SEC Football Recruiting: Ranking the SEC in the Class of 2012 (9-5)

Published: 1^st Feb 12 9:21 pm

by Ryan Wooden
Featured Columnist

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Part two of a three part series. To view Part one, click here.

#9 Mississippi State- 28 Commits (4 Rivals 4*’s)

Key Commits-

- 4* DE Denico Autry

- 4* DT Quay Evans

- 4* LB Richie Brown

Breakdown-

Once again, Rivals had Vanderbilt rated slightly ahead of Mississippi State in their recruiting rankings at day’s end, but because they did such a strong job addressing their core needs, I gave the Bulldogs the bump. They needed to add talent defensively, specifically in the front seven, and they added dynamic four-stars like Autry, Evans, and Brown. They needed to add depth on the offensive line and they added four able-bodies to fight in the trenches. Add in Memphis speedster Will Redmond, teammate of Vanderbilt commitment Brian Kimbrow, and you have another solid class worthy of being ranked inside the Top 30 nationally.

#8 South Carolina- 25 Commits (8 Rivals 4*’s)

Key Commits-

- 4* RB Mike Davis

- 4* DB Jordan Diggs

- 4* WR Shaq Roland

Breakdown-

On paper, this class is better than Georgia’s according to Rivals, but the Gamecocks missed the mark in addressing their needs defensively with the Class of 2012. They needed help everywhere, and their more dynamic athletes in this class play on the wrong side of the ball. They did, however, go out and get a pair of dynamic defensive backs in Jordan Diggs and Chaz Elder, but both forecast at SAFETIES at the next level, which doesn’t ease the pain of losing CORNERBACK Stephon Gilmore. Offensively the Cocks added some great players like OL Brock Stadnik, RB Mike Davis, and WR Shaq Roland, but they could have used a few more pieces defensively.

#7 Georgia- 18 Commits (1 Rivals 5* and 6 Rivals 4*’s)

Key Commits-

- 5* OL John Theus

- 4* RB Keith Marshall

- 4* DE Jordan Jenkins

Breakdown-

Looking at Georgia’s roster, you may notice that the Dawgs are losing a lot of linebackers and don’t have ANY committed, but it’s important to note that many of those defensive ends listed on UGA’s commitment list will eventually wind up as Jack or Will linebackers in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. Four-star running backs Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley will both provide depth and talent behind incumbent starter Isaiah Crowell. Their other pressing need was on the offensive line, and John Theus is a player who may find time immediately. The Dawgs could have stood to add some depth at WR, and that’s probably the only thing that kept them from leap frogging Tennessee here.

#6 Tennessee- 20 Commits ( 10 Rivals 4*’s)

Key Commits-

- 4* WR Cordarrelle Patterson

- 4* DB Deion Bonner

- 4* RB Davonte Bourque

Breakdown-

A solid consensus Top 20 class nationally will likely be remembered for what could have been. The Vols are looking to make the personnel adjustment so that they can run a 3-4, and they missed on two solid linebackers with the size to play inside that Tennessee desperately needed. What the Vols did add was a TON of skill at WR, which has people thinking that Wide Receiver U just might be back. They also landed some help in the defensive trenches including Daniel McCullers, a behemoth defensive tackle who should get snaps immediately at nose tackle. Tennessee also took a flyer on a Top 100 type talent with prior legal issues in Deion Bonner, who could be a stud if he can keep his nose clean, but missing out at linebacker keeps the Vols from climbing into the Top 5 of the SEC.

#5 LSU- 21 Commits (9 Rivals 4*’s)

Key Commits-

- 4* WR Travin Dural

-4* LB Kwon Alexander

- 3* QB Jeremy Liggins

Breakdown-

The Tigers needed linebackers and they got them. They needed help at wide receiver and they got it. But, what they really needed was a quarterback. They had one, and they lost him. Five-star Gunner Kiel was set to enroll early in Baton Rouge and wound up in South Bend instead. They wound up settling for ~~JaMarcus Russell~~ Jeremy Liggins, a 6’3” 270 lb. quarterback. Truth be told, the Tigers would be ecstatic of Liggins had half the skills of Russell (pre-purple drank), but that means Liggins will always be the guy compared to the other guy, be it Russell or Kiel. If the Tigers hold onto Kiel, they probably vault into my Top 3.

Part two of a three part series. Stay tuned for part three.