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SEC recruiting coach power rankings: 10 assistants raking in talent before National Signing Day
By Travis Durkee
January 28, 2017
At SEC Country, we’ve compiled a rankings system for the conference’s best recruiters for the Class of 2017 based upon current commitments and uncommitted targets using 247Sports’ composite scores of recruits.
Our formula multiplies the number of recruits credited to an assistant coach by the average of the recruits’ composite scores. Then that number is multiplied by the average scores of the recruiter’s top uncommitted targets (maximum five) for which he’s the primary recruiter.
With it being so late in the recruiting game this period, we won’t punish a coach with fewer than five remaining primary targets.
For every 5-star recruit landed, that recruiter receives a 0.5-point bonus.
Here is the breakdown:
(Number of recruits x average rating)(average rating of top remaining primary targets) + (5-star bonus if applicable) = recruiter score
Based upon our formula, these are the 10 best recruiters in the SEC with National Signing Day set for Wednesday.
10. Glenn Schumann, Georgia inside linebackers coach (LW: NR)
Recruiter score: 5.73
Schumann rejoins our rankings this week after Arkansas wide receivers coach Michael Smith lost a commitment from 3-star defensive end Troy James, who flipped to Oklahoma.
9. Billy Napier, Alabama wide receivers coach (LW: 5)
Recruiter score: 5.75
Napier lost the commitment of 4-star JUCO cornerback Jhavonte Dean, but we all know signing day will bring a bounty of riches for everything Alabama football. Unfortunately, Napier won’t be around to reap any of the final rewards, as he is expected to join Arizona State as offensive coordinator.
8. Kevin Sherrer, Georgia outside linebackers coach (LW: 9)
Recruiter score: 5.92
Sherrer’s crop of commitments can get a huge boost if 4-star DE Markaviest Bryant puts on a Georgia hat in a few days — and all indications point to that happening.
7. Tosh Lupoi, Alabama outside linebackers coach (LW: 7)
Recruiter score: 6.1
Lupoi is still tops in the ranking with three 5-star commits, but his top-five remaining targets are all leaning elsewhere. 4-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) and 4-star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (Los Angeles) appear likely to stay closer to home and choose Southern Cal.
6. Travaris Robinson, South Carolina defensive coordinator (LW: 3)
Recruiter score: 6.34
Robinson had a rough week as 3-star running back Kyshaun Bryan de-committed from South Carolina. The Gamecocks have a few days to recover from recent recruiting disasters, but the last several days sting.
5. Robert Gillespie, Tennessee running backs coach (LW: 10)
Recruiter score: 6.56
Gillespie landed his first commit since October this week as 3-star running back Timothy Jordan from Bartow, Fla., chose Tennessee.
4. Clarence McKinney, Texas A&M running backs coach (LW: 6)
Recruiter score: 6.58
McKinney hasn’t landed a commitment since early October. National Signing Day will tell us if he’s taken the last three months off or if he’s slowly pulled some big talent to College Station.
3. Dameyune Craig, LSU wide receivers coach (LW: 4)
Recruiter score: 6.98
Craig’s score took a slight dip as 3-star linebackers Thomas Johnston and Kendrick Haynes spurned the SEC for UAB and South Alabama, respectively.
2. Tommy Thigpen, Tennessee linebackers coach (Last week: 1)
Recruiter score: 7.28
Thigpen’s score took a major hit with 3-star safety Jaquan Henderson flipping his commitment from the Volunteers to Georgia Tech. Thigpen still has some nice targets remaining, but none seem likely to go with Tennessee come signing day.
1. Vince Marrow, Kentucky tight ends coach (LW: 2)
Recruiter score: 7.73
Marrow’s score (and class) will only grow when signing day rolls around as top remaining target, 4-star wideout Danny Davis, is expected to choose the Wildcats.
