Finally caught up with Jamie Newberg of ESPN to talk about recruiting particularly Alabama and Auburn and the SEC. Florida State got the number one class according to ESPN, but it’s all relative. Alabama and Auburn were two and three. Alabama had the best class according to Rivals and Auburn got the best class according to Scout.
There still are two major names out there. Newberg told me that offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandijo (the number three player in the country by ESPN) is torn between Alabama and Auburn.New Mexico is out of the picture according to Tider Insider. Mike Locksley, the coach at New Mexico, has brought a lot of players in from the DC area, so they were in contention. They are not any more. If Alabama or Auburn lands him, one of them might take over the top spot from Fl. State in ESPN rankings. Newberg said that Kouandijo wants to get this over with; that the decision has weighed heavily on him. With his brother at Alabama, that should work in Tide’s favor, but as of right now, it’s up in the air. Cyrus was real pained when he made the announcement he would attend Auburn on signing day because he was so torn. He loves both schools. Newberg guessed that he might sign during halftime of the Super Bowl to have as little fanfare as possible. He wants to get all the media attention over with. We should know something by Monday. Will stay on top of it.

The other kid who has yet to make a decision is Jadeveon Clowney, the defensive end out of South Carolina. He’s the number one player in the country according to ESPN and Newberg thinks it’s between Alabama, Clemson and South Carolina. Newberg said if he had to handicap it, he’d put South Carolina in the lead, but “don’t count out Nick Saban.” If ‘Bama can land those two it would be a monumental class and surely the best class in the country by all services.

Newberg said that no team in the country has recruited as well as Alabama has over Saban’s five years at the helm. The first year, he was a little handicapped because he came in in January, but since then he’s been on fire. The thing Newberg pointed to, was how well Saban does out of state. And this year is a prime example. Got four star (ESPN) and five star recruit (Rivals) Ha’Sean Clinton Dix, a defensive back from Florida, defensive tackle Jeoffrey Pagan, a four star from North Carolina, Demetrius Hart, a four and five star running back (depending on service)  out of Orlando, Fl–same high school as Dix–and Trey DePriest, a four star linebacker out of Ohio. Newberg said four star Xzavier Dickson is “a big defensive end who is great off the edge.” He’s out of Georgia. Newberg saw Danny Woodson, a four-star receiver out of Mobile, run back a kick in an all-star game and “it looked like he was shot out of a cannon.” Newberg calls DePriest “an outstanding outside linebacker.” He says Hart could be a tailback, kick returner and/or punt returner. “He’s an unbelievable football player,” Newberg sayd.  He considers Pagan awesome, too.

Newberg thinks junior college dlineman Jesse Williams can make the same kind of impact that Terrence Cody did. “His athleticism is off the charts.” And Brent Calloway was a big time steal for the Tide. He’ll probably be a linebacker though Saban says he’ll get a shot at running back. But he’s probably a linebacker. That’s where Saban says his pro potential lies.

Newberg said Auburn was “fortunate to have a lot of openings and made a big leap this year and could be even better next year.” If they get Cyrus it could push their class over the top.

If they get Cyrus to go along with five star (Scout) Christian Westerman (four star ESPN), they could have the best two offensive tackles in the country next year. Still, without Cyrus, it’s a stellar oline class. Four stars Greg Robinson, Thomas O’Reilly and Reese Dismukes are program changers on the offensive line. Quan Bray is an outstanding playmaker either at wideout, running back or returner. Brandon Fulse is a big time tight end. Kiehl Frazier, a four star quarterback out of Arkansas, has the advantage, according to Newberg, of having played in a Gus Malzahn system at his high school. “He fits into the system beautifully,” Newberg said. He named some other big time players Auburn got, all four stars. Gabe Wright, a surprise addition at signing day,is  a big get at defensive tackle, Trey Mason, a stellar running back, and Jonathan Rose, an outstanding defensive back out of Leeds, add incredible athleticism to this class. Don’t forget Kris Frost, a four star by Scout and ESPN and a five star linebacker by Rivals. C.J.Uzomah is a four star tight end whom Newberg says can play “a hybrid, tight end/slot guy.”

Georgia finished sixth and with the addition of five star running back Isaiah Crowell, Georgia capped off a big and important year for Mark Richt and the program. Richt kept some big time players in state and used the gimmick name “the dream team,’ to try and capture the Georgia guys. He did well with that. LSU finished 10th and Les Miles has done what Nick Saban did: keep the great ones within the state of Louisiana. MIles got quarterback Stephen Rivers out of Athens; Phillip’s little brother, And Newberg is a big believer in him. Miles also got quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who would have been the starter at Georgia this year. I know that sounds crazy since Aaron Murray had such a big year but Mettenberger was the starter coming out of last Spring. He could be the man next year unless Jordan Jefferson can hold him off.

Florida finished 12th losing some momentum with the coaching change and losing some guys to Florida State who had made silent commits to Urban Meyer. Florida State  finished first overall according to ESPN. Florida State has a great, young coaching staff according to Newberg with guys like Dameyune Craig (former AU qb) and Eddie Gran and others working relentlessly to get recruits. Newberg sees FSU going back to the days of the 90’s when they dominated Florida. Tennessee finsished 13th and Newberg sees Derek Dooley building a potential powerhouse if the Vols fans are patient. Arkansas finished 18th, South Carolina had a “very deep class” finishing 24th and if they get Clowney, could really move up in the rankings. The defensive line was a priority and they helped themselves greatly there according to Newberg. Ole Miss finished 25th. Mississippi State lost a couple, but did well as did Kentucky. They are recruiting better and better under Dan Mullen and Joker Phillips. Vandy got some great steals on signing day with Lafonte Thourogood out of Virginia Beach, Va., who has prototypical pro qb size at 6’3″, 23o. Thourogood was a Va Tech commit and Vandy got him from them on signing day. Also, Joshua Grady out of Florida is another quarterback who could play safety or wide receiver. Has 4.4 speed. He wants to be a quarterback. Could be good competition there. Jordan Rodgers could be the man there next year, but it will be a highly competitive position. Larry Smith will also be in the mix. Dillon van der Wal is a 6’7″ tight end out of California who is a four star by scout. Newberg was highly impressed with him. Barron Dixon is a defensive tackle the Commodores snatched from Miss. State the Monday before Signing Day. Difference maker on the line.

This is the best conference in the country, and by the recruiting rankings, you can see why. SEC could be in the national championship game for the next four or five years unless they just beat each other up. It’s an exciting conference to follow and the players just keep pouring in. Alabama and Auburn look very good for the next four or five years and 2012 is just getting started. Saban and Gene Chizik are on their way to amassing new, stellar talent for 2012.

(Ha’Sean Clinton Dix, left, and Christian Westerman, are five star recruits in Rivals and Scout respectively. They add big time talent to ‘Bama and AU respectively.)

Jerryville is welcoming two of the most storied franchises in all of sports as Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas (finally got it right) will host Super Bowl 45. Kickoff is Sunday at 5:29 CST. Fox will telecast it with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call. Attendance should be over 100,000
I’ve thought about this one long and hard. Here’s what I came up with:

Key players for Pittsburgh:

1. Ben Rothlisberger: 29-51 (57%) for 359 yards, two tds and two ints. His stats aren’t overwhelming in the postseason, but if you watched the two playoff games, he won both games for his team. He had the huge fourth and 20 throw to Antonio Brown for 58 yards against the Ravens that led to the game winning touchdown in a Steelers 31-24 victory. Against the Jets in the AFC Championship game, he made the key third and six throw to Antonio Brown again to ice the game as the Steelers moved to their eighth  Super Bowl with a 24-19 victory. The Steelers are 7-1 in the Super Bowl. Rothlisberger is 9-2 in the postseason. I did hear that he was out last night or the night before doing it up at a karaoke bar. Hopefully, for the Steelers, he’s focused. Because when he is, he’s as good a clutch player as there is.

2. Troy Polamalu: The Steelers outstanding safety. Been hobbled by an Achilles injury during the playoffs, but has had two weeks to heal, so he could be a major factor. Blitzing, causing fumbles, making interceptions, Polamalu seems to come up with a big play at the most crucial time in a game. He could be a difference maker once again this Sunday.

3. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley: The linebackers are the epitome of fierceness and toughness. Harrison took over in the second half of the Ravens game. He is tough and one of the best athletes at linebacker in football. Has three sacks in playoffs. Woodley, another standout, has two.

4. Heath Miller: A real weapon at tight end. Like Polamalu can make difference making plays. Always catches the ball at clutch times. Has seven catches for 77 yards and a td in postseason.

5. Hines Ward: Just a winner. Caught five passes for 39 yards and a touchdown and is the best blocking wide receiver in football. Some have called him dirty, but I think he is highly effective.

Green Bay:

1. Aaron Rodgers: 66-93 (71%) for 790 yards, six tds and two ints in playoffs. Has a qb rating of 109. Highest of all time in postseason. He torched the Falcons in the first playoff game and had his way with the Bears in the first half, but the Bears did shut him down in the second half. Going against a great defense which will blitz, but the Steelers secondary, besides Polamalu, who is somewhat injured, is vulnerable. If Rodgers has his way, Green Bay could light up the Steelers secondary.

2. Clay Matthews, Jr.: Was dominant in the regular season with 13 sacks. Does not have a sack in the playoffs, but has been a  major disruptive force. He could cause Rothlisberger some problems and take some pressure off Packers’ secondary, which is very good by the way.

3. Charles Woodson: Another disruptive force. The veteran can blitz and make big plays from his corner position.

4. B.J. Raji: Is a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. With Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey questionable at best for Steelers, Raji could have his way with a hobbled Pouncey or his backup Doug Lagursky.

5. Tramon Williams: Three interceptions in the postseason. The Packers secondary was second in the league in ints with 24 and lead the league in the postseason with 6. Williams and Sam Shields are weapons in the defensive backfield along with former Alabama standout Charlie Peprah, Woodson and safety Nick Collins.

6. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver: Two of the best receivers in football. You can throw Jordy Nelson and James Jones in that mix. Jennings leads the Pack with 17 catches for 239 yards and seven catches for over 20 yards. Nelson has 12 catches for 146, Driver 12-141 with four over 20 yards and Jones had six for 94 with two tds.

Final Analysis: Two great defenses and two great quarterbacks go at it. Pittsburgh led the league in rush defense; Green Bay was 18th, so Rashard Mendenhall could be a factor for the Steelers running the football. I like the Steelers defense, their running game and, of course, Rothlisberger, to do well, but think Eodgers can light up the Steelers secondary. Matthews and that vaunted Pack secondary will be effective against Rothlisberger. Raji should be a major factor against a banged up center position for the Steelers. Like what Mike McCarthy has done with Green Bay battling through a ton of injuries. This is a tough one, but I’m going to go with Rodgers and the Pack.

Packers 24, Steelers 21

(Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger will try to lead their storied franchises to the ultimate success Sunday.)