Odds on Where 5-Star LB Lyndell “Mack” Wilson Lands on National Signing Day

A trio of SEC powerhouses are battling for the right to land 5-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson on national signing day.

The Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs are the finalists for the nation’s top outside linebacker prospect in the 2016 class.

As detailed by BamaOnline’s Hank South, the 6’2”, 220-pounder will take an official visit to Athens this weekend before seeing Alabama next weekend and taking his final trip to Florida the last weekend before signing day.

The Crimson Tide have long been the perceived favorite to keep the star linebacker from escaping the state.

However, with former Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart taking over the Georgia program and Florida making a big push to land other prospects from the state of Alabama, Wilson heads into the stretch run of his recruitment as far from a sure thing to land in Tuscaloosa.

What are the odds for each of Wilson’s finalists?

Let’s break down the chances for the main players in his recruitment.

Georgia 10-1

The Bulldogs are somewhat of a late entry to the Wilson sweepstakes, mainly because of Smart’s relocation from Tuscaloosa to Athens, as noted by South.

“It really helps them out because me and Coach Smart have a really good relationship together,” Wilson told South. “We’ve been at it since the ninth grade and he’s like a father figure to me. It’ll help Georgia out a lot, so that’s why I’m gonna give them the chance to recruit me and take my visit.”

Additionally, as shown by Ourlads, the Bulldogs will lose three of their four starters at linebacker—which should make for an appealing depth chart in their pitch to Wilson.

The Bulldogs are in the race thanks to Smart’s presence. However, Wilson's visit this weekend will go a long way toward determining just how much of a factor they become in the final days leading up to his decision.

Florida 7-1

The Gators will get the chance to make a final impression on Wilson just days before he announces his decision.

Working in head coach Jim McElwain’s favor is the fact that the Gators have a pledge from 3-star corner Antonio Nelson—who is a teammate of Wilson’s at Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama.

Additionally, 3-star safety Jeawon Taylor—who is also visiting Georgia this weekend with Wilson—is another Gators commit from Montgomery that could help reel Wilson in if he sticks with his pledge.

As GatorBait’s Thomas Goldkamp reported, Wilson has made it clear he’s open to the idea of leaving his home state for college. 

While it will be a tough pull, the Gators are very much in the running for Wilson in the late stages of his recruitment.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Alabama 5-1

Even with the Bulldogs and the Gators making a strong push for Wilson, it would still be a minor upset if he landed anywhere other than Tuscaloosa on signing day.

As South explained, Wilson made it clear he was supporting the Tide all the way in their run to the program’s 16th national title. Furthermore, he admitted the Tide were on the list of programs that he dreamed of playing at when he was younger.

“It’ll be one of those schools that I dreamed about going to since I was little,” Wilson told South. “It’ll be a great decision for me, also. It’s not too far from home; my family can get to my games and everything. It’ll be a good decision if I chose to go to Alabama.”

He’s clearly a top priority for Tide head coach Nick Saban, who made a call to Wilson one day after the Tide’s triumph over Clemson in the national title game, according to Matt Hladik of CollegeSpun.

While the Gators and the Bulldogs are in the mix, it’s hard to bet against Saban when he zeroes in on a top in-state prospect such as Wilson.

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