Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

October is here, and recruiting across the SEC is moving right along with the December signing period around the corner. Once again, it is time to take a look at the latest news, notes and headlines from the SEC recruiting front.

Big gets

QB Deuce Knight‍ flips from Notre Dame to Auburn
http://instagr.am/p/DAo-ti6y1qp
S Ladarian Clardy‍ picks Ole Miss

Headlines

Flipped out – A couple of former SEC pledges have had a change of heart, and they are no longer planning to spend their college days in the league. Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman standout OL Douglas Utu‍ flipped from Tennessee to Oregon, and a few days later, Palm Bay (FL) Heritage S Demetres Samuel Jr.‍ announced his flip from Florida to Syracuse.

Back on the Market – Savannah (GA) Calvary Day WR Thomas Blackshear‍ did not decommit from Georgia, but he did announce he is keeping his options. Blackshear committed to the Bulldogs in May. Lee’s Summit (MO) North DL Ka’Mori Moore did decommit from Oklahoma. He had been a Sooner commit since July 2023.

Moving on up - Irmo (SC) WR Donovan Murph‍ has established himself as one of the top receivers in the 2026 class, and recently, he announced his reclassification from 2026 to 2025. He already holds offers from across the country with SEC programs, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M in hot pursuit.

New name to know

DE Nolan Wilson‍, Picayune (MS) – 2026

Checking in at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Wilson’s size is easy to spot. So is his explosive first step. He comes off the ball low and fast and uses his 4.7 in the 40-yard dash to put opponents on their heels. He also packs a powerful punch with a 265-pound bench press, and as highlight clips begin to make the rounds, the buzz is growing.

Wilson describes his style as determined, and he is just beginning to emerge because he spent most of last fall working as the understudy to standout recruit Jamonta Waller‍. He was more than happy to work and learn under the future Auburn Tiger, and instead of going to college camps, he spent the summer focused on training and preparing for the fall.

The interest is growing, and on Monday, Wilson received his first scholarship offer from Alabama with Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Florida, Auburn, and USC also offering this week. He has visited Florida, Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama in the past month. This weekend, he will visit Texas A&M, and then he has trips planned to LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Florida State. 

Right now, his focus is on the field. He knows there is work to be done and improvements to be made as he and his Picayune teammates eye the Mississippi 6A championship.

What’s up with the top

Top 10 SEC DL Commits (alphabetical order)
Malik Autry‍, Opelika (AL) – Auburn
Isaiah Gibson‍, Warner Robins (GA) – Georgia
Justin Hill‍, Cincinnati (OH) Winton Woods - Alabama
Darren Ikinnagbon‍, Hillside (NJ) - Georgia
Lance Jackson‍, Texarkana (TX) Pleasant Grove – Texas
Nate Marshall‍, Oak Park (IL) Fenwick - Auburn
DJ Sanders‍, Bellville (TX) – Texas A&M
Damien Shanklin‍, Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central - LSU
Jared Smith‍, Alabaster (AL) Thompson - Auburn
Jalen Wiggins‍, Tallahassee (FL) Rickards - Florida