SEC Spotlight: Commit Fit

Sometimes it’s not always the highest-rated prospects that fit the best with the school of their choice. In this series we call Commit Fit, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell looks at the best fits from the 2018 class to the schools with which they signed.

Today we examine the SEC.

Note: Only high school prospects are evaluated for this piece.

MORE COMMIT FIT: Big Ten

CLASS OF '18 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | State | Position | JUCO

1. Joey Gatewood, Auburn

2. Justin Fields, Georgia

3. Emory Jones, Florida

4. Matt Corral, Ole Miss

5. Jalen Mayden, Mississippi State

Farrell’s take: Gatewood gets the nod over Fields mainly because he’s such a great fit for Auburn and Georgia doesn’t often use dual threats. But both should have excellent careers. Jones will be a good fit for what Dan Mullen wants to do at Florida because he can move while Corral’s mobility and arm talent should make him a star at Ole Miss. No. 5 was tough, but I went with Mayden because he’s tall and mobile, and does excellent work outside the pocket at times.

1. Zamir White, Georgia

2. James Cook, Georgia

3. Asa Martin, Auburn

4. Dameon Pierce, Florida

5. Jashaun Corbin, Texas A&M

Farrell’s take: White is on top even with the knee injury because he’s perfect for the Georgia offense. The Dawgs land the top two here because Cook can work well in space and Georgia does so well with multiple talented running backs. Martin could be a star at Auburn and I really like Pierce at Florida with his physical running style. Corbin was a tough call at No. 5 with so many talented choices, but he’ll be utilized in the new Aggies' offense very well.

1. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

2. Terrace Marshall, LSU

3. Devonta Jason, Mississippi State

4. Jacob Copeland, Florida

5. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

Farrell’s take: Plenty of talented wide receivers in this group with LSU leading the way with two. Both bring different skill sets with Marshall’s size and red zone ability, and Chase’s quickness and speed downfield. Can LSU develop a quarterback or will their talents be wasted? They fit what Ed Orgeron and company really want to install, so time will tell. Waddle gets the nod as the No. 1 here because he can impact so quickly from the slot and will work well with a pro-style quarterback at Alabama, which will pass the ball more. Jason is a big get for Mississippi State and Joe Moorhead will get him the ball. Copeland is huge for Florida and what Dan Mullen wants to do with his wideouts. He’s a catch-and-run guy.

1. Luke Ford, Georgia

2. John Fitzpatrick, Georgia

3. Michael Parker, Alabama

4. Geor’Quarius Spivey, Mississippi State

5. Kyle Pitts, Florida

Farrell’s take: Georgia has the top two as this isn’t an overly impressive or deep position for the SEC. Ford’s length and size will allow him to work downfield and Fitzpatrick should be an excellent combo blocker/chain mover. Parker is a solid blocker and has reliable hands, so he fits well with what Alabama likes. Spivey is athletic and should be part of the new passing game at Mississippi State. Pitts isn’t the most athletic or longest tight end, but he has reliable hands and will be a good check-down option in Mullen’s offense.

1. Jamaree Salyer, Georgia

2. Cade Mays, Georgia

3. Richard Gouraige, Florida

4. Dylan Wonnum, South Carolina

5. Marquan McCall, Kentucky

Farrell’s take: Georgia once again has the 1-2 punch here, showing how amazing its class is. Salyer is a plug-and-play guy for the pro-style offense. Mays, as a road grader as well, is also a great fit. Gouraige is athletic and can get to the next level as well as block for a dual threat at Florida. Wonnum can play guard or tackle at South Carolina. McCall is physical and powerful and will also be key to Kentucky’s running game.

1. Eyabi Anoma, Alabama

2. Adam Anderson, Georgia

3. Brenton Cox, Georgia

4. Greg Emerson, Tennessee

5. Bobby Brown, Texas A&M

Farrell’s take: This is a loaded group with a good combination of edge rushers and guys who can hold the edge against the run. Anoma and Anderson could play hybrid roles at Alabama and Georgia, which would be perfect for them. Cox will grow into a strongside end and be effective in pass rush and run stopping for the Dawgs. Emerson is huge and could move to defensive tackle or be a big end as Jeremy Pruitt could move him around. Jimbo Fisher has had success with big ends like Brown.

1. Rick Sandidge, South Carolina

2. Coynis Miller, Auburn

3. Christian Barmore, Alabama

4. Jalen Cunningham, Ole Miss

5. Jordan Davis, Georgia

Farrell’s take: Plenty of potential here in this group with most of them being gap shooters. Sandidge will be excellent as a 3-tech while Miller will fit in well with what Auburn likes from its defensive tackles – a combination of run-stuffing and pushing the pocket. Barmore is raw but he will be a big-time run-stuffer. Cunningham brings athleticism while Davis is stout and powerful at the point of attack.

1. Quay Walker, Georgia

2. JJ Peterson, Tennessee

3. David Reese, Florida

4. Bumper Pool, Arkansas

5. Chad Bailey, Missouri

Farrell’s take: Walker leads the way because he can cover so much space and could play outside or inside. I like Peterson’s size, combination of coverage skills and ability to take on blockers in Pruitt’s system. Reese is athletic and can work well in space for Florida. Pool is hard-nosed, very instinctual and should be a tackling machine at Arkansas. Bailey is a downhill thumper who can also cover and string things out.

1. Patrick Surtain, Alabama

2. Tyson Campbell, Georgia

3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

4. Ladarrius Bishop, Arkansas

5. Nadab Joseph, Georgia

Farrell’s take: Big corners do well at Alabama and Surtain has the size and skill to be a star. Campbell is a great athlete and will allow Georgia to put him on an island and shut down one side of the field. Horn is aggressive, likes to support the run and will be a leader for South Carolina. Bishop and Joseph are well-rounded and should be excellent complementary players.

1. Kelvin Joseph, LSU

2. Leon O’Neal, Texas A&M

3. Trey Dean, Florida

4. Quindarious Monday, Auburn

5. Brendon Harris, Vanderbilt

Farrell’s take: Joseph and O’Neal are long and rangy and can cover a lot of ground, which is key in the defenses they are joining. Dean could play corner or safety and has the highest ceiling of all if he can avoid being too grabby. Monday has excellent ball skills and good instincts so he’d be an excellent centerfielder for Auburn. Harris has good size and range, and should be a star for Vandy.

1. Alontae Taylor, Tennessee

2. Matthew Hill, Auburn

3. Jordan Moore, Texas A&M

4. Amari Burney, Florida

5. Bryce Thompson, South Carolina

Farrell’s take: Most of the players in this group will end up on offense, but the best part about them is that they could play defense, or most of them could, if needed. I like the offensive potential of Taylor, Hill and Moore, especially with their respective teams.