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Recruiting season, it seems, never ends. Most the 2016 class is still in high school, and already the 2017 class is taking shape.
As it did last season, Kentucky jumps out in front with a total of 11 early commits. But the new coaching staffs at both South Carolina and Georgia aren’t wasting any time, either. Will Muschamp has already garnered eight verbals, while Kirby Smart has six for the Bulldogs.
It seems as though Nick Saban isn’t waiting until the final day, as was the case this season, to begin pulling in top talent. Seven players, including five-star running back Najee Harris, have committed to the Tide.
Harris is one of four five-star athletes committing early to SEC schools. That group includes quarterback Tate Martell, who has pledged to Texas A&M.
Editor’s note: 247Sports’ class and composite rankings as of Monday April 4 were used for this story.
Alabama
Early 2017 national rank: No. 8
Commits (7)
- Najee Harris, RB, Five-star
- Alex Leatherwood, OT, Four-star
- Chadarius Townsend, ATH, Four-star
- Xavier McKinney, S, Four-star
- Brian Robinson, RB, Four-star
- Gary Johnson, ILB, Four-star
- Aaron Sterling, DE, Three-star
Arkansas
Early 2017 rank: No. 40
Commits (4)
- Daulton Hyatt, QB, Three-star
- Jarrod Barnes, ATH, Three-star
- Derrick Munson, OLB, Three-star
- Maleek Barkley, WR, Three-star
Auburn
Early 2017 rank: No. 32
Commits (3)
- Calvin Ashley, OT, Five-star
- Alaric Williams, ATH, Four-star
- Carlito Gonzalez, S, Three-star
Florida
Early 2017 rank: No. 35
Commits (3)
- Daquon Green, WR, Four-star
- Jake Allen, QB, Four-star
- Kadeem Telfort, OT, Three-star
Georgia
Early 2017 rank: No. 12
Commits (6)
- Richard LeCounte III, S, Four-star
- Jake Fromm, QB, Four-star
- Jaden Hunter, OLB, Four-star
- Breon Dixon, ILB, Four-star
- Xavier Jenkins, WR, Three-star
- Justin Shaffer, OG, Three-star
Kentucky
Early 2017 rank: No. 10
Commits (11)
- JaVonte Richardson, WR, Four-star
- James Hudson, DE, Three-star
- Michael Warren, RB, Three-star
- Alex King, DE, Three-star
- Mac Jones, QB, Three-star
- Craig Yeast II, WR, Three-star
- Bryant Koback, RB, Three-star
- Quinton Bohanna, DT, Three-star
- Jamin Davis, LB, Three-star
- Walker Wood, QB, Three-star
- Austin Dotson, OT, Three-star
LSU
Early 2017 rank: No. 27
Commits (4)
- Tyler Shelvin, DT, Five-star
- Patrick Queen, QB, Four-star
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Threer-star
- Jontre Kirklin, QB, Three-star
Mississippi State
Early 2017 rank: No. 20
Commits (7)
- Keytaon Thompson, QB, Four-star
- Ravian Pierce, TE, Three-star
- Tommy Champion, OT, Three-star
- Cameron Myers, QB, Three-star
- Emanuel Dabney, CB, Three-star
- Monterio Hunt, WR, Three-star
- Lee Autry, DT, N/A
Missouri
Early 2017 rank: No. 52
Commits (2)
- Daron Davis, ATH, Four-star
- Hyrin White, OT, Three-star
Ole Miss
Early 2017 rank: No. 38
Commits (3)
- D.D. Bowie, WR, Four-star
- Markel Winters, DE, Three-star
- Ben Brown, OT, Three-star
South Carolina
Early 2017 rank: No. 13
Commits (8)
- Jake Bentley, QB, Four-star
- Stephen Guidry, WR, Four-star
- Dennis Daley, OT, Three-star
- Will Register, TE, Three-star
- Eric Douglas, OT, Three-star
- Damani Staley, LB, Three-star
- Tyreek Johnson, DE, Three-star
- Summie Carlay, OT, Three-star
Tennessee
Early 2017 rank: No. 48
Commits (3)
- Marquez Bembry, ATH, Three-star
- Mo Burnam, ILB, Three-star
- Chase Rogers, TE, Three-star
Texas A&M
Early 2017 rank: No. 26
Commits (4)
- Tate Martell, QB, Five-star
- Mannie Netherly, WR, Four-star
- Roshauud Paul, ATH, Three-star
- Devin Morris, CB, Three-star
Vanderbilt
Early 2017 rank: N/A
Commits (0)
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
