1. ALABAMA — The Crimson Tide will make a bit of SEC history in a few weeks by becoming the first league team with four consecutive top-five finishes in Rivals.com’s rankings. Alabama is 36-5 the past three seasons with a BCS championship, so Nick Saban apparently develops his talent quite well. The Tide did suffer a setback Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Game when linebacker Brent Calloway, the state’s top prospect, switched his commitment to Auburn, where he hopes to play running back.
2. LSU — No distance was required for the Tigers to land their top player, offensive tackle La’El Collins from Baton Rouge. He is rated the No. 2 overall prospect nationally by Rivals.com and has been committed since September 2009. LSU has swept the state’s top three prospects, including New Orleans defensive tackle Anthony Johnson and Patterson tailback Kenny Hilliard, and is making a push at No. 4, Thibadaux tackle Greg Robinson, who is committed to Auburn.
3. AUBURN — While most of Auburn’s focus has been on Monday night’s game against Oregon for the BCS championship, the Tigers have picked up steam in recruiting as well. Before landing Calloway on Saturday, Auburn picked up two commitments at last Wednesday’s Under Armour All-American Game, defensive back Robenson Therezie from Miami and athlete Quan Bray from LaGrange, Ga. The Tigers are having success in the Peach State and hope to close with Columbus defensive tackle Gabe Wright and Thomasville defensive end Ray Drew.
4. GEORGIA — Channing Crowder, Omar Hunter, Aaron Murray and Orson Charles are among the notable Georgia-Florida recruiting battles in recent years, but Georgia’s biggest nemesis this winter, especially for Peach State prospects, is Alabama. The Crimson Tide snagged Griffin defensive end Xzavier Dickson this past week and are fighting the Bulldogs for Valdosta receiver Malcolm Mitchell and Columbus tailback Isaiah Crowell. The Bulldogs were able to hold serve against the Tide on Saturday by landing Atlanta athlete Damian Swann.
5. FLORIDA — New Gators coach Will Muschamp hired Charlie Weis to run a pro-style offense, and Jeff Driskel may have the opportunity to start from day one. Driskel, Rivals.com’s No. 1 pro-style quarterback nationally, has been a Florida commitment since April, visited with Muschamp before the coach was introduced in Gainesville and will enroll early. He will be joined this spring by Mike Blakely, the No. 6 running back in the country.
6. ARKANSAS — Has any state lately produced more highly touted quarterbacks per capita than Arkansas? On the heels of Mitch Mustain, Kodi Burns and Ryan Mallett come Kiehl Frazier, who’s committed to Auburn, and Brandon Allen, who will suit up for the in-state Razorbacks. Allen is rated the No. 5 pro-style quarterback nationally after throwing for 3,235 yards last season with 35 touchdowns and three interceptions. He is the No. 3 pro-style quarterback among SEC commitments, trailing Florida’s Driskel and Georgia’s Christian LeMay.
7. OLE MISS — Half of the SEC teams have a shot to finish in the top 25 recruiting rankings, and the Rebels are among those with a shot. Ole Miss improved its fortunes Saturday by receiving a commitment from in-state receiver Tobias Singleton, who is rated among the top 12 nationally at his position. Among the four early enrollees in Oxford is Iowa Western Community College quarterback Zack Stoudt, son of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Cliff Stoudt (who had the task of filling Terry Bradshaw’s shoes).
8. SOUTH CAROLINA — The Gamecocks have their first two-game winning streak against Clemson since 1968-70, yet they trail the Tigers according to the recruiting rankings. South Carolina’s top in-state commitment is Brandon Shell, the nation’s No. 8 offensive tackle, and the Gamecocks also have a commitment from defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles, a top-100 national player last winter who failed to qualify. They appear to be the favorites for defensive end Jadeveon Clowney from Rock Hill, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect.
9. TENNESSEE — One year after signing the 1-2 receiving punch of Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee’s top commitment so far is DeAnthony Arnett, the nation’s No. 6 receiver out of Saginaw, Mich. Arnett is the only top-100 commitment for the Vols, but they have quality catches with A.J. Johnson, the No. 8 inside linebacker nationally, Pat Martin, the No. 16 safety, and Justin Coleman, the No. 17 cornerback.
10. MISSISSIPPI STATE — Dan Mullen has his Bulldogs rolling on the field — whoever could have imagined a 52-14 win over Michigan in a New Year’s Day bowl? — and a top-20 national signing class is not out of the question. Athlete Nickolas Brassell, linebacker C.J. Johnson and defensive back Jermaine Whitehead give MSU commitments from three of the top five Magnolia State prospects. Brassell reaffirmed his commitment during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
11. KENTUCKY — When it comes to recruiting on the Bluegrass, Kentucky and Louisville each has four of the state’s top 10 prospects with the other two undecided. The lone four-star commitment for the Wildcats is Glenn Faulkner, the No. 5 safety nationally who made his nonbinding pledge last March. If Kentucky’s commitments could stomach Saturday’s BBVA Compass Bowl, then they saw some opportunities for playing time.
12. VANDERBILT — The Commodores again will have the smallest class of signees, which is a result of low attrition that stems from a high graduation rate. Skipping out on a Vandy education just doesn’t make a lot of sense with an annual tuition now above $50,000. Two of Vanderbilt’s commitments, quarterback Shaun White and tailback Marquis Sumler, were teammates at Catholic High in Pensacola, Fla. They committed to the Commodores during Thanksgiving weekend.