Biggest Early Rivalry Battles on 2016 College Football Recruiting Trail

The battles that play out on the recruiting trail are often an extension of the rivalries that are heated on the gridiron every fall.

It’s not uncommon for Alabama and Auburn to fight over top prospects. Ditto for USC and UCLA, Michigan and Ohio State and the Sunshine State’s big three, to name a few.

Even schools such as Texas and Texas A&M—whose on-field rivalry ended when the Aggies joined the SEC—are still bitter foes when it comes to fighting over top talent.

Which 2016 prospects are already caught up in the tug of war between rival schools?

Players listed in alphabetical order.

Willie Allen: Alabama vs. LSU

Over the years, the wars between Nick Saban and Les Miles over recruits have been just as fierce and entertaining as the battles between LSU and Alabama on the field.

The Tide have had success going into Louisiana and poaching top talent, and the prize that Saban and his staff have early eyes on in the 2016 class is 5-star offensive lineman Willie Allen.

The 6’8”, 300-pound Allen rates as the nation’s fourth-best offensive tackle prospect, and his most recent visit was to LSU earlier this month for a junior-day event.

However, he visited the Tide last summer for a camp, and Alabama appears to be a real threat to pull him away from the Pelican State, as noted by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

Brendan Ferns: Michigan vs. Ohio State

The first round of battles between Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh will take place in the next few months on the recruiting trail.

One player both teams are actively pursuing is 4-star linebacker Brendan Ferns.

Ohio State is the favorite on his Crystal Ball page at 247Sports. However, his older brother, Michael, played linebacker for the Wolverines before transferring to West Virginia in December.

With that ace in his back pocket, expect Harbaugh and the Wolverines to put up a strong fight in the effort to land the nation’s No. 2 inside linebacker prospect.

Erick Fowler: Oklahoma vs. Texas

Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that rely on recruiting the state of Texas heavily. That means the Sooners have to butt heads with the rival Texas Longhorns.

One player both schools hold in high regard is 4-star defensive end Erick Fowler.

At 6’3” and 210 pounds, Fowler is a terror off the edge, having recorded 33.5 sacks over the last two years—which is part of the reason Bob Stoops and Charlie Strong will battle it out for the right to land him.

Dexter Lawrence: Florida vs. Florida State

Both Florida and Florida State are among the schools trying lure 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence away from his home state of North Carolina.

Both the Gators and 'Noles have a need to restock their defensive lines—especially along the interior. 

As Josh Newberg of Noles247 notes, Florida State has made Lawrence a priority by stopping in to see him on multiple occasions in January.

However, it’s the Gators who are the current favorites to land Lawrence, according to his Crystal Ball page.

Shavar Manuel: Florida vs. Florida State vs. Miami

The Big Three powers in the state of Florida have all had their respective periods of dominance on the recruiting trail.

Right now, the balance of power in the Sunshine State resides in Tallahassee with Florida State.

The top in-state prospect in the 2016 cycle is 5-star defensive end Shavar Manuel. Currently, FSU and Miami join Alabama as the three teams ahead of the pack for the 6’5”, 262-pound athlete.

However, as GatorBait.net’s Luke Stampini notes, Florida could eventually become a factor in Manuel’s recruitment.

Expect the trio of rivals to duke it out until the end.

Trevon Sidney: UCLA vs. USC

Trevon Sidney is a versatile 4-star athlete who could play corner or wide receiver at the next level. 

USC and UCLA are taking their rivalry to the trail in order to gain favor with the 5’11”, 160-pound prospect. According to Justin Hopkins of 247Sports, both schools are pushing for him in a major way.

"The local schools USC and UCLA are the two programs I talk to most consistently," Sidney said, per Hopkins.

USC, which hosted Sidney on a junior day earlier this month, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, might have the slight upper hand at the moment.

Nigel Warrior: Georgia vs. Tennessee

Tennessee has had a lengthy history of battling rival Georgia for top recruits from the Atlanta metro area. This year, 4-star safety Nigel Warrior will be a player the Volunteers will try to lure away from the Peach State.

But it won’t be easy, as Georgia is a major player for the nation’s No. 6 safety.

According to Jake Rowe of Dawgs247, Warrior’s father is former Tennessee and NFL defensive back Dale Carter.

However, as his 247Sports Crystal Ball page indicates, his recruitment is likely to become a neck-and-neck battle between the Vols and ‘Dawgs.

Lyndell Wilson: Alabama vs. Auburn

Fans across the country know how intense the Iron Bowl is. However, they are just recently starting to discover how intense the recruiting wars between Alabama and Auburn are, as well.

The top 2016 prospect in the Yellowhammer State is 5-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson—who rates as the nation’s No. 8 player overall in the 2016 class.

According to Justin Hokanson of AuburnUndercover, Wilson admits both schools are very active with him. 

"Alabama and Auburn, they are coming hard," Wilson told Hokanson.

Wilson has a number of ties to both schools, so his recruitment has the makings of becoming the next chapter in a saga between the Tide and Tigers that never takes a day off.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani