Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
It is time to get another look at the latest news and notes from around the SEC. There has been no shortage of action on the SEC recruiting front with new commitments, a big decommitment, some top tens and more.
Big Gets
Walker White is an Auburn Tiger
Mazeo Bennett stays home at South Carolina
OL Aba Selm picks Kentucky
QB Jeremy St-Hilaire commits to Vanderbilt
Headlines
TE Kylan Fox top 15 – The Loganville (GA) Grayson standout has narrowed his focus to a top 15 with Florida State, Colorado, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Miami, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Louisville, Stanford, North Carolina, Cincinnati and Ole Miss all making the cut.
Benton (AR) RB Braylen Russell top ten – Russell has been on recruiting radars since his freshman year, and the former Arkansas commit is now down to ten. Texas A&M makes the cut along with Ole Miss, Purdue, Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Kansas, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Martavious Collins decommits from Alabama – The Rome (GA) standout chose Alabama over the likes of Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State back in July, but in early February, he decided to re-open his process and take another look at his options.
New Name to Know
RB Jalen Dupree, Malvern (AR) – 2024
At 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, Dupree describes his playing style as a winner willing to make whatever sacrifice needed to get the W. He studies Johnathan Taylor’s hard-nosed running style, vision and power, and it shows in his quick, decisive and powerful style. He is quick to get downhill, and he shows the speed and power to run through and away from defenders. He is also a receiving threat out of the backfield.
In 2022, Dupree blew through defenses in just about every way imaginable on Malvern’s way to a 4A State Championship. He rushed for 2,828 yards and 41 touchdowns while averaging over nine yards per carry. He rushed for over 200 yards in eight games, including the state title game, where he rushed for 287 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries — the second-most rushing yards in Arkansas state championship game history next to former Strong (AR) and Louisiana Tech standout Kenneth Dixon — and he added a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Dupree’s efforts earned him numerous accolades, including State Championship Game MVP, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette offensive player of the year, County player of the year, all-state and all-district honors.
College offers are beginning to mount, with Tulsa, UCA, Boston College, Kansas State, UNLV, UAPB and Colorado State all on the table. Interest is also arriving from TCU, Oklahoma, USC and Memphis. Dupree did not take any visits this fall or in January, and he is currently playing small forward on Malvern’s basketball team. He will also compete in the 4x100m and 100m on the track this spring.
What’s up with the top
Top 10 2024 SEC Area WRs
Ny Carr, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County – Georgia
Micah Hudson, Temple (TX) Lake Belton
Zion Kearney, Missouri City (TX) Fort Bend Hightower
Zion Ragins, Gray (GA) Jones County
James Randle, Homestead (FL)
Chance Robinson, Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas
Jeremiah Smith, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna – Ohio State
Perry Thompson, Foley (AL) - Alabama
Joshisa Trader, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna
Ryan Wingo, St. Louis (MO) University
Top 5 SEC Commits
Mazeo Bennett, Greenville (SC) – South Carolina
Ny Carr, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County – Georgia
Debron Gatling, Milton (GA) – Texas A&M
Joseph Stone Jr., Fairburn (GA) Langston Hughes - LSU
Perry Thompson, Foley (AL) – Alabama
