College Football 2011: 11 Recruits Every SEC Team Is Eyeing

As the norm in college football, the SEC is the premier conference. Much of the allure of the conference stems from not only the tradition and history of its participants, but also the rich and fertile area of the South to infuse a wealth of talent into the SEC year in and year out.

This is why the recruiting battles between programs for players are over the top, to say the least. Even former Florida coach Urban Meyer stated on signing day this past year, "Trust me, those recruiting battle stories you've heard that go on in the SEC. They're real."

With this list, we're going to give you 11 players that seem to be drawing the heavy interest among the SEC. These aren't the top 11 players in the country, but the top 11 players that seem hottest among the SEC schools.

11. Geno Smith, CB

Smith is a tall and long corner at 6'0", 165 pounds. He really excels in off-man and zone coverage. This is where he flashes his smooth backpedal, loose hips and transition quickness.

He lacks strength to jam effectively at the line, but he is so good in coverage that he can still be thrown on an island and forgotten about. He also shows good hands to make picks on balls outside his frame.

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and South Carolina are on him hard among others.

10. Nelson Agholor, ATH

There is talk that Agholor may be the most athletic player in Florida this year, and his tape does nothing to dispel that notion. At 6'2", 180 pounds, he makes play after play all night long.

He can factor as a safety, receiver, running back or corner. Talk is his best spot may be safety, but you can't count him out as a receiver. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, but then again, he could be an All-American safety. Decisions, decisions.

Florida, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee are the main SEC schools he likes.

9. Jordan Jenkins, DE

At 6'3", 250 pounds, Jenkins may be able to come in as a true freshman and make an impact as a sub rusher from day one; he's that athletically gifted. You watch him on tape and see a burst and ability to beat blockers at the snap.

He can bend well off the edge and close on the QB in a flash. He plays the run well and just needs to get seasoned. Keep an eye on him.

Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU and South Carolina are his top SEC schools. 

8. Channing Ward, DE

Ward is a 6'4", 240-pound pass-rush specialist who could play OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He has good athleticism, shows a pass-rushing plan and plays well with his hands.

He shows a burst at the snap and bend ability. Yet what really makes Ward special is knowing that his hands can be weapons. Most rushers just try to out-run blockers and get stuck when engaged

LSU seems to be his leader, but Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Auburn are thick in the race.

7. Landon Collins, DS/LB

Collins is a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the country; he can play safety and outside linebacker. At 6'0", 205 pounds, Collins shows to be uber-instinctive in the box, physical versus the run and rangy to chase and pursue.

He's productive in space in coverage, showing an ability to factor in the zone due to his awareness. He always finds a way to the ball and hates getting caught in traffic. Look for him to be one of the best strong safeties to come out of this class.

LSU, Alabama and Tennessee seem to be the main schools in the hunt. Florida is a dark horse.

6. John Theus, OT

At 6'6", 295 pounds, Theus excels at drive blocking and has the ability to finish.

Solid in pass protection, I think Theus' best spot is right tackle. He works each snap, fires out at the snap, brings his feet and flashes great finish ability. 

In the passing game, Theus shows solid foot quickness and athletic ability to kick, slide, mirror, adjust and recover on an island. He gets solid hand placement and punches well.

Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State and South Carolina are the main SEC targets.

5. Quay Evans, DT

At 6'2", 320 pounds, Evans is an immovable object in the trenches. He has great strength and I like him as a one-technique or a nose tackle.

Once Evans gets his hands on a blocker and inside the body, it's over, as he can use brute and sheer strength to toss them around or power over them to get into the backfield.

He has the girth to be a space eater, but also the athleticism to make plays along the line.

Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU and Ole Miss are the top SEC schools he mentions.

4. Kwon Alexander, OLB

At 6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander is a fantastic linebacker prospect. He has tremendous play speed and range and will be a three-down defender in college.

He projects well at WILL, but I think he can also play SAM in a 4-3 scheme due to his ability to carry tight ends around the field in coverage.

Alabama and Auburn seem to be at the top, but Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU are all on his trail.

3. Eddie Goldman, DT

Goldman is a 6'5", 305-plus pound defensive tackle that has "special" written all over him. He has the quickness to jump blockers at the snap, strength to toss and shed, as well as anchor ability to stop double-teams in their tracks and make a mess in the middle.

He wants to play 4-3 tackle, but some teams like him at 3-4 nose. He can play both well in my opinion, and could even play 3-4 end. He isn't a wow-you type of athlete that will chase in pursuit, but Goldman does have a bit of range.

Goldman is wanted by pretty much the entire conference. 

2. Keith Marshall, RB

Perhaps the fastest running back in the country, Marshall is a touchdown machine.

I liken him to a Marshall Faulk, as he can impact the game as a runner, receiver and even as a returner.

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Marshall has been timed in the 4.3 range in the 40.

Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina are his top SEC schools.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

I have Green-Beckham as the top player in the country on my board, as do many other talent evaluators.

At 6'6", 220 pounds, the only knock I have on him right now is his release quickness off the line.

Other than that, Green-Beckham has the hands, separation quickness, catch-in-crowd ability and playmaking talent to become a dominant receiver in college.

Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Auburn and Ole Miss seem to be the top SEC schools he mentions, but he's still pretty wide open.