2017 4-Star LB Markail Benton Tweets Top 5

Phenix City, Alabama, linebacker Markail Benton, the No. 27 overall recruit in the 2017 class, tweeted a preemptive list of his top five schools Thursday evening.

Benton's list includes the two logical favorites to sign him—in-state powers Alabama and Auburn—along with Georgia, Florida State and Mississippi State.

"

pic.twitter.com/pl9CHweGbM

— Markail Benton (@king_benton_) March 20, 2015"

Only a sophomore in high school, Benton already checks in at 6'2", 214 pounds. As he fills out his frame these next two seasons, he could turn into a bona fide monster—the type of linebacker prospect who steps in and plays as a freshman.

"He's not without his flaws—no high school sophomore is—but the combination of his size and raw talent makes it easy to see why so many schools are recruiting him," wrote John Talty of AL.com last season.

Benton is the No. 1 recruit from the state of Alabama, which historically makes the Crimson Tide and Tigers the favorites to land him. Here is a list of the past 10 No. 1 players from Alabama:

• 2015: ATH Kerryon Johnson (Auburn)
• 2014: CB Marlon Humphrey (Alabama)
  
• 2013: ILB Reuben Foster (Alabama)
• 2012: RB T.J. Yeldon (Alabama)
• 2011: OC Reese Dismukes (Auburn)
• 2010: CB Dee Milliner (Alabama)
• 2009: CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama)
• 2008: WR Julio Jones (Alabama)
• 2007: S Michael McNeil (Auburn)
• 2006: OL Andre Smith (Alabama)

Seven of those 10 have committed to Alabama, but according to the experts on 247Sports' Crystal Ball, Auburn is the early favorite to land Benton. All seven current predictions are for the Tigers, albeit more than two years removed from signing day.

Can Auburn remain the favorite throughout the cycle? Will Alabama punch back, per usual? Can Georgia, Florida State or Mississippi State break the trend and sign the No. 1 player from Alabama?

Only time will tell. And again—because this can't be hammered home hard enough—there's a lot of time left to do the telling.

But for now, it's nice to know where Benton stands.

Note: All recruiting info refers to the 247Sports rankings.