Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends
Recruiting never stops in the SEC, and there have been several big movements as spring turns to summer and top recruits are making decisions. Now it is time to take a look at the latest news, notes and headlines from across the SEC recruiting trails.
Big Gets
CB Cobey Sellers commits to Texas A&M
RB Chad Gasper pledges to Florida
CB Trystan Haynes is a Sooner
LB Tyler Lockhart says War Eagle
Headlines
Hollis Davidson decommits from Auburn – The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Peachtree City (GA) McIntosh standout originally chose Auburn out of a top seven, which also included Cincinnati, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and Penn State on Feb. 6, but he has decided to take another look at his options. Davidson is scheduled to take official visits to Florida (June 7) and Florida State (June 21), LSU stopped by the school, and he received an offer from Texas in late April.
James Simon releases top schools, sets decision date – 2025 Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist RB James Simon is nearing the end of his recruitment. He will announce his decision on May 29 with SEC programs Alabama, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M in the mix. Notre Dame also makes the cut as a finalist.
Lamont Rogers releases his top eight – Rogers, one of the top OTs in the country out of Mesquite (TX) Horn, has mentioned he had a top eight coming, and he announced his list on Monday. His list had a strong SEC flavor, with Texas A&M, Missouri, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma and Tennessee all making the cut. The ACC is also represented by SMU and Florida State. He currently has official visits scheduled to SMU (May 17), Missouri (May 31), Texas A&M (June 6), Texas (June 13) and Oklahoma (June 18).
Vernell Brown III names his top four – One of the SEC-area’s top playmaking threats is down to four with Florida the only SEC program making his list. The Sunshine State is well represented, with Florida State and Miami joining the Gators, and then there are the Buckeyes, who have made a living raiding the state for top receiving talents over the years. Brown has official visits scheduled to each of his top four, beginning with a May 31 stop at Ohio State, followed by Miami (June 11), Florida (June 14) and Florida State (June 21).
New name to know
WR Tre'von McGory, Germantown (TN) – 2026
At 6-foot and 170 pounds, McGory has proven to be a big play threat at outside receiver. A smooth route runner, his flexibility allows him to quickly adjust and track the ball. Contested receptions, no problem. He is a natural in traffic, and he has the body control and awareness to make a circus catch and stay in bounds.
As a sophomore in 2023, he earned first-team all-district honors as a top receiver for 12-1 district champion and 6A state quarterfinalist Germantown.
College coaches have taken notice, including Texas A&M. The Aggies offered in late April, and SEC offers have also arrived from Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Missouri and Tennessee. Power 4 programs Duke, Indiana and Purdue have also offered, along with Austin Peay, Charlotte, Marshall, Memphis, Temple, Tennessee State and UNLV.
What’s up with the top
Top SEC area DLs (listed alphabetically)
Amare Adams, Lake City (SC) South Florence - Clemson
Malik Autry, Opelika (AL) – Auburn
Isaiah Gibson, Warner Robins (GA) - USC
Elijah Griffin, Savannah (GA) Savannah Christian
Javion Hilson, Cocoa (FL) – Florida State
Lance Jackson, Texarkana (TX) Pleasant Grove – Texas
Landon Rink, Cypress (TX) Cy-Fair – Texas A&M
DJ Sanders, Bellville (TX)
Jared Smith, Alabaster (AL) Thompson
Justus Terry, Manchester (GA) – USC
Top five SEC DL commits (listed alphabetically)
Malik Autry, Opelika (AL) – Auburn
Jakaleb Faulk, Highland Home (AL) - Auburn
Lance Jackson, Texarkana (TX) Pleasant Grove – Texas
Landon Rink, Cypress (TX) Cy-Fair – Texas A&M
Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee (FL) Rickards – Florida
