Marlon Davidson Sets Decision Date: Odds on Where 5-Star DE Lands

A back-and-forth SEC recruiting battle is approaching its conclusion.

Coveted defensive end Marlon Davidson will decide his collegiate fate in just a few weeks, declaring intentions to announce Sept. 4. The 6'4", 260-pound prospect is widely expected to pick between a pair of in-state powerhouses—Auburn or Alabama.

Both the Tigers and Crimson Tide have recruited Davidson since the earliest stages of a recruitment that's grown to include programs across America. Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, USC and Oregon are among alternative options on his expansive list of scholarship offers.

Davidson, a senior at Greenville High School, is rated third nationally among defensive ends and 23rd overall in composite recruiting rankings. He collected 69 tackles—16 for loss—and nine sacks last fall at Carver High School.

The playmaker will likely be the first to commit from a group of highly touted Alabama defenders. Fellow 5-star talents Lyndell "Mack" Wilson and Ben Davis, both linebackers, previously expressed plans to stay undecided until after this season.

Davis, an Alabama legacy whose father remains the Crimson Tide's all-time tackles leader, told Bleacher Report he'd love to line up alongside Davidson and Wilson in college. They've traveled to multiple campuses together and could ultimately become a "package deal" on national signing day, though the likelihood of that occurring is slim. 

"We call ourselves 'The Trio.' Me, Mack and Marlon have really become close," Davis said.

All three prospects could develop into impressive collegiate athletes, and it's certainly easy to make a case for Davidson's potential.

"Davidson has the quickness of a speed rush and the size of someone who could dominate as a run-stopper," B/R's Damon Sayles wrote. "He's got a level of confidence that coaches love, and he uses that confidence to his advantage on the field."

Now that the clock is officially ticking toward a known commitment date, let's take a closer look at which teams appear to be in strongest position to land Davidson.

Auburn: 3-2

There are few definitives in college football recruiting, so we're hesitant to proclaim this pursuit a done deal in favor of the Tigers. Still, Auburn is the prohibitive favorite entering this final stretch.

Personal ties to the program have been an overriding theme throughout this process. Davidson's brother, Kenneth Carter, was a member of the 2011 national champion Tigers team.

This connection and constant communication between Davidson and the coaching staff gradually convinced an overwhelming majority of recruiting analysts that Auburn is his ultimate choice. The Tigers currently claim all 25 expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

Signs have pointed toward an inevitable outcome, but Davidson himself never declared his recruitment anything except wide-open.

"Everybody thinks that (I'm going to Auburn). I'm looking to go anywhere in the country," he told Drew Champlin of AL.com earlier this year. "It's where I fit in. More (about) coaches and me having a good relationship, players having a good relationship, structure with the school and how would I fit with my education."

There's no doubt Davidson has done research into other universities, but it would be an upset if Auburn isn't the choice.

Credit: 247Sports

Alabama: 3-1

The Crimson Tide can't be counted out in any head-to-head recruiting showdown with the Tigers, evidenced by the 2014 heist of heralded hometown Auburn linebacker Rashaan Evans.

If Davidson ends up teaming up with "The Trio" for years to come, it would almost certainly only take place in Tuscaloosa. While both Davis and Wilson are still exploring other opportunities, both linebackers are considered heavy Alabama leans.

Davidson recently visited the Crimson Tide and shares a strong bond with Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton, a former Carver High School star.

"Getting back up there to see the campus and the environment, it was great," he told Champlin in late July. "They want to get me up there because they need more defensive ends like me. They really just truly trying to get me."

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, a four-time national champion who signed No. 1 recruiting classes the past five years, often gets what he wants. Davidson could end up out of reach, but it won't be for lack of trying in Tuscaloosa.

Georgia: 12-1

If you're looking for a wild-card landing spot, consider Athens. The Bulldogs welcomed Davidson to campus last month for Dawg Night, and he left feeling positive about the overall experience.

"That's the environment you want to be around," he told Champlin. 

Georgia is brimming with talent along the defensive line, headlined by true freshman Trent Thompson and 5-star 2016 commit Julian Rochester. Davidson, in-state tackle Derrick Brown and top-ranked New Jersey lineman Rashan Gary are primary targets for head coach Mark Richt moving forward.

Even if Georgia fails to pull off a surprise by swiping away Davidson, the Bulldogs are still in great position to bolster an intimidating defensive front.

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