Every SEC School's Best Football Recruiting Sales Pitch
It's an unwritten rule: Every college football coach has to have a little salesman in him.
When he's talking about the positives of a program, he has to overemphasize. When he's discussing the parts of a program that need improvement, he's got to speak highly about the expectations for what's to come.
Every good coach does it for his program, and when we're talking about the SEC, every school has something that makes it attractive. There's a reason why the conference is arguably the most popular in college football.
Here are the 14 SEC schools, listed in alphabetical order, and some of the popular recruiting pitches that win over many of the nation's recruits.
Alabama Crimson Tide
1 of 14
Recruiting pitch: Kiss the rings
When titles are won, words aren't necessary.
Nick Saban is one of the few coaches in college football who can walk into a recruit's home wearing a national championship ring for every finger sans the thumb. He's the head coach of one of college football's most dominant programs, a team that seems to be in the mix for a national title every year he's around.
Saban's resume with the Crimson Tide is arguably is the best recruiting tool in the SEC. The program has impressively grabbed the nation's top-ranked recruiting class each year since 2011.
And even though Alabama hasn't won a title in the last two seasons, you can bet the precedent set continues to win over some of the best athletes in 2016—and future classes.
Arkansas Razorbacks
2 of 14
Recruiting pitch: a tougher attitude
There's no doubt that head coach Bret Bielema, upon his arrival to Arkansas after the 2012 season, wanted his Razorbacks to enter every year with a level of toughness unparalleled to the rest of the SEC. After a shaky 2013 season, the Razorbacks finished the 2014 season with a winning record and a Texas Bowl victory.
Bielema has high expectations for the 2015 season, and with a solid group of assistant coaches, he's looking for his team to be more than just a sleeper in SEC play. After pitching shutouts to ranked teams Ole Miss and LSU, the Razorbacks showed they were a team to watch.
You can bet recruits are keeping a close eye on the team—particularly the recruits who live in Arkansas. Currently, the Razorbacks have two commits in 4-star DT Austin Capps and 3-star wide receiver Jordan Jones.
Auburn Tigers
3 of 14
Recruiting pitch: the new M&Ms (Malzahn and Muschamp)
Will Muschamp had a magic about him as the head coach of Florida. When he left Florida and became the defensive coordinator at Auburn, he gave recruits another reason to give the Tigers a second look.
Head coach Gus Malzahn is already a well-respected individual among the coaching and recruiting ranks. Together with Muschamp, Tigers fans are expecting top-five classes for as long as they're together. Auburn had a top-10 class for its 2015 signing period and has five commits in its 2016 class, including 5-star wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers.
Auburn's two "M's" have the gift of gab and personalities that make it difficult for a top recruit to say no. And with Muschamp now at Auburn, look for him to continue to go after the top players in the state of Florda—which is what the Tigers did with the 2015 class.
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Florida Gators
4 of 14
Recruiting pitch: the new Florida
There's a new sheriff in Gainesville.
After four seasons, Florida was looking for a new head coach, and Jim McElwain answered the call in December. The former Colorado State coach has yet to coach a game for the Gators, but by winning a couple of key recruiting battles in the 2015 class against Auburn (5-star OT Martez Ivey and 5-star DE CeCe Jefferson), McElwain has shown that he can go toe-to-toe with the big boys.
This isn't McElwain's first rodeo as an SEC coach (he was Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2008-11), so don't expect him to struggle with recruiting. With offensive players especially, he can boast about how Colorado State averaged nearly 500 yards and 36 points a game last season.
Florida released a video called "A New Era Begins" as a precursor to the start of spring football. McElwain is ready for the chance to bring the program back to the top of the SEC ladder. He's also ready to show recruits that the new Florida is one they can get used to.
Georgia Bulldogs
5 of 14
Recruiting pitch: consistency with Richt
In 14 seasons as Georgia's head coach, Mark Richt has seen only one losing season—and even then, in 2010, the team was 6-7 and played in the Liberty Bowl.
College football has its share of turnover, but Richt has been a mainstay on campus. He's had nine 10-win seasons since 2001, and since Richt took over head coaching duties, Georgia's had a top-10 recruiting class in every year but two. In 2010 and 2013, the Bulldogs were No. 11 nationally.
The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 7 in the 2016 team rankings. They have seven commits in the class, including 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason and 5-star offensive tackle Ben Cleveland.
Kentucky Wildcats
6 of 14
Recruiting pitch: the hoops success
Basketball has its place at Kentucky, and there's a chance the men's basketball team could not only finish its year with a national championship but also with a 40-0 record.
Head football coach Mark Stoops is hoping to see similar success as men's basketball head coach John Calipari. The future of the football program could be bright, as the Wildcats currently have a top-five recruiting class for 2016.
With 14 commits in addition to a top-25 class for 2014, Stoops has a solid foundation to make things happen for the immediate future. The Air Raid offense is attractive to quarterbacks and receivers, and Kentucky showed growth with its 4-3 defense last season.
LSU Tigers
7 of 14
Recruiting pitch: DBU...and then some
LSU has built a reputation for producing NFL-caliber defensive backs. It calls itself DBU (Defensive Back University) and has sent multiple members of the secondary to the league.
The recruiting pitch, however, goes beyond being a part of DBU. The Tigers are consistently in the running for a national championship. Les Miles is one of the most recognizable coaches in the SEC and has had a top-five recruiting class every year since 2013—including a current No. 4 ranking in the latest 2016 rankings.
Additionally, LSU can boast about having a plethora of NFL-level athletes—many of whom are not defensive backs. While the Tigers claim the DBU title, they can go with a few different options to win over recruits.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
8 of 14
Recruiting pitch: the program's ascension
Dan Mullen's 2014 resume is impressive enough to label as a keystone to the future of Mississippi State recruiting. Mullen led the Bulldogs to their first-ever No. 1 national ranking and a 10-3 record, only the program's third season with double-digit wins.
That resume also includes Mississippi State's first Orange Bowl appearance since 1941. And while the Bulldogs fell short against Georgia Tech, the foundation has been set. Mullen is fresh off a top-20 recruiting class for 2015, and his 2016 class is currently in the top 10.
The Bulldogs are hot, and as long as they can maintain their success, recruiting shouldn't be difficult. Mullen got a good start with the 2016 class by landing two 4-star prospects: offensive tackle Tommy Champion and athlete Cameron Myers.
Missouri Tigers
9 of 14
Recruiting pitch: immediate conference success
Remember when everyone laughed at the thought that Missouri would excel in the SEC? Not anymore.
In three seasons playing SEC football, Missouri has won back-to-back SEC East championships. Head coach Gary Pinkel has the team playing with tons of confidence, and championships win over recruits. The Tigers had a top-25 class in February, led by 5-star defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr.
Of Pinkel's 23 signees this year, 19 were 3-star players. He is all about using the talent he has and developing players. While having a class' elite players would be great, it's not a requirement. That alone is a selling point for all recruits.
As long as Pinkel continues to recruit and sign players who embrace his philosophy, Missouri should be a contender in the SEC East—and interested recruits nationwide are taking notice.
Ole Miss Rebels
10 of 14
Recruiting pitch: being a "Landshark"
If you're a defensive player with an appreciation for SEC football, being a member of the "Landsharks" is one of the most respected honors in college football. Ole Miss' defense was dominant for the majority of the season, and head coach Hugh Freeze and assistants Dave Wommack, Jason Jones, Chris Kiffin and Corey Batoon want to be sure their defense stays that way.
Ole Miss has been fortunate in landing some of the best defensive prospects in the country over the last couple of years. The 2015 signing class featured 22 athletes, 13 on the defensive side of the ball.
The Rebels take pride in a menacing defense that creates opportunities for their offense. Freeze doesn't have to say much to recruits about the Landsharks; the group speaks for itself.
South Carolina Gamecocks
11 of 14
Recruiting pitch: "The Ol' Ball Coach" himself
Steve Spurrier is one of the most polarizing coaches in college football. Don't turn your back: He'll have some fun with you if given the opportunity.
Hate him or love him, Spurrier also one of the most respected football coaches at any level. Whether you root for or against him on Saturdays, you can't dismiss the success he's had and can't dispute the long list of talented players coached under him.
Some call him "The Ol' Ball Coach." Some call him "Head Ball Coach." And then there are some who have other names for him unfit for general audiences. But one thing is true: Spurrier's resume alone is one that can still win over many recruits.
Tennessee Volunteers
12 of 14
Recruiting pitch: steady Rocky Top progress
When Butch Jones took over head coaching duties at Tennessee, he became the program's fourth coach in six seasons. Jones wanted to offer two things to the Tennessee faithful: stability and success.
In his introductory press conference, Jones said the team will "be working to be champions every day." The Volunteers were 5-7 in 2013 but improved to 7-6 and beat Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl last season. Since Jones' arrival, Tennessee has had back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes and is hoping to continue the trend with the 2016 class.
The tradition of Tennessee football is rich. Neyland Stadium holds more than 102,000 fans, and the sounds of "Rocky Top" are growing louder with each day. Jones hopes to see his football team continue to rise.
Texas A&M Aggies
13 of 14
Recruiting pitch: "Agg Swag"
There's the 12th man. There's the always cool Kevin Sumlin. There's "Friday Night Lights," the decorated spring practice that includes a live DJ and a high-octane atmosphere.
There's also the six-figure crowds at Kyle Field—which is in the finishing stages of renovation. And let's not forget the "Swagcopter" that visits recruits during high school football games.
The 2012 class first began using the phrase "Agg Swagg" to define the confident-never-cocky attitude it wanted to portray around the College Station campus. That class wanted to redefine the culture of Texas A&M football.
With the help of Sumlin, Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans and three seasons of playing in the SEC, Texas A&M is a recruiting contender. The Aggies are landing not only the top in-state players but also top players in Louisiana and Arizona.
Vanderbilt Commodores
14 of 14
Recruiting pitch: the best SEC diploma
For the time being, it is what it is: Vanderbilt football isn't at the level of an Alabama, LSU or Auburn. In fact, since 1890, the Commodores have only won 40 percent of their games. The program had back-to-back 9-4 seasons under head coach James Franklin before he left for Penn State. Derek Mason was 3-9 in his first season in 2014.
Fortunately for Vanderbilt, football is an added bonus. According to U.S. News & World Report, Vanderbilt is ranked in the top 20 in the national universities category. It is the highest-ranked SEC school, and a degree from one of its undergraduate colleges is highly valued.
Mason and his staff sell to recruits the turnaround of a program that has taken its lumps on the football field, but the biggest seller is the education. Academically, Vanderbilt is one of the best schools in the country. Mason is hoping to emulate Stanford's program, where both football and academics have their annual success stories.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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