Power Ranking the 2011 Recruiting Classes of the SEC Heading into December

The SEC has long been the top recruiting conference in the nation, and the 2011 recruiting class has been no different. 

Other than Vanderbilt and Kentucky, we rank every school in the conference in the Top 25 of our latest recruiting class rankings.

For months it's been Alabama on an island at the top of the standings, but South Carolina, Arkansas and Florida have all made big pushes in the last couple months.

Here are the power rankings for SEC's 2011 recruiting classes heading into December. 

12. Vanderbilt

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 0

3-star commitments: 5

Vanderbilt slots in at No. 12, surprising no one. The team has just seven commitments, with four of them receiving 3-star grades and three garnering just 2 stars. 

Of the group, if you had to pick the best individual prospect, it would be cornerback Derek King. He is Vanderbilt's only prospect rated within the top 60 at his his position, ranking as the 29th cornerback of the 2011 class. 

11. Kentucky

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 3

3-star commitments: 12

Kentucky's class is highlighted by 4-star tight end Jon Davis, one of the top players in the nation at his position. He is one of three 4-star commitments from Kentucky's 2011 recruiting class who has lost steam after a hot start.

The Wildcats have just four commitments in the last two months, with none of them receiving higher than a 3-star grade. 

The bigger problem is that the rest of the SEC is starting to leave Kentucky in the dust. 

10. Tennessee

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 2

3-star commitments: 16

Tennessee's recruiting class was looking a little suspect until the Vols brought in 4-star receiver DeAnthony Arnett, the No. 6 receiver of the 2011 recruiting class. 

Still with only two 4-star commitments and no 5-stars on board, Tennessee has less high-end talent than any school in the SEC other than Vanderbilt.

Arnett goes a long way toward improving the Vols class, but they're still a long way from the top of the standings. 

9. Mississippi

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 4

3-star commitments: 14

It's a very close call between Ole Miss and Mississippi State for the No. 7 spot, but overall we rate the collective talent for the Bulldogs a bit higher. 

The Rebels collected commitments from high school teammates Gerrod Holliman at safety and Andrew Johnson at cornerback. The two of them form a solid backbone to a good haul of talent in the secondary. 

Add 14 3-star prospects, and there's a good chance this could turn out to be a very productive class for Mississippi.

 

8. Mississippi State

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 5

3-star commitments: 10

Mississippi State did most of its recruiting damage in June and July, but the addition of 4-star receiver Nickolas Brassell was a huge recent addition. 

For the Bulldogs, the class is also highlighted by safety Darion Arrington and linebacker C.J. Johnson, both Top 10 prospects at their respective positions. 

With a handful of 4-star prospects and 10 3-star prospects, Mississippi State is on course for a nice Top 25 class.

 

7. South Carolina

5-star commitments: 1

4-star commitments: 3

3-star commitments: 16

South Carolina got a trio of huge commitments in late October and early November with 4-star running back Shon Carson, 4-star receiver Damiere Byrd and 5-star offensive tackle Brandon Shell all joining up in a 10-day span.

Those three alone should make South Carolina fans smile as each brings a ton of potential to the table.

Add the fact that the Gamecocks are the favorites to land the No. 1 overall recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, and you could be seeing this team much higher up the rankings after National Signing Day.  

6. Auburn

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 7

3-star commitments: 6

Auburn doesn't have the numbers that some of the schools behind them have.

But what they do have is one of the best playmakers in the country in quarterback Kiehl Frazier.

He's one of the most underrated players in the country. I myself have probably undervalued him a bit as well in the latest rankings. Frazier is a born winner, and if the Tigers fail to gain a single additional commitment, they'll still be winners with him on board.

Add center Reese Dismukes, rated top five at his position, and tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has the potential to be the best tight end of the 2011 class, and Frazier looks like he has some good building blocks.

5. Georgia

5-star commitments: 1

4-star commitments:

3-star commitments:

Georgia is in the running for a few blue-chip prospects, so the Bulldogs still have the chance to climb back up to the top of the rankings before it's all said and done.

It remains to be seen how it will play out, but with Alabama and Georgia battling for 5-star running back Isaiah Crowell, that could be the difference when it comes to 2011 recruiting. 

As of now, 5-star quarterback Christian LeMay, one of the top players at his position, is the highlight of the Bulldogs class and has the potential to be a star at the next level.

 

4. Arkansas

5-star commitments: 1

4-star commitments: 5

3-star commitments:

Arkansas missed out on its native son, quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who instead opted for Auburn, but the Razorbacks had a huge weekend at the end of October.

On Oct. 23-24, 4-star tight end Chris Barnett, 4-star safety Kelvin Fisher and 4-star Quinta Funderburk all committed to Arkansas.

With 5-star offensive tackle Brey Cook headlining the class and 4-star prospects like offensive tackle Mitch Smothers and wide receiver Keante Minor already on board as well, things are looking up.

 

3. LSU

5-star commitments: 2

4-star commitments: 3

3-star commitments:

LSU really should have five 5-star talents because receiver Jarvis Landry, running back Kenny Hilliard, and outside linebacker Trevon Randle are disrespected by not receiving another star.

Landry might be a little small and not as fast as some of the other receivers in the country, but he might go down as the best in the bunch. The guy gets it done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.

With La'El Collins, who's at worst the second-best offensive tackle in the class, and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson rated top five at his position, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class.

 

2. Florida

5-star commitments: 2

4-star commitments: 2

3-star commitments:

The Gators really started picking up steam since June, with 15 commitments in the last five months, with 4-star running back Mike Blakely one of the most recent and one of the most coveted. 

Florida's two 5-star prospects, defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan and quarterback Jeff Driskel, are two of the most intriguing prospects in the country, headlining what's turning out to be one of the top classes in the country. 

The Gators still have some catching up to do if they're going to pass Alabama for the top class in the SEC. But with the addition of Blakely and 4-star tight end A.C. Leonard, they're getting closer.

 

1. Alabama

5-star commitments: 3

4-star commitments: 7

3-star commitments:

Alabama hasn't had a major commitment since 4-star JUCO defensive tackle Jesse Williams joined the fold in early September, but the Crimson Tide already have a ton of talent on board. 

Particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Alabama has 5-star safety Ha'Sean Clinton Dix and 5-star linebackers Brent Calloway and Trey DePriest.

Add Top 10 recevier Marvin Shinn, the No. 2-ranked center Ryan Kelly and five other 4-star prospects, and Alabama is just a notch behind Texas. All the Tide need now is a commitment from No. 1 overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney, and they'll be good to go.