On January 9th, Clemson did what few thought possible. Deshaun Watson and the Tigers from the upstate of South Carolina got a second crack at the mighty Crimson Tide…and dethroned them.
But just as exhilarating as that match-up was, it also cruelly brought the end to another college football season. The most die-hard football fan knows that the first college football game of 2017 is not for another seven and a half months. If you aren’t one of those die-hards, you may think you have no choice but to close yourself in your home with the lights off until ESPN plays their new brain-wrangling promo song of the 2017 season.
But take heart! We die-hards know that while games aren’t played year-round, there’s still plenty to pay attention to…namely National Signing Day. On February 1st, thousands of young men nationwide will enhance the hope of millions of fans nationwide as they commit to play for a college football program. Many of these high school and junior college players have already committed, and some have already enrolled, but there are still many who have yet to make their decision public.
Let’s take an overview look of the SEC’s recruiting classes, starting with the top seven.
(All rankings come from 247sports.com)
1) Alabama:
Tide Nation is disappointed after falling just short of their 17th national title. But a look at what’s coming in the way of help for Alabama may suggest that this dynasty will continue. Four five-star players have already enrolled, including the nation’s top recruit, RB Najee Harris. Other five-stars enrollees include OT Alex Leatherwood, OLB Dylan Moses, and WR Jerry Jeudy.
All in all, Bama boasts the nation’s top class. If they end up at number one, it will be the seventh straight year.
SEC Rank: #1
National Rank: #1
Top Recruit: RB Najee Harris
2) Georgia:
Kirby Smart’s first season at Georgia saw the Dawgs finish 8-5. One of the nation’s top recruiting classes and the return of Nick Chubb will help Georgia possibly improve on that record in 2017. A pair of safeties in Deangelo Gibbs and Richard LeCounte III heading to Athens will help Georgia shore up a defense that was porous at times in 2016. Adding five-star OT Isaiah Wilson to the mix will enhance Georgia’s chances of returning to national prominence in 2017.
SEC Rank: #2
National Rank: #3
Top Recruit: OT Isaiah Wilson
3) LSU
The Tigers had an up and down season in 2016, and replacing key losses on the offense and defense won’t be easy. Coach Orgeron and his staff have recruited a strong class though. Four-star OT Austin Deculus will help an O-line losing Ethan Pocic and Josh Boutte. Tiger fans should keep an eye on the defensive line in 2017. The team loses DE’s Lewis Neal and Davon Godchaux, but retain DE Arden Key. Four-star end Tyler Shelvin and three-stars Justin Thomas and Neil Farrell should get a chance to help soon after arriving on campus.
Coach O has already hired new OC Matt Canada from Pittsburgh, and an off-season QB battle between returner Danny Etling and recruits Lowell Narcisse and Myles Brennan should ensue.
SEC Rank: #3
National Rank: #7
Top Recruit: S JaCoby Stevens
4) Auburn
One of Auburn’s most notable losses is Carl Lawson and his nine sacks in 2016. One of Auburn’s most notable recruits is former Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham, who comes from McLennan C.C. after throwing for 12 touchdowns and over twelve hundred yards for Baylor in 2015. The Tigers will receive help on the O-line with incoming five-star OT Calvin Ashley and four-star Nick Brahms. Defensive help should arrive in the form of four-star LB Kenny Britt (who’s already enrolled) and four-star LB Tadarian Moultry.
SEC Rank: #4
National Rank: #8
Top Recruit: OT Calvin Ashley
5) Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s struggles finishing seasons on a winning note has been well-documented. Some have speculated that it may cost Kevin Sumlin his job. With a strong recruiting class coming in though, perhaps the Aggies can finally finish out a season. Incoming dual threat QB Kellen Mond will likely compete with incoming pro-style signal-caller Conner Blumrick after the Aggies lose senior QB Trevor Knight. Early four-star enrollees Jhamon Ausbon and Hezekiah Jones should immediately provide assistance in the receiving corps.
SEC Rank: #5
National Rank: #9
Top Recruit: LB Anthony Hines
6) Tennessee
As much as Texas A&M struggled down the stretch, Tennessee couldn’t seem to get out its own way all season. The Vols’ hopes of a CFP appearance skidded to a nine-win season and ended with their head coach labeling his team “champions of life.” Despite all of that, the Volunteers still have a fairly polished recruiting class coming to Rocky Top. The Vols lose senior QB Joshua Dobbs but have dual-threat QB Will McBride entering the fray to compete with Quinten Dormady and others. The prize of this class is five-star OT Trey Smith, who picked his home-state Volunteers over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. Smith will immediately assist in protecting whoever Butch Jones puts at QB.
SEC Rank: #6
National Rank: #11
Top Recruit: OT Trey Smith
7) South Carolina
The Gamecocks exceeded many expectations in season one of the Will Muschamp era. Quarterback Jake Bentley led a slew of freshman and sophomore players into the cockpit, driving the hopes of South Carolina fans all over the southeast. While many still have their doubts about Muschamp as a head coach, few have doubted his ability to recruit. Muschamp currently boasts a Top 20 recruiting class. The Gamecocks are losing some beef off the defensive line, but hope to reinforce it with four-star early-enrollee M.J. Webb. The Gamecocks suspect special teams will also get a boost with four-star CB Jamyest Williams likely to return kicks.
SEC Rank: #7
National Rank: #15
Top Recruit: CB Jamyest Williams
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