Many of the top 2021 prospects have been committed for some time, but there are some high-profile prospects still out there that have decisions to make. Amarius Mims is one of those.
Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where the five-star offensive lineman might end up playing his college football. The candidates are Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee.
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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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THE SITUATION
Mims is the top-ranked offensive tackle and No. 2 prospect in the country. He has offers from programs across the country, and programs have been jockeying to land his commitment for more than a year. But with a decision date of Oct. 14 approaching fast, Mims is focused on five finalists. We asked our team experts to state the case for the program that they cover and let National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issue a verdict.
ALABAMA
“Mims has been heavily recruited by the Crimson Tide for a long time. Mims grew up in an Alabama household and has taken several trips to Tuscaloosa prior to COVID-19 shutting down all recruiting visits. Mims speaks with Alabama offensive line coach Kyle Flood and Nick Saban often. He has not given an indication Alabama is out of the running for his commitment. However, it seems Georgia and Tennessee have the advantage as Mims has taken multiple trips to both schools in the last few months. He is still trying to take a trip to Alabama again before making a decision, but time is running out. Alabama has four offensive line commitments including two of the best pure tackles in the country in Tommy Brockermeyer and JC Latham. Alabama also has another elite lineman, TJ Ferguson, who can play any position on the offensive front including tackle. Competition is likely not a factor for Mims as he is the No. 2 overall player in the Rivals250. Alabama would secure, perhaps, the best offensive line class of all-time if Mims commits to the Tide. Alabama will likely still have the best offensive line class in 2021 regardless of Mims' decision.” — Andrew Bone, BamaInsider.com
AUBURN
“As much as Auburn would like to land Mims, it's track record with five-star high school offensive tackles doesn't lead one to think it will. The last five-star high school OT Auburn signed was Shon Coleman, which was way back in 2010. Now, that doesn't mean Auburn can't land Mims. It has recruited him heavily over the past several years. He's been to campus several times, including a visit two weeks ago. Relationships have been formed. So has familiarity with the campus and program. Playing time also is there. Heck, Mims probably could start this season for Auburn. Still, it will be difficult to get Mims out of Georgia, and the school with the best chance of doing so might be Tennessee, not Auburn.” — Jeffrey Lee, AuburnSports.com
FLORIDA STATE
“Obviously on the field Florida State has struggled and everyone knows that but at the same time Mims knows he can lead the change there. The opportunity to play the earliest at FSU I’m sure jumps out to him. Also another big deal is that he's stated his relationship is with FSU OL coach Alex Atkins. That's a big deal when it comes to the decision process. Obviously having him on campus in some capacity helps the chances even more. In order to win against the big boys you have to win the relationship battle. Still might not be enough but playing time, strong relationships certainly puts FSU as a solid factor..” — Michael Langston, Warchant.com
GEORGIA
“Georgia is going to rely on deep, long-term relationships and a heavy in-state push from his Bulldog-friendly hometown of Cochran to be the swaying factor here, and there's plenty of reasons to like the chances for those reasons. Mims has become a regular fixture in Athens over the last two years, seems to be deeply entrenched with the current commit list, and feels like the right-hand man to five-star quarterback commit Brock Vandagriff. Other schools have made this much more interesting than it seemed it would be going into this year, and Matt Luke had to pick up where Sam Pittman left off. Still, the staff's clear devotion and proximity to home should ultimately be enough to put the Bulldogs over the top. If not, it'd be a huge miss.” — Jake Reuse, UGASports.com
TENNESSEE
“Tennessee has positioned themselves well for Mims. In fact I think Tennessee has climbed further than any team in this race over the last six months. He has built a really strong relationship with the entire staff and not just one individual coach. He has built a bond with multiple players on the football team which is why you saw him tweeting after Tennessee’s win over South Carolina last Saturday. In fact I think Tennessee has climbed further than any team in this race over the last six months. Even with it being a dead period, he has been to Knoxville several times this summer. This is a two team race with the Vols and Georgia and Tennessee quietly has become a real factor in this decision.” — Austin Price, VolQuest.com
THE VERDICT
“I’m going to stick with my original prediction of UGA on this one but it’s really anyone’s guess between the Dawgs and Tennessee Vols. He’s been to both places many times and has visits set to both before he announces. It wouldn’t shock me either way but I’m going to stick with Kirby Smart keeping the home state prospect at home.” — National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell
