4-Star LB Markail Benton Breaks Down Top 3, Decision Timeline

From a recruiting perspective, Phenix City, Alabama, linebacker Markail Benton can see the light at the end of the tunnel. With nearly 20 reported offers to choose from, the 4-star prospect trimmed his list to three schools—Auburn, Alabama and Florida State— on Thursday.

In short, Benton will play college football either in the SEC or the ACC. On Thursday evening, Benton told Bleacher Report that the race is open for any of those three teams.

"It was pretty tough," Benton said of his decision. "I had some other big schools in, like LSU, Clemson and Mississippi State. It just came down to what schools I liked best. I want to go somewhere that's a winning program and with a great academic program and great coaching."

Benton, now at 6'2" and 237 pounds, went from a top six in April to a top three on Thursday. He's had Auburn, Alabama and Florida State high on his list for quite some time, as he's built solid relationships with the coaching staffs over the last few months.

He said he's looking at the next few weeks as an opportunity to further associate himself with the coaches.

Benton said he has made multiple trips to each school in his top three. Each school has something different to offer, which he appreciates as he prepares to make his final decision.

"Alabama's got great coaching. You can't get better coaching than Nick Saban," Benton said. "With Auburn, I really get along with Coach [Travis] Williams, the linebackers coach. Plus, he went there, so he's told me a lot about [the school].

"Florida State's been recruiting me for a while. I really like [defensive coordinator] Coach [Charles] Kelly. He said if I got bigger, he would offer me. I did, and he offered. That's big that he kept his word."

Credit: Student Sports

Auburn fans are hoping proximity plays a major role in Benton's decision. Auburn's campus is roughly 35 miles away from Phenix City's Central High School. Additionally, Benton's former teammate at Central, 2016 cornerback John Broussard, is an early enrollee there.

Benton said the championship pedigree of Alabama is intriguing to him, but if he chooses the Crimson Tide, that won't be the ultimate X-factor.

"Wherever I go, I just want to get better," he said.

Florida State would love to add Benton to its class. Both Auburn and Alabama have two linebackers committed in the 2017 class. The Seminoles have one linebacker pledge in 3-star Bradley Jennings Jr., and Jennings is an outside linebacker.

Benton is expecting to play inside linebacker on first and second downs and see time as a rush defender in third-down packages at the next level. He's a versatile linebacker who can not only play sideline to sideline but also cover tight ends and slot receivers in passing situations.

Benton, an Under Armour All-American, said he's considered making a verbal commitment during the Under Armour All-America Game in January, but there's a good chance he may push his decision up to the summer.

"I may try to do it [in] July before the season," he said. "I want to get it over with so I can focus on my school work and my team."

Benton said he wants to study sports medicine wherever he ends up. He added that he's planning to give all three schools an official visit when it's time to schedule his designated five visits.

For now, Benton said he'll continue studying his finalists and keep the process as stress-free as possible.

"I'm just living the life right now. I'm very humbled and thank the lord every day he's blessed me with," Benton said. "The team that wins will be another family where I can leave from high school to college and learn a lot."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Damon via Twitter @DamonSayles.