Trey Sermon Tweets Top 10: Which Schools Hold Edge in Race for 4-Star RB?

Prized playmaker Trey Sermon reached a new phase of his widespread recruitment Thursday evening, unveiling a list of collegiate favorites.

The 4-star Georgia running back released a collection of 10 teams on Twitter:

"

Here's my top 10 pic.twitter.com/jv4yW4ZbEt

— Trey Sermon (@treyera) August 6, 2015"

Sermon, a 6'1", 206-pound prospect, is rated fourth nationally among rushers in 247Sports' 2017 composite recruiting rankings. He sits 44th overall on the list of prospects approaching their junior season.

His favorites feature six SEC squads. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee each made the cut. 

Sermon also included Ohio State, Stanford, Miami and Michigan. It's a group that represents four Power Five conferences and several possible playoff contenders.

The Sprayberry High School standout is considered a premier commodity in Georgia, rated fifth among 2017 Peach State products. While Sermon is clearly willing to explore opportunities far beyond state borders, his most likely landing spot might be local.

The Bulldogs remain in the market for a 2017 running back and recently lost 4-star 2016 rusher B.J. Emmons to Alabama. Georgia offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer already claimed a commitment from elite in-state quarterback Bailey Hockman and could piece together the makings of a promising backfield by bringing Sermon on board.

"I like Georgia, it is a great school," Sermon told Kipp Adams of 247Sports. "Pretty much the coaching staff (is what I like most). They are really good guys and I can tell they just want all their athletes to do well, not only in football but after that. Georgia is pretty high up there."

Former star Bulldogs running back Thomas Brown spearheads this recruitment for Georgia following an extremely successful tenure as an assistant at Wisconsin. 

If you're looking for another strong SEC contender in this race, Auburn is a team to watch. The Tigers and Bulldogs are already going head-to-head for 2016 Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield, and Sermon is another crucial mutual interest.

Head coach Gus Malzahn does an outstanding job plucking players from the Peach State. His team could establish an edge if it shows Sermon what he needs to see in person this season, as Auburn will aim to line up at least one on-campus visit for a game day.

Odds are in favor of Sermon signing with an SEC-affiliated university, but an upset isn't out the question here. Reigning national champion Ohio State looms large if he opts to leave the region.

The Buckeyes hosted him in Columbus last month and he left town with a scholarship offer. Sermon attended the team's Friday Night Lights Camp and became the latest backfield target for Urban Meyer.

"I'm here to impress the coaches, and hopefully earn an offer," he told Bill Greene of Scout.com before the event. "This is a long way from home, but I'm interested in the school and they're interested in me, so I decided to come up here."

Ohio State currently carries a trio of 4-star rushers in its 2016 class. The Buckeyes picked up a pledge from top 2017 in-state running back Todd Sibley this spring.

Sermon isn't under any time crunch so it's probably wise to keep so many options open 18 months shy of his national signing day. Campus visits and other running back commitments are likely to reshape this recruitment moving forward.

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