The SEC prides themselves on being the best conference in all of college football. It’s hard to argue with them. Since 2006, there have only been three National Championships won by a team outside of the SEC. Alabama has had a stranglehold on college football for the best of the last decade and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The early signing period happened this week and the SEC’s dominance seems to be only growing stronger. Three of the top five recruiting classes belong to the SEC, with the top three belonging to the conference (Michigan is number four on the list and Oregon sits at number five according to the ESPN rankings). Some will say recruiting rankings do not matter, but Alabama would say otherwise. As the Crimson Tide sits at number one this year, they are on pace to lock up the top spot for the eighth season out of the last nine. The team has won four national championships during the streak and are the favorites to win this season’s championship game as well.
Each SEC team has a unique pitch that is appealing to the recruits. Alabama can pitch a recruit the opportunity to compete for national championships while having a high chance of being a future draft pick. If a recruit wants to embrace the underdog role and play against the best of the best, why not go to Auburn? They play four of those top-5 recruiting classes next season. Jeremy Pruitt has been vocal about playing time stating that if you want to start in the SEC as a freshman, go to Tennessee, as they are currently rebuilding the program. Kirby Smart is running the SEC East now and has been a play or two from knocking off the “elephant in the room.”
With so many opportunities to compete against the nation’s elite, it is hard for a recruit to steer away from the SEC. According to ESPN, 11 of the 14 SEC schools currently hold a Top-25 recruiting class; 44% of the Top-25 and 78% of the conference in the Top-25. To be the best, you have to beat the best; the SEC offers that on a week-to-week basis. The SEC has signed a total of 14 five-star players in this wave, leaving the other Power Five conferences with just 10. 247 Sports has the SEC signing 42% of their Top 100 recruits.
Say what you want about the SEC, but it did not get this powerful by just sitting around and playing second fiddle to anyone. Whether you are for them or against them, the conference has separated themselves from the pack and it does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. There are only three active head coaches in college football currently, and two are in the same division of the SEC. The competition is stiffening, and it seems as if they will only be competing against themselves in the near future. Buckle up folks, the SEC is about to get a little more exciting.
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