Though it is SEC Championship week and the Dawgs once again face the Horns, most of the news in the conference stems from yesterday’s Early National Signing Day. Thus, we will tab both winners and losers of Early NSD in this week’s Around the SEC.
Winner: Texas Longhorns
Texas sits atop both the On3 and 247 recruiting rankings after Early NSD after picking up in-state high school star Michael Terry III. Let’s hope that is the only dub they pick up this week.
Loser: Brian Kelly
The LSU head coach had a rough Early NSD, the latest in a serious of speed bumps that puts the Tigers’ coach squarely on the hot seat heading into 2025. Not only did Kelly miss out on the top uncommitted recruit as DL Jahkeem Stewart opted to play for Lincoln Riley and USC, but Kelly then offered up a diatribe on how recruits are just looking for the biggest paycheck, even though he himself sought a higher paycheck when he left Notre Dame for LSU.
Winner: South Carolina
Shane Beamer secured the commitment from Zavion Hardy, flipping the top ranked JUCO prospect from Mississippi State. Additionally, Beamer received a commitment from DL Christian Ingram, beating out USC and Michigan, then flipped TE Mike Tyler and OL Damola Ajidahun from LSU and Georgia Tech respectively. All of this vaulted the Gamecocks into the top 20 of the recruiting rankings.
Loser: Oklahoma
Oklahoma has not only been bleeding wide receiver commits but starting quarterback Jackson Arnold has entered the transfer portal. The former five-star showed flashes late in the season, and it would be curious if he reunites with Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State.
Most Boring: Georgia
Some may glance at this and believe this to be a dig at the Dawgs’ early NSD. Quite the opposite. Georgia ended the day with the number 3 ranked class with the potential to reach number 1 if a few uncommitted recruits agree to come to Athens. Georgia held onto most all of their committed recruits, with RB Ousmane Kromah being the notable exception as he flipped to Florida State. All-in-all, Kirby Smart and Co. did their thing and wrapped up their business early as they look towards Saturday’s rematch against Texas.
GO DAWGS!!!