If there’s one conference that could be considered the ‘kings of recruiting’, it’s the SEC. Last year, seven of the top 20 recruiting classes were from the conference. No one else had more than five.
It’s no surprise given the conference’s rich history, devoted fans, and high school talent close to the schools. In this long-overdue story, let’s take a look at the SEC recruiting classes of 2022.
- Georgia: Georgia holds the number one overall class in the entire nation with their 21-man class. The team has five of the top-50 prospects in the nation. Two of them are five-stars with Linebacker Malaki Starks and Defensive Lineman Mykel Williams. Starks and Williams are also from the state of Georgia. The Bulldogs have ten other commits from the home state. One is their quarterback commit, Gunner Stockton. Georgia has had a great start to their class, and with how they are performing on the field, it should have a strong finish.
- Alabama: Only question with Alabama’s recruiting is whether or not they will finish number one. Head Coach Nick Saban keeps reloading the Crimson Tide with the best talent around the country. Their 17-man class is ranked number two in the nation. Like Georgia, Alabama has five of the top-50 prospects in the country. That includes three five-stars in Edge Jeremiah Alexander, Quarterback Ty Simpson, Running Back Emmanuel Henderson. Alexander and Henderson are ranked first and second in the state of Alabama, respectively. The Crimson Tide has six commits from the state.
- Texas A&M: Texas A&M’s 14-man class is just outside the top 10 at number 11 overall. 12 of those commits are from the state of Texas. This includes their top commit in five-star Quarterback Conner Weigman. The only commits from out of state are Safety Deyon Bouie and Kicker Ethan Moczulski. Weigman is one of two top-50 commits for the Aggies, with Safety Bryce Anderson. Texas A&M had a game of the year performance in their win against Alabama. The question becomes will that game help them end this recruiting class on a high note.
- LSU: LSU does have work to do to keep this class together after the newsof Ed Orgeron not returning next year. The Tigers have already lost one commit since in four-star Receiver Aaron Anderson. The Tigers now have a 14-man class ranked 12th in the nation. The class includes two five-stars with Tackle Will Campbell and Quarterback Walker Howard. They are two of the nine commits from Louisiana. Georgia Tight End Jake Johnson is the lone top-100 commit not from the home state. Keeping these players will be priority number one for whoever takes over as the Tigers’ next Head Coach.
- Missouri: Missouri got a big recruiting win not too long ago with the commitment of five-star receiver Luther Burden. Burden would be the second-highest recruit to sign with Missouri under the current rating system, according to 247sports. The Tigers also have six commits that are four-stars to go along with Burden. Their 15-man class is ranked 14thin the nation. They have six commits from their home state, including the third, fifth, and sixth-best prospects. They are Defensive Lineman Marquis Gracial, Safety Issac Thompson, and Wide Receiver Ja’Marion Wayne. Quarterback commit Sam Horn is a four-star from Georgia. Missouri could be in for one of their best classes of all time if they hold onto their commits.
- Kentucky: Mark Stoops has done a great job turning Kentucky into a team that can compete in the SEC. The team went to the Citrus Bowl in 2018 and is off to a 6-1 start in 2021. Recruiting has been strong as well this year with a 16-man class that’s ranked 16thin the nation. One of the commits is five-star Offensive Tackle, Kiyaunta Goodwin. Six others are four-stars including in-state prospects Wide Receiver Dane Key and Offensive Tackle Grant Bingham. They are two of four commits from Kentucky. As of right now, there is one quarterback committed to them.
- Arkansas: Head Coach Sam Pittman is in his second year with Arkansas, and recruiting is critical. Luckily, it looks likes the Razorbacks are doing just fine there. The 19-man class is ranked 20thin the nation. They hold commits from seven of the top-ten recruits in the state of Arkansas. In total, nine of Arkansas commits are from the home state. Their top commit is Michigan Safety Myles Rowser, a top-200 prospect. Four-star in-state Offensive Tackle commits Andrew Chamblee and E’Marion Harris are listed at over 6’5”. They are another team without a quarterback commit right now. Putting together solid recruiting classes will be very important for the Razorbacks going forward.
- South Carolina: One of the issues facing South Carolina’s recruiting is that they are in the same state as Clemson. Only two of the Gamecocks 17 commits are from in-state. Both are three-stars, safety Nick Emmanwori and Wide Receiver Kylic Horton. South Carolina has made up for it by diving into both Georgia and Florida. Ten of their commits come from either Georgia or Florida. Three of them are high three-stars who could be moved up by the end in Safeties Anthony Rose and Emory Floyd, and Wide Receiver Donovan Westmoreland. Their three four-stars come from Pennsylvania and Delaware. Quarterback Braden Davis is from Delaware, while Safety Keenan Nelson Jr. and Offensive Tackle Ryan Brubaker are from Pennsylvania. South Carolina could still make some moves before signing day.
- Florida: One spot below South Carolina in the national rankings is Florida at 22. What’s impressive about this is that the Gators fall there despite having four fewer commits than the Gamecocks at 13. Florida is one of the most recruited states in the entire country. The hometown schools have plenty of talent to look at. The Gators have taken advantage of it as eight of their commits are in-state prospects. However, it does not include their two highest-rated commits. Athlete Isaiah Bond is from Georgia, while Quarterback Nick Evers is from Texas. Wide Receiver Jayden Gibson is the highest-ranked commit from Florida. The Gators still have some room to work with right now and could pull up some surprises.
- Ole Miss: Head Coach Lane Kiffin has already gotten Ole Miss off to a 6-1 start to 2021. He’s also done a good job recruiting as The Rebels finished last year ranked 17th This year, Ole Miss is 28thoverall with 15 commits. Seven of those 15 are from the state of Mississippi. This includes their top two commits, Defensive Lineman Zxavian Harris and Wide Receiver Marquez Dortch. Three more of their commits are rated as four-stars, Safety Taylor Groves, Offensive Tackle Bryson Hurst, and Cornerback Nick Cull. The team does not have a quarterback committed to them. With the strong start on the field, Ole Miss may have some of their targets take a long look at them.
- Mississippi State: Right behind Ole Miss is their in-state rival Mississippi State at 29th The Bulldogs 17-man class does not include any four-stars. However, they do have eight commits from in-state. The two highest-rated players from Mississippi are Edge Donterry Russell and Linebacker Khalid Moore. Their highest-rated commit is Louisiana Linebacker Javae Gilmore. Texas prospect Braedyn Locke is the team’s quarterback. Ole Miss and Mississippi State are always competing for players. Let’s see if the Bulldogs can steal some prospects from the Rebels.
- Tennessee: Tennessee’s struggles on the field have had an impact on their recruiting. After having the fourth-best class in 2015, the Volunteers are down to 31 in 2022. Their 14-man class only has two four-stars committed to them. They are Interior Offensive Lineman Addison Nichols and Quarterback Tayven Jackson. Another issue is that they only have two commits from the state of Tennessee. Those two prospects are Wide Receiver Cameron Miller and Linebacker Elijah Herring. Tennessee has to finish strong with this recruiting if they want to compete in the SEC.
- Auburn: The only reason Auburn is ranked 34thin the nation is that they have 13 commits, tied with Florida for the fewest in the conference. Five of the Tigers commits are four-stars. This includes their quarterback, Georgia prospect Holden Geriner. Two of their four stars are from the state of Alabama. Top commit Defensive Lineman Caden Story is one, while Athlete Omari Kelly is the other. Once Auburn starts to fill their class out more, they should be up their in the rankings.
- Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt has not had a winning season since James Franklin left for Penn State after the 2013 season. The Commodores have an 18-man class that is 40thin the nation. The team does not have a four-star committed to them. Their highest-rated recruit is Georgia Cornerback Caleb Coley. Linebacker Langston Patterson is the only commit from the state of Tennessee. Texas prospect Drew Dickey is the team’s quarterback commit. It’s not easy for Vanderbilt to be in the SEC.
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