Around the SEC: Recruiting News and Trends
Football is back, and recruiting is ramping up across the SEC area. It is time to take a look at the latest news and notes from across the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
Monroe Freeling makes Georgia his choice
Daquayvious Sorey selects Auburn
Edric Hill is headed to Alabama
Ayden Williams picks Ole Miss
Headlines
Decision Day - Monroe (LA) Neville 2023 standout OL Zalance Heard is all set to make his college announcement this afternoon around 4 p.m. The LSU Tigers appear to be the favorite with Nebraska, Florida, Florida State and Houston also among his finalists.
Gamecocks loading up in the trenches – South Carolina has been stacking up defensive linemen over the last few weeks with three recent additions. They stayed home for one of South Carolina’s finest in Xzavier McLeod out of Camden (SC). Then they hit out of state with Upper Marlboro (MD) standout Desmond Umeozulu and Macon (GA) playmaker Zavion Hardy.
Football is back – SEC schools are playing football this weekend, and that means recruits will hit campuses across the region. Tennessee and Missouri kick off the weekend with games on Thursday. The Vols host Ball State, while Missouri hosts Louisiana Tech. Arkansas and Florida both have top-25 match-ups. The Razorbacks take on Cincinnati, and the Gators have Utah coming to town. Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Mississippi State will all open their seasons at home on Saturday, and Georgia and LSU face opponents on neutral fields. Georgia will take on Oregon at Mercedez Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, and LSU will face Florida State at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday.
New name to know
QB Jordan Walker, Bryant (AR) – 2025
Walker started his first game as Bryant’s QB last week, completing 12 of 19 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-14 win over Benton, and he is quickly making his name known as a prospect on the rise.
Success is no surprise for the 6-foot-1, 205-pound standout. Walker led Bryant’s freshman squad to an undefeated season and has plenty of tools. He is a student of the game and considers Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes his role models. He has a stout physical build, a strong arm and a quick release, but he also has the athleticism to extend plays and make plays in the running game.
There is also a family history of success on the field. His father, Eddie Walker, played football at Arkansas State. his cousin Shermar Bracey played at Arkansas State before going to the NFL and CFL, and Walker has had numerous family members play at the college level.
Offers have yet to arrive, but Walker did turn plenty of heads on the college camp circuit. This summer, he camped at Central Arkansas, Memphis, Arkansas State, Arkansas and SMU, and interest has arrived from Central Arkansas, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Iowa State.
What’s up with the top
Top SEC commit at each position
QB: Nicholaus Iamaleava, Downey (CA) Warren – Tennessee
RB: Richard Young, Lehigh Acres (FL) Lehigh - Alabama
WR: Shelton Sampson, Baton Rouge (LA) Catholic - LSU
TE: Ethan Davis, Suwanee (GA) Collins Hill - Tennessee
OL: Chase Bisontis, Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco – Texas A&M
DL: Kelby Collins, Gardendale (AL) - Florida
Edge: Chandavian Bradley, Platte City (MO) Platte County – Tennessee
LB: Anthony Hill, Denton (TX) Ryan – Texas A&M
CB: AJ Harris, Phenix City (AL) Central – Georgia
S: Caleb Downs, Hoschton (GA) Mill Creek – Alabama
ATH: Dalton Brooks, Shiner (TX) – Texas A&M