SEC Highlight: Breaking down the 2023 class

Nationwide Signing Day has concluded which suggests recruiting courses throughout the nation are largely full apart from a small handful of ending touches from prospects which have but to resolve.

For the SEC applications, first-year staffs and developed courses made up the convention ranks as every program signed key parts for its future. Right here is how every staff within the convention fared within the 2023 cycle.

1. Alabama (No. 1 nationally) – The Crimson Tide signed a monster class that included 5 five-stars. Not solely is the category loaded on the high, however is deep with 18 gamers holding a Rivals Score of 5.9 or higher. The expertise is unfold to either side of the ball making what Nick Saban and his employees completed much more spectacular.

2. Georgia (2) – Bulldog followers have been ready on a late push by Kirby Sensible and received it. Seven prospects have been added to the category after Nov. 25. That stretch run introduced five-stars Damon Wilson and Samuel M’Pemba to Athens. The bottom of this class that can deliver wins to this system are the 17 signed four-stars.

3. LSU (5) – Coach Brian Kelly did a powerful job securing a top-five recruiting class in his first full cycle. Holding five-star OT Zalance Heard in-state for faculty will make the followers glad, however will make them happier in the long term are the 18 four-stars going to Baton Rouge. Exterior of defensive sort out, the Tigers restocked the cabinets in any respect positions.

4. Tennessee (12) – The Volunteers received an early leap on their 2023 class securing 20 of their 25 commitments by mid-August. There was nice stability to the category as nicely with 13 of the signees set to play protection. Tennessee loaded up on velocity and athleticism on the surface, at linebacker, and within the secondary.

5. Florida (13) – The Gators signed the fifth-best class within the SEC and have been on the verge of difficult LSU and Georgia for a better rating. Whereas Florida could have missed on a few prospects, the upside is that this employees is getting their message throughout to elite skills. A powerful 18 four-stars might be added to the 2023 roster. Price noting that Florida’s star raking (3.9) was second-best within the SEC.

6. Texas A&M (14) – The Aggies’ fan base could not have been proud of the slide from No. 1 within the 2022 class to No. 14, however the followers have causes to be optimistic. Getting five-star defensive sort out David Hicks Jr. is one very massive purpose to be enthusiastic about the way forward for this system. Operating again Rueben Owens II, offensive linemen TJ Shanahan Jr. and Chase Bisontis and cornerback Jayvon Thomas are just a few extra causes to be hyped.

7. Auburn (16) – In early October, Auburn’s recruiting class was slotted at No. 50. For this class to complete inside the highest 20 is fairly wonderful. The brand new employees underneath head coach Hugh Freeze labored diligently, signing 21 general together with five-star Keldric Faulk.

8. South Carolina (17) – Among the many groups to rally late was South Carolina. The Gamecocks added seven of their 24 on Dec. 18 and after. Head coach Shane Beamer and his employees constructed lots of late momentum with the massive win approaching Nationwide Signing Day within the type of five-star tight finish Nyckoles Harbor.

9. Arkansas (21) – The Hogs weathered some late storms dropping out of the highest 15 and settling at No. 21. Head coach Sam Pittman signed eight four-stars, spreading the Razorbacks’ recruiting footprint in touchdown gamers from 9 totally different states.

10. Mississippi State (22) – No staff went by way of the challenges Mississippi State confronted. By way of the hardships of dropping head coach Mike Leach, the Bulldogs nonetheless signed a high 25 class in touchdown three four-stars and 21 three-star prospects. Underneath Leach, the Bulldogs by no means chased stars and put a much bigger emphasis on match. Trying on the group signed, the incoming class ought to match the mould underneath new head coach Zach Arnett.

11. Kentucky (26) – The Wildcats are one of many convention’s greatest at discovering gamers who match their scheme no matter participant rankings. The 19 tied to the category ranked No. 26 nationally. Gamers quickly to make their title within the state of Kentucky contains tight finish Khamari Anderson, linebacker Grant Godfrey, offensive lineman Koby Keenum and operating again Jamarion Wilcox.

12. Missouri (32) – Eliah Drinkwitz remains to be constructing heading into his fourth 12 months in Columbia. The Tigers had a greater 2022 season than their 6-7 general document. Notion could have harm Mizzou on the recruiting path dropping from a nationwide staff recruiting rating of 12 in 2022 to 32 this time round. One purpose for optimism is the hopes laid within the arm of four-star quarterback Gabarri Johnson.

13. Mississippi (33) – For a staff that plans to depend on the switch portal, the Rebels did a superb job touchdown highschool expertise. Even when the amount is low (16), the standard is excessive. The employees introduced three on board forward of the Early Signing Interval with a giant win being receiver Cayden Lee. By NSD, the employees added 4 extra together with a pair of missed however gifted defensive ends in DeeJay Holmes and Chamberlain Campbell. The headline grabber was signing five-star linebacker Suntarine Perkins.

14. Vanderbilt (47) – The Commodores have struggled to search out their footing since James Franklin left however look like turning a nook underneath head coach Clark Lea. From winless in 2020 to producing 5 victories final fall, this system is monitoring in the correct course. Alongside the recruiting path, the identical factor might be mentioned. Of the 23 tied to the category, 19 are three-star prospects. There are some gems inside together with defensive again Martel Hight, linebacker Ethan Crisp and operating again Sedrick Alexander.

BIGGEST SIGNING: Tennessee walked away with the largest signing amongst SEC groups securing the second-ranked participant within the class, Nico Iamaleava. Some would argue that Iamaleava at this level in his profession is perhaps higher than the top-ranked quarterback within the class, Arch Manning. The 2 might be tied collectively going ahead and will have an opportunity to indicate who’s greatest on the sphere when Texas strikes into the SEC.

BIGGEST STEAL: Auburn closed as robust as anybody heading into the Early Signing Interval, ending with the nation’s Sixteenth-ranked class. One of many two late “steals” that helped propel the category into the highest 20 was flipping defensive finish Keldric Faulk from Florida State. The Tigers received one other steal in nook Kayin Lee pulling him away from Ohio State.

BIGGEST SLEEPER: Kentucky could have signed the largest sleeper in three-star defensive finish Tavion Gadson. The Wildcats pulled the state of Georgia product away from Florida State two days earlier than the Early Signing Interval started. Gadson has the dimensions, quickness and energy to be a candidate for early taking part in time. He has the upside of an All-SEC performer.

Tray Scott, Georgia: The Bulldogs signed what can be a high class in every other cycle, however ran right into a monster Alabama recruiting effort. A part of piecing collectively UGA’s implausible class was Scott. 5 defensive linemen have been signed by Georgia within the 2023 cycle, and that included three five-stars and two four-stars. For Scott’s efforts, Rivals named him Recruiter of the Yr.

Freddie Roach, Alabama: Receivers coach Holmon Wiggins is commonly talked about in recruiting circles when Bama is introduced up, however on this go-round it was Roach who landed a really gifted group. Seven defensive linemen have been signed, two tackles and 5 ends. In that blend have been five-star ends Keon Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre. Securing in-state linemen James Smith and Jaquavious Russaw have been massive wins as nicely. This group is gifted and set to maintain the Crimson Tide atop the school soccer panorama.

Cortez Hankton, LSU: If simply by the place alone, Hankton did an important job touchdown 4 four-star receivers, however there’s extra to the story. Hankton reached past the place coached to assist land extra high expertise for LSU. Since his SEC begin with Vanderbilt (2015-17) and onto Georgia (2018-21), Hankton has constructed a popularity as an elite recruiter and he did nothing to tarnish the popularity together with his 2023 efforts.

Quarterbacks: Tennessee – Touchdown the second-ranked prospect within the class on the place seals the deal for the Vols.

Operating Backs: Alabama – The Crimson Tide signed the top-ranked tailback in Justice Haynes and the fourth-ranked in Richard Young to outpace the remainder of the convention.

Broad Receivers: Alabama – LSU and Alabama each signed 4 four-star receivers on this class with the Crimson Tide getting the nod on rankings. Bama signee Jalen Hale was the highest within the group with an RR of 6.0. Including to that blend, Cole Adams and Malik Benson have been 5.9s and Jaren Hamilton was a 5.8.

Tight Ends: LSU – An argument can and might be made by Georgia followers that they’ve one of the best group coming in with Pearce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie, however LSU was the staff that signed two top-10 prospects on the place, Mac Markway and Ka’Morreun Pimpton.

Offensive Line: Alabama – Texas A&M at guard and Georgia general have been within the operating, however, once more, Alabama high to backside signed one of the best offensive line class. The group contains three tackles within the positional high 10 highlighted by five-star Kadyn Proctor.

Defensive Line: Georgia – By the numbers, Alabama wins this positional group signing seven within the defensive trenches. However trying on the 5 Georgia signed, there’s an argument to be made the Bulldogs are the winners right here. UGA sort out signee Jordan Hall has an infinite ceiling and Jamaal Jarrett has all-conference upside. Damon Wilson is perhaps essentially the most polished finish within the class. Gabriel Harris is implausible as nicely. If Samuel M’Pemba continues to evolve his sport, he might be a beast off the sting, giving this one to Georgia.

Linebackers: Georgia – UGA wins this group operating away because of Raylen Wilson, CJ Allen and Troy Bowles.

Defensive Backs: Alabama – Signing two five-stars – security Caleb Downs and nook Desmond Ricks – catapulted Alabama to the highest of this positional rankings battle. Including to the haul, Tony Mitchell was a high 10 security, and Jahlil Hurley was a high 10 nook.

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