Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
Recruiting moves into the final month before the December Signing Period, and the recruiting pace continues to move at a frantic pace. There have been commitments, decommitments and more, and it is time to take a look at the latest happenings from the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
Former Kentucky commit Khalifa Keith commits to Tennessee
Jaden Rashada flips from Miami to Florida
2024 DB Wallace Foster picks LSU
Headlines
Florida drops QB Marcus Stokes – The Gators decided to move on from Ponta Verde Beach (FL) Nease QB Marcus Stokes after the standout QB posted a video on social media where he said a racial slur while rapping to a song. Afterward, Stokes issued the following statement.
2025 IMG WR Winston Watkins decommits from Texas A&M – One of the top young playmakers in the country announced his decommitment from the Aggies. He made his original pledge on Dec. 20, 2021, and in his decommitment announcement, he says, “Texas A&M will always be in my top choices.” In addition to Texas A&M, he holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas.
New Name to Know
OT Juan Gaston, Atlanta (GA) Westlake – 2025
At 6-foot-7 and 330-pounds Gaston’s size is quick to draw attention, but the tape shows he can also move. His bend allows him to get low and maintain leverage, and his feet allow him to pull and pick up blocks downfield. He packs a powerful punch and plays with the edge you love to see in the trenches.
Along with the tape comes plenty of experience. Gaston has been a varsity OT for one of the top programs in Georgia for the last two years. He was a right tackle as a freshman and has moved to left as a sophomore, which shows his versatility and high-level football IQ. His intelligence also shows in the classroom, where he reports a 3.3 GPA, according to his Twitter page.
The recruiting rankings have yet to arrive, but recruiting has already kicked off in a big way. SEC offers have arrived from Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee. His growing list also includes offers from the ACC (Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, and Pitt), the Big Ten (Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State, and Purdue) and the Big 12 (Texas and UCF). Offers have also arrived from Arkansas State, Florida A&M and Middle Tennessee State.
In addition to football, he also competes on the basketball court, and athleticism runs in his family. His father, Juan Gaston, Sr., played basketball at Georgia Tech in the 90s and was a member of the Yellowjackets Sweet 16 and ACC regular-season champion squad in 1995-96 that also featured Stephon Marbury, Drew Barry and Matt Harpring.
What’s up with the top
Top 2024 SEC area prospect at each position
QB: Derek (DJ) Lagway, Willis (TX)
RB: Jerrick Gibson, Gainesville, FL/IMG Academy
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna
TE: Landen Thomas, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County - Georgia
OL: Ashton Funk, Katy (TX) Tompkins – Texas A&M
DL: Williams Nwaneri, Lee’s Summit (MO) Lee’s Summit North
LB: Colin Simmons, Duncanville
CB: Jaylen Mbakwe, Pinson (AL) Clay-Chalkville - Alabama
S: KJ Bolden, Buford (GA)
ATH: Jonathan Echols, Franklin, GA/IMG Academy – Tennessee
