College football recruiting has become an entirely different beast in the past decade and it's only getting more intense. With nationally-televised showcases and signing day announcements playing a huge role, high school recruits are able to build their profiles like never before. We also get to see what it's like from a young kid's perspective, as they can now share their unique 'crootin stories from campuses around the country via social media. Things are already hyper-competitive ...

Steve Sarkisian can be forgiven for a poor first class in Los Angeles. He did, after all, inherit the job after 90 percent of the cycle was completed. It's not fair to judge him on a "halfie." Still, the current state of USC's class leaves much to be desired, checking in at No. 26 in the country and No. 5 in the Pac-12, according to the 247Sports team rankings. That is not where this program is ...

Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones is about to wrap up his first full recruiting class in Knoxville, and it will be one that receives plenty of praise across the nation for its star quality. But a few less -heralded members of the 2014 recruiting haul will play above their ratings as well. Among UT's 34 commitments in a class ranked sixth by 247Sports are several players who may not be as nationally known as Jalen Hurd ...

Legendary college football head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once famously said, “Defense wins championships.” For the Florida Gators, it could also be what heads a massive turnaround for the once-proud football program. Last season, Florida stumbled its way to a 4-8 record. Not only did it mark the first time the team has missed out on a bowl game in 23 years, but it also served as the school’s fewest wins since going winless in 1979. Simply put, ...

Every Friday, SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee features questions from followers on Twitter. You have SEC questions, and I have SEC answers. Thank you for your questions. If I didn't get to them this week, they will be saved and used in the future. And we're off!  @BarrettSallee With Coker committing to 'Bama today. Do you see Cooper Bateman transferring? — A.J. Austin (@age_austin) January 27, 2014 I think it's premature to consider that as a possibility at this point. When Cooper ...

National Signing Day is still a few days away, and so the destination of dozens of future college football stars is still pretty unknown.  However, every year, a few high school players who feel ready to make a jump to college right away, becoming eligible to participate in spring practice and getting a leg up on the rest of their competition to earn playing time.  Florida State has five such players this year, who are part of ...

West Virginia didn't get running back Rushel Shell the first time around in 2012.  Shell, a former 5-star prospect from Aliquippa, Pa. (Hopewell), committed to Pittsburgh over offers from Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, and yes, the Mountaineers.  But, Shell's career with the Panthers never fully materialized. Following his freshman season, in which he finished as the team's second-leading rusher, Shell left the team. After briefly flirting with the idea of going to UCLA, Shell transferred to West Virginia.  It's ...

National signing day is just a few days away, and major news is coming out all over the country. USC's 2014 class hinges on a few top recruits in offensive guard Damien Mama, cornerback Adoree' Jackson and athlete John "Juju" Smith. Each of these studs would have an instant impact for the Trojans in the fall and can make or break Steve Sarkisian's first recruiting class.  Can USC land all three and come away with one of the top 2014 ...

Questions were not coming in, but then I threatened to create my own questions and just talk to myself, which led to people sending questions. So, I will answer those questions. However, one day I am going to just answer my own queries and people will have to deal with the answers. Honestly, it will depend upon just how accepting he is of the change, how hard he works and how truly talented he is as ...

One of the top uncommitted prospects remaining in the 2014 recruiting class, 5-star linebacker Rashaan Evans is good enough to play for any program. The No. 1 outside linebacker in the 247Sports Composite Rankings recently cancelled his final official visit, a Jan. 31 trip to UCLA. That choice is a major blow for the Bruins and opens the door for two in-state programs—Alabama and Auburn—to secure his National Letter of Intent. Evans, an Auburn native, will announce ...