Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
High-end recruiting fuels the high-end play that SEC football is known for, and there is never a slowdown in action. It is now time to take a look around at the latest news, notes and headlines from the SEC recruiting front.
Big Gets
Edge Jamarion Matthews pledges to Alabama
DL Chris Booker commits to Alabama
DL Emanuel Tucker selects Mississippi State
Edge CJ Edwards is a Volunteer
Headlines
CB Jaelen Waters decommits from Florida – The Armwood (FL) Seffner standout committed to Florida last summer, but he recently re-opened his process and decided to take another look at his options. Since his announcement, he has scheduled official visits to Auburn and Miami.
OT Cantwell schedules OVs – Nixa (MO) five-star OT Jackson Cantwell has locked in five official visits. He will start his OVs in May with a trip to Miami. He then has Missouri, Georgia, Michigan and Oregon to close out June. Ohio State also made his top six, and he is eyeing an OV there as well.
Standout QB Curtis eyes two – Nashville (TN) QB Jared Curtis is down to two. He will either re-commit to Georgia, who held his pledge from March to October 2024, or he will make his way to the Pacific Northwest to play for the Oregon Ducks. He has March visits scheduled for both: Oregon March 8-12 and Georgia March 13-16.
Stud CB Dorian Barney names his 12 – Carrollton (GA) cornerback Dorian Barney released his top schools with two SEC programs making the cut. Texas A&M and Ole Miss represent the SEC, with Colorado, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State also in the mix.
Five-star WR Cederian Morgan down to six – Four SEC programs make the cut for the 6-foot-4, 210-pound playmaker from Alexander City, Ala. Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia make the cut, with Clemson and Colorado also in the running. He has official visits scheduled to all but Colorado at this time.
Making cuts – Cass (GA) QB and former West Virginia pledge Brodie McWhorter named a top seven of Auburn, Mississippi State, Colorado, Indiana, Syracuse, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Pensacola (FL) Edge Trenton Henderson dropped a 10 of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Michigan and USC. Miami (FL) CB J’Vari Flowers announced a top six of Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina and Syracuse. Norman (OK) WR Mason James released a top 10 of Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Kansas State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Washington. Clearwater OT Samuel Roseborough has a top 10 of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Birmingham (AL) DL Vodney Cleveland and former Alabama commit named a top six of Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Miami and North Carolina. Tampa (FL) OL Canon Pickett named his top 10 of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Florida State and Miami. Carrolton (GA) RB Jonaz Walton released his top 10 of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon and Stanford. Milton (FL) OL Grant Wise released his top five of Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson, Miami and Oregon.
New Name to Know
TE Titus Hawk, Choctaw (OK) – 2027
It is hard to miss the 6-foot-7, 215-pound pass-catching, hard-nosed blocking talent when he hits the field. Hawk was a big target for state champion Choctaw with 20 receptions for 365 yards and seven touchdowns, but he also showed a physical side with his tenacious blocking.
Hawk prides himself on being an all-around tight end and one of the hardest workers on the film, in the weight room and film room, with George Kittle being one of his top football role models.
College coaches are already hot on his trail. He currently holds offers from Arkansas, Abilene Christian, Boston College, Kansas State, North Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Tulsa. He visited Oklahoma State and Tulsa this fall, and he is already eyeing a few trips for the spring.
In addition to football, Hawk is a standout on the basketball court and on the baseball field, and he has some strong bloodlines. His father, Shane, was named to Oklahoma State’s 2000s All-Decade team and pitched in the Mets organization.
What’s up with the top
Top 10 SEC Area OLs
OL Jackson Cantwell, Nixa (MO)
OL Johnnie Jones, Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
OL Heze Kent, Brunswick (GA)
OL Zaden Krempin, Prosper (TX)
OL Brysten Martinez, Gonzalez (LA) East Ascension - LSU
OL Avery Morcho, Missouri City (TX) Fort Bend Ridge Point
OL Felix Ojo, Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge
OL Keenyi Pepe, Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
OL Micah Smith, Vero Beach (FL)
OL John Turntine, Crowley (TX) North Crowley
Top 5 SEC Area TEs
TE Ryder Mix, Frisco (TX) Lone Star - Oklahoma
TE Kaiden Prothro, Bowdon (GA)
TE Carson Sneed, Nashville (TN) Donelson Christian - Tennessee
TE Xavier Tiller, Fairburn (GA) Langston Hughes
TE Zachery Turner, Duncanville (TX)