2006 SEC Recruiting Rankings

Ranking the 2006 SEC recruiting classes and trying to figure out what it all means to the college football world.

  

1. Florida
The class is heavy on ... Linemen and secondary. The foundation was built on both sides of the line with a strong five offensive line prospects and enough speed to keep the secondary stocked for years.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Tim Tebow
The player you might care about this year ... WR Percy Harvin
What it all means to the real world of college football ... If it's not the nation's best class, it's close, but it's all about Tebow. Is he the next Alex Smith for Urban Meyer's offense? The pressure will be enormous, If he's not a Heisman candidate by 2008, he'll be seen as a major disappointment and Florida likely won't be in the national title hunt.

2. Georgia
The class is heavy on ... Offensive linemen. This is a diverse class getting top-name recruits for just about every spot, but the offensive line got the biggest boost. Defensive end also got some big-time talents with Brandon Wood and Demarcus Dobbs good enough to see time right away. Linebackers Darius Dewberry and Akeen Hebron aren't big, but they can move.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Matthew Stafford
The player you might care about this year ... DE Brandon Wood
What it all means to the real world of college football ... It might be Mark Richt's best recruiting class ever. Considering Georgia has become an NFL talent factory, that's saying a lot. Stafford was the marquee name who Georgia fans might be hoping takes over the starting job right away, and he could be that special player that gets the Dawgs over the hump and into the national title.

3. LSU
The class is heavy on ... Speed. LSU has grown into one of the fastest programs in college football, and it got even speedier in the secondary and receiver. Head coach Les Miles loaded up on a slew of undersized linebackers that can move.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... CB Jai Eugene
The player you might care about this year ... DT Al Woods
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  There are some good weapons for Ryan Perrilloux to work with in 2007 and beyond, but there are enough good athletes for both sides of the ball to provide some decent depth right away. Considering all the issues around Louisiana after the hurricanes, Miles did a great job.

4. Auburn
The class is heavy on ... Receiver and defensive tackle. Bart Eddins will be the star of the future as the anchor of the defensive line, while 315-pound JUCO transfer Greg Smith will be a factor right away. The Tigers won't need much help from the young receivers this year, but it's a big group with decent speed.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... DT Bart Eddins
The player you might care about this year ... DT Greg Smith
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  It's not the sexiest class around, but it's rock solid and ensures the future will be bright. Most of the top names will get at least a year to develop unless disaster strikes. In other words, Auburn should be here to stay with this class.

5. Ole Miss
The class is heavy on ... Skill players. For an offense badly in need of a shot in the arm, head coach Ed Orgeron sure did a tremendous job. The biggest coup was getting Tennessee transfer Brent Schaeffer to step in right away at quarterback, and all the running back and receiver prospects will get long looks for playing time this year.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... DE Kentrell Lockett
The player you might care about this year ... QB Brent Schaeffer
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  No team in the SEC recruited more players who'll be asked to contribute right off the bat. Orgeron was the architect of some killer defensive lines at USC, and he has the makings of a good one led by DT Jerrell Powe. This has to be the class that makes Ole Miss a player again.

6. Alabama
The class is heavy on ... The offensive line. It's not fair to call any recruit a sure thing, but 315-pound tackle Andre Smith is a sure thing. He'll be asked to fill a big hole right off the bat, but he's not the only stud up front with Alex Stadler and Andre Smith two 300 pounders with bright futures. The secondary also got some major reinforcements.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...QB Greg McElroy
The player you might care about this year ... OL Andre Smith
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Most of the problems with Bama's offense last year had to do with injuries on the offensive line, and the coaching staff did its best to, at the very least, find some instant depth. With this year's haul, the secondary has the potential to be the SEC's best in 2007 and beyond.

7. Tennessee
The class is heavy on ... Defensive ends and kickers. Walter Fisher is a big JUCO transfer who must step in and be a factor from day one, while Chase Nelson will likely grow into the role of the team's top pass rusher by 2008. Kickers Daniel Lincoln and Chad Cunningham are highly rated and will make it an interesting battle this offseason.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...OT Jacqes McClendon
The player you might care about this year ... QB Nick Stephens
What it all means to the real world of college football ... t's not anywhere near the class of last year, but it could be very interesting if Stephens is lights out this summer. If Erik Ainge plays like he did last year, Stephens could see the field early on and show what he can do. That's very important with 2007's top recruit Jimmy Clausen, brother of former Vols Casey and Rick, out there in one of the hottest recruiting derbies in recent years.

8. South Carolina
The class is heavy on ... Offensive line. Steve Spurrier went after the big guys up front with eight very strong prospects coming in. It'll be a major disappointment if JUCO transfer Clarence Bailey isn't starting on opening day, while Garrett Anderson and Hutch Eckerson need at least two years in a college weight room.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Chris Smelley
The player you might care about this year ... LB Jasper Brinkley
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Is Smelley Spurrier's guy? This is the first real recruiting class at South Carolina for the Ball Coach, but he didn't get the big-time offensive weapons you might think he would. If Smelley doesn't show much in what should be a redshirt year, quarterback could be a big priority for the 2007 class.

9. Arkansas
The class is heavy on ... Receiver. You've got to give a franchise quarterback like Mitch Mustain weapons to work with, and eight receiver prospects, along with TE Ben Cleveland, should give the star several options.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Mitch Mustain
The player you might care about this year ...WR Damian Williams
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Last year was the season of freshman running backs at Arkansas, but this year it'll be about the receivers needing Damian Williams and London Crawford to contribute right away. Mustain is the top prospect on several recruiting lists and is the future of Arkansas football. His letter of intent secured head coach Houston Nutt's future for at least another two years, but the Hogs had better be in the hunt for the SEC title by 2008. Mustain has made it very clear that he intends to redshirt.

10. Kentucky
The class is heavy on ... Pass catchers. The offense desperately needs instant help at receiver, and head coach Rich Brooks will be hoping at least three of his six receiver prospects, along with two tight ends, can play big roles this year. Four running back prospects add more options to work with to help out Rafael Little.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... LB Micah Johnson
The player you might care about this year ... WR Steve Johnson
What it all means to the real world of college football ... It's desperation time for the Brooks era. Another bad season and there won't be a year four, so most of this year's class will be given every chance to see the field right away. If nothing else, there are some great players for a future coaching staff to build around.

11. Mississippi State
The class is heavy on ... Linebacker and non-QB skill players. With the way the offense played last year, will most of the new weapons be used early on? Four receivers and three running backs were added to the program needing JUCO transfers Tony Burks and Ryan Mason to play big roles in boosting the passing attack. Three of the five linebacker recruits are JUCO transfers, but the one to watch out for over the next few years is Chasman Davis. He's undersized and might project as a safety, but he can fly.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... RB Anthony Dixon
The player you might care about this year ... WR Tony Burks
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  It's a good class. Six JUCO transfer and several highly rated high school prospects provide a nice blend of right away contributors and future talents to develop. If the offense can do anything, MSU won't be a pushover in SEC play. This might be the class that turns things around in the Sylvester Croom era.

12. Vanderbilt
The class is heavy on ... Tight ends. Talk about loading up on safety valves, head coach Bobby Johnson got four tight end prospects with a wide range of sizes and skills led by speedy Jonathan Massey. The secondary also got addressed, but no obvious standouts outside of lightning fast corner Alan Strong.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... CB Alan Strong
The player you might care about this year ... QB Jared Funk
What it all means to the real world of college football ... How much work will QB Jared Funk get? With Jay Cutler gone, the Commodores will be looking for someone to provide the same spark and same playmaking ability, and Funk, the star of the class, could get some work right off the bat if no one else is doing much this off-season.