After high school graduations, summer football recruiting hits a dead zone until the fall ramps up again. Players are reporting to summer practice and lifting sessions, and the stock is low for a lot of them almost eight months removed from the last time they strapped on their pads. During this time, SEC Media Days pass, rumors swirl and upcoming high school seniors can solidify their commitments before fall practice starts in August.
However, in the powerhouse SEC, recruiting never sleeps. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the SEC had the most players selected of any conference for the 12th year in a row. Alabama also set the all-time SEC record by having 12 players selected in the 2018 draft. Before every great SEC draft class heads to the NFL, there's a great high school recruiting class that heads to the talent-laden Southeastern Conference.
Three of the top four 2019 recruiting classes, and five of the top ten 2020 classes are SEC football programs, once again setting up for the conference to dominate future NFL drafts.
Keep an eye out for these big-time prospects as they narrow their list and commit to play football at the next level.
Four-Star Wide Receiver Names Top Five
Calabasas, California wide receiver Mycah Pittman named Alabama, Ohio State, Nebraska, Oregon and the Florida Gators to his top five schools over the weekend at a competition at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy. The 5-foot-11 class of 2019 receiver is ranked No. 148 in ESPN's Top 300 prospects.
Pittman also stated, "I would say that really two schools are a little bit in front of the others in Oregon and Florida." Pittman's elusiveness would serve him well in the SEC, although Oregon seems to have the advantage to keep him on the West Coast.
Texas Safety Jalen Catalon Sets Official Visit to Arkansas
The four-star recruit set his first official visit for Arkansas' game versus Alabama. Catalon is the 11th ranked safety in the nation in the class of 2019. He's named his short list of schools at Texas, TCU, Clemson, Arkansas, Ohio State, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Alabama. Catalon added that no one program is the front runner.
Catalon is also the starting quarterback for the Mansfield Broncos, just outside of Dallas. He was named the Texas 5A Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, and is a two-time First Team All-State selection.
Alabama Steals Two Pass-Catching Commitments From Penn State
Four-star New Jersey wide receiver John Metchie committed to play for the University of Alabama and Nick Saban over the weekend. Metchie had offers from Georgia, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Penn State.
Metchie was considered a lock to commit to play at Penn State, after being recruited heavily by former PSU coach Josh Gattis. After Gattis took a new position as lead recruiter at Alabama this offseason, Metchie also made the flip.
Alabama scored its second commitment of the day when Chicago tight end Jahleel Billingsley committed to the Crimson Tide. Billingsley, who visited Penn State June 8th, was heavily considering those the two before deciding to commit to head coach Nick Saban's loaded 2019 recruiting class.
2020 Running Back Calls Georgia Offer 'Special'
Michael Drennen II was the first freshman to start on varsity at Dublin Coffman High School in Ohio. Now, the rising junior has picked up another Division I offer, this time from 'Running Back U' and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Drennen is the 14th ranked running back in the country by Rivals, and should continue to rise through the rankings with two years of high school football remaining. Drennen currently holds offers from other SEC teams Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Auburn, as well as Big Ten offers from Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
LSU Adds Top Ranked Linebacker, Loses Another
Donte Starks is ranked No. 139 on the 2019 ESPN 300. The Marrero, Louisiana product decided to stay home and play for Ed Orgeron at LSU after his commitment last Thursday. Starks, a four-star recruit, will play inside linebacker for the Tigers. Starks is considered one of the best inside linebackers in the country.
On July 10th, LSU saw three-star inside linebacker Zach Edwards decommit from the program and reopen his recruitment. Edwards, from Starkville, Mississippi announced his decision on Twitter. Fellow SEC schools Mississippi State and Texas A&M are considered front-runners to add Edwards to their 2019.
