The seasons have begun.

The 2005 football campaign isn't the only competition to watch. Recruiting is underway.

Tennessee coaches fanned out across the state Friday hoping to add to their 2006 class.

As usual, the Vols will have some ground to make up. Given the shortage of elite football talent in Tennessee, UT annually trails other SEC schools as the football season begins.

Other schools, like Georgia, LSU and Florida have the quick start you would expect from the talent in their respective regions.

For UT, the real chase began Sept. 1, when recruiters could begin contacting prospective athletes.

Here is the preseason SEC recruiting rankings that have, well, gone to the Dawgs.

1. Georgia: The Bulldogs are off to their usual fast start thanks to a typical Peach State talent base and a soon-to-be-departing senior quarterback.

Matthew Stafford from Highland Park in Dallas, Texas, is one of the nation's highest rated quarterbacks.

Out of 15 commitments, seven are from within the Georgia boundaries.

2. LSU: The Tigers are surprising considering the off-season coaching change. Former Tiger coach Nick Saban's recruiting momentum doesn't seem to have slowed whatsoever.

First-year coach Les Miles has 13 commitments including defensive tackle Al Woods from Elton High School in Elton, La. Woods is 6-foot-4, 330 pounds and is thought to be one of the top interior defensive linemen in the nation.

3. Florida: The Urban Meyer recruiting watch is officially underway in Gainesville. It's tough to imagine Meyer not having success in his backyard with his swagger and enthusiasm.

It will be interesting to see how he rebuilds relationships with high school coaches in the area, many of whom were fond of former Florida coach Ron Zook.

Florida has nine commitments. The biggest, in stature and national respect, is 6-6, 350-pound offensive lineman Carl Johnson from Southern High School in Durham, N.C.

4. Ole Miss: Ed Orgeron was hired for his energy and recruiting prowess. It seems to be paying off. The former Southern Cal assistant coach has 13 commitments.

Quarterback Michael Herrick from Valencia (Calif). and Terry Levy from Kosciusko (Miss.), headline the group.

5. Arkansas: The Razorbacks were running slow recently until they landed one of the top quarterbacks in the nation from nearby Springdale, Ark.

Not only could 6-2, 190-pound Mitch Mustain be Arkansas' quarterback of the future, he could also pave the way for three other Springdale prospects who are receiving strong college interest.

Arkansas has seven committed prospects.

6. Auburn: Tiger head coach Tommy Tuberville said his undefeated season has opened up recruiting doors across the nation. If so, Auburn could become a bit like UT and hope to receive a flurry of high-profile commitments in December and January.

To this point, Tuberville has nothing spectacular but has a solid foundation made up of eight committed prospects.

7. Tennessee: Don't panic Vol fans. This happens every preseason. UT is a team that makes its hay during football season with official visits and personal contact.

UT has five high school prospects committed and two other likely members of the 2006 class with defensive end Walter Fisher from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas and offensive lineman Darius Myers, who signed with UT in February but was forced to attend Hargrave Military Academy when he didn't qualify.

One thing is for sure - UT's ranking will rise.

8. Mississippi State: Bulldogs coach Sylvester Croom has covered the country to get his 10 committed prospects.

California, Florida, Virginia, Texas and Kansas are already represented in the 2006 class.

9. Alabama: The Crimson Tide has 10 commitments but, as of yet, doesn't have the gem of the class.

Mike Shula's best prospect is probably Taylor Pharr from Shades Valley in Irondale, Ala. Pharr is a 6-6, 270-pound offensive line prospect.

10. Vanderbilt: Poke fun all you like, but they do recruit at Vanderbilt. Just ask Wake Forest.

The Commodores have a solid starting foundation with seven committed prospects. Adam Smotherman, a 6-4, 260-pounder from Smyrna, is probably the best of the group.

11. Kentucky: It's never easy to recruit when you have a coach on the hot seat. However, Rich Brooks has a start - six committed prospects.

If Brooks and Kentucky struggle, it could be a tough year on the recruiting trail for Wildcat coaches.

12. South Carolina: In-state prospects seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach with first-year Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier. South Carolina has four prospects committed. All are from within their borders except for running back Clark Gaston from Ooltewah.

Spurrier has some work to do to improve his image after pulling the scholarships of several players and losing the support of many South Carolina high school coaches.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@knews.com.