Latest recruiting news and notes around the SEC: Decision looming for star linebacker
Prospect of the week
Another Auburn commit had a big week on the gridiron. Recently Scout named 2017 athlete Devan Barrett the Prospect of the Week, but this time, it is junior Shaun Shivers. The 2018 electric playmaker out of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna rushed for 260 yards and five touchdowns Friday night. The 5-foot-7, 165 pound playmaker has a great burst, he is shifty and he can make big plays from the running back or slot position. The Tigers have to be excited about his commitment. He had double-digit offers when he committed to Auburn just over a month ago.
Underclassman of the week
What a night it was Friday for 2018 running back Christian Turner of Buford (Ga.). His team moved on to the final four with a win and his 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 15 carries was a big reason why. The Wolves won 34-27, so he scored four of the five touchdowns. He showed great vision, good patience, and the speed to run away from defenders. His touchdown runs were of 89, 63, 31 and 26 yards. The 5-10, 190 pound junior has offers from Louisville, Miami, NC State and Vanderbilt. Turner really put his name on the list as one of the top running backs in Georgia for the 2018 class Friday night.
Prospect on the rise
Henry Ruggs is a wide receiver out of Montgomery (Ala.) Lee that is an elite athlete with speed. Ruggs has always had some flash to his game so all eyes were on him going into his senior season, just his second varsity campaign. He didn't disappoint, making his mark as the top home-run threat in Alabama. Ruggs' pure athleticism makes him a blue-chip prospect, but he showed progress with his wide receiver skill in the process. His routes are more crisp, his ball skills more polished and he showed more physicality than many expected. Ruggs made plays as a running back and quarterback, too, averaging 14.6 yards per touch on rush attempts and receptions, combined. In recruiting, Ruggs was back at Alabama for the Iron Bowl over the weekend, but he has been quiet in terms of favorites recently. It could be an in-state battle between Alabama and Auburn, but Florida is another school that has had his attention. He told Scout that he has a leader, but that he wanted to keep that private.
College Football Playoff Bubble Watch: Expect Michigan ahead of Wisconsin, Penn State
Visit of the week
Georgia is looking to sign around half a dozen linebackers this cycle and Nate McBride has been one of their top targets from the beginning. He has taken an official visit to Oregon, so this will be official visit No. 2 for the fifth-ranked inside linebacker in the country. A decision could come at the Army All-American game January 7, and it will likely come down to Auburn, Georgia and Oregon. McBride is an athletic linebacker who can run and cover. He has also made some plays in high school at running back, but his future is on the defensive side of the ball.
Commit watch
Will he stay with Michigan? That is a question only J'Marick Woods can answer, and he will do so Friday December 2 at his early enrollee signing day party. That is set for 9:45am ET. Woods took an official visit to Arkansas in October, then took official visits to Michigan and Mississippi State in November. He has in-home visit with Arkansas set for Monday, then Mississippi State on Tuesday. The No. 26 safety out of Florence (Ala.) has been on the Wolverine's commitment list since March.
