Each SEC West Team’s Most Important Recruiting Target
It is time for our second installment of the most important SEC West recruiting targets. Who’s names make an appearance this time?
We’ve had some surprising recruiting news over the last week or so and it really has shaken up some boards. Brad Stewart pushing his announcement back, JaCoby Stevens is headed to LSU and much more. Who are the most important recruiting targets for each SEC West team in the Class Of 2017?
Alabama
Top Target: Baron Browning – 5 Star – LB
Alabama linked with a touted 5-Star LB? Not surprised. Browning has it all and is truly a stud. The Tide brought in Ben Davis and Mack Wilson in 2016, but always look to add more to their stacked front 7. Browning can come in and have an immediate impact on a championship contender.
More from SEC Recruiting
- Ole Miss Basketball: 3-star PG Amaree Abram commits to Rebels
- SEC Recruiting: Auburn, South Carolina included in Top 6 for 5-star PF GG Jackson
- SEC Recruiting: 5 SEC teams included in Top 7 for 4-star S Joenel Aguero
- Alabama Football: 5-star CB Jahlil Hurley commits to Crimson Tide
- Arkansas Football: 4-star EDGE Quincy Rhodes Jr commits to Razorbacks
LSU
Top Target: Marvin Wilson – 5 Star – DT
In my Sophomore Breakouts article, I talked about how Arden Key will benefit from incoming 5-Star DT Rashard Lawrence. This time around, if Marvin Wilson is landed, next year I could be talking about how those two can benefit from Wilson’s presence. Wilson is, in my opinion, one of the top 3 players in the country and really has it all as a DT.
Wilson can rush the passer, stuff the run and contain. Adding him to the already filthy duo of Key and Lawrence would just be insane and wreak havoc in the SEC West. If all works out according to plan, they could have the best SEC West defensive line for years to come. Because of LSU’s current and upcoming stacked defensive line, it might draw Wilson away. In my opinion, however, he should enjoy the fact he won’t get doubled teamed because of the talent around him.
Ole Miss
Top Target: LaBryan Ray – 4 Star – DE
The Rebels recruiting cycle is coming to an end already with 15 guys on board, but they could use Ray. LaBryan is 6-5, 270 and a stud getting into the backfield. I can see him in 2-3 years from now making schools turn heads as he tears up the collegiate level. Ole Miss really needs another big time defensive line presence and Ray could be their man.
Arkansas
Top Target: Isaiah Buggs – 4 Star- DE
This is the first JUCO player I’ve mentioned on these lists, but this kid is elite. He stands at 6-5 280 and shows no lack of speed. I literally have no idea how this kid ended up in JUCO because he might be one of the best on film defensive ends I’ve ever seen. Buggs has it all — he is quick off the line, tackles well and hits hard. It’s gonna be a stretch for the Razorbacks to get him as LSU seem to be the front-runners, but he is a must pursuit for them.
Mississippi State
Top Target: CJ Avery – 4 Star – DB
This kid has a lot of Darius Slay in him, just at the safety position. He’s confident, quick and skilled. I think we could see him play more slot at the next level than safety, but we will see. MSU hasn’t had an elite DB in awhile so picking up Avery would be huge. Bulldogs need all the help they can get after seemingly being in CFB purgatory. Brad Stewart also has the Bulldogs as a high choice, so it will be interesting to see if that affects Avery’s decision.
Auburn
Top Target: Nico Collins – 4 Star – WR
Auburn’s offense the last few years has been so atrocious I don’t know where to start. They might have a QB in John Franklin, but we will see. Like I’ve said before, though, the best way to make a QB better is to give him targets. Nico Collins can play and he has length. He is a little frail standing at 6-5, 195 — but makes up for it in other aspects. The Tigers need to do everything they can to pry him from Michigan and rebuild their offense to be competitive in the SEC West.
Texas A&M
Top Target: Travis Etienne – 3 Star – RB
Like Ole Miss, TAMU’s board is almost done. They really don’t have any RB depth or versatile backs within the program, so Etienne would be a good fit. He is quick and shifty and can line up outside the backfield. Travis also has good size at 6 foot, but he needs to fill out his frame. He’ll be playing ball this fall weighing only 190. Etienne reminds me a lot of Florida’s Adarius Lemons. I don’t think he can be a day one guy because of his limited size, but could definitely be a contributor in the years to come.
must read: SEC Football: Updated Power Rankings for All 14 Teams
First of all I hope you enjoyed the article! If you have any suggestion on a future topic feel free to let me know! I hope all these kids succeed no matter what school they choose to attend!