SEC Dominating 2021 Recruiting Rankings with Top Players Still Undecided
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With the coronavirus sending all sports, especially college football and the recruiting process, into a whirlwind of the unknown in March, a rush among Class of 2021 prospects to accept scholarship offers to ideal programs, many without visiting, took place over the following months. Nine of the Top 20 ranked FBS programs in recruiting already have 20 or more verbal commitments on the board with 10 other teams in the Top 20 securing 15 or more players. As most teams are nearing full capacity, there are still some undecided top players that can change the final landscape of distribution of talent. But as for now, the SEC is once again leading the way.
When the 2020 class put ink to paper on their Letter of Intent, SEC programs filled seven of the Top 10 spots led respectively by Georgia, Alabama, LSU (4th), Texas A&M (6th), Auburn (7th), Florida (9th), and Tennessee (10th). Auburn and Florida outperformed their peers with 17 four-star recruits committed, but Alabama tied that mark adding four five-star talents. Georgia equaled the Crimson Tide’s run-on top-rated recruits with four five-stars, but Clemson led all programs with five elite recruits signing.
If National Signing Day were to conclude over the weekend, there would be a noticeable shakeup in the Top 10, but the SEC would still be dominating the pack. Alabama and Ohio State are one-and-two in the rankings, each with four five-star players and 12 four-star prospects. Oregon would have made a significant jump from 11th to third followed by Clemson and LSU to round out the first five. Georgia (17 commits), USC (22), Michigan (21), Tennessee (26), and Florida (24) dot the backend of the Top 10. Teams on the outside seeking admittance, Notre Dame, Miami, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.
On Dec. 16, the early signing period begins for college football. The aftermath of the event will be telling. Either programs have done a great job of building bonds with their verbal commitments reeling in the signed letters of intent, or uneasy seniors are holding out for the possibility of taking official and/or unofficial visits staring in January 2021 to see in-person if said program is their “best fit.”
If highly sought-after players do not sign early, a recruiting free for all will ensue until Feb. 3, National Signing Day. Adding to how dramatically the layout of talent may spread across the country, 14 Top 50 players remain unattached, at least to the public. Among the difference makers wanted, No. 1 ranked recruit defensive end Korey Foreman (CA), No. 2 rated defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (WA), and eighth ranked talent receiver Emeka Egbuka (WA). For the curious, the Washington Huskies are ranked 25th with 15 total commits, one five-star, three four-stars, and 11 three-star players.
Regardless of the team, there are six other five-star players uncommitted college football programs will leave an opening for: OT Tristian Leigh (VA), DT Maason Smith (LA), RB Camar Wheaton (TX), CB Ga’Quincy McKinstry (AL), OLB Smael Mondon (GA), and SS Sage Ryan (LA).
A big recruiting spotlight shines on Texas talents. In addition to running back Camar Wheaton (Lakeview Centennial), the top undecided four-stars are: DE Tunmise Adeleye (Tompkins), ATH Billy Bowman (Ryan), RB LJ Johnson (Cy-Fair), and OT Savion Byrd (Duncanville). Each recruit is a difference maker that can skyrocket the right program into the ranks of the elite.
Current 2021 Recruiting Team Rankings
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Clemson
- LSU
- Georgia
- USC
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Notre Dame
- Miami
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Wisconsin
- Texas
- Maryland
- Cal
- Auburn
- Nebraska
- Florida State
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Washington
*rankings per 247/Sports
Photo credit: University of Alabama; Nick Saban SEC press conference