Top 5 SEC Targets For 2010

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(The following is the latest installment of Josh Ward’s summer recruiting series.  The previous posts can be found by searching our Recruiting page.)

Many of the nation’s top prospects have already committed to schools for 2010, but the majority of the nation’s most highly-ranked players are still undecided with their college decisions.

I looked across the nation to find the top five players that are strongly considering SEC schools. To make the list, the prospect must be giving an SEC school serious consideration for his college future.

Here’s my list:

1. Lache Seastrunk — Temple (Texas) High School

Seastrunk is the top running back in the country, according to Rivals.com. Seastrunk (5-11, 190) and his family seem to think even more highly of him than the rest of us. His family has already shutdown his availabilty to many members of the media. Seastrunk looked Auburn-bound when he called out Alabama’s Nick Saban during an Auburn recruiting trip last month (the well-known “Big Cat Weekend”), but he has since said he will take his time with his decision. (He has also called Saban to apologize.) That could just mean he wants to enjoy the recruiting process, which I can understand. Seastrunk has offers from such schools as Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Texas, Southern Cal and Miami. Whoever lands Seastrunk will be getting a phenomenal talent.

2. Jeff Luc — Treasure Coast High School, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Rivals ranks Luc as the top linebacker in the country. He has the size (6-1, 230) and speed to be a dominant player at the next level. Many analysts believe his natural instincts will allow him to play right away when he gets to college. Luc chould choose any school in the nation. That’s why Florida, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, USC, Ohio State and Miami are pushing so hard to land him. Luc hasn’t narrowed his list of schools yet, but he will soon. The five schools that receive official visits from him will try their hardest to land him. He can be a difference maker for any signing class.

3. Marcus Lattimore — Byrnes High School, Duncan, South Carolina

If Seastrunk isn’t the best running back in the nation, it’s probably because of Lattimore. Lattimore (6-0, 215) receives extra credit for playing at such a powerhouse program like Byrnes. He told Warchant.com recently that he’s considering eight schools: South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, Maryland and Penn State. South Carolina would love to keep Lattimore inside the state and pair him with Jarvis Giles, who will be a freshman tailback for the Gamecocks this fall. Lattimore is impressive because he looks like a running back with a power running style, but he has the speed to be a gamebreaker. His all-around game should make him a perfect fit in the SEC in 2010.

4. Christian Green — Tampa (Florida) Catholic High School

Green is one of the most coveted athletes in the nation. The 6-2, 200-pound Green plays quarterback at Tampa Catholic but will likely move to wide receiver or defensive back in college. His top three colleges right now are Florida, Georgia and Florida State. Tennessee, Ohio State and USC have all tried to stay involved. Green would seem like a prototype quarterback in a spread-option offense, but he also realizes his best long-term position isn’t behind center. Green would obviously have to learn the receiver position if he switches in college, but great athletes usually make the transition without much trouble. He is helped by the fact he has good size.  Combined with his playmaking ability, he could create mismatches for opposing defensive backs.

5. JR Ferguson — Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, Virginia

It will be an incredible recruiting battle for this defensive lineman. Ferguson (6-3, 270) recently told Rivals that he has “narrowed” his list of schools to 21. The SEC schools that popped up on that list were Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Others to make the list included USC, Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech and Clemson. Ferguson is ranked the #3 strongside defensive end in the country and the 14th best prospect overall. Ferguson’s nickname is “Ego,” which might tell you how highly he thinks of himself, but there’s a good reason for it. Ferguson is a great talent. It will be a long recruiting process for him, likely not coming to a close until National Signing Day. The school that lands him will be lucky, because he has the potential to be a superstar in college.