Recruiting battles in the SEC often add extra spice to already historic on-field rivalries. The conference's best programs go head-to-head in the fall once a year, but often battle each other for the Southeast’s best prospects several times a year. Today we take a look at five head-to-head battles fans need to follow into the summer.
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The battle: Georgia vs. Florida
Outlook: The Gators and Dawgs meet every year in Jacksonville, so it’s only fitting that they are battling for one of the city’s best players. The Gators have looked like the favorite for quite a while, but Johnson recently visited Georgia and has spoken glowingly of the Bulldogs before. Obviously with a player of his caliber schools from outside of the SEC are going to be in the mix, but right now it appears like these two programs will be battling deep into the fall to land Johnson’s commitment.
The battle: Alabama vs. Auburn
Outlook: The Tide and the Tigers often go head-to-head for the top players in the state, and Ross is no different. At different times during his recruitment, it seemed as if both programs have had the edge, and right now Auburn appears to be trending in the right direction. But Alabama is said to be turning up the heat on Ross with Nick Saban becoming more personally involved in his recruitment. Alabama prospects have pulled some stunners over the year when it comes to picking between the two, and Ross will have fans guessing until the day his letter of intent hits the fax machine.
The battle: LSU vs. Texas A&M
Outlook: The Aggies and Tigers aren’t longstanding SEC rivals, but they have quickly built a nice rivalry on the recruiting trail as they battle for prospects in Texas and Louisiana. Marshall is the latest on the list of wide receivers that the two programs have gone head-to-head for, and he might be the best of the bunch. The conventional wisdom is that he’s waiting to see how LSU’s new offense looks this fall and if all goes well he ends up staying in state. But Texas A&M is pitching an offense that has already produced several excellent receivers in recent years. Marshall is expected to cut his list soon and these two SEC West foes will be on the short list.
The battle: Alabama vs. Tennessee
Outlook: The city of Jackson, Tenn., has produced some pretty good prospects over the last few years. Despite being in the Volunteer State, it’s actually geographically closer to Tuscaloosa than Knoxville. This had led to the Tide trying to beat out the Vols for Emerson, but Tennessee is riding high after edging Alabama for Rivals100 offensive lineman Trey Smith. Right now it looks as if Emerson is trending the same way, but much like as is the situation with Ross, Alabama won’t give up until Emerson has officially signed his LOI.
The battle: Auburn vs. Georgia
Outlook: The Tigers and Dawgs play every year in a cross division rivalry and often go toe-to-toe for the best prospects in South Georgia. This year Rivals100 offensive lineman Trey Hill is one of the prospects the two programs figure to be fighting for until the end. Hill hails from the same high school as five-star Georgia signee Jake Fromm, so his ties to Georgia are obvious, but Auburn has also made him a priority and Tigers offensive line coach Herb Hand is known for his prowess on the recruiting trail. Hill is taking a measured approach, but look for both programs to turn up the heat if and when he visits this summer.
