Twenty days.
That’s how long every college football team has to solidify current commitments or add to its class.
It’s a sprint to the finish now, starting Thursday, which signifies the end of the recruiting dead period. Every SEC team has plenty of work to do. But these are the five teams that most exemplify mission critical ahead of Feb. 4.
1. Florida: The Gators are after a bevy of five-star recruits, and Jim McElwain has little time to improve on the SEC’s 14th-ranked class. The last three weeks of recruiting are more important to UF than any other conference program, and it’s not that close.
Names of interest: Martez Ivey, Byron Cowart, CeCe Jefferson
2. Auburn: The Tigers are on more five stars than the Gators, if that’s possible. Plus, the offense lost all but four starters and the defense just hired a new coordinator in Will Muschamp. This weekend will be huge for Auburn, which is hosting a hoard of big-time recruits.
Names of interest: Cowart, Terry Beckner Jr., Jefferson, Daylon Mack
3. LSU: The Tigers are in an interesting spot. Les Miles has an excellent track record as a recruiter and as a coach, but LSU lost its perch at the top of the SEC West this season, and its defensive coordinator. The roster is loaded with talent in 2015, but its recruiting class, especially on defense, appeared shaky after John Chavis left for Texas A&M. Will LSU close strong?
Names of interest: Iman Marshall, Beckner Jr., Daylon Charlot, Donte Jackson
4. South Carolina: Everything was looking great for the Gamecocks’ 2015 recruiting class, especially on defense. Then coach Steve Spurrier mentioned retirement in two or three years, and all of SC’s rivals pounced. The class still has the potential to be great, but the Gamecocks have work to do to recoup some decommitments or at least prevent more leaks.
Names of interest: Arden Key, Mark Fields, Christian Pellage
5. Texas A&M: It’s a pivotal year for the Aggies, which just inherited the aforementioned Chavis. Coach Kevin Sumlin needs the defense to turn around in a hurry, or his salary may come across as exorbitant. It would help if Sumlin and Chavis can convince a few more high-profile defensive players to become the next Myles Garrett, an immediate freshman standout in 2014. And that offense always has room for another athletic four- or five-star skill player.
Names of interest: Mack, Damarkus Lodge, Kris Boyd
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
