide on this list.
4. Georgia — The Bulldogs landed one of the best athletes in the class with five-star Richard LeCounte III. He and four-star recruit Deejay Dallas could fill various positions. Georgia has one other commitment, a four-star receiver.
5. Florida — The Gators have stayed in state with their first three recruits. The most important is four-star QB Jake Allen, the 10th-best pro-style quarterback of the 2017 class.
6. Tennessee — Only two commitments for the Volunteers, including Hunter Johnson, the No. 1 ranked pro-style quarterback of the class and the No. 15 recruit nationally.
7. Mississippi State — Four recruits, including three junior-college transfers for Dan Mullen. The best of the four is OT Tommy Champion.
8. Texas A&M — The Aggies don’t have many commitments yet, but they have No. 1 dual-threat quarterback Tate Martell.
9. LSU — The last of the early five-star commitments belongs to LSU. Tyler Shelvin is the No. 2 ranked defensive tackle and will fit nicely into the Tigers defense. He is the only commitment for Les Miles so far.
10. Ole Miss — Four-star wide receiver D.D. Bowie is the Rebels’ only commitment, giving Chad Kelly another potent weapon to replace Laquon Treadwell.
11. Missouri — New coach Barry Odom has a lot of work to do. Missouri only has one four-star recruit, and he doesn’t have a position.
12. South Carolina — A three-star tight end is all the Gamecocks have for 2017 thus far.
13. Vanderbilt — The Commodores have one all-purpose back committed.
14. Arkansas — No commitments have been discovered for Bret Bielema.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
