John Broussard Reveals Top 2: Which SEC Power Has Best Shot at 4-Star?

The classic SEC recruiting battle is always fun to watch. For 4-star cornerback John Broussard, proximity will come into play—one way or another.

Broussard told Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports on Thursday that Auburn and LSU currently are the two schools atop his recruiting list. And while some may think Auburn has the edge being roughly a 35-minute drive for Broussard, who resides in Phenix City, Alabama, LSU may have an actual advantage from a proximity standpoint.

"My whole family lives about 45 minutes from Baton Rouge," Broussard told Niebuhr.

Broussard said both teams are even, and from a needs perspective, both teams have yet to land a cornerback commit. The decision could come down to whichever school recruits Broussard the hardest.

If that's the case, Broussard said Auburn has a lead on LSU. Give credit to Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson, who, Broussard said, have been working hard as of late to land him. Broussard told Niebuhr that Muschamp, Robinson and head coach Gus Malzahn all stopped by his school last month:

"

I talk to T-Rob a lot more. I talk to Coach Muschamp a lot more. They say they like my size. I'm a tall corner. I'm a big corner. They love the way I play.

"

Even in recruiting battles, the smallest thing can be considered the ultimate X-factor for a highly committed target. There's still time for cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond, who is Broussard's primary contact at LSU, but Muschamp, Robinson and Malzahn have to like the spot they're in right now. Broussard took an unofficial visit to Auburn on Tuesday, and he said the coaching staff put its cards on the table.

"Coach Muschamp told me they have to sign me," Broussard told Niebuhr.

The winner of this recruiting battle gets the nation's No. 7 cornerback and the No. 4 player in the state of Alabama. Broussard is a top-100 player who, now at 6'0" and 175 pounds, has good size and plays with solid instincts. Broussard has good man-coverage skills, and he isn't afraid to get dirty and make the tackle on a bigger player.

Along with Auburn and LSU, Broussard has SEC offers from Mississippi State, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina. Offers from Florida State and Clemson also are ones to keep an eye on as Broussard continues his process.

Everything is still early for Broussard—which makes some wonder: What if Alabama offers? Broussard doesn't have an offer from the Crimson Tide as of yet, but he's made three reported unofficial trips to Tuscaloosa and the Alabama campus since September.

For now, all eyes are on Auburn potentially landing Broussard unless LSU makes a strong push—and there's time to do so.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.