Southeast invasion: Which schools from outside region recruit it best?

With so many major programs in such close proximity in the Southeast, it’s tough for programs from outside the region to come in and poach talent. However, as players become more acquainted with programs from around the country there are a few having success down south. Here’s a look at five programs doing the best job of luring prospects out of the region.

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Urban Meyer’s ability to recruit nationwide has been well documented during his career, but it seems to have gone to another level over the past few years at Ohio State. The Buckeyes currently hold eight commits from the Southeast, highlighted by five-stars Taron Vincent and quarterback Emory Jones. Vincent is an IMG Academy product and originally from the Mid-Atlantic, but the Buckeyes did beat out Florida State to add his commitment. Jones was chased by pretty much every SEC school before he made his early commitment to the Buckeyes and hasn’t looked back since. Other highly ranked commitments from the Southeast included four-star Florida running back Brian Snead, four-star Florida linebacker Andrew Chatfield and Rivals100 Georgia defensive end Brenton Cox.

The Irish hold just three commitments from Southeast prospects, but two of them are among the top players in the country. Rivals100 defensive back Derrik Allen, who surprisingly chose the Irish over Georgia and Clemson earlier this year, highlights the trio. The day after Allen committed, three-star Nashville-area offensive lineman Cole Mabry joined the fold, giving the school a nice one-two punch in terms of Southeast recruiting wins. Last month Rivals250 Southwest Florida tight end George Takacs added his name to the Irish commitment list, signifying a major recruiting victory for the school with one its top targets regardless of position.

Michigan has started to pick up steam in the Southeast over the past few cycles, culminated by the addition of five-star Georgia defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon in the class of 2017. But it appears that it could just be the start of recruiting success for the Wolverines there as prospects such as Rivals100 defensive back Myles Sims (Atlanta, Ga.) and Rivals250 quarterback Joe Milton (Orlando, Fla.) have already committed. Add in Solomon’s high school teammate and four-star linebacker Otis Reese and three-star running back Christian Turner and it looks like Michigan has no plans of slowing its efforts in the South anytime soon.

With the Oregon’s staff connection to Florida it makes sense that the Ducks have made the Sunshine State a priority in recruiting. What’s surprising is how much success the school has had nabbing commitments from elite recruits. Currently Oregon has commitments from Rivals250 prospects Warren Thompson and Isaiah Bolden, both players who were and are still being heavily pursued by the “Big Three” in Florida. Add in three-star defensive end commit Jonathan King and the Ducks are well on their way to eclipsing their 2017 haul of eight players from the Southeast.

Kansas picked up an astonishing five commitments from the state of Louisiana in just a few days back in February and while the number has gone up and down with the loss of some commits and the additions of others, the most important two of the bunch are still on board. When Rivals100 defensive back Corione Harris and five-star wide receiver Devonta Jason committed, most figured it would be short lived. But nearly five months later both remain committed and are now joined on the Jayhawks' commitment list by high three-star defensive end Josh Smith and three-star running back Anthony Williams, both New Orleans-area prospects. Add in a pair of junior college prospects from the state of Mississippi and the Jayhawks' Southeast haul is impressive.