SEC Championship: Recruiting breakdown

Alabama and Florida are headed to Atlanta to square off for the SEC championship for the ninth time this weekend. In preparation for Saturday’s showdown, we view the game through the recruiting lens, starting with a prospect both teams remain in contention for in the 2017 class.

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Leatherwood is committed to Alabama and has been for some time. Still, the five-star has been making metaphorical eyes at Florida for weeks. He has a visit tentatively set for the weekend following the SEC title game, but his plans have been fickle in the past. Leatherwood says he has intentions to visit a number of schools, but the Gators’ staff has made flipping his commitment priority No. 1. A win this weekend would certainly help UF’s cause, but it’s not the end-all-be-all when it comes to Leatherwood’s recruitment.

HIGHEST-RANKED IMPACT PLAYER

With so many five-stars on the Alabama roster, it’s tough to pick only one to occupy this spot. But no player on the Tide defense has had a bigger impact than Allen. After deciding to spurn the NFL Draft in favor of returning to school for his senior season, Allen has been a dominant force. He has 52 total tackles, while leading the team in tackles for loss with 11.5 and ranking third on the squad in sacks with seven. He also has scored a defensive touchdown. Allen will surely be a major focus of the Florida offensive linemen on Saturday night.

MOST UNDERRATED IMPACT PLAYER

The Tide have used a three-headed running back attack this season, with Jacobs and former five-stars Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough all getting their share of carries. But when he’s had the chance to shine, Jacobs have proved that he’s better than the three-star ranking he finished with as a member of the 2016 class. But after he emerged from the state of Oklahoma late in the process, it’s not a surprise that his ranking didn’t match his ability. Jacobs has been a surprise to pretty much everyone except the staff in Tuscaloosa that did an excellent job of evaluating him.

TOP CLASS OF 2017 COMMIT

The Tide currently hold a verbal commitment from Harris, the nation’s top overall player regardless of position. Harris was on campus this weekend for his official visit and despite being committed since April of 2015, the Tide are still in a battle for Michigan to ultimately land his signature. Harris is set to officially visit Michigan in December and the Wolverines will pull out all the stops in an effort to flip his commitment.

BIGGEST REMAINING TARGET

Wilson, the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, showed a ton of interest in Alabama earlier in the recruiting process but has since broadened his horizons. He’s already officially visited Oklahoma, Florida State and Ohio State and will likely use one of his two remaining official visits to check out Tuscaloosa one last time. Will the Tide’s defensive line tradition help them get back on the top spot? Only time will tell. Alabama is also still in the mix for several other uncommitted prospects in the Rivals100, including five-stars Isaiah Wilson and Cam Akers.

HIGHEST-RANKED IMPACT PLAYER

Offensive lineman Martez Ivey is actually the highest-ranked player on the Florida roster. He’s had a solid season, but Tabor, a fellow five-star, is the clear leader of this Florida team. Tabor was the No. 10 overall player in the 2014 class. He was the third-ranked cornerback in the class behind Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey and Michigan star Jabrill Peppers. Tabor has spent his college career living up to his lofty billing and is seen as one of the top NFL prospects in his class.

MOST UNDERRATED IMPACT PLAYER

A two-star prospect in the class of 2014, Davis has cast aside his relatively low ranking and made an impact for the Gators this season. He’s by no means one of the leaders of UF’s stout defense, but he’s defied the odds to earn regular playing time as a sophomore. A Miami product, Davis has played in 11 games and recorded 21 tackles, including two for a loss. Davis’ best football is probably in front of him, but his career trajectory is certainly ahead of what most expected.

TOP CLASS OF 2017 COMMIT

Carter is one of the most impressive looking physical specimens in the region. He’s still getting used to his massive body but carries incredible upside. He chose Florida over Clemson, which seemed to be the clear favorite to land his commitment for nearly a year. Carter has the body to make an immediate impact at Florida, as he already looks like a college sophomore. How quickly he sees the field will depend on how quickly he polishes his adjusts to the speed of the college game.

BIGGEST REMAINING TARGET

Parks is also considering Florida State and others. And while the Seminoles are solidly in the mix to land his services, Florida and Alabama stood toe-to-toe in the ring for some time. The Crimson Tide are thought to have the edge in the race to land the uncommitted five-star, but Florida is the in-state program and the allure of the Gators is real. Parks recently visited Florida State and has plans to tour both Florida and Alabama before Signing Day. Parks is impossible to read, but each of the three mentioned programs seems to have a legitimate chance to land his commitment.