Published Feb 7, 2017
Commit Fit: SEC position by position
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Mike Farrell  •  Rivals.com
Rivals National Columnist
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Sometimes it’s not always the highest-rated prospects that fit the best with the school of their choice. In this series we call Commit Fit, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell looks at the best fits from the 2017 class to the schools with which they signed.

Today we examine the SEC.

Note: Only high school prospects are evaluated for this piece.

RELATED: Big Ten Commit Fit | NSD '17 analysis for every SEC school

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QUARTERBACK

1. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M

2. Jake Fromm, Georgia

3. Keytaon Thompson, Mississippi State

4. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

5. Myles Brennan, LSU

Farrell’s take: Mond is perfect for what Texas A&M asks of its quarterback. Fromm will push Jacob Eason quickly and has the skillset to excel in a pro-style offense. Thompson could be Dan Mullen’s next great quarterback. Tagovailoa is a better pure passer than Jalen Hurts and could be the long-term passing solution. Finally, Brennan has the smarts and downfield vision to perhaps help a rough quarterback system at LSU and excel under Matt Canada.

RUNNING BACK

1. Najee Harris, Alabama

2. D’Andre Swift, Georgia

3. Devan Barrett, Auburn

4. Ty Chandler, Tennessee

5. Chase Hayden, Arkansas

Farrell’s take: Big running backs have done well at Alabama, while powerful running backs with good vision and decisiveness obviously excel at Georgia. I like Barrett’s explosiveness and ability to turn the corner for Auburn’s rushing attack. Chandler can work inside and outside for the Vols and his speed can complement what’s already on the roster. Finally, Hayden can be a workhorse in Arkansas' power running sets.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

2. OrTre Smith, South Carolina

3. Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M

4. Mark Webb, Georgia

5. Henry Ruggs, Alabama

Farrell’s take: Jeudy’s catch-and-run ability will be perfect as Hurts develops as a passer. South Carolina will utilize Smith’s size and big hands well. Ausbon has size and sneaky speed and could be that big receiver a la Mike Evans (okay slightly smaller) as a go-to guy. Webb’s downfield speed will be needed and utilized by Georgia. Ruggs, out of the slot or outside, can be an extension of the Crimson Tide rushing attack.

TIGHT END

1. Keynel McZeal, Texas A&M

2. Kemore Gamble, Florida

3. Kedrick James, Alabama

4. LaTrell Bumphus, Tennessee

5. Will Register, South Carolina

Farrell’s take: I like McZeal’s athleticism. Gamble will be a key for a quarterback-starved Florida offense as a big, reliable target. James could be a star with his length and ability to flex out. Bumphus is learning the tight end position but his athleticism will make him a target for the Vols with a new coordinator. Finally, Register is a huge target and perfect for young quarterbacks.

OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

2. Trey Smith, Tennessee

3. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia

4. Calvin Ashley, Auburn

5. Austin Deculus, LSU

Farrell’s take: Leatherwood’s size and improved technique should allow him to excel either inside or outside early, and is perfect for the Alabama offense. Smith is a much-needed athletic and physical lineman who will bring aggression to the Vols. Wilson’s size and run blocking is perfect for Sam Pittman’s scheme at Georgia. Ashley could play inside or outside and is an excellent seal blocker for Auburn’s rushing attack. Deculus is a mauler who will be great for LSU’s power run attack.

DEFENSIVE END

1. Zachary Carter, Florida

2. K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU

3. LaBryan Ray, Alabama

4. Robert Beal, Georgia

5. Joshua Paschal, Kentucky

Farrell’s take: I like Carter’s skillset with what the Gators have been doing with rush ends. Chaisson has to remind many of Arden Key and will be used in that role most likely. Ray could be a tackle or end a la Da’Shawn Hand. Beal could be that next great hybrid for Georgia. Paschal is a motor guy who will be tough to handle at either end position.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Tyler Shelvin, LSU

2. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

3. Elijah Conliffe, Florida

4. MJ Webb, South Carolina

5. Noah Elliss, Mississippi State

Farrell’s take: Shelvin’s ability as a zero technique or as a pocket pushing 3-tech will be welcome at LSU. Mathis has the athleticism to be the next gap-shooting star in Bama’s system. Conliffe could be a big outside guy or work exclusively inside in the Gators scheme and they have done well with big athletes. Webb will hold up blockers to allow the linebackers to run free for the Gamecocks. Elliss is a pocket crusher who will work well with outside talent like Jeffrey Simmons.

LINEBACKER

1. Anthony Hines, Texas A&M

2. Jacob Phillips, LSU

3. Jaden Hunter, Georgia

4. Willie Gay, Mississippi State

5. Dylan Moses, Alabama

Farrell’s take: Hines is perfect as a tackling machine who will be all over the field for Texas A&M. Phillips is that athletic big ‘backer in line with guys like Deion Jones and Kendall Beckwith. Hunter’s quick-twitch athleticism will allow him to cover a ton of ground and get off the edge for Georgia. Gay’s length and instincts will lead to early playing time in Starkville. Finally, I’m not as high on Moses as some others but inside linebackers at ‘Bama don’t fail.

CORNERBACK

1. Chevin Calloway, Arkansas

2. Marco Wilson, Florida

3. C.J. Henderson, Florida

4. William Poole, Georgia

5. Kary Vincent, LSU

Farrell’s take: Calloway’s instincts and speed will allow him to be on an island after a bit in Arkansas’ defense. Wilson and Henderson should keep the impressive corner tradition going in Gainesville. Poole needs to get a bit faster, but his size and instincts will be welcome against bigger SEC wideouts and his tackling in run support is perfect for the Dawgs. Finally, Vincent isn’t the biggest corner but he will have so much talent around him at safety he will be able to take some chances.

SAFETY

1. JaCoby Stevens, LSU

2. Grant Delpit, LSU

3. Xavier McKinney, Alabama

4. Richard LeCounte, Georgia

5. Maleik Gray, Tennessee

Farrell’s take: Stevens and Delpit are both rangy, close well and have excellent athleticism. McKinney can play safety or even some corner if needed so his versatility fits Alabama's system well. LeCounte is physical and a ball hawk who can play aggressively and close to the line of scrimmage. Gray could grow into a linebacker but if he doesn’t he’s going to make a ton of plays as a big strong safety in the Vols' scheme.

ATHLETE

1. Deangelo Gibbs, Georgia

2. JaVonte Richardson, Kentucky

3. Jamyest Williams, South Carolina

4. Alaric Williams, Auburn

5. DaRon Davis, Missouri

Farrell’s take: Athletes are tough to project but I like that Gibbs could play corner, safety or receiver and Georgia has done well with versatile athletes. Richardson will get his first look on offense and will be a key target for Kentucky. Jamyest Williams can make an impact on any three facets of the game for the Gamecocks. Alaric Williams is a physical kid who will get his first look on offense but has a defender's aggressiveness. Davis is a smooth, long athlete who could do many things for Mizzou.