Latest Recruiting Rankings From MrSEC.com

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Closing in on Signing Day, we here at MrSEC wanted to update our last batch of recruiting rankings.

So here’s how things stand, in our view, as of this morning:



1.  LSU (20 commitments) – The Tigers remain at #1 in the conference with a class that coach Les Miles is already hyping. He said recently he expects LSU’s 2009 class, which is still incomplete, to help the Tigers compete for national championships.

Highlights – Defensive backs Janzen Jackson and Craig Loston and defensive linemen Akiem Hicks and Josh Downs

To Do – Wide receiver Rueben Randle and linebacker Barkevious Mingo would help make LSU’s class the best in the nation



2.  Alabama (20 commitments) – The Tide received bad news last week when assistant coach and recruiting ace Lance Thompson left for Tennessee. The good news is head coach Nick Saban is going nowhere. More good news came when quarterback A.J. McCarron announced he would not visit UT. The Tide is making a strong push for Randle, who visited Tuscaloosa last weekend.

Other highlights -McCarron is helping recruit for the Tide. Alabama has seven other linemen committed to go along with Fluker. I love classes deep with linemen.

To Do – Landing Randle would be a huge boost. Alabama is also focused on holding on to highly-touted tailback Trent Richardson and securing a pledge from cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.



3.  Georgia (18 commitments) – Georgia’s class should receive bonus points because both committed quarterbacks – Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger – and graduated from high school early and enrolled at Georgia for the spring semester. That’s especially huge because a starting position is up for grabs after Matthew Stafford left early for the NFL.

Other highlights – Georgia is still in the running for Charles, who attended the same high school (Plant) as Murray. Charles will visit Georgia this weekend. The Bulldogs have made Jarvis Jones and wide receivers Marlon Brown and Cameron Kenney a high priority.



4.  Florida (16 commitments) – The Gators received bad news when defensive end Nick Kasa switched his commitment to Colorado, but positive news came from tailback Mike Gillislee, who reaffirmed his Florida commitment.

Other highlights – Florida is still loaded with athletes, including Andre Debose, Nu’Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague.

To Do – Florida is going after the heavy hitters, including Richardson and Kirkpatrick (listed above), tight end Orson Charles, wide receiver Marlon Brown and linebacker Jarvis Jones. Florida won’t whiff, that’s for sure.



5.  Tennessee (17 commitments) – UT is a hot name in recruiting right now, mainly because of the staff head coach Lane Kiffin has assembled. Landing linebackers coach Thompson from rival Alabama was a big get, which Kiffin pointed out last week. The Vols gained some momentum last weekend by becoming the favorite to land linebacker Greg King and impressing defensive tackle Pearlie Graves.

Other highlights – Offensive lineman Aubrey Phillips reaffirmed his commitment to UT after last weekend’s visit. Fans will hold their breaths as he visits Florida State and Mississippi State before National Signing Day.

To Do – It’s not guaranteed the Vols will be able to sway any of the top prospects they’re recruiting, but Kiffin and Co. are certainly trying. Receiver Alshon Jeffrey, lineman Quinton Washington and cornerback Mike Edwards are the highlight visitors this weekend.



6.  South Carolina (25 commitments) – UT is trying to sway Washington. South Carolina is just trying to stay in the lead for his services. SC is also trying to make a move on Jeffrey, and if anyone will sway the receiver from his Southern Cal commitment, it will likely be the in-state Gamecocks.

Other highlights – Athlete Stephon Gilmorem who’s committed to SC, shot up the Rivals.com rankings last week after a nice performance in the Under Armour All-American Game. He is getting rave reviews.

To Do – The Gamecocks are making sure they hang on to their commitments, most notably defensive back Cory Addison, who’s considering Clemson. Athlete Travante Stallworth has the Gamecocks in his top three. Landing Washington remains a top priority.



7.  Arkansas (26 commitments) – The Razorbacks added to an already deep class with recent commitments from offensive lineman Shauntez Bruce, athlete Brandon Mitchell and athlete Terrell Williams.

Other highlights – Arkansas is an under-the-radar program in the SEC West right now because of the success of Alabama and Ole Miss… and Les Miles trying to pump up his own program. I’d say Bobby Petrino likes going about his own business without much attention.

To Do – Running back Ronnie Wingo is priority No. 1 for Arkansas. Missouri will likely be the Razorbacks’ stiffest competition for Wingo.



8.  Auburn (19 commitments) – The Tigers’ new coaching staff is working hard to develop relationships and make good impressions with some of the top recruits on Auburn’s recruiting board. It paid off last weekend when the Tigers picked up commitments from quarterback Clint Moseley and offensive lineman John Sullen. Tailback Anthony Gulley should follow soon.

Other highlights – Tailback Anthony Gulley should follow Moseley and Sullen soon. Moseley has started to help recruit for Auburn. We’ll see if that actually helps, but it can’t hurt. Bad news came when Cameron Kenney dropped the Tigers for Georgia and Oklahoma. 

To Do – Auburn is working feverishly to finish strong. The Tigers must hold onto the commitments from tailback Brandon Jacobs and defensive lineman Terrence Coleman. Auburn will go hard for top players like receiver Kendall Kelly and linebackers Tana Patrick and Joel Kight.



9.  Mississippi State (23 commitments) – The Bulldogs had a huge weekend after picking up commitments from four prospects: running back LaDarius Perkins, defensive back Darius Slay, athlete Dennis Thames and highly-touted receiver Chad Bumphis. Has to feel good for new head coach Dan Mullen.

Other highlights – More props to Mullen for convincing quarterback Tyler Russell to stick to his commitment. Russell had opened things back up when Sylvester Croom was fired. Bumphis’ commitment was huge not only because of his talent but because he turned down Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Offensive lineman Gabriel Jackson also reaffirmed his commitment to Mississippi State this week.

To Do – The Bulldogs still want to add athletes and linemen to the class. Mississippi State will try to sway the commitments of offensive linemen Aubrey Phillips (Tennessee) and Chris Hubbard (UAB) and receiver LaVoyd James (Auburn).



10.  Kentucky (22 commitments) – The Wildcats just picked up another commitment from linebacker Ryan Mosby, who originally committed to Iowa State.

Other highlights – The Wildcats have held onto the commitments of quarterbacks Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski. That’s not always easy in today’s time of recruiting. Kentucky leads for running back Donald Russell from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

To Do – Kentucky is making a strong push at defensive tackle Darrius McMullin from powerhouse Hoover (Ala.) High School. It will be a Kentucky-Vanderbilt battle for McMullin. The Wildcats are also working hard to land running back Rolandan Finch.



11.  Ole Miss (25 commitments) – The Rebels probably have too strong of a class to be ranked 11th in the SEC, but that speaks to the depth of the other teams’ classes. Ole Miss recently picked up commitments from offensive lineman Evan Swindall, cornerback Marcus Berg and defensive tackle Bo Tillman.

Other highlights – The Rebels convinced quarterback Clayton Moore to walk-on after they rescinded his scholarship offer at the end of his senior season. Low risk-high reward for Ole Miss.

To Do – Ole Miss is working to hold onto the commitment of defensive back Jamar Hornsby and running back Tim Simon. Ole Miss could host as many as 15 prospects this weekend so a huge move could be made by the Rebels. Defensive end Craig Drummond recently decommitted and favors Ole Miss. Receiver Pat Patterson, tight end Zaccheus Mason, linebacker Tajh Jones and defensive tackle Corey Gaines would all be huge gets.  



12.  Vanderbilt (16 commitments) – Vandy is putting together a solid 2009 class, despite its small size. The Commodores recently received a commitment from tight end/defensive end Thad McHaney, who was coveted by programs higher up in the SEC. He had previously committed to Ole Miss.

Other highlights – Safety Javon Marshall committed last week, and tight end Justin Jones recently named Vandy his favorite.

To Do – The Commodores are trying to hold onto Darrius McMullin. Securing a commitment from Jones would be a solid, versatile athlete to go along with McHaney. Athletes Justin Tripp and Quinn Giles are other targets for the Commodores.



You can keep up with all of the recruiting news from all around the conference on our Recruiting page every day.