Front Porch FootballTop SEC Signee At Every Position
by Chris Paschal
Only one month separated from college football, and I desperately need it back. Sure my brother, Brendan, and I have decided to become the biggest Irish Rugby fans this side of the Atlantic… but it’s just not the same. Alas, National Signing Day (Part 2) came and went.
In this post, I will identify who y’all need to know at each position, and more importantly, who is the top prospect at each position. I’ll start off with some names that just missed the list, but need to be talked about.
Class-Defining Signee: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
This was a huge pickup for the Hogs. Burks was considered one of, if not the top recruit in the state of Arkansas. With Burks heading to Fayetteville along with Hudson Henry, another top in-state prospect, Arkansas was able to keep its top prospects at home and put together a Top 25 class.
Freshman All-American Who Isn’t a Five Star: ATH Quavaris Crouch, Tennessee
This is kind of a weird category because I could have put in a whole host of different prospects, but I am set on Crouch. After sitting out his senior year in high school due to injury, Crouch fell from his lofty, elite status and finished without a fifth star. But don’t be deceived, the Charlotte native is big (6-1, 235), athletic, and motivated to prove his worth. Crouch enrolled early in Knoxville, and could see a ton of snaps for the Vols.
Future All-American Who Isn’t a Five Star: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Smith has the skills and size needed to have an instant impact at the cornerback position, but with Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu returning, Smith will likely split reps and work more at the nickel position. Give him some time with Will Muschamp though and this kid will be an All-American. Watching his workouts at the All-American Bowl made me fall in love with Smith’s athleticism and physical mentality. This secondary is going to quickly improve.
Under-Appreciated Three Star: DT Patrick Lucas, Jr., Ole Miss
I love this kid. He comes from small-town-Alabama (Wetumpka) and has little tape of him. But what I have seen has really impressed me. He is raw, but with some proper coaching he could become a stud. He has a great motor, top-end power, and athleticism needed to rush from the three- technique.
Offense
Top Quarterback: Ryan Hilinski, South Carolina
Bo Nix (Auburn) is going to be a stud, don’t get me wrong, but Ryan Hilinski has everything you are looking for in a quarterback. He has tremendous size (6-4, 235), a live arm, leadership skills, and can make all the throws. During the All-American Bowl workouts, Hilinski performed at a high level, and was considered one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the country. He should have a huge career in Columbia.
Top Running Back: John Emery, Jr., LSU
Alabama’s Trey Sanders might be the most ready to step on the field and compete, but I love the promise of Emery. He’s got great size, explosive speed, and top-end elusiveness. I’m splitting hairs here, but why I like Emery a little bit more than Sanders is that Emery may have a higher ceiling. We know what Sanders can do since he attended IMG Academy, but the promise that Emery has intrigues me.
Top Wide Receiver: George Pickens, Georgia
Holy smokes, what a Signing Day surprise. Pickens had been committed to Auburn for what felt like an eternity, but flipped to Georgia today. Pickens is a stud. He’s the kind of guy that can step in and start immediately. He’s got a big frame (6-4), has great ball skills, is physical, and has solid football speed contrary to his 40-yard-dash time. This is going to be a guy that will be a problem for most cornerbacks. While he won’t take the top off the defense, he could be a Kelvin Benjamin-type. Impossible to slow down at the line of scrimmage, a strong-handed receiver who can win jump balls, and a nightmare to try and bring down.
Top Tight End: Keon Zipperer, Florida
Zipperer is going to be a collegiate stud. He’s going to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses because he is basically a wide receiver (sub 4.65 40-yard-dash) in a tight ends body (6-2, 245). I think Baylor Cusp may be the better pro seeing as he is a massive human being (6-6, 240) and has a mean streak as a blocker, but Zipperer will be used as a weapon in the passing attack.
Top Offensive Tackle: Wanya Morris, Tennessee
This dude is outrageously athletic for a man his size (6-6, 310). To be fair, there are like five or six guys you could put as the top offensive tackle prospect heading to the SEC, and nobody would be able to argue with you, but I think with proper coaching and a year of weight training, Morris will be an All-SEC performer as a sophomore.
Top Offensive Guard: Darrian Dalcourt, Alabama
I love watching this dude go to work. He has the athleticism needed to perform at a high level in the SEC. Kardell Thomas is going to be a project for LSU with how massive he is, but Dalcourt will quickly be able to contribute to the the two-deep for Alabama.
Top Center: Clay Webb, Georgia
This was almost as obvious a pick as George Pickens was at receiver. Webb (6-3, 300) is not just a good blocker for being a center… he is a great blocker at any interior offensive line position. He has quick feet and a high motor. That jumps out from his tape. Webb enrolled early at Georgia with the focus on getting bigger and stronger. Should be an All-SEC offensive linemen in years to come.
Defense
Top Defensive End Prospect: Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Pickens has the size (6-6, 290) and speed needed to excel at either the five-technique or the three-technique (lines up off the outside shoulder of the guard). He could start at South Carolina on his run defense instincts alone, and after enrolling this January, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pickens becomes a force in the pass rush, as well. He will play a lot as a freshman, and will start at least two years before leaving for the NFL Draft.
Top Three-Technique Defensive Linemen: Antonio Alfano, Alabama
Alfano could slide out to defensive end, if needed, but I think he will make millions as a three-technique. When you think of an All-SEC defensive linemen, you think of Alfano. He enrolled early at Alabama and should become a 290-300 pound stud. He runs like a deer and he has a definite mean streak. He will be a force in run defense and has great hands. Alfano as an All-SEC defensive tackle before he leaves Tuscaloosa is pretty much a sure thing.
Top One-Technique Defensive Linemen: Siaki Ika, LSU
A one-technique is a defensive tackle that pretty much lines up in between the center and the guard. He is the anchor of the defensive line. Ika is that anchor for LSU. If he can lose some bad weight (the man is over 370 pounds), he will be an absolute stud. My measuring stick for one-technique defensive tackles is former Pittsburgh Steeler, Casey Hampton. Ika meets those requirements. He is quick, he is mean, he can plug gaps, and he has solid run defense instincts. This dude is going to be something else for the Tigers.
Top Pass Rushing Specialist: Nolan Smith, Georgia
First, he has great football speed. It’s going to be tough to run outside sweeps and outside zone plays against Smith, because he is fast enough to beat offensive tackles and skill position players to the sideline, while maintaining gap discipline. Second, he already has an excellent inside pass rushing move. He is able to set offensive tackles up by beating them with his raw speed, and then coming back with an inside rip or spin move. He’s also able to overextend undisciplined offensive tackles. First thing you are taught in high school football as an offensive tackle is not to lean out over your feet and engage a pass rusher, because the great pass rushers will get you off balanced and beat you. Smith does an excellent job of being opportunistic and beating off balanced offensive tackles. He uses his hands really well, and has great power for his size.
Top Outside Linebacker: Marcel Brooks, LSU
This was a three man race. Brooks, Owen Pappoe (Auburn), and Henry To’oto’o (Tennessee). I picked Brooks because he will fit this LSU defense perfectly. He is fast, aggressive, and opportunistic. Pappoe may be a little faster and To’oto’o may be better at shedding blockers, but in terms of tracking down running backs on outside zone plays, I think Brooks has to be the best in the nation at doing so. Can’t wait to see him in the purple and gold.
Top Inside Linebacker: Shane Lee, Alabama
There are a ton of stud backers heading to SEC programs this year, but my favorite might be Shane Lee. I literally got too fired up to watch his highlights in one sitting. I had to stand up and walk around before finishing. This prospect is big at 245 pounds, but he has unbelievable pass coverage instincts. Not only that, but he moves extremely well for being a big backer. He consistently beats blocks and meets running backs in the backfield. He is a downhill linebacker with great speed. Watch his play against Bingham High School, one of the better high school football programs nationally. He was flying to the football in that game. There were times he was beating the running back to the numbers. I think this will be another All-SEC, Alabama linebacker when it is all said and done.
Top Cornerback: Derek Stingley, LSU
He’s big (6-1), athletic, opportunistic – basically your average LSU defensive back. He enrolled early at LSU, and should be a great replacement for Greedy Williams who is headed towards a great career in the NFL. This may be a three year starter.
Top Safety: Brian Williams, Texas A&M
Williams is big (6-1, 210), physical, and flies to the football. Watching his film, it looks like he will be an excellent run defense safety. He is opportunistic in pass coverage, and with better technique will improve in his coverage skills. Some have projected Williams as a nickel, but I think he will be a better safety prospect.
