Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
The recruiting action has been busy around the SEC, with flips, commits and decommits happening across the region. Let’s not waste any time and dive right into the latest news, notes and headlines from across the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
Jalewis Solomon flips from Auburn to South Carolina
Edge CJ Jackson chooses LSU
2025 DL Jourdin Crawford pledges to Auburn
CB Ondre Evans flips from LSU to UGA
Headlines
Back on the market – Jalewis Solomon’s SEC flip and CJ Jackson choosing LSU following a decommitment from Georgia Tech are not the only SEC prospects deciding to take another look at their options. Tuesday night, Silsbee (TX) standout Drelon Miller made headlines with his decommitment from Texas A&M. He originally chose the Aggies in late June. Tuesday also saw longtime LSU commit Joseph Stone Jr. of Fairburn (GA) Langston Hughes and longtime Auburn commit Jayden Lewis of Anniston (AL) decide to take another look at their options. The Tuesday trio was preceded by Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove ATH PJ Woodland, who re-opened his recruitment on Sunday after being committed to Mississippi State since June. The 2025 class also got in the action with Lenexa (KS) St. Thomas Aquinas DL Juju Marks decommitting from Mizzou.
2025 ramping up – DL Jordin Crawford was not the only 2025 prospect to recently make his decision. The last few days saw several standouts make moves. New Orleans (LA) Edna Karr wide receiver TaRon Francis opted to stay home at LSU over several SEC programs. Mississippi State was able to secure the talents of local QB KaMario Taylor out of Macon (MS) Noxubee County. Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove running back Bo Walker chose Georgia over the likes of Arkansas, Louisville, Ole Miss and UCF. In Alabama, linebacker Myles Johnson of Brewton (AL) chose the Tide.
LJ McCray nears his decision – Daytona Beach (FL) Mainland defensive lineman LJ McCray has narrowed his long list of scholarships down to five, and he has a decision date in mind. He is down to Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami, and he will announce his choice on October 21. He has already taken official visits to each program.
Narrowing the list – Lafayette (LA) Acadiana standout 2025 wide receiver Russell Babineaux named a top five of Auburn, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri, while Atlanta (GA) Douglass 2025 S Jontae Gilbert has released his top ten of LSU, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina, USC, NC State and Texas.
New name to know
RB Kylin Champagne, Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove – 2025
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound back has been running the ball with authority for the Oak Grove Warriors. Through seven games in 2023, the effort has shown up in his production. Champagne has over 500 yards rushing, is averaging over six yards a carry and leads Oak Grove with seven rushing touchdowns. He also has eight receptions for 67 yards and a score.
Champagne describes his style of play as dominant, and he means that in every way. With the ball in hand, he runs with a blend of power, balance and burst. He also prides himself on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and deliver a block in pass protection. Whatever the play calls for, he works to deliver with 100 percent effort.
He is also dedicated off the field. In the weight room, Champagne’s strength shows with a 295-pound bench max and 495-pound squat. In the film room, he works on the mental side, studying a variety of styles with Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry among his favorites.
College coaches are taking notice. He has yet to receive his first college offer, but interest has arrived from South Carolina, Southern Miss, Tulane, Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, Liberty and Ole Miss. Over the summer, he camped at Tulane and Ole Miss, and he plans to visit several college campuses in the near future.
Athleticism and football are in his blood. Champagne grew up in and around the game and comes from a family where the football talent runs deep. His father, Karone, played at Southern Miss. His uncle Addaryl Edwards played at Southern Miss, and his uncle Rod Davis played at Southern Miss before a pro career in the NFL and CFL. His cousin Tariq Carpenter played at Georgia Tech and is currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is also cousins with Darius Garland, formerly of Vanderbilt and currently in the NBA.
What’s up with the top
SEC Decommitments by School, and Top Rated Decommitment
6 – Georgia – TE Landen Thomas, Moultrie (GA) Colquitt County – committed to Florida State
6 – LSU – CB Ondre Evans, Franklin (TN) Christ Presbyterian Academy – flipped to Georgia
5 – Ole Miss – LB Jordan Lockhart, Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco – committed to Texas A&M
3 – Auburn – CB Jayden Lewis, Anniston (AL) – uncommitted
3 – Florida – RB Jerrick Gibson, Jonesboro (GA)/IMG Academy – committed to Texas
3 – Missouri – LB Xavier Atkins, Humble (TX) Atascocita – committed to LSU
2 – Alabama – WR Perry Thompson, Foley (AL) – flip to Auburn
2 – Arkansas – ATH Noreel White, Ocean Springs (MS) St. Martin – committed to Ole Miss
2 – Mississippi State – ATH PJ Woodland, Hattiesburg (MS) Oak Grove – uncommitted
2 – South Carolina – OL Mike Williams, Upper Marlboro (MD) Charles Herbert Flowers – committed to Florida
2 – Tennessee – WR Mazeo Bennett, Greenville (SC) – committed to South Carolina
2 – Vanderbilt – WR Dorian Williams, Cincinnati (OH) Princeton - uncommitted
1 – Texas A&M – ATH Drelon Miller, Silsbee (TX) - uncommitted
0 – Kentucky
3 – Texas – CB Jaden Allen, Aledo (TX) – committed to Arkansas
0 - Oklahoma