SEC-W Recruiting Updates

[jbcarol]

Corey Long: Alex Collins is of age (he's no Dyer) and can sign the LOI by himself...

(then someone pulled the plug)

[jbcarol]

Edward Aschoff ‏@AschoffESPN
So Tashawn Bower flips from Auburn to Florida to LSU all in one day? Gotta love signing day drama

[jbcarol]

A humble Coach Freeze: We had some natural ins with some of the top prospects in the nation.

[jbcarol]

ESPN_SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC
RT @aschoffespn: Ouch RT @davidubben: The Big 12 has 25 players in the ESPN300. Ole Miss has 10.

[jbcarol]

Houston High's Chris Jones signs with Mississippi State

Was in, in his words, true life and death recruiting battle with Ole Miss.

[verticalhog]

An earlier thread mentioned the incredibly strong (but small) class for USC-West.  It is certainly impressive.  However, if you look at the class rankings on 24/7, all 7 members of the SEC-West division are in the top 24 (we are at # 22 assuming AC comes aboard and Miss St is right behind us at # 24).  This is NOT a negative comment about us being 6th out of 7 in the division but rather about how tough this division really is.  Amazing!

[verticalhog]

An earlier thread mentioned the incredibly strong (but small) class for USC-West.  It is certainly impressive.  However, if you look at the class rankings on 24/7, all 7 members of the SEC-West division are in the top 24 (we are at # 22 assuming AC comes aboard and Miss St is right behind us at # 24).  This is NOT a negative comment about us being 6th out of 7 in the division but rather about how tough this division really is.  Amazing!

[jbcarol]

Depth at the RB position for the '13 class has prodded ESPN to move Bama to number one recruiting class.

[Blutoblutarsky]

If you're scared, go to church

[iluvmyslute89]

If you're scared, go to church

+1

[PonderinHog]

Yeah, it's ridiculous.  I saw a few mnutes ago that the SEC has 7 of the top 11 signing classes.  Glad they have to play the games or we wouldn't stand a chance.

[bennyl08]

It truly is remarkable.

[jbcarol]

http://www.mrsec.com/2013/02/team-updates-sec-west-2

SEC WEST: Below are listings of signees and early enrolles already in the fold (with Rivals star rating)

[redeye]

This is what I've been saying. The SEC-W has been recruiting very well for a few years, but now we have Ole Miss with the #5 class and Texas A&M right up there, too. We may have the best class we've ever had next year and still finish last in the SEC-W.

The rich keep getting richer and SEC-W schools are getting to where they all just reload every year. It's not just about reloading, but in the past, schools might have a lot of great players, but not all of them were great. Now, if a 5-star player doesn't work out at Alabama, it's no big deal, because there may be 2 more backing him up.

I never thought I'd say this, but it may be a long time until anyone outside the SEC wins another national title.

[iluvmyslute89]

This is what I've been saying. The SEC-W has been recruiting very well for a few years, but now we have Ole Miss with the #5 class and Texas A&M right up there, too. We may have the best class we've ever had next year and still finish last in the SEC-W.

The rich keep getting richer and SEC-W schools are getting to where they all just reload every year. It's not just about reloading, but in the past, schools might have a lot of great players, but not all of them were great. Now, if a 5-star player doesn't work out at Alabama, it's no big deal, because there may be 2 more backing him up.

I never thought I'd say this, but it may be a long time until anyone outside the SEC wins another national title.

You bring up a solid point. Since we are going to a playoff model, what will come of the remaining bowls. I thought it would be cool if they made the remaining bowls into 4 team invitational tourneys, just like they are doing with the bcs nc

[Hog Fan...DOH!]

Coaching and retention become more critical every single year.

[sowmonella]

Our coaching staff will bring in a great class next year. Look what they have done in such a short span of time this year.

[jbcarol]

SEC puts 14 in Rivals top 28 team rankings for 2013

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/teamrank/2013/all/all

[jbcarol]

SEC puts 1 schools ahead of USC (#25) in 247's team rankings:

http://247sports.com/Season/2013-Football/TeamRankings

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/60386/recruiting-hits-and-misses-in-the-sec-west

ESPN noted that Bama filled needs at RB but may have come up short at OT.

Hogs' biggest need (at time of post) was Collins' LOI.

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/60418/a-day-later-collins-signs-with-the-hogs

[jbcarol]

SI.com's Andy Staples spent Wednesday's national signing day in the Ole Miss recruiting "war room."

Ole Miss defensive line coach Chris Kiffin, the lead recruiter on offensive line prospect Laremy Tunsil, "exchanged more than 800 Facebook messages with Tunsil and more than 400 with Tunsil's girlfriend." The Rebels also had 14 staff members write letters to Tunsil and four other people close to him.

The Rebels' tactics regarding Tunsil are all within NCAA rules...

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/02/sicom_report_ole_miss_recruitm.html

[jbcarol]

http://www.mrsec.com/2013/02/2013-signing-class-alabamas-target-zone/

Bama added 25 players from 13 different states...

They took same number from the state of Mississippi that Arkansas and I did. None.

[jbcarol]

'14 Norcross OLB Kevin Mouhon reported that he has an offer from Arkansas.

This adds to offers including but not limited to Florida State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, and Tennessee.

[jbcarol]

Capstone Report ‏@CapstoneReport
Why Ole Miss? @finebaum in @WSJ:"Players want to be able to say that they walked down the same street as William Faulkner."

[jbcarol]

JC Shurburtt ‏@jcshurburtt
First stop in Arkansas- West Memphis HS to see 4-star 2014 LB/DE/FB Jarvis Cooper http://bit.ly/XAlWNv

JC Shurburtt ‏@jcshurburtt
West Memphis (Ark.) HS -Home of the Blue Devils http://instagr.am/p/Vr2qTet10P/

Lane Smith ‏@Lanentations
West Memphis stud. Hogs should grab him. RT @jcshurburtt: 4-star 2014 Jarvis Cooper 6-2, 253, 4.6 http://Instagr.am/p/Vr5DTNt12r/

[jbcarol]

Auburn's 2013 recruiting class finally appears to be complete after WR Derrick Griffin picks Miami

Barring any unforeseen surprises, Auburn's finalized 2013 signing class will be the one the Tigers announced on National Signing Day.


Four-star wide receiver Derrick Griffin, a former Texas A&M commit who visited Auburn the weekend after Signing Day, announced that he'd signed with Miami on Tuesday night.

"LIKE LEBRON SAID IMMA TAKE MY TALENT TO SOUTH BEACH!!! THE U!!!!" Griffin tweeted after signing his national letter of intent.

Griffin plans to play basketball at Miami in addition to football, the same combination that previously landed Auburn target Corn Elder.

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/02/auburns_2013_recruiting_class.html

[jbcarol]

Karr linebacker Donnie Alexander commits to LSU

When it comes to the talent-laden team at Edna Karr, all eyes on the LSU Tigers' 2014 recruiting effort have been on players like wide receiver Speedy Noil and defensive end Gerald Willis.

Noil and Willis may become stars of LSU's class one day, but on Sunday teammate Donnie Alexander beat them both to the punch by committing to the Tigers.

A slender 6-foot-1, 196-pound outside linebacker built much in the mold prized by LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis, Alexander becomes the fifth commitment of the Tigers' 2014 class.

Though not ranked by any of the national recruiting services at this point, those same recruiting services reported that Alexander received an offer from LSU coach Les Miles on Saturday and quickly jumped on it.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/5276712-123/karr-linebacker-donnie-alexander-commits

[jbcarol]

One of the nation's top cornerbacks for 2014 committed to LSU

Ed Paris of Mansfield (Texas) High School chose LSU over Texas and Florida

Paris, who's originally from New Orleans, is LSU's sixth commitment for 2014, joining Karr linebacker Donnie Alexander, Alief Taylor (Houston) cornerback Chris Hardeman, Westlake tight end Jacory Washington, Brother Martin offensive lineman William Clapp and Wilkinson County (Woodville, Miss.) safety Devin Voorhies.

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2013/02/texas_defensive_back_ed_paris.html

[jbcarol]

Ole Miss has gained a commitment from wide receiver Dayall Harris of Callaway, per Yancy Porter.

Harris is the second Callaway player to commit in the class of 2014 (joining FS Ronald Walker). Ole Miss has also offered OL Rod Taylor and DE Breeland Speaks.

Ole Miss now has five commitments in the class of 2014, and all come within state borders.

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/um/2013/02/25/report-dayall-harris-commits-to-ole-miss/

[jbcarol]

Prattville running back Kamryn Pettway flipped his commitment from Florida State to Auburn during an unofficial visit to the Plain.

[jbcarol]

A&M offer changes Vigor DE Justin Thornton's top five

Class of 2014 defensive end Justin Thornton of Vigor High (6-5, 215) tweeted Saturday that transportation issues nixed a planned visit to LSU this weekend. But he also landed a A&M offer on Saturday and immediately placed the Aggies into his top five.

After listing a top five of Florida, Florida State, Auburn, LSU and USC last week, Thornton supplanted the Seminoles with the Aggies after getting the offer.

Thornton said last week after visiting Auburn that Florida was his favorite.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/03/texas_am_offer_changes_vigor_d.html

[jbcarol]

'14 West Mesquite safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner and '14 North Forney athlete Armani Watts gave verbals to A&M.

Rivals ranks Sumner-Gardner, 6-1, 175 pounds, as a four-star recruit and No. 76 in the country. He chose Texas A&M over offers from a host of other schools, including Texas, LSU, Notre Dame, TCU and Texas Tech.

Watts, 5-11, 185 pounds, chose the Aggies over offers from a number of schools, including Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He projects to be a defensive back in college. Rivals also rated him a 4-star recruit and he's ranked as the 210th best player in the country.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/03/texas-am-earns-commitments-from-two-standouts-in-2014-class.html/

[jbcarol]

'14 Camden County CB Kalvaraz Bessent has given a verbal to Bama.

Bessent is Bama's second commit in the '14 class.

He is reported to hold offers from a large list including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.

[jbcarol]

Florence High quarterback Kendrick Doss said Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee told him he was a "perfect fit" for their system when he visited Auburn last month.

Trouble is, coaches at Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee have said the same thing.

"They all told me the same thing," said Doss. "They told me I was the face of the program."

Doss has become a hot commodity in the last six weeks, getting offers from all four of those schools last month. He's also been offered by Southern Miss and believes North Carolina could be next.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound dual-threat star runs a 4.4 40 and has a "cannon for an arm," according to Florence head coach Jamey Dubose.

[jbcarol]

LSU locked up commitment No. 7 on Friday afternoon.

Pearland standout wide receiver Tony Upchurch made an unofficial visit to campus on Friday with his family, and while he entered with high interest in the Tigers, he left campus with a new outlook on his recruitment process.

"Things are over for me now," Upchurch said. "I am committed to LSU."

Upchurch, a 6-foot-2 and 200 pound wide receiver, said he gave LSU coach Les Miles the good news at the end of practice.

"Right when the practice ended, me and my family went up to Coach Miles and he started asking us how everything went," Upchurch said. "We told him there was no other place I wanted to be but LSU, and I went ahead and committed to him right there on the field.

"We all felt comfortable. Coach Miles was really pumped up. He was excited and said that I am officially a Tiger."

[jbcarol]

Fort Pierce, Florida defensive end Sharieff Rhaheed-Muhammed has committed to LSU. He also had offers from Tennessee, Ole Miss and Louisville.

West Mesquite, Texas safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner will join former high school teammate Kam Miles at A&M this fall.

http://www.mrsec.com/category/recruiting/

[jbcarol]

Former Missouri offensive line commit Andy Bauer has switched to Ole Miss.

http://www.mrsec.com/category/recruiting/

"The family atmosphere down there," Bauer told 247Sports. "Coach Freeze recruited me and I talked to him a ton, and Coach Luke I almost talked to him every day and they're really close. There is something special in doing something new and fresh and I feel with the recruits they're bringing in and with the atmosphere they have down there it felt like the right fit for me. I talked to my family about it and I'm going to Mississippi."

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound lineman from DeSmet in St. Louis chose the Rebels over scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU and Notre Dame, among others.

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/recruiting/2013/03/18/andy-bauer-commits-to-ole-miss/

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/62244/tidenation-mario-cristobals-recruiting-impact

Saban wanted a coach who wouldn't be overwhelmed with the task of rebuilding the offensive line, a coach who could handle the pressure at Alabama and a coach who could make a smooth transition both on and off the field.

The former Miami assistant coach faced a much more difficult situation when he accepted the top position at Florida International six years ago.

"He's a go-getter," Hialeah (Fla.) High School offensive coordinator Dennis Marroquin said. "He means business, and he obviously knows the area down here in South Florida."

[jbcarol]

Outside linebacker DeMarques Gates of Lovejoy, Ga., has verbally committed to Ole Miss.

Rivals rates Gates a four-star prospect, and he's a member of the Rivals 250.

[jbcarol]

Josh Ward: Auburn has not had a good week on the recruiting trail.

Nothing has happened specifically with any 2014 recruits. It's the negative stories surrounding Auburn's program that will create such a challenge for the Tigers as they try to rebuild the program following a disastrous 2012 season.

First, there was Selena Roberts' report on Wednesday alleging payments to players, grade changes and involvement in the robbery case of former Auburn safety Mike McNeil. Then came a Thursday report from ESPN The Magazine alleging Auburn covered up failed drug tests during and after the Tiger's national championship run in 2010.

Auburn is already behind most of the SEC in recruiting for 2014. The Tigers have two commitments for the upcoming class, which ranks Auburn 11th in the conference and 39th in the nation by Rivals.com.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn put together a strong staff that should be able to hold its own on the recruiting trail. But there's only so much any staff can overcome.

Parents will ask a lot of questions and Auburn will likely be prepared with many of the right answers. But opposing schools in the SEC will continue to point out Auburn's past troubles, which will lead to culture questions about Auburn's program...

http://www.mrsec.com/2013/04/sec-recruiting-notebook-auburn-faces-new-recruiting-challenges/

[jbcarol]

Alabama picked up its second commitment for the 2015 recruiting class on Saturday when Columbus, Georgia defensive end Mekhi Brown announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on his Twitter account.

Brown, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound star from Carver High School, visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday to take in the Tide's first spring scrimmage and told BamaOnline he still plans to visit other schools despite his commitment to Alabama.

Brown chose the Tide over offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee and Clemson among others.

aldotcom link

[jbcarol]

Defensive back Jamal Adams from Hebron High School in Lewisville, Texas, knows plenty about the Big 12.

That's one reason he's anxious to visit some schools in the SEC.

Adams has offers from programs around the country, including Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M.

Adams, who's already visited Baylor, Oklahoma and Texas, told the Dallas Morning News his next visit will be to A&M...

Adams is only the latest prospect from Texas to show a strong interest in the SEC. It's an interest that has increased in the last year thanks to Texas A&M's arrival and early success in the league.

That doesn't mean schools like Oklahoma and Texas will no longer be able to recruit in their own backyard. They'll have plenty of success there in the future. But they'll also have to deal with recruits showing more interest in the SEC.

An example: Gilmer, Texas, wide receiver Josh Walker, a Texas A&M commitment who last month told Sporting News that the Aggies have jumped Texas in the eyes of many recruits.

http://www.mrsec.com/2013/04/sec-recruiting-notebook-texas-star-has-eyes-on-the-sec/

[jbcarol]

Having been a Bama fan all his life, Class of 2015 prospect DeSherrius Flowers of Mobile, Ala., jumped at his first offer and committed Monday to the Tide.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec

[jbcarol]

Report that 4-star LB Shaun Dion Hamilton has committed to Bama.

[jbcarol]

6-3, 225 Katy Seven Lakes DE Jarrett Johnson: "I'd have to say the success that they've had recently [gives the Aggies the edge]. UT has been successful in the past, but the past isn't the future. The past can repeat itself but it doesn't look like they're about to repeat their [past success] anytime soon. A&M, they're on a roll as it is and I want to try to join that train before it shuts down. I want to keep it rolling and get started with them."

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/recruit-on-having-texas-am-as-favorite-over-texas-ut-has-been-successful-in-the-past-but-the-past-isnt-the-future.html/

[jbcarol]

Wednesday was a whirlwind day for Vigor linebacker Deshaun Davis. In the morning, he got the offer he'd been waiting for and promptly committed to Auburn. In the afternoon he got the final word on another piece of news that could have been worse -- he has a partially torn ACL.

Davis injured his left knee two weeks ago but did not want to divulge the injury publicly until he was sure about the diagnosis...

[jbcarol]

University Lab offensive lineman Garrett Q. Brumfield commits to LSU

Brumfield becomes LSU's ninth commitment for the Class of 2014

Brumfield, 6 feet 4 and 265 pounds, whose high school is on LSU's campus, is ranked No. 98 on ESPN's top 150 prospects. While he plays guard in high school, he could make a move to center at the next level.

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2013/04/university_labs_garrett_brumfi.html

[jbcarol]

4-star Opelika cornerback Stephen Roberts commits to Alabama

Alabama picked up its fifth commitment of the 2014 recruiting class on Wednesday when Opelika cornerback Stephen Roberts pledged his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Roberts, a 6-foot, 177-pound defensive back rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN, informed Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart of his decision after Smart visited Opelika to observe Roberts during spring practice.

Roberts, who visited Alabama for their A-Day spring game last weekend, said he grew up an Auburn fan but that his childhood preferences didn't factor into his decision.

"Being a fan and being a player are two totally different things," Roberts said. "I have always rooted for Auburn as a fan but when it comes time to making the decision about what's best for me as a player going forward, you can't think about those things. Alabama has put a lot of defensive backs into the NFL in the last few years and I believe they will give me the best chance to develop into the best player I can be."

Rated as the nation's No. 23 cornerback by the 247Composite rankings...

[jbcarol]

Keith Niebuhr ‏@Niebuhr247 4h
#Arkansas goes to a state it knows well to offer a solid 2015 LB: http://ow.ly/kA4ci

Jeffery Holland
Outside Linebacker
Jacksonville, FL (Trinity Christian Academy)
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 230
CLASS OF 2015