Which non-SEC schools are biggest recruiting threats for 2015 class?
With as much on-field success as the SEC has had in the last decade, it should be no shock that the same amount of success has carried over to the recruiting trail.
As it stands currently, the SEC has five teams in the top-10 recruiting classes, but a number of non-SEC schools could chip away at the conference’s recruiting success this year.
Here’s a look at the biggest recruiting threats from outside the SEC.
Note: All recruiting rankings based off of 247sports.com
Florida State Seminoles
Class ranking: 2
Notable commits: Five-star safety Derwin James; five-star defensive end Josh Sweat; four-star receiver George Campbell
Notable targets: Five-star cornerback Iman Marshall; five-star defensive end Byron Cowart; five-star defensive-end CeCe Jefferson
Why they are a threat: Located in the Southeast, FSU is always in play for some of the nation’s top recruits, especially with a home state like Florida. The Seminoles began building recruiting momentum with the hire of Jimbo Fisher and haven’t looked back after their BCS Championship. Right now, FSU is one of college football’s best teams, and one of the more attractive options for top recruits. Currently, FSU is still in play for several five-stars — Marshall, Cowart and Jefferson. All three defensive studs are being pursued heavily by SEC schools, but back-to-back national championships for Fisher and company may be too tough for SEC schools to compete with.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Class ranking: 4
Notable commits: Five-star linebacker Justin Hilliard; four-star athlete Jerome Baker; four-star athlete Torrance Gibson
Notable targets: Four-star running back Damien Harris; four-star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins
Why they are a threat: If there’s any team up north that can compete for recruits in SEC hotbeds, it’s the Ohio State Buckeyes. Head coach Urban Meyer is arguably the best recruiter in college football and his past experience in the SEC only helps him when recruiting in Florida, Georgia and other top-talent areas. He’s already reeled in several recruits that were top targets of SEC schools in 2015 and OSU figures to be in play for even more in the final couple of months. If the Buckeyes can knock off Alabama in the CFP semifinal, it only stands to help their chances of gaining even more ground on SEC schools in recruiting.
Clemson Tigers
Class ranking: 6
Notable commits: Five-star wide receiver Deon Cain; five-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt; four-star athlete Ray Ray McCloud
Notable targets: Five-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey; four-star defensive tackle Daron Payne
Why they are a threat: Like FSU, Clemson has been able to standout among the non-SEC schools in the Southeast. Head coach Dabo Swinney, a great recruiter in his own right, has always seemed to pull in a top recruit or two from Florida every season. In recent years, guys like Sammy Watkins and MacKensie Alexander have spurned some of the SEC’s best programs to go play for Swinney at Clemson. The Tigers haven’t had as much on-field success as FSU recently, but as long as Swinney remains at Clemson, it’ll be a school constantly in the mix for the nation’s top talent.
Michigan Wolverines
Class ranking: 90
Notable commits: Four-star athlete Brian Cole; four-star safety Tyree Kinnel
Notable targets: Four-star linebacker Osa Masina; four-star tight end Chris Clark
Why they are a threat: It’s no secret that Michigan’s on-field struggles have signifanctly damaged its 2015 recruiting class. The Wolverines only have six current commits and are ranked way down at 90th nationally. But that all can change in an instant with Michigan’s head coaching hire. Reports are indicating that Harbaugh will become Michigan’s new head coach, and while anything has yet to be officially announced, if he is hired he’s the one guy that regain Michigan’s recruiting momentum in an instant. It’s hard to argue against Harbaugh’s credentials and his success in the NFL will only attract more top recruits to Ann Arbor. Michigan is one of the schools with a national brand and hiring Harbaugh, if it does happen, will certainly catch the attention of the South’s best high school recruits and will make things a bit more uncomfortable for SEC schools.