SEC RECRUITING BLITZ

By JC Shurburtt

updated 1:36 a.m. ET Feb. 17, 2007

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the early favorites for Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely defensive back Patrick Johnson. A Rivals.com Junior All-American, Johnson says he may visit UGA for the Bulldogs’ junior day event this weekend.

Junior All-American defensive tackle Marcus Forston, part of a loaded class at Miami's Northwestern High, visited UF for the Gators' Junior Day event on Feb. 3.

Get all the details in this week's edition of the SEC Blitz.

Alabama
The Tide is in the mix for Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater tackle Michael Brewster, one of the top offensive line prospects in the nation for the class of 2008. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Brewster also has high interest in Florida, Ohio State, Southern California, Oklahoma, Florida State and others. … Alabama assistant Kevin Steele was named a national top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com and also a top 10 recruiter in the SEC. The former National Recruiter of the Year (Class of 2005, Florida State) had good success in a short time in the Birmingham area. Steele should continue to be the point man in that city for the Tide.

Arkansas
The Razorbacks have offered two of the top in-state prospects for the Class of 2008. Defensive tackle Lavunce Askew and running back DeAnthony Curtis are from Camden (Ark.) Fairview. Askew, who also holds an offer from the University of Washington, was positive in his comments about the Razorbacks. He cited his comfort level with Arkansas defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. Curtis also claims a Tennessee offer and says the Vols, Razorbacks and Ole Miss are among the teams he is considering.

Auburn
Though he just missed Rivals.com’s top 10 SEC recruiters list, Tigers assistant coach Eddie Gran continues to have success in South Florida - particularly Broward County. For the Class of 2007, Gran signed four-star linebacker Josh Bynes, sleeper defensive end Antoine Carter and one of the top kickers in the country in Wes Byrum. Gran also ventured to Northern Florida to sign Enrique Davis, the state’s fourth-ranked prospect.

Florida
Junior All-American defensive tackle Marcus Forston, part of a loaded class at Miami’s Northwestern High, visited UF for the Gators’ Junior Day event on Feb. 3. Forston enjoyed his trip to Gainesville and holds offers from Florida, Miami (Fla.), Rutgers and others. … Gators assistant coach John Holliday was named one of the top 10 recruiters in the Southeastern Conference by Rivals.com. Florida assistants Stan Drayton and Charlie Strong, both top 25 recruiters nationally, also were on the list. … The Gators’ 2007 class, which was ranked No. 1, was named one of the five fastest in the country by Rivals.com.

Georgia
The Bulldogs are among the early favorites for Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely defensive back Patrick Johnson. A Rivals.com Junior All-American, Johnson says he may visit UGA for the Bulldogs’ junior day event this weekend. … One prospect that already is confirmed to participate this weekend is Rivals.com Junior All-American offensive tackle Tyler Love of Mountain Brook (Ala.). Love recently picked up an offer from Georgia and caught the eye of new Bulldogs offensive line coach Stacy Searles during a summer camp when Searles was at LSU.

Kentucky
The Wildcats have shown early interest in class of 2008 Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlain wide receiver Fred Sykes. The 6-foot-1, 172-pounder says that Kentucky has indicated that an offer could be forthcoming. He also is getting serious interest from Ohio State and says that he has been getting text messages from Buckeyes assistant coach Tim Beckman.

LSU
While running backs coach Larry Porter was the National Recruiter of the Year, recruiting coordinator Josh Henson also was honored by Rivals.com as one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters for the Class of 2007. Henson was outstanding in-state, and also led the charge for four-star prospects Phelon Jones and Sidell Corley of Mobile, Ala. … Junior All-American tight end Chase Clement will be among the unofficial visitors to LSU’s campus on the weekend of Feb. 24 for the Tigers’ junior day. Clement recently picked up an offer from Oklahoma and holds offers from LSU, Florida and others.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

TCU moves up to No. 4 in latest BCS Bowl Championship Series standings Oklahoma drops out of AP poll, Stanford in AP, coaches', Harris Top 25 rankings   Vote: Who should be ranked No. 1? Heisman Hopefuls: Ingram leaps to top Opinion: SEC officiating isn't fine, it stinks CFT: SEC head of officials defends refs   LSU loses injured RB Scott for regular season Pac-10 race wide open with 4 weeks to go College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: