MORE: Predictions for the Early Signing Period in the Big Ten | 2019 SEC recruiting rankings
The Early Signing Period is just two months away and teams in the SEC are getting ready for a strong push toward the finish line. Today, we give some predictions on how we see things shaking out down the stretch.
PROGRAM THAT WILL SURPRISE: Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher’s debut season in College Station is off to a pretty good start on the field, with the team ranked in the top 20 and already exceeding most expectations. Things on the recruiting front are going even better, as the Aggies are in the discussion for not only the top spot in the SEC, but also the country.
Fisher’s ability as a recruiter is well-noted, but there were some questions about how it would translate to his new job. Everything is going well and it’s likely only going to get better, with big names such as Marcus Stripling still on the market and the Aggies widely considered to be the favorite.
Those who follow recruiting closely are aware of the Aggies' strong class, but when the national attention starts to come in December many observers will be surprised at just how well the program has done in Fisher’s first year.
PROGRAM THAT WILL DISAPPOINT: Kentucky
It’s one of the best years for talent in the state of Kentucky in recent memory but the closer we get to signing day, the less it looks like the Wildcats will be able to capitalize. The reason it’s disappointing is because of how well the team is doing on the field this season. Just beyond the midway point of the season, Kentucky is still very much in the race for a spot in the SEC championship game, but that isn’t translating to recruiting success in its backyard.
As of today, it looks as if Kentucky will land just two of the state’s top 10 players, with Stanford, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Alabama all heading into the Bluegrass State to land commitments.
From a national perspective, Kentucky will still finish with a respectable class, but with so much going right on Saturdays, it’s a shock to see the school with the No. 12 class in the SEC and not much of a chance to push into the top 10.
SEC RECRUITING CHAMPION: Georgia
This one is shaping up to be another battle between Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. The Crimson Tide had won two-straight national titles in the Rivals.com Team Recruiting Rankings before the Bulldogs knocked them off in 2018.
Alabama not only leads the SEC, but its class of 21 verbal commitments leads the nation once again. Georgia only has 16 commitments, and the Bulldogs are likely to sign a full class of 25, so they have plenty of room to grow this class.
You cannot rule out Texas A&M (No. 2 in the SEC) or LSU (No. 4 in the SEC), but the Aggies already have 25 commitments in their class and LSU has three more commitments than Georgia, with the Bulldogs expected to close a little stronger. There is still nearly two months to go though.
This could come down to who keeps the uncommitted five-stars in their state at home. Will Alabama land Clay Webb? Can Georgia get Jadon Haselwood back? Both are expected to sign in December and enroll at the school of their choice in January.
Georgia recently lost three commitments, but has since added Rivals100 safety Lewis Cine. The Bulldogs are looking to land at least two, maybe three more defensive backs in this class. Tyrique Stevenson and Kaiir Elam are elite cornerbacks to watch and Florida State commitment Nick Cross is another safety the Bulldogs are targeting.
Looking back at how Smart and his staff has closed in their first two years on the job, you expect them to win a lot more than they lose in these late battles. Still, this is going to be a battle down the stretch in the SEC, and this race is expected to be very tight.
