How SEC stacks up in race for Top 30 running back recruits 2014-2017
It looks like the SEC has done it again.
California running back Najee Harris, the top overall recruit in the 2017 class, has pledged his allegiance to Alabama.
The Tide also has a verbal commitment from homegrown Brian Robinson, a four-star prospect ranked No. 16 among running backs.
RELATED: How SEC stacks up in race for top QBs
Quarterbacks commit earlier than everybody else, so it’s not unusual that we’re midway through June and 12 of the top 30 running backs are still available, according to 247Sports.com’s composite.
The SEC has four of those 18 commitments in the 2017 class. So does the Big Ten. The ACC leads the way with five. The Pac-12 has three, the Big 12 two.
Eight of the unsigned top 30 are from SEC states, so it would be an upset if the SEC doesn’t end up with more signees than the other Power 5s.
If so, it could continue a trend that has helped the SEC stay on top of college football.
2016
SEC signees: 8 of top 30 prospects
Pac-12: 7
Big Ten: 5
Big 12: 4
ACC: 3
Others: 2
Worth noting: The SEC signed four of the top nine prospects: No. 3 B.J. Emmons (Alabama, pictured); No. 5 Devwah Whaley (Arkansas); No. 7 Devin White (LSU) and No. 9 Elijah Holyfied (Georgia).
2015
SEC signees: 9 of top 30
Pac-12: 6
ACC: 5
Big 12: 5
Big Ten: 4
Others: 1
Worth noting: The SEC signed two of the top five prospects: No. 1 Damien Harris (Alabama, pictured) and No. 5 Derrius Guice (LSU). No. 14 Jordan Scarlett figures to have a more prominent role in Florida’s offense this season.
2014
SEC signees: 7 out of top 30
Big 12: 7
ACC: 6
Big Ten: 5
Pac-12: 5
Worth noting: The SEC signed four of the top six prospects. No. 1 Leonard Fournette (LSU, pictured) and No. 6 Nick Chubb (Georgia) are Heisman candidates in 2016. No. 3 Sony Michel (Georgia) ran for 1,000 yards after Chubb’s injury last season.
Chris Wright is Executive Editor at SaturdayDownSouth.com. Email him at cwright@saturdaydownsouth.com.