Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

The recruiting action never stops around the SEC, and there are plenty of decisions being made across the region. Now it is time to dive in and look at the latest news, notes and headlines.

Big Gets

LB Chris Cole‍ pledges to Georgia

Headlines

Big SEC Weekend – Last weekend, Florida-Tennessee, Mississippi State-LSU and Georgia-South Carolina competed in a thin SEC weekend slate, but this weekend features some very intriguing early-season tests as conference action ramps up, forcing massive recruiting scenarios for quite a few programs. Kicking off at 11 a.m. CT, Auburn travels to Texas A&M. At 2:30 p.m. CT, Alabama tries to get right with Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss coming to town. The 6 p.m. CT game will feature LSU and Arkansas in Baton Rouge. Throw in South Carolina hosting Mississippi State and Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky, it could set up some nice little shake-ups in regards to recruiting momentum for a number of SEC programs. Missouri, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee will all be playing non-conference opponents this weekend.

Underclassmen make picks – The class of 2024 currently has most of the spotlight, but the class of 2025 is not wasting any time making their college decisions known. Down in Starkville, the Mississippi State Bulldogs hauled in Madison (AL) linebacker AJ Rice‍ over the likes of Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, South Carolina, Troy and UAB. Over the weekend, the Missouri Tigers welcomed some big news. After grabbing headlines when kicker Harrison Mevis booted a 61-yard, walk-off field goal to beat Kansas State, the Tigers secured a commitment from 6-foot-7, 260-pound 2025 DL Juju Marks‍ from St. Thomas Aquinas in Lenexa (KS). He chose Mizzou over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. On Monday, one of the SEC area’s top-2025 QBs Deuce Knight‍ announced he was leaving SEC country and heading north to Notre Dame. Knight established himself as one of the top 2025 QBs while at Lucedale (MS) George County before transferring to Nashville (TN) Lipscomb Academy. He recently transferred back to George County, where he chose the Fighting Irish over Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others.

DL Michai Boireau‍ decommits from Florida – At 6-foot-5 and 390 pounds, Boireau is known as a big athletic defensive presence in the trenches. The Hampton (GA) Creekside standout originally committed to Florida over Georgia in June following his official visit to Gainesville. In early September, he decided to re-open his recruitment to take a look at his options, and last weekend, he was in Athens for a visit to Georgia. The Bulldogs and Gators continue to battle with the likes of Ole Miss and Auburn as schools in the hunt for Boireau’s commitment.

New name to know

LB Xavier Griffin‍, Gainesville (GA) – 2026

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, the fluidity, length and explosiveness quickly jump off the tape. Equipped with an 81-inch wingspan, Griffin bursts off the edge while displaying coordination to play in space. His 4.68 40-yard dash allows him to cover sideline-to-sideline, and while he is showing all of this, it is also clear he is just scratching the surface. He has the build to continue to add good weight as he fills out his frame. While I don’t have his exact measurements, coaches using terms like “big hands” and “big feet” make you think there’s some growth in his future.

Griffin describes his style of play as fast and patient, and he prides himself on playing with an edge and purpose. He is also a student of the game with role models such as Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Fred Warner and Bobby Wagner, and seeing his mother sacrifice the way she has motivates him to strive for greatness at every turn.

College coaches are already taking notice. As a sophomore, he has recorded 12 tackles and seven TFLs for the Gainesville Red Elephants. He has offers from Florida State, Tennessee, UAB, USF and Mississippi State, while also receiving interest from Auburn, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia Tech. He has also already done campus visits to USF, Florida State, Tennessee and Auburn. He plans to make a few more visits this fall with Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Florida on his mind after he already visiting Auburn earlier this fall.

In addition to football, Griffin is also a member of the varsity basketball and track teams. He is a small forward on the basketball court and competes in the 100m and long jump on the track. He also has a history of athleticism in his family. His grandfather played football at Clemson while his grandmother played basketball for the Tigers. Additionally, his mother played basketball at Montevallo, and his uncle played football at Mississippi State. His cousins, Malaki Starks (Georgia) and VJ Payne (Kansas State), are currently competing in the college ranks.

What’s up with the top

Top 10 SEC area talents headed to other conferences
1. WR Jeremiah Smith‍, Opa-Locka (FL) – Ohio State (Big 10)
2. WR Micah Hudson‍, Temple (TX) – Texas Tech (Big 12)
3. S KJ Bolden‍, Buford (GA) – Florida State (ACC)
4. LB Sammy Brown‍, Jefferson (GA) – Clemson (ACC)
5. DL Eddrick Houston‍, Buford (GA) – Ohio State (Big 10)
6. TE Landen Thomas‍, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County – Florida State (ACC)
7. WR Bryant Wesco‍, Midlothian (TX) – Clemson (ACC)
8. QB Air Noland‍, Fairburn (GA) – Ohio State (Big 10)
9. CB Charles Lester III‍, Venice (FL) – Florida State (ACC)
10. WR Joshisa Trader‍, Hollywood (FL) – Miami (ACC)