Coaches & Sleepers and NFL Upside

By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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Who’s the best recruiter in the ACC, SEC and SoCon? The biggest sleeper signed? Who makes the biggest NFL splash? Our staff shares their thoughts.

The smoke has cleared and most have looked, studied and fantasized about their new addtions into programs all over the ACC, SEC and SoCon.

Three questions to come mind at this point. Who was the best recruiting coach, biggest sleeper and the one most likely to make the biggest splash in the NFL. Our writers share their thougths.

Matt Smith–

Who was the top recruiter (coach) in the ACC?

Al Golden. Landing a Top 10 class with Miami’s lack of recent on-field success and pending off-field issues is truly remarkable.

Who was the top recruiter in the SEC?

Nick Saban. When you combine his eye for talent with his salesman skills, there’s no one better in college football.

Who was the top recruiter in the SoCon?

Jeff Monken. Despite running a triple option attack, Georgia Southern always seems to pull in the best class in the Southern Conference.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the ACC?

Miami S Deon Bush. From Ed Reed to Sean Taylor to Antrel Rolle, the Hurricanes routinely churn out elite safeties. Bush could be next.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the SEC?

South Carolina ATH Jerell Adams. After a year in prep school, the versatile Adams will likely play tight end in Columbia, a position that the Gamecocks have lacked production since Weslye Saunders’ departure.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the SoCon?

Applachian State WR Malachi Jones. He comes from a great pedigree – his father won a national title at Notre Dame and his brother is currently a wide receiver for the Irish,

What player has a bigger NFL career in the ACC?

Florida State DT Mario Edwards. He’ll have a year to get his feet wet, likely as part of a rotation, and will then dominate the ACC for two seasons before heading off to the NFL.

What player has a bigger NFL career in the SEC?

Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham. He’s big, fast, and has a good head on his shoulders. If Matt Millen were still an NFL GM, he’d try to draft him this year.

What player has the bigger NFL career in the Socon?

Applachian State LB John Law. The Atlanta native turned down an offer from Cincinnati to sign with the Mountaineers.

Garrett Strunk–

Best recruiter in the ACC?

Dameyune Craig – I’m not just saying this because I am a huge FSU fan. He was able to steal the top QB in the nation, Jameis Winston right from under Alabama and Auburn’s noses as well as getting him to turn down thousands of dollars from major league baseball to come join the Seminoles. Also to his credit he’s brought 4 star recruits Chris Casher, Ukeme Eligwe and Justin Shanks.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the ACC?

Anthony Nash – Just a 2 star recruit according to Rivals, but at 6’5″ and was reported to run a legit 4.4 in the 40. He looks to be in line to be the next big time receiver at Duke following the foot steps of Eron Riley, Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon.

What player has a bigger NFL career out of the ACC?

Mario Edwards Jr – Why not? He was the no.1 recruit according to certain recruiting services. He will grow in the next 3 years to be well over 300 pounds and primed and ready to be one of the top draft picks after a stellar career at FSU.

Jeremy Hillman-

Who was the top recruiter (coach) in the ACC?

Jimbo Fisher is the clear winner here. The Seminoles brought in elite talent, especially on the defensive line.

Who was the top recruiter in the SEC?

Most people will say Nick Saban, and that may be true. However, I am going with Florida’s Will Muschamp. Alabama has won two of the last three national titles and can promise early playing time after losing so many players off last years team. For Muschamp, he had a more difficult scenario, as he had to recruit after a six win season and have players buy into his program. The Gators ended up with an impressive top 5 nationally ranked class, just slightly behind the Tide.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the SEC?

Rico McWilliams is just a 3 star recruit according to Rivals.com. However, he may be one of the more underrated prospects in the southeast. McWilliams is a 6-foot lockdown corner with 4.4 speed. Considered as one of the best corners from teh state of georgia this year, it was a big out-of-state grab for Spurrier and the Gamecocks. Watch as McWilliams helps replace departed corner Stephen Gilmore South Carolina and proves he is better than his star rating suggest.

What player has a bigger NFL career in the SEC?

The biggest NFL star from this class is Florida defensive end Jonathan Bullard. The five star prospect has impressive size (6’4″, 255) and has the athletic ability to make his way into opposing backfields early and often. Look for Rivals top ranked prep defensive end in the nation to thrive under defensive minded head coach Will Muschamp and leave after his Junior season to play on Sundays.

Matt Osborne–

Best recruiter in the ACC?

Jimbo Fisher – Florida State. Since Coach Fisher became head coach two years ago, the Seminoles have been the premiere recruiting power in the nation.

Best recruiter in the SEC?

James Franklin – Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is the toughest institution to recruit to in the SEC, and Franklin did a terrific job of attracting talent this year.

Best recruiter in the SoCon?

Jason Swepson – Elon. Unlike Georgia Southern and App State, Elon is not a traditional powerhouse. Signing the third best recruiting class in the SoCon was a great accomplishment for Coach Swepson.

Biggest sleeper in the ACC?

RB Drew Harris – Virginia Tech. The Hokies have lost their top two running backs for the second consecutive season, and Harris is a balanced runner who will have early success in Blacksburg.

Biggest Sleeper in the SEC?

DT Darren Lake – Alabama. Lake is a mammoth defensive tackle who moves incredibly well for a man of his stature.
Biggest Sleeper in the Socon?

RB Will Gay – Wofford. Despite his diminutive size, Gay is a shifty runner who could thrive as an A_Back in the triple option offense.

Biggest NFL Impact in the ACC?

CB Ronald Darby – Florida State. Darby is one of the fastest high school players of the last few classes and he is an exceptional athlete.

Biggest NFL Impact in the SEC?

OT D.J. Humphries – Florida. Humphries earned extremely high praise from scouting experts at the US Army All-American Game.

Biggest NFL Impact in the Socon?

RB Tysean Holloway – Appalachian State. Holloway had numerous FBS offers, but chose to sign with the Mountaineers. He has tremendous vision and agility, and he can easily add 10-15 pounds to his frame.

Charlie K.

Best recruiter in the ACC?

Has to be Mike London at UVA. He’s building his foundation and he started the journey in a big way filling needs with players with huge upside.

Best recruiter in the SEC?

Ha ha, it’s not close. Nick Saban. I saw they call N.S.D. Nick Saban Day and that’s right on target.

Best recrutier in the Socon?

Victor Cabral at Georgia Southern is a former Eagle and some believe he has Atlanta and moving north schools locked down. He’s personable and has a great reputation.

Biggest sleeper in the ACC?

No question in my mind it will be Daniel Rodrigues. Yes that Daniel Rodrigues, this one http://southernpigskin.com/ACC/view/the-daniel-rodriguez-story

Daniel will likely sign at the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech and they will obviously be getting a leader in the lockerroom, but also an explosive playmaker from the slot.

Biggest sleeper in the SEC?

Quayvon Hicks is the total package. An SEC assistant coach told me 3 years ago when Hicks was a sophomore that he was the best defensive line prospect he’d seen all year. Signed as a fullback, Hicks is mature, a great role model and explosive player.

Biggest sleeper in the SoCon?

James Dean… I watched James take over big school football playoff games in Georgia as an undersized linebacker. At Georgia Southern he will impact on offense and off the edge on special teams he could be unblockable.

Biggest NFL splash in the ACC?

Mario Edwards has an NFL body now. If he stays away from injury, Edwards will be a first round draft pick. The question is how long does he stay in school?

Biggest NFL splash in the SEC?

Dorial Green-Beckham signed with Missouri and gives the Tigers one of the top threats in the SEC next fall. Like Edwards he’s matured physically like an NFL player now.

Biggest NFL splash in the SoCon?

RB Tysean Holloway is an elite talent that will explode onto the FCS scene. App State fans need to hold on for the ride. Holloway is the real deal.

Flint Harris-

Top recruiter in the SEC?

Position Coach-Trooper Taylor-He clearly develops a good relationship with players and has ensured Auburn finishes at the top of the SEC in recruiting year in and year out.

Biggest NFL career?

DGB The guy has it all and should be a star in the A.J. Green mold.

Biggest sleeper?

Keep an eye on Arkansas DE Taiwan Johnson. He has great speed and length at 6’3” and 240lbs.

Russell Varner–

Who was the top recruiter (coach) in the ACC?

Jimbo Fisher, Florida State – Year in and year out they are near the top for a reason. And not just because they are in Florida.

Who was the top recruiter in the SEC?

Nick Saban, Alabama – Whether he is at LSU or Bama, his classes always seem to be top class.

Who was the top recruiter in the SoCon?

Jerry Moore, App State – They have been the class of the conference for a reason: they keep getting great talent.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the ACC?

Georgia Tech’s Dennis Andrews. Tech seems to be a nice little hotbed for surprising athletes, a la Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas. I think Andrews could be next.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the SEC?

Georgia’s Keith Marshall. I love everything about this guy. I’m sure UNC, State, etc. are crying since they couldn’t keep in him in state.

What player is the biggest sleeper in the SoCon?

I’m a big fan of Elon’s QB John Loughery. He looked great on film and his cousin is Matt Ryan, so you know talent runs in the family.

What player has a bigger NFL career in the ACC?

FSU’s Mario Edwards. He’s 6’4, 275 and runs a 4.5 40?

Gain some more weight and he’s set.

What player has a bigger NFL career in the SEC?

Florida’ D.J. Humphries. A solid anchor on the line that some team will love to build around in the future.

What player has the bigger NFL career in the Socon?

I like two lineman actually – Samford’s Ben Tamburello and Elon’s Jacob Ingle. Yeah, I cheated there. So sue me.