National analyst Ryan Wright offers some recruiting observations out of a three-point stance. This week, Wright addresses the SEC’s recruiting dominance in the 2024 class, three 2026 prospects from Alabama to watch and whether it's wise to verbally commit in the spring.
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MORE THREE-POINT STANCE: Ryan Keeler, Rivals Camp alums in the NFL Draft, NCAA game times | Colorado, departures at North Carolina and Va. Tech
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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1. SEC dominating Rivals’ top 20 team recruiting rankings.
Wondering if the SEC will ever slow down in the talent recruiting race? It’s not going to happen in the 2024 class. Nine SEC teams landed in the top 20 of the 2023 Rivals’ team recruiting rankings along with two future members, Oklahoma and Texas. The next cycle is looking like a repeat, with seven current SEC squads getting early spots in the top 20.
After a slow start to its 2023 class, Georgia is not playing around with this class. The Bulldogs have already verbally secured 10 players, a mix that includes five-star Peyton Woodyard and nine four-stars. LSU also has 10 verbal pledges, with seven of the prospects being four-star recruits.
Florida (No. 6), Alabama (No. 7) and South Carolina (No. 8) are also in the top 10, with the Gators and the Crimson Tide both landing five-star prospects (Myles Graham and Julian Sayin, respectively). Tennessee (No. 11) and Texas A&M (No. 19) round out the top 20 for the SEC, with Auburn just outside the grouping.
Looks like another banner year is in the making for the nation’s top college football conference.
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2. Three 2026 Alabama prospects to watch.
Hezekiah Harris: Harris may be a freshman in classification, but the edge rusher already plays like a salty veteran with a collegiate frame. During Anniston High School’s 11-1 campaign in 2022, Harris showcased his speed off the snap as he constantly created chaos in the backfield. His recruitment reflects the productivity as he holds eight offers from programs such as Penn State, South Carolina, Florida State, Auburn and Louisville.
Landon Duckworth: Good luck keeping this dual-threat QB contained. Duckworth was on point last fall as he threw for 1,985 yards with 20 touchdowns and rushed for 355 yards with eight more scores. All the tools are there for Duckworth. He’s got the height, escape-ability in the pocket with speed to score from anywhere on the field and a Saturday arm. There’s no limit to his future potential. Offers have already come in from Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, TCU and Tulane. Alabama and Auburn have hosted already this year.
Ja’Michael Jones: Trinity Presbyterian unleashed Jones on Alabama defenses, and then watched the rising talent rush for 851 yards off 127 carries with 11 trips into the end zone. And he can catch. His offer list is impressive, with Oregon, Miami, Georgia, Arkansas, Auburn and USC ready to welcome him to join their team.
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3. Is it wise for recruits to commit during the spring before taking their official visits?
For every success story a program may have of landing a prospect early, there’s another failed tale going the other way. Now that college football is in another open period recruits will head out to campuses across the country to check out facilities, meet coaches and learn what a program has to offer, some for the first time.
It's hard to deflect for anyone being showered with attention and compliments, especially when college programs are the gatekeepers to the dreams of so many young men. As the visits start happening more high school talents will start committing. But is that a wise thing to do before fully exploring all options?
The allotment of five official visits is there for a reason. It allows any student-athlete to see what is out there without having to cover out-of-pocket expenses for the experience. Committing before taking an official to any school may seem like a wise choice, but part of the process is gaining knowledge to make the best decision possible.
Because of the transfer portal, more pressure is being placed upon young men to commit early to save a spot. If a program truly believed in a player that spot would be saved until an official visit or two has been had. Otherwise, the pitches to the players are full of misleading rhetoric.
