Southeast Four-Cast: Where will the top prospects land?

RELATED: Midwest Four-Cast | Ranking QBs of the SEC

High school football has started throughout the Southeast, so it is time to look at four more top prospects across the region and identify which schools are sitting in the best position in those recruitments.

The situation: Britt’s recruitment won’t likely shake out until he takes official visits. He once had a commitment date set but erased it from the calendar shortly after scheduling it. These days, it looks as if the four-star’s recruitment could rage into the late fall or winter.

The frontrunner: Auburn

Britt has a longstanding relationship with the Auburn staff and has close friends, including fellow linebacker Tadarian Moultry, already committed to the Tigers. He recently visited campus and has become a familiar face around the program. Listing the in-state program as the frontrunner is not a stretch.

The other option: Stanford

Stanford is a hard program with which to compete. The Cardinal will have to get Britt out on an official visit in order to steal him from Auburn. Just how David Shaw’s program figures into the race will become more apparent after such a trip takes place. The distance between Palo Alto and Oxford, Ala., seems to be the only thing holding Stanford back in this instance.

But don’t count out: Georgia

Britt named Georgia his leader at one point but seems to have come off that stance a bit. That said, the Bulldogs are very much involved with the linebacker and it wouldn’t be a massive shock if they landed his commitment. Britt has visited Athens and will likely return for an official visit this fall.

The situation: Phillips is currently in the middle of a stretch that will see him take official visits to Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame before he announces a decision in mid-October.

The frontrunner: Oklahoma

The Sooners have been on Phillips for more than a year and that loyalty means a lot to him and his family at this point in the process. He's already visited Oklahoma once, nearly committing on that trip, and he's headed back to Norman for a visit this weekend. His comments out of that trip will be very telling about his future.

The other option: Oregon

The Ducks hosted Phillips last weekend and he raved about the trip, calling Oregon "amazing" and saying it helped open his eyes to the possibilities of going that far from home. The Ducks are still fighting an uphill battle but are clearly more than just a bit player following the visit.

But don't count out: Alabama

The Tide are always a factor and of course this case is no different. Phillips received a ton of attention from Alabama over the last month of the summer and he was very receptive to the Tide's overtures. The question now is: Will Phillips go to a place with a crowded depth chart, or does he prefer a program with a quicker path to the field?

The situation: Slaton has slow-played his recruitment and spent the offseason playing AAU basketball. He says a verbal commitment could be coming in the near future but is yet to target a specific date. He recently released a top seven but a handful of the schools listed have no realistic chance at landing him.

The frontrunner: Michigan

Slaton named Michigan as his leader at one point. He’s already visited the campus and has a bond with the staff. So while he has backed off proclaiming Michigan as his clear leader in recent weeks, it still seems like the school to beat here.

The other option: Clemson

Clemson is another school Slaton has named as his leader, and the Tigers obviously have a real shot at landing his commitment. Should Clemson land Slaton, it will likely be on the heels of an official visit this fall.

But don’t count out: Tennessee, Florida State or Miami

Florida State is probably the most likely of the trio, as the program is on level footing and the coaches’ relationship with Slaton is the strongest. Tennessee has Slaton’s interest to some extent, and Miami could jump into the picture should it have a good season on the field. The Vols and Hurricanes both have a fighting chance, while Florida State could find itself in the mix with Clemson and Michigan should it decide to push.

The situation: Smith was set to announce a college decision last month, but flooding in Louisiana combined with some indecision on his part led to him postponing his plans. Now he's set to take several visits during the fall before he's ready to plan another announcement.

The frontrunner: Alabama

All signs pointed to Smith committing to the Tide when he was set to announce last month and even though he delayed his decision, Alabama is still in a great position. Smith has been a priority for the Tide at the position for months and he will continue to be heading into the heart of the fall.

The other option: LSU

The Tigers are often viewed as Smith's "hometown" option and while he's not from Baton Rouge, he has spent plenty of time on campus there. It once looked like the ship had sailed for the Tigers, but now they're very much back in the mix.

But don't count out: Miami

The current Miami staff once had Smith committed while working at Georgia. Now Mark Richt and Co., worked their way back into the mix for Smith once again. Would Smith really spurn the Tide and Tigers to go to Miami? A big season on the field for the Hurricanes could work in their favor.