#MeansMoreMailbag: Where will 5-star WR Carnell Tate land? How many SEC recruiting classes will finish in the Top 10? LSU vs. Ole Miss

Sure it’s the offseason, but the #MeansMoreMailbag is open year round. This week, we got lots of recruiting questions, including plenty of intrigue surrounding the impending decision from blue-chip wideout Carnell Tate. We also got several inquiries about various SEC West programs, including Ole Miss, LSU and Auburn.  

As a reminder, each week I’ll answer your SEC questions. Be sure to fill up the mailbox via a DM or comment on Twitter @JesseReSimonton, email [email protected] or the @On3 Instagram account.  

On to the questions…

Does Tennessee land Carnell Tate? — Cgnobilt

Where does Carnell Tate end up? — Bradley 

Ohio State or Tennessee for wide receiver Carnell Tate? — Sam

Suffice to say, there’s lot of interest in recruiting circles right now surrounding the upcoming decision by 5-star IMG Academy 2023 wideout Carnell Tate. 

The 6-2, 178-pound receiver holds offers from every major program in the country, but the Chicago native is essentially down to Ohio State and Tennessee. Tate is slated to make a decision “soon” but there’s no firm announcement planned as of publishing. 

There seems to be some swelling momentum in OSU’s favor, but considering Tate isn’t talking to many reporters or coaches, it’s unclear if the smoke is real. On3 recruiting expert Chad Simmons recently switched his pick from the Vols to Ohio State.

NIL will certainly play a factor in Tate’s decision, as Ryan Day was recently on the record speaking to Ohio State boosters about the funds needed to maintain a competitive roster, while Tennessee’s Spyre Sports Group is among the most organized and well-run collectives in the country. 

It’s been hard to bet against Ohio State landing elite receivers in recent years, as Brain Hartline has stockpiled a ridiculous receiver room that just saw two guys get drafted in the 1st Round — yet a freshman Jaxon Smith-Njigba actually lead the team in yards and receptions in 2021.  

Still, Tennessee cannot be counted out as Tate’s most recent college visit was to Knoxville, and the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect has developed a strong relationship with Vols five-star quarterback commit Nico Iamaleava. The two spent a lot of time together on Rocky Top and in Las Vegas at the OT7 tournament just this month. 

Which team is better defensively in 2022: LSU or Ole Miss? — Jackson

The Tigers and Rebels were essentially ‘meh’ defensively last fall, although Ole Miss did show marked improvement compared to the 2020 season. 

Both defenses allowed exactly 5.51 yards per play — not terrible but hardly impressive, either. 

Ole Miss couldn’t stop the run (25 rushing TDs allowed, 83 run plays over 10 yards — both second-worst in the SEC), while LSU’s secondary was shredded to the tune of a league-high 29 passing touchdowns. The Tigers were also next-to-last in the league in takeaways. 

Still, there’s optimism both units will be better in 2022. 

The Rebels grabbed as many as six starters from the transfer portal, headlined by impact players at all three levels — defensive tackle JJ Pegues, linebackers Troy Brown and Khari Coleman and safety Isheem Young. With a deeper defensive line, Ole Miss should be better at stopping the run, while its pass defense and pass rush should remain formidable. 

Similarly, LSU reloaded via the portal, with five newcomers in the secondary alone. Maason Smith and Jaquelin Roy are poised for big 2022 seasons and should form one of the better 1-2 DL duos in the league. I expect the Tigers to force more turnovers and showcase an improved secondary with multiple veteran transfers. 

So while both units should see a tick up in production and statistical output, I’ll lean LSU as the better overall group — mainly due to scheme and not having to cover for Lane Kiffin’s risk-it-for-the-biscuit offense. 

With all the Bryan Harsin DRAMA this offseason, is there any doubt that Auburn will have another coaching search this offseason? — Ben

Let’s be upfront here about a couple things: Harsin was a poor fit and poor hire for Auburn from the jump, but the former Boise State HC got the gig because the outgoing AD won a power struggle against a faction of boosters who attempted a control + alt = upgrade move from Gus Malzahn to former DC Kevin Steele. And yet, Harsin unfairly had to deal with gross, unsubstantiated rumors all offseason just because said boosters wanted him gone after a subpar Year 1. 

Harsin is getting more than $5 million annually to coach the Tigers, but even after a public backing from the administration and the launch of a fan-friendly, good-will podcast, his days appear numbered on The Plains.  

The Tigers have more talent than some are giving them credit, but with a brutal schedule (SEC West slate + Georgia and Penn State) and real questions at quarterback and playmakers on the perimeter, it won’t shock anyone if they’re leading the market the for a new head coach come 2023 unless they surprise their way to a 9-win season. 

Does the SEC finish with more than half of the Top 10 recruiting classes this cycle? — Aldizzie15

The recruiting superpower conference currently boasts four programs in On3 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings — No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Alabama, No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 8 Tennessee. LSU sits just outside the current Top 10 at No. 11. Interestingly, before 5-star corner AJ Harris committed to the Bulldogs late Thursday afternoon, all four SEC programs had fewer than 10 current verbal 2023 commitments, which only USC (No. 2) and Oregon (No. 10) could also say. 

Alabama (4) and Texas A&M (4) in particular have some strong quality commitments but they’re currently lacking quantity. That’ll change. 

I expect the aforementioned four programs to all finish with Top 10 recruiting classes, with Tennessee being the most likely to potentially just miss the mark. Brian Kelly and LSU should also sign a Top 10 class, while Florida is well-positioned for some major targets (Five-Star Plus+ corner Cormani McClain, 4-star quarterback Jaden Rashada, 4-star tailback Cedric Baxter Jr. — all Top 50 prospects) and could vault up the team rankings.