Here at FPF Headquarters we aim to keep Front Porch Football Nation informed of all things recruiting as the season progresses and as we head towards the first National Signing Day in mid-December. Some of these updates will be program specific, while others will be more concerned with the SEC and Southern College Football overall. Currently, according to 247 Sports, the SEC holds 6 of the top 10 classes, 9 of the top 20 classes, and 11 of the top 25 classes. That’s one of the many reasons why the SEC is the best conference.
This first recruiting update is of five players you need to know heading into the heart of this season. All of these player rankings are according to 247 Sports. I don’t hold myself out to be a recruiting expert or a recruiting insider… I just follow it a little too creepily and know a lot about it.
#1 DT Ishmael Sopsher could be the type of prospect that entrenches Ed Orgeron at LSU. The defensive tackle out of Amite, Louisiana is big (6-3.5, 335), physical, and athletic. Most importantly is he lives less than an hour away from Tiger Stadium. The state of Louisiana has a ton of elite talent in this recruiting class, but none are a coveted as Sopsher. If Orgeron can keep him, and other Louisiana kids at home this recruiting cycle, LSU will have a top five class. Right now it seems the only competition LSU faces for Sopsher is Alabama. This will be interesting. Sopsher plans to announce his commitment on the Second Signing Period in February.
#1 OLB Owen Pappoe is what most people would label as a freak of nature. He hits hard, he has an athletic frame (6-1, 210) that should be able to put on 15 more pounds of muscle, and he is fast (times at under a 4.5 forty yard dash). Pappoe is the definition of a five star prospect, and of course, there is some five star drama surrounding him. From Loganville, Georgia, Pappoe was long considered a lock for Georgia only to spur the Bulldogs and commit to Auburn. Pappoe seems pretty set on Auburn, but don’t be surprised if this one takes a few more turns before National Signing Day.
#3 CBAndrew Booth from Lawrenceville, Georgia is one of the most coveted prospects coming out of Georgia. Booth seemed to be between the Clemson Tigers and the Auburn Tigers, but committed to Clemson in late July. He is a long, physical corner (6-1, 190), with great ball skills and athleticism. Another one of those five star prospects out of the Atlanta area, Booth will be an interesting prospect to cover throughout this Summer and Fall. Don’t be surprised if Auburn (and Georgia) make a strong push at the Clemson commit.
#4 SDE Nathan Pickering is a juggernaut defensive lineman from Seminary, Mississippi. Pickering (6-3.5, 285) could play either strong-side defensive end or defensive tackle, and has the athleticism to make an immediate impact. Both the home state programs seemed to be positioned well to land Pickering before Pickering committed to Mississippi State. But keep your eyes on the Florida Gators in a late attempt to steal him from both Ole Miss and Mississippi State when it is all said and done. This will be a fight ’til the death.
#10 SafetyJaylen McCollough (6-0, 195) released a top four consisting of Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Tennessee earlier in the summer, and for a while it looked like Alabama and South Carolina were the two programs battling it out over this strong, athletic safety from Powder Springs, Georgia. But on August 17th, McCollough announced his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers. This was a huge get for Tennessee, and if they are able to sign him, this might be one of the few players that are talked about decades following his signing class in Knoxville.
Current Class Rankings According to 247 Sports:
1. Georgia
Top Commitment: 5 Star WDE Nolan Smith| Bradenton, FL| Ranked: #2 National, #2 WDE, #1 FL
2. Alabama
Top Commitment: 5 Star OT Pierce Quick| Trussville, AL| Ranked: #35 National, #7 OT, #2 AL
3. Texas A&M
Top Commitment: 5 Star OT Kenyon Green| Humble, TX| Ranked: #11 National, #3 OT, #1 TX
4. LSU
Top Commitment: 5 Star CB Derek Stingley| Baton Rouge, LA| Ranked: #5 National, #1 CB, #1 LA
5. Auburn
Top Commitment: 5 Star LB Owen Pappoe| Loganville, GA| Ranked: #10 National, #1 OLB, #3 GA
6. Tennessee
Top Commitment: 5 Star OT Wanya Morris| Loganville, GA| Ranked: #8 National, #1 OT, #2 GA
7. South Carolina
Top Commitment: 5 Star DE Zacch Pickens| Anderson, SC| Ranked: #18 National, #1 SDE, #1 SC
8. Ole Miss
Top Commitment: 4 Star RB Jerrion Ealy| Flowood, MS| Ranked: #49 National, #3 RB, #2 MS
9. Mississippi State
Top Commitment: 4 Star DE Nathan Pickering| Seminary, MS| Ranked: #60 National, #4 DE, #3 MS
10. Florida
Top Commitment: 4 Star LB Diwun Black| Kissimmee, FL| Ranked: #52 National, #3 ILB, #7 FL
11. Arkansas
Top Commitment: 4 Star WR Treylon Burks| Warren, AR| Ranked: #86 National, #16 WR, #2 AR
12. Kentucky
Top Commitment: 3 Star S Moses Douglass| Springfield, OH| Ranked: #396 National, #33 S, #12 OH
13. Vanderbilt
Top Commitment: 3 Star S Anfernee Orji| Rockwall, TX| Ranked: #432 National, #35 S, #49 TX
14. Missouri
Top Commitment: 4 Star QB Connor Bazelak| Dayton, OH| Ranked: #348 National, #13 QB, #10 OH
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