What Connor Mitch's Commitment to South Carolina Means to Alabama and LSU

The balance of power in the SEC didn't shift last night, but one tweet from one high school quarterback certainly reverberated throughout SEC recruiting circles.

Connor Mitch, a 4-star pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2013 from Raleigh, N.C., was a top target for several SEC schools during the recruiting process.

LSU, Alabama and South Carolina were all interested in securing his services—and with good reason. He's rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the country, and can be a game-changer at the college level.

Mitch made his decision known last night on Twitter.

"

JUST COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA!!!!!! #GoCocks

— Connor Mitch (@Connor_Mitch3) May 8, 2012"

Make no mistake, this is huge news for Gamecock Nation. Alabama and LSU both wanted Mitch, and for head coach Steve Spurrier and assistant coach G.A. Mangus, it's a big-time commitment.

But what does it mean for Alabama and LSU? 

There's certainly playing time to be had in Tuscaloosa for members of the class of 2013. Returning starter A.J. McCarron will be a junior this year, and Phillip Sims recently announced that he is transferring from the Crimson Tide.

Phillip Ely completed 10-of-18 passes in the Tide's spring game, but he doesn't have any snaps under his belt. And Alec Morris was just signed as part of the 2012 class. 

The Crimson Tide also missed out on Max Browne, the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect. But Nick Saban and that coaching staff are still hot on the heels of Cooper Bateman, a 4-star pro-style quarterback from Salt Lake City.

According to Matt Scalici of AL.com, Bateman has narrowed his choices down to Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida and Washington.

Speaking of LSU, it's pretty much the same story in Baton Rouge. 

Junior Zach Mettenberger is entrenched as the starter heading into the 2012 season, which means that any quarterback in the 2013 class can redshirt and battle for a starting spot as a redshirt freshman. 

The Tigers have Stephen Rivers and Jerrard Randall on campus, and true freshman Jeremy Liggins will arrive later this summer. Behind Mettenberger, there is a ton of experience, which opened the door for Mitch.

Mitch chose not to walk through it, though. He opted for the South Carolina Gamecocks, which are basically in the exact same situation as Alabama at LSU.

The playing field in this recruiting battle was about as even as it could get, and Mitch chose South Carolina.

That's big.

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