Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
There is no time for rest on the recruiting front, and decisions are being made left and right. With SEC programs right in the middle of the action, it is once again time to take a look at the latest news, notes and headlines from the recruiting front.
Big Gets
WR Tristan Norman is headed to Aggieland
DE Jesse Harrold pledges to LSU
OL Micah Debose commits to Alabama
WR Emmanuel Choice is a Sooner
OL Mario Nash stays home at Mississippi State
2026 QB Jaden O'Neal says Boomer Sooner
Headlines
Oklahoma on a run – Brent Venables and the Sooners have been pulling in offensive playmakers over the last few days. In addition to WR Choice and 2026 QB O’Neal listed above, they have added in-state standouts CJ Nickson and Elijah Thomas, who are both regarded as four-star talents.
Ole Miss losing steam – Lane Kiffin and the Rebels have seen more than a few departures over the last few days. The classes’ first pledge LB Corey Amos of Opelouses (LA) has parted ways along with standout wide receivers Jerome Myles and Dillon Alfred. The Rebels are also keeping an eye on RB Akylin Dear who has taken a few visits recently.
Back on the market – Ole Miss is not the only one who has experienced some losses on the recruiting front. Mobile (AL) OL Carde Smith has parted ways with Auburn. New Iberia (LA) CB Jaboree Antoine announced his decommitment from LSU. Jackson (AL) 2026 QB Landon Duckworth re-opened his recruitment after pledging to South Carolina in August, and Aledo (TX) 2026 RB Raycine Guillory Jr. has decommitted from Texas.
CJ Wiley picks FSU – Milton (GA) wide receiver CJ Wiley had some strong SEC ties, but he opted to take his talents to the ACC and Florida State. His mother and father were both athletes at LSU, and being from the Atlanta area, the Bulldogs are right down the road. However, the Seminoles were able to make their case and secure one of the top playmakers in the southeast.
New Name to Know
OL Blaise Thomassie, Baton Rouge (LA) Catholic
Thomassie is a lean 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, with plenty of room for growth in his frame. A quick look at the tape shows quick feet, bend and flexibility, along with grit and a mean streak in the trenches.
The son of a former LSU standout Ryan Thomassie, Blaise is an active student of the game, studying the likes of Trent Williams.
In addition to football, he has shown his overall athleticism on the hardwood for the last three years, and his intelligence extends to the classroom, where he boasts a 4.0 GPA and a 30 ACT.
The size, potential intelligence and overall athleticism have already attracted the attention of college coaches. His first offers arrived this spring from Oregon and Florida State. This summer, he camped at Tulane, LSU, Notre Dame and Florida State, and he continues to generate buzz as one of the top up-and-coming prospects in the southeast.
What’s up with the top
Top SEC commits from each State
Alabama: WR Derick Smith Selma (AL) Southside - Alabama
Arkansas: OL Carius Curne, Marion (AR) - LSU
Florida: DL Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee (FL) Rickards - Florida
Georgia: TE Elyiss Williams, Kingsland (GA) Camden County - Georgia
Kentucky: S Martels Carter Jr., Paducah (KY) Tilghman - Kentucky
Louisiana: RB Harlem Berry, Metairie (LA) St Martin’s Episcopal - LSU
Mississippi: RB Akylin Dear, Quitman (MS) – Ole Miss
Missouri: OL Jack Lange, Eureka (MO) - Missouri
Oklahoma: WR Elijah Thomas, Chekotah (OK) - Oklahoma
South Carolina: DE Jaquavious Dodd, Taylors (SC) Eastside – South Carolina
Tennessee: QB George MacIntyre, Brentwood (TN) Brentwood Academy - Tennessee
Texas: NB Deyjhon Pettaway, Katy (TX) Paetow – Texas A&M
