2012 National Signing Day: 5 Star Studs Likely Headed to SEC

It's no secret that the Southeastern Conference is one of the best in the country, and the rise to the top of the college football world began with recruiting. 

The South is a great spot to find superb football talent, and if a team from the SEC is able to dominate its state in recruiting, then the future is very bright for that team. 

The class of 2012 will be no different from previous classes. When it's all said and done, the SEC will have numerous teams in the Top 10 rankings, setting up yet another incredible fall football season. 

It definitely helps that the SEC continues to win on the big stage. The SEC will soon win its six straight BCS National Championship. 

Verbal commits mean very little these days, so with plenty of time until National Signing Day in February, these recruits could change their mind a lot. 

With that said, here are five big-time recruits likely headed to the SEC.  

Eddie Goldman, DT

Regarded as the best defensive tackle of the class of 2012, Goldman has offers from school all over the country. 

Listed at 6'4", 310 pounds, Goldman is a relentless defender sure to turn heads once he becomes a starter. 

According to Rivals.com, Goldman has already visited Alabama and Auburn, as well as Florida State. 

My prediction is that he decides to join Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide in hopes to win national championships right away. 

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

The nation's top recruit, Dorial Green-Beckham, is keeping quiet about where he'll be playing college football. 

According to Rivals.com, he visited Texas in November, and ESPN says he visited Oklahoma this past weekend. 

However, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri and Florida are all pursuing Green-Beckham hard and are near the top of his list. I like his chances of choosing a school in the conference that will likely help him get the most national exposure— the SEC. 

Listed at 6'6", 220 pounds, Green-Beckham is going to be a star right away, wherever he ends up, but it will probably be in the SEC.

My prediction would be for him to end up at Arkansas, since he'd be a starter right away and have a talented quarterback in Tyler Wilson. 

Landon Collins, S

Landon Collins is the best safety in the class of 2012, and there is a very strong chance he ends up at LSU. 

Collins is from Louisiana, and he just recently visited the Tigers this past weekend, according to Rivals.com.

He also visited Alabama when they played LSU on November 5th. 

Florida and Tennessee are also high on his list, but in the end, I think he'll decide to stay close to home and play for Les Miles and the current No. 1 LSU Tigers. 

Tracy Howard, CB

Tracy Howard is the top overall cornerback in the class of 2012, and he is all but guaranteed to head to the SEC. 

The top schools on his list are Alabama, Florida and LSU.

Florida State and Miami are also big players, but official visits to different schools could put them out of the race.

ESPN states Howard will make a verbal commitment on January 7, but, of course, he'll still have time to change his mind.

My prediction is that he stays in-state and chooses to play for the Florida Gators.  

Josh Harvey-Clemons, OLB

Josh Harvey-Clemons is from Valdosta, Georgia, and signs are pointing toward him landing the SEC. 

Listed at 6'4", 210 pounds, Harvey-Clemons is a dominant defender that will make big plays for whichever team he picks. 

Rival.com states that he's already visited Florida, and has a visit with Georgia in January. Alabama and Auburn are also up top on the list for the talented linebacker. 

My prediction is that Harvey-Clemons decides to stay in state and play for Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs.