SEC Breakdown: Best position group classes by team

The 2017 recruiting cycle is nearing its halfway point and recruiting classes across the country are beginning to fill out and take shape. Today we look at the SEC and examine the top position group to this point in each class.

Best position: Running back

In the fold: Najee Harris, Brian Robinson

The lowdown: The No. 1 running back in the country, Harris leads the Alabama class. He’s a five-star prospect for a reason and a player capable of playing as a freshman. The California-based Harris is looking at other schools, but the second running back in the Tide’s class is no slouch either. A Rivals250 member, Robinson, who is from Tuscaloosa, won the running back MVP award at the Rivals Camp Series stop in Atlanta. No recruiting class includes a better one-two punch at the position.

Best Position: Offensive line

In the fold: Shane Clenin, Dwayne Fisher, Kirby Adcock

The lowdown: The Razorbacks have done an excellent job of identifying and developing talent at the offensive line position over the past few years, so it’s not surprising to see them load up at the position again in 2017. The three offensive line commits already in the class are all 6-foot-5 or taller and have the versatility to play several positions along the line.

Best Position: Offensive line

In the fold: Calvin Ashley

The lowdown: Auburn’s 2017 class has just four members and none of them play the same position. That said, Ashley, a five-star tackle, is the cornerstone of the class thus far. His addition is doubly important because of a thin year along the offensive line in the state of Alabama. The fact that the Tigers were able to steal a big-time prospect out of Florida is notable.

Best Position: Wide receiver/Tight end

In the fold: Daquon Green, Kemore Gamble

The lowdown: Gamble has grown into a tight end but is used to playing the role of wide receiver and plays it well. He’s one of the more agile tight ends in the country and will lend Florida some versatility. Green, a true wideout, also boasts a thick build. The fact that the Gators are the front-runner to land five-star receiver James Robinson is also important to note.

Best Position: Defensive back

In the fold: Richard LeCounte, William Poole III

The lowdown: Georgia is off to a good start at several positions in the class, but Poole and LeCounte are both early Rivals100 entrants. More importantly for the Bulldogs, both prospects have become excellent recruiters in their own right and have helped the school land several other big names. Georgia also remains in the mix for highly ranked prospects in the defensive secondary, including JaCoby Stevens and A.J. Terrell.

Best Position: Quarterback

In the fold: Mac Jones, Walker Wood

The lowdown: There hasn’t been a hotter quarterback in the 2017 class so far this year, as Jones has seen his stock go through the roof. In addition to doing well at camps, he’s also seen increased recruiting interest, but appears to be loyal to the Wildcats. Wood is listed as an athlete, but is an accomplished high school quarterback and his versatility only makes him a more valuable addition.

Best Position: Quarterback

In the fold: Lowell Narcisse, Jontre Kirklin, Myles Brennan

The lowdown: It’s rare these days for a school to take more than one quarterback in a class, but the Tigers have taken it a step in farther and have a trio of commits in the fold. Obviously Narcisse is the crown jewel of the class and was a huge addition when he committed earlier this month. Brennan and Kirklin help add depth and also have their share of talent.

Best Position: Linebacker

In the fold: Tyler Dunning, Aaron Odom

The lowdown: A one-time Miami commit, Dunning is a great get for Mississippi State, which had to reach into South Florida to secure his commitment. A four-star prospect, Dunning is complimented by Odom, an in-state prospect. A case could also be made that Mississippi’s state top position at the moment is quarterback, as Rivals250 member Keytaon Thompson is the highest ranked prospect in the class.

Best Position: Offensive line

In the fold: Pompey Coleman, Hyrin White

The lowdown: The Tigers have just three commits at this juncture and two of them are three-star offensive linemen. In addition to the already-committed Coleman and White, the state of Missouri is home to Mizzou guard target Marquis Hayes. The Tigers could sign a deep class at the position if they so choose, even if it’s likely to lack top-end star power.

Best Position: Defensive line

In the fold: Bryan Jones, Markel Winters

The lowdown: A four-star prospect, Jones is the top lineman in the fold at this early juncture. He’s joined on the commitment list by junior college transfer Winters, a fellow defensive end. The fact that Ole Miss is strongly in play for defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, the class’ No. 1 overall player, also must be noted. With possible NCAA trouble looming, Ole Miss is one of the most interesting programs to watch this recruiting cycle. It also makes the direction of its class hard to predict.

Best Position: Offensive line

In the fold: Dennis Daley, Summie Carlay, Eric Douglas

The lowdown: Offensive line is a position of need for the Gamecocks in the 2017 class so it’s not a surprise to see them loading up at the position. None of the trio is higher than a three-star, but sometimes quantity is important and that’s the case for a team in need of depth.

Best Position: Defensive Line

In the fold: Eric Crosby, Marquez Bembry

The lowdown: The Vols have taken their recruiting nationally under Butch Jones and Crosby is another big win for them in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Rivals250 prospect spurned other options close to home in order to head south to Knoxville. Bembry isn’t as big of a name, but is a favorite of the Vols staff. The school is also still involved with several highly ranked defensive linemen.

Best Position: Defensive back

In the fold: Devin Morris, Myles Jones

The lowdown: The Aggies have just five commits in the their 2017 class, but Morris and Jones are both future members of the school’s defensive backfield. Neither prospect is ranked higher than a three-star, but both are taller than 6-feet tall and posses the ability to play multiple positions.

Best Position: None

In the fold: None

The lowdown: The Commodores have yet to pick up a commitment in the 2017 class.