Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
The recruiting action has been running hot and heavy over the last few weeks, and it is time to look around at the latest news, notes, and headlines from the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
LB Christian Brathwaite flips from Baylor to LSU
OL Roderick Kearney flips from FSU to Florida
CB Chris Peal to Georgia
S Marvin Burks Jr. picks Ole Miss
OL Clay Wedin is Auburn bound
Gators add DBs Dijon Johnson and Bryce Thornton
Tennessee gets busy in 2024 with CB Kaleb Beasley and WR Mazeo Bennett
UGA adds 2024 QB Ryan Puglisi
Headlines
Desmond Ricks re-classifies – IMG Academy five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks has announced his plans to reclassify. Originally from Chesapeake, VA, he is moving from the 2024 class into the 2023 class. He also announced his recruitment is currently 100 percent open.
Lakeland (FL) five-star CB ready to commit – Cormani McClain, widely regarded as Florida’s top prospect and one of the best in the nation, is set to announce his decision Thursday evening. He has narrowed his list of nationwide offers to his finalists of Miami, Alabama and Florida.
Georgia DT has Halloween announcement plans – Suwanee (GA) North Gwinnett standout DT Kayden McDonald is approaching his college decision. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defender has his eye on Clemson, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma, and he has been busy visiting his finalists this fall.
Moving On – Frankfort (KY) Franklin County ATH Kaden Moorman has decided to re-open his recruitment. He initially committed to Kentucky in October of 2021, so the decision ends a year-long commitment. After announcing his decision, Moorman stated Kentucky is still an option, but he wants to explore his options and take his official visits. Also, Gainesville (FL) receiver Creed Whittemore has flipped his commitment from Florida to Mississippi State. The decision occurred a week after an official visit to Starkville.
New Name to know
DE/LB Michael Smith, Miami (FL) Monsignor Pace – 2025
Relentless is a word that comes to mind when the tape begins, and it continues to be a theme throughout. Already standing in at 6-foot-2 and 200-pounds, Smith has some intriguing length and flexibility, and he has quickly become known for his motor and twitch off the edge. Equipped with a 4.7 40-yard dash, he can bend and cut the corner to the QB in short order.
He was slated to be a freshman starter on varsity, but an injury cut his football season and camp season short. He is now back, and in 2022, he has quickly made his presence felt on the edge of Monsignor Pace’s defense. Through eight games, he has recorded nine sacks and has been a constant presence in opposing backfields.
It is early in the recruiting process, and without a camp season, things have been slowed. However, the college coaches are beginning to take notice as his tape makes the rounds with Florida and Duke among those expressing an interest.
What’s up with the top
Top 2024 commits for each SEC program
Alabama: CB Jaylen Mbakwe, Pinson (AL) Clay-Chalkville
Arkansas: N/A
Auburn: QB Adrian Posse, Hialeah (FL) Mater Academy
Florida: LB Myles Graham, Atlanta (GA) Woodward Academy
Georgia: TE Landen Thomas, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County
Kentucky: N/A
LSU: S Maurice Williams, Pearland (TX) Shadow Creek
Ole Miss: LB Jordan Lockhart, Bellflower (CA) St John Bosco
Mississippi State: N/A
Missouri: N/A
South Carolina: QB Dante Reno, Windsor (CT) The Loomis Chaffee School
Tennessee: ATH Jonathan Echols, Franklin, GA/IMG Academy
Texas A&M: DL Dealyn Evans, Longview (TX) Pine Tree
Vanderbilt: N/A
