Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
Recruiting never stops in the SEC, and there has been plenty of action over the last few weeks. Big-time decisions are being made by big-time recruits, and it is time to dive into the latest news and notes from the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
OL Tyler Miller is headed to LSU
OL Tavaris Dice commits to Auburn
WR Derick Smith chooses Alabama
ATH Zymear Smith says Roll Tide
http://instagr.am/p/C4TaQdERuJP
OL Enoch Wangoy is a Gator
Headlines
Back on the market – Oklahoma City (OK) Millwood 2025 WR Jaden Nickens announced his decommitment from Oklahoma. He originally committed to the Sooners in August. Dyersburg (TN) 2025 DL Kalen Edwards is taking another look at his options after announcing his decommitment from Auburn. Then, in the 2026 class, Carrollton (GA) OL Zykie Helton decommitted from Alabama.
RBs narrow the list – Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist standout James Simon announced a top seven of Alabama, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M, while Elba (AL) playmaker Alvin Henderson announced a final five of Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Oregon and Penn State.
Oklahoma’s finest trimming their lists – Oklahoma City (OK) Carl Albert defensive back Trystan Haynes named a top six of Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and Washington (OK) TE Nate Roberts has a top five of Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon and Penn State.
Micah Debose lists top ten – The former Georgia commit out of Vigor (AL) has announced a top 10, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC making the cut.
New name to know
CB Preston Ashley, Brandon (MS) – 2026
The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back prides himself on a physical style of play. Ashley likes to get hands-on with his opponent, but he also knows how to body up and go stride-for-stride. He also has the hip flexibility to quickly turn and locate the ball. He is a downhill striker against the run and a sure-handed, open-field tackler.
His role models include Patrick Surtain and Sean Taylor, and football is in his blood. His father, Tyrone Ashley, and uncle, Roell Preston, played at Ole Miss, and his uncle, Rock Preston, won a national title at Florida State.
Preston is quickly creating his own path in the game. As a sophomore in 2023, he recorded 68 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception while helping lead Brandon to another deep playoff run. Offers have arrived from Florida A&M, Florida State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tennessee. He visited Miami before the March dead period, and his spring visit schedule is filling up quickly with stops planned at Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Texas A&M, Texas and Nebraska.
What’s up with the top
Top 10 SEC Area RBs (alphabetical order)
Harlem Berry, Metairie (LA) St. Martin’s Episcopal – LSU commit
Tory Blaylock, Humble (TX) Atascocita
Waltez Clark, Tampa (FL) Plant – Florida commit
Akylin Dear, Quitman (MS)
Alvin Henderson, Elba (AL)
Ousmane Kromah, Leesburg (GA) Lee County
Byron Louis, Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage
Deondrae Riden, DeSoto (TX) – Texas A&M commit
Anthony Rogers, Montgomery (AL) Carver – Alabama commit
James Simon, Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist
Top 5 SEC RB commits (alphabetical order)
Harlem Berry, Metairie (LA) St. Martin’s Episcopal – LSU commit
Waltez Clark, Tampa (FL) Plant – Florida commit
Deondrae Riden, DeSoto (TX) – Texas A&M commit
Anthony Rogers, Montgomery (AL) Carver – Alabama commit
Isaiah West, Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph’s – Kentucky commit