Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

Recruiting never stops on the SEC recruiting trails, and it is time once again to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines from across the region as top prospects make their choices, trim their lists and the focus shifts from 2025 to the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Big Gets

WR Jameson Powell‍ pledges to Ole Miss

Headlines

Back on the market – A few top have decided to re-evaluate their options and take a step back from their SEC commitments. Kennesaw (GA) North Cobb OL Brandon Anderson‍ originally committed to Tennessee in October. Newnan (GA) LB Rodney Colton Jr‍ recently announced his decommitment from South Carolina. He committed to the Gamecocks in April. 2027 Moody (AL) DL Ba'Roc Willis‍ also announced his decommitment from Alabama. He originally pledged to the Tide in July.

Texas standouts name top schools – Euless Trinity OL Pupungatoa Katoa‍ named a top five of Texas A&M, Texas, SMU, Tennessee and Oklahoma, while Galena Park North Shore S Chace Calicut‍ announced a top 10 of Texas A&M, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma, Colorado and LSU.

Georgia prospects trim their lists - Bogart (GA) North Oconee Edge Khamari Brooks‍ released a top three of Clemson, Georgia and Alabama, and Thomasville (GA) Thomas County Central Edge Camron Brooks‍ released a top nine of Cal, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Ohio State, Clemson and Auburn. On the offensive line, Brunswick (GA) standout Heze Kent‍ dropped a top five of Miami, Texas, Florida, Florida State and Alabama.

Florida defenders announce leaders - Winter Park (FL) S Ayden Pouncey‍ released his top 10 of Georgia, UCF, Syracuse, Miami, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Michigan and Florida, and Sarasota (FL) Booker cornerback Chauncey Kennon‍ announced a top 10 of Texas A&M, Georgia, Miami, Colorado, Florida State, Missouri, Florida, Michigan, Penn State and Ole Miss. Leesburg (FL) Tavares LB Izayiah Williams‍ named a top five of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Penn State and Florida State.

Top Southeast playmakers name their standouts – Hattiesburg (MS) WR Tristen Keys‍ announced his top 12 of Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, USC, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Florida and Miami, while Hollywood (FL) Chaminade ATH Derrek Cooper‍ released his top 10 of Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida State, Florida, Penn State, Alabama, Miami, Auburn, Ohio State and Ole Miss.

Standout RB reclassifies – One of the nation’s top 2027s is now in the 2026 class. Jackson (AL) playmaker Ezavier Crowell‍ has rushed for over 3,700 yards and 56 touchdowns over the last two season, and he has received offers from across the country with Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC all placing scholarships on the table.

New Name to Know

QB Kellen Hall‍, Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove – 2027

A gunslinger and poised when the pressure gets real, Hall is equipped with the ability to feel, escape and make defenses pay, whether it is with his arms or his legs.

Hall checks in at 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, and in his first year as a varsity starter at power Oak Grove, he completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,700 yards, 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

With a quick look at the tape, it makes sense when he says his role models include Jayden Daniels, Bryce Young and Patrick Mahomes. Hall is a mobile, pass-first quarterback capable of making throws off platform and from multiple arm angles when pressured, and he has also shown to be a dangerous rhythm passer.

College coaches are quickly making their way in his direction. He currently holds offers from Tulane and Southern Miss, and he visited both programs this fall along with Ole Miss and LSU.

As a sophomore, Hall earned 3-7A Offensive Player of the Year honors. This offseason, he is busy working with his teammates at Oak Grove and his trainer, Wyatt Davis, and he will compete in the Elite 11 regionals.

What’s up with the top

Top 10 2026 SEC Area RBs (Alphabetical order)
Tradarian Ball‍, Texarkana (TX) Texas High – Oregon
Ezavier Crowell‍, Jackson (AL)
KJ Edwards‍, Carthage (TX)
Jonathan Hatton Jr‍, Cibolo (TX) Steele 
Jae Lamar‍ , Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County
Cardae Mack‍, Humble (TX) Atascocita
Javian Osborne‍, Forney (TX)
DeZephen Walker‍, Peculiar (MO) Raymore-Peculiar
Jonaz Walton‍, Carrollton (GA) Central
Damarius Yates‍, DeKalb (MS) Kemper County