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The state of North Carolina does not contain a Southeastern Conference institution within its borders, but it’s been quite the producer of football talent for SEC programs during the last four recruiting cycles.
Given the size of the state (9.944 million, just short of Georgia’s 10.1 million), the proximity to the SEC’s geographic footprint (the state borders Tennessee to the West and Georgia and South Carolina to the South) and the immense amount of defensive line talent (analysts call the Carolinas “D-line heaven”), then it makes sense for the league to make North Carolina a priority.
Also, there’s a lot to sell. Sure, North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Duke each have things to hang their hat on. Clemson and Florida State (especially the Tigers) are two schools that are very active there. But it’s not like going into Georgia and having to beat Georgia on a kid, Florida to beat Florida or FSU, Louisiana to beat LSU, Alabama to beat the Tide or Auburn, Mississippi to beat the Mississippis, Tennessee to beat the Vols, etc. It’s a free-for-all in terms of college football loyalties and the four ACC programs in the state haven’t achieved the championship-level on the field over a consistent period of time to hold off the out-of-state raiders.
That being said, success in North Carolina for the SEC is not a given each and every cycle. Consider the last four recruiting cycles and the varied degrees of success the league has had.
- The SEC’s success in North Carolina hit an apex during the 2012 and 2013 cycles. SEC programs landed 18 top 50 prospects from within the Tar Heel State combined during that period. In 2012, the SEC swiped four of the top five and in 2013, the SEC landed the top three.
- The 2014 cycle was not as eye-popping on paper. The league landed four of the top eight in-state prospects and five top 50 prospects from North Carolina overall.
- In 2015, that number dwindled to two of the top 10 and only three of the top 50 overall.
- In 2016, the SEC currently has two top 10 prospects committed from the state and five of the top 50.
Right now, with Clemson playing for the national championship and the Tar Heels on the upswing, it’s a bit tougher sledding in the state, but there’s still plenty of talent to be had. Here are a few things to think about moving forward in North Carolina as it relates to the SEC.
- South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp had great success recruiting the state of North Carolina when he was the head coach at Florida. Now that he’s closer to that state, can the Gamecocks become a bigger factor? South Carolina historically has underachieved in recruiting the state, even though the Gamecocks did land some big time players like Melvin Ingram and Pharoh Cooper from North Carolina during the era of former head coach Steve Spurrier.
- It seems like every cycle, Butch Jones and Tennessee get more and more entrenched in the state of North Carolina. Truth be told, this state is a potential gold mine for the Vols given that Knoxville is just across the western border of the state down I-40.
- How will Georgia approach North Carolina under Kirby Smart? The Bulldogs were excellent at plucking a Todd Gurley out of the state and under former head coach Mark Richt they always did a good job of evaluating and uncovering prospects there. Will that trend continue with Smart in charge at UGA?
- Alabama continues to spot recruit the state well. Jeoffrey Pagan was a North Carolina prospect and got drafted. This cycle, running back B.J. Emmons is your typical Tide back — powerful and fast — and is Tuscaloosa-bound.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
