Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
The action has been moving quickly as SEC programs attack the 2025 recruiting cycle. Classes are starting to take shape and top prospects are making big decisions. It is time once again to take a look around at the latest happenings from the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
RB Deondrae Riden is headed to Texas A&M
OL Peyton Joseph commits to Florida
WR Joakim Dodson chooses Tennessee
Headlines
DL Jahkeem Stewart’s top 15 – The New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine standout has been on college radars since before his freshman year and recently released his top four. SEC programs LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and Texas all made the cut, along with Ohio State, USC, Florida State, Oregon, Penn State, Miami, Colorado and Michigan.
ATH Jarcoby Hopson’s top 8 – Hopson has established himself as a playmaker at Lake Cormorant (MS) and has an SEC-heavy list of top schools with Texas A&M, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas, LSU and Auburn making the cut. Miami is the only non-SEC program not on his list.
S DJ Pickett’s top 5 – Residing in the Tampa-area, Zephyrhills (FL) S DJ Pickett has set his sights on five schools, and two SEC programs are on that list. LSU and Georgia are the only SEC programs to stand alongside Oregon, Michigan and Miami as his top schools.
WR Cameron Sparks’ final 6 – Chattanooga (TN) The Baylor School wide receiver Cameron Sparks has his eye on a few SEC options with his home state Tennessee Volunteers, the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers all vying for his signature. Florida State, Michigan and Miami also made his top six.
OL Mason Short’s top 4 – Formerly committed to Alabama, the Evans (GA) standout reopened his recruiting following the departure of Nick Saban. Now he has his sights set on four other programs. The SEC is represented by Georgia and Kentucky, with Clemson and Ohio State also on the list.
CB Gregory Thomas names top 10 – The Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage cornerback turned a few heads with his recent list of top schools. SEC programs LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Oklahoma all made the list, with Florida State and Miami representing in-state options and Colorado, Penn State, West Virginia and Wisconsin rounding out his favorites.
New Name to Know
LB JaMichael Garrett, Gulf Shores (AL) - 2026
At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Garrett prides himself on an explosive style of play. His role models include Micah Parson, Will Anderson and Kwon Alexander, and a quick look at the tape shows their influence on his game.
He brings a violent streak to the field, and he has the range to hit all areas of the field. He is quick to identify and get downhill to make a play. As a sophomore in 2023, he was a key playmaker for 15-0 state champion Gulf Shores as he recorded 95 tackles, 14 sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered three and had a pick-six.
College coaches are already taking notice. He has received scholarship offers from LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tulane, Louisiana Monroe, Liberty, Troy and UAB, while interest has arrived from Louisville, Mississippi State and Boston College. He also visited Auburn before the dead period.
In addition to football, he is also a versatile playmaker on the hardwood.
What’s up with the top
Southeastern Conference Recruiting Classes
Alabama Crimson Tide
Commits: 2 (1 RB, 1 ATH)
In-State Commits: 2
Headliner: RB Anthony Rogers, Pike Road (AL)/IMG Academy – June 2, 2023
Most Recent: ATH Myles Johnson, Brewton (AL) Miller – Oct. 14, 2023
Arkansas Razorbacks
Commits: 5 (1 QB, 2 RB, 1 DL, 1 K)
In-State Commits: 2
Headliner: QB Grayson Wilson, Little Rock (AR) Central Arkansas Christian – April 15, 2023
Most Recent: DL Carius Curne, Marion (AR) – Feb. 7, 2024
Auburn Tigers
Commits: 8 (2 TE, 1 OL, 4 DL, 1 Edge)
In-State Commits: 5
Headliner: DL Malik Autry, Opelika (AL) – Feb. 1, 2023
Most Recent: TE Hollis Davidson, Peachtree City (GA) McIntosh – Feb. 6, 2024
Florida Gators
Commits: 4 (1 RB, 1 WR, 1, OL, 1 DL)
In-State Commits: 2
Headliner: DL Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee (FL) Rickards – Jan. 15, 2024
Most Recent: OL Peyton Joseph, Warner Robins (GA) Houston County – Feb. 18, 2024
Georgia Bulldogs
Commits: 5 (1 RB, 2 TE, 1 DL, 1 LB)
In-State Commits: 5
Headliner: TE Elyiss Williams, Kingsland (GA) Camden County – April 8, 2023
Most Recent: RB Bo Walker, Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove – Oct. 12, 2023
Kentucky Wildcats
Commits: 2 (1 QB, 1 WR)
In-State Commits: 0
Headliner: WR Quinton Simmons, Cincinnati (OH) Withrow – Feb. 5, 2024
Most Recent: WR Quinton Simmons, Cincinnati (OH) Withrow – Feb. 5, 2024
LSU Tigers
Commits: 9 (1 QB, 1 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 OL, 1 LB, 1 CB)
In-State Commits: 7
Headliner: QB Bryce Underwood, Belleville (MI) – Jan. 6, 2024
Most Recent: OL Devin Harper, Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist – Jan. 30, 2024
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Commits: 3 (1 QB, 1 Edge, 1 LB)
In-State Commits: 1
Headliner: QB KaMario Taylor, Macon (MS) Noxubee County – Oct. 13, 2023
Most Recent: Edge Jeramiah McCloud, Havana (FL) Gadsden County – Jan. 21, 2024
Missouri Tigers
Commits: 0
In-State Commits: 0
Headliner: N/A
Most Recent: N/A
Oklahoma Sooners
Commits: 10 (1 QB, 3 WR, 2 OL, 1 DL, 1 Edge, 1 LB, 1 ATH)
In-State Commits: 6
Headliner: WR Elijah Thomas, Checotah (OK) – July 27, 2023
Most Recent: OL Ryan Fodje, Cypress (TX) Bridgeland – Feb. 4, 2024
Ole Miss Rebels
Commits: 1 (1 LB)
In-State Commits: 0
Headliner: LB Corey Amos, Opelousas (LA) – Feb. 3, 2024
Most Recent: LB Corey Amos, Opelousas (LA) – Feb. 3, 2024
South Carolina Gamecocks
Commits: 1 (1 WR)
In-State Commits: 1
Headliner: WR Jayden Sellers, Florence (SC) South Florence – Oct. 26, 2023
Most Recent: WR Jayden Sellers, Florence (SC) South Florence – Oct. 26, 2023
Tennessee Volunteers
Commits: 6 (1 QB, 1 RB, 1 WR, 1 TE, 2 CB)
In-State Commits: 2
Headliner: QB George MacIntyre, Brentwood (TN) Brentwood Academy – Jan. 22, 2024
Most Recent: WR Joakim Dodson, Collierville (TN) – Feb. 10, 2024
Texas Longhorns
Commits: 5 (1 QB, 1 TE, 2 DL, 1 LB)
In-State Commits: 2
Headliner: DL Lance Jackson, Texarkana (TX) Pleasant Grove – No. 11 TexAgs TX Top 100 – Jan. 21, 2024
Most Recent: DL Lance Jackson, Texarkana (TX) Pleasant Grove – Jan. 21, 2024
Texas A&M Aggies
Commits: 4 (1 RB, 1 OL, 1 LB, 1 CB)
In-State Commits: 4
Headliner: CB Deyjhon Pettaway, Katy (TX) Paetow – No. 8 TexAgs TX Top 100 – Jan. 27, 2024
Most Recent: RB Deondrae Riden, DeSoto (TX) – Feb. 19, 2024
Vanderbilt Commodores
Commits: 1 (1 S)
In-State Commits: 1
Headliner: S Carson Lawrence, Chattanooga (TN) McCallie School – June 23, 2023
Most Recent: S Carson Lawrence, Chattanooga (TN) McCallie School – June 23, 2023
