Top Of The Class: Which Team Leads The SEC in Recruiting?

SEC Recruiting Rankings: Who is Number #1?

** Based on Rankings as of September 25, 2010 **

Is there anything that the Southeastern Conference is not good at? It's definitely not football. For the past decade, and the last four years in particular, the SEC has dominated the college football landscape. The SEC has won the last four BCS Championships. They have two of the last four Heisman Trophy winners. Their bowl winning percentage is exceptional.

How does one conference arrive at such success? Most college coaches will tell you that it all starts with recruiting.

Let's look at the team rankings for the past four years: (2007-2010)

2010 -- #1 Florida (Scout & Rivals -- Rankings After Enrolling)

2010 --  4 Top 7 (7 Top 21) Teams Scout; 4 Top 6 (8 Top 24) Teams Rivals

2009 -- #1 - #2 Alabama (Rivals #1 & Scout #2 -- Rankings After Enrolling)

2009 --  4 Top 10 (10 Top 25) Teams Scout; 4 Top 10 (10 Top 25) Teams Rivals

2008 -- #1 Alabama (Scout & Rivals -- Rankings After Enrolling)

2008 --  3 Top 10 (5 Top 20) Teams Scout; 3 Top 10 (4 Top 11) Teams Rivals

2007 -- #1 Florida (Scout & Rivals -- Rankings After Enrolling)

2007 --  5 Top 7 (7 Top 22) Teams Scout; 5 Top 7 (7 Top 10) Teams Rivals

Hmmm.....Does there seem to be a trend here?

Alabama and Florida have combined to win the last three National titles. The two of them have also won, between them, the last four recruiting titles. It finally makes sense as to why the top coaches the game put such a strong emphasis on recruiting. To be a successful college coach these days, it's not just about coaching anymore. You have to be able to recruit as well. Or at least surround yourself with assistant coaches that are the best in the business.

But looking at the trends over the past four years, in relation to the number of teams from the SEC in the Top 10 and Top 20 in recruiting, shows us how dominant that the SEC is as a conference. Not just Alabama and Florida; the whole conference from top to bottom is dominant.

That's why you hear both the broadcasters on all the major networks and the sportswriters across the United States continually report that the SEC is college football's best conference. You hear every year that the Big 10 (now the Big 12) or the Big 12 (now the Big 10) is going to give the SEC a run for its money. It hasn't happened the last four years. What makes us think that it is going to change any time soon?

Now that we have seen proof of the SEC's dominance in recruiting, let's take a look at how the recruiting race is unfolding in the SEC this year.....

#12 Vanderbilt Commodores

#12 Vanderbilt Commodores

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 8

Average Ranking: # 79

Scout Ranking: # 77

Scout Player Average: 2.5

Rivals Ranking: # 81

Rivals Player Average: 2.25

Vanderbilt is the lone anomaly when it comes to recruiting in the SEC. Just imagine how good the conference would be if Vandy was not here to skew the average. No chance of coming out of the cellar.

#11 South Carolina Gamecocks

#11 South Carolina Gamecocks

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 15

Average Ranking: # 31.5

Scout Ranking: # 42

Scout Player Average: 2.73

Rivals Ranking: # 21

Rivals Player Average: 3.11

There is a big discrepancy here in the two recruiting services. Honestly though #32 is probably about right or a little high. I think Rivals ranking here is way too high. In the past four years, South Carolina has done much better than this. That's why I am a little surprised. If they continue to play well this season, which I think they will, look for them to shoot up the rankings and finish somewhere between #20 and #25.

#10 Kentucky Wildcats

#10 Kentucky Wildcats

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 16

Average Ranking: # 28.5

Scout Ranking: # 29

Scout Player Average: 2.69

Rivals Ranking: # 28

Rivals Player Average: 2.72

Both Rivals and Scout were right on the money. Hard to get any closer than that. Based on past years' recruiting, this is pretty good for Kentucky. If they keep this momentum, they could possibly finish here or a little lower. All that said, this is an above average year for the Wildcats, and they should be pleased.

#9 Mississippi State Bulldogs

#9 Mississippi State Bulldogs

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 16

Average Ranking: # 27

Scout Ranking: # 22

Scout Player Average: 3.13

Rivals Ranking: # 32

Rivals Player Average: 2.94

Coach Dan Mullen must be doing something right down in Starkville. He learned well from Urban Meyer that the best way to build a program up from the bottom is to bring in some top talent. And that's exactly what he is doing. This is a surprisingly good year for State, and I think they have a chance to possibly move up a few slots. The Bulldog faithful should be quite happy as this should turn into some wins in the next few years, and as long as they can hold onto their coach.

#8 Tennessee Volunteers

#8 Tennessee Volunteers

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 15

Average Ranking: # 25.5

Scout Ranking: # 25

Scout Player Average: 3.00

Rivals Ranking: # 26

Rivals Player Average: 3.13

Rivals and Scout are once again right on the money on their rankings. Nothing seems to be going right in old Rocky Top. Once a consistent Top 10 team, Tennessee has fallen from the ranks of the SEC upper tier. At this point, they're not even a middle of the pack team; they are a downward spiral, heading towards oblivion. They have done one thing right. And that's the hiring of an honest coach for once in Dooley. It may take a little while for him to get things turned around, but he eventually will. I am still surprised to see them doing so poorly in recruiting. Thanks Lane Kiffen.

#7 Arkansas Razorbacks

#7 Arkansas Razorbacks

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 18

Average Ranking: # 20

Scout Ranking: # 21

Scout Player Average: 3.06

Rivals Ranking: # 19

Rivals Player Average: 2.58

Arkansas is recruiting about as well as Arkansas can do. I don't see them moving up much in the polls. They may move down a little. Arkansas has been doing what Arkansas does best. They recruit their home state. Coach Petrino needs to get out of the house and start building some relations with the high school coaches in Texas. That's the only way they will ever move up in the recruiting rankings. A win against Alabama this weekend could help them a bit as well.

#6 Auburn Tigers

#6 Auburn Tigers

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 15

Average Ranking: # 15

Scout Ranking: # 14

Scout Player Average: 3.40

Rivals Ranking: # 16

Rivals Player Average: 3.13

This is about where I expect Auburn on a yearly basis. They had a tremendous signing class last year, and their rabid fan base has now come to expect it. It's just not going to happen. They will continue to lose out on the best players in the state of Alabama to Nick Saban. Auburn has always done well in southern Georgia and surprisingly well in South Carolina and Florida too. They have the possibility of moving up close to No. 10, but I don't expect them to go much higher based on the recruits left on their board.

#5 Ole Miss Rebels

#5 Ole Miss Rebels

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 19

Average Ranking: # 13.5

Scout Ranking: # 17

Scout Player Average: 3.11

Rivals Ranking: # 10

Rivals Player Average: 3.32

Their average ranking of 13.5 is very generous. I believe Rivals has rated them a little high. Either way, I'm not sure what Houston Nutt is selling these recruits, besides early playing time, because based off the team's performance on the field, they are exceeding expectations.

With 19 in the fold already, I don't see them moving up in the rankings much. Auburn will most likely overtake them at some point. But still, Rebel fans should be happy with the recruits that Coach Nutt is bringing in this year.

#4 Georgia Bulldogs

#4 Georgia Bulldogs

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 16

Average Ranking: # 9.5

Scout Ranking: # 7

Scout Player Average: 3.38

Rivals Ranking: # 12

Rivals Player Average: 3.38

Once again, look at the statistics. Both Rivals and Scout have the player average at 3.38. Wow. They are very close to taking over the No. 3 spot from Florida. Richt is selling recruits the "dream class" kool-aid —and apparently they are buying it.

They are still working quite a few high-profile recruits. This has a chance of being a Top 5 class nationally. Georgia needs to start winning some games. If they continue to lose, and Coach Richt all of a sudden gets on the hot seat, these recruits may start dropping like flies. But right now, they should be pleased. Hopefully they can hang on.

#3 Florida Gators

#3 Florida Gators

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 15

Average Ranking: # 9.0

Scout Ranking: # 9

Scout Player Average: 3.40

Rivals Ranking: # 9

Rivals Player Average: 3.53

The Gators are right where they should be. They have so many high-profile recruits that are still considering them, that they will be jumping up the rankings come January and February. It's classic Florida.

The past few years have seen Urban Meyer have them a little higher in the rankings by this point. It makes me wonder if the Tebow-less Gators are suffering in recruiting after the beat-down they received from Alabama in last year's SEC Championship game. But they are loaded.

The past few years have been kind to Florida in overall talent. They are stacked at every position. Regardless, they will finish strong. How high they finish may be directly tied to how well they play this year. Only time will tell.

#2 LSU Tigers

#2 LSU Tigers

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 17

Average Ranking: # 5.5

Scout Ranking: # 8

Scout Player Average: 3.24

Rivals Ranking: # 3

Rivals Player Average: 3.53

As usual, the Tigers are in the Top 5 in the nation in recruiting. The state of Louisiana puts out so many high-profile football recruits per capita each year that it's frankly ridiculous. The fact that they have no other significant competition vying for those recruits makes Les Miles job that much easier.

LSU is a lot like Texas in that they don't have to leave their state to recruit. They could sign the top players from their state every year and finish in the Top 5 in the nation. Scout's ranking is a little low in my opinion. LSU still has quite a few spots left, and you better believe they will be fighting for a Top 3 spot come February.

I just wonder if Les Miles will still be around to see it.

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide

** Cumulative Ranking is Based on Average of Rivals and Scout's Current Team Rankings **

Commitments: 18

Average Ranking: # 2.5

Scout Ranking: # 3

Scout Player Average: 3.72

Rivals Ranking: # 2

Rivals Player Average: 3.83

Nick Saban has done it again. Since arriving in Tuscaloosa, he has presented the Alabama faithful with an outstanding idea. Why not recruit nationally? Pre-Saban always focused on recruiting in Alabama and the states around it; Post-Saban has brought the Alabama program back into the national spotlight, as seen in his recruiting hauls the past few years.

With quite a few five star prospects still on Alabama's recruiting board, I can only see Alabama moving up in the rankings. They have a chance of catching Texas for the #1 spot. The lowest I see them finishing is No. 2. The BCS and Heisman trophies certainly have not hurt recruiting—that's for sure.