Which SEC School Is the New Leader for 2016 4-Star WR Kyle Davis?

The race to land coveted 4-star wide receiver Kyle Davis is down to a trio of SEC powers.

According to Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover, Davis named Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee as his three leaders, with one unnamed program in that group currently occupying his No. 1 spot. 

"I can't say who, but yeah,” Davis told Niebuhr about his current favorite. “They went up to No. 1. Just a little (ahead of the others). It was just the connection I have with the coaches. We have a great relationship, and that's important to me." 

Georgia has long been considered the odds-on favorite to land Davis since the 6’2”, 218-pounder backed off an initial commitment to South Carolina earlier this year. 

"

on October 23rd (Homecoming game), I will announce where I plan on furthering my education for the next 4 years. no interviews.

— Casanova (@KDSZN) August 12, 2015"

However, both the Tigers and the Volunteers have been pushing hard for the nation’s No. 4 wideout and No. 45 player overall in the 2016 class.

Which school has a leg up on him in the final weeks leading up to his planned announcement Oct. 23? 

That’s tough to say, as Davis acknowledged to Niebuhr that he has great relationships with the coaches at each of his three finalists.

His latest visit was last weekend to Tennessee, where he took in a Volunteers practice. It was his second trip to Knoxville in the last month, as he made it to campus July 25 for the Vols' Orange Carpet Day event, according to Wes Rucker of GoVols247.

“I enjoyed it all. Everything. Every little thing about it,” Davis told Rucker about that visit. “I mean, every time I go up to a school, they roll out…well, in this case, they roll out an orange carpet. But it was great, man.”

He last visited Auburn back in May for the Tigers' Big Cat Weekend, but he admits that former Tigers star Sammie Coates and current standout Duke Williams are receivers whom he is fond of.

In fact, as Niebuhr detailed, part of the Tigers' pitch to him is to eventually take over the role that Williams is currently occupying. 

However, Davis also has plenty of connections to the Bulldogs program, which is located less than an hour away from his hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia.

As noted by Kipp Adams of Dawgs247, his mother has developed a strong bond with Georgia assistants Thomas Brown and Bryan McClendon.

Additionally, Davis—who told Bleacher Report at The Opening that he plans to major in sports medicine with a minor in mass communication—said that the Bulldogs' plan for him academically is a big part of why he’s interested in staying close to home for college.

“They accommodate my academic aspect of what I want to do,” Davis said. “That’s why they are one of my front-runners.”

Davis, who was named MVP of the seven-on-seven tournament at The Opening, is one of the top offensive playmakers in the 2016 class who remains uncommitted. 

As such, his recruitment is likely to be a battle until he commits and then enrolls early at the school of his choice.

Though he admitted to Niebuhr that the gap between the three schools is small, it’s hard to imagine Davis leaving his home state when it comes time for him to make his final decision.

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani