Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

Recruiting never stops in the SEC, and since Signing Day, there has been plenty of action around the conference. Now, it is time to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines.

Big Gets

QB John Mateer pledges to OU

Headlines

Trading Places – SEC teams are cannibalizing each other, with several SEC talents entering the transfer portal only to find their new home at a conference foe. Ole Miss and LSU lead the way with six SEC additions each. In the last week and a half, the Rebels have added RB Kewan Lacy (Mizzou), CB Antonio Kite (Auburn), CB Jaylon Braxton (Arkansas), TE Luke Hasz (Arkansas), OL Patrick Kutas (Arkansas) and DE Da’Shawn Womack (LSU) to the roster. In Baton Rouge, the Tigers have added QB Michael Van Buren Jr. (Mississippi State), WR Barion Brown (Kentucky), WR Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), TE Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma), DE Jack Pyburn (Florida) and CB Ja’Keem Jackson (FL).

Texas A&M has reeled in three portal additions from SEC foes in WR Mario Craver (Mississippi State), TE Micah Riley (Auburn) and CB Julian Humphrey (Georgia). Arkansas and Vanderbilt also have a couple, with the Razorbacks adding TE Jaden Platt (Texas A&M) and CB Kani Walker (Oklahoma) and the Commodores adding DL Aaron Bryant (Texas) and DE Keanu Koht (Alabama). Then there are the singles. QB Jackson Arnold goes from Oklahoma to Auburn, WR Brenen Thompson from Oklahoma to Mississippi State, OL Josh Braun from Arkansas to Kentucky, WR Kevin Coleman Jr. from Mississippi State to Missouri, LB Brad Spence from Arkansas to Texas, DE Kelby Collins from Florida to Alabama, and DE Jaylen Brown from Missouri to South Carolina.

Late 2025 Decisions – The December signing period has come and gone, with much of the focus on Wednesday, Dec. 4. However, a few SEC programs had moves since then. Five-star DL Justus Terry‍ opted for the Longhorns on Friday, Dec. 6, and Gracen Harris‍ inked with Mississippi State on Dec. 9. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels saw one leave and welcomed another. Milton (FL) Pace DE Tylon Lee‍ flipped from Ole Miss to Florida State the day after signing day, while Kissimmee (FL) Osceola OL Connor Howes‍ flipped from Arkansas to Ole Miss.

2026s Making Moves – As the action slows down in the 2025 class, it continues to pick up with the 2026 group. Missouri dipped into Arkansas for four-star DL Anthony Kennedy‍ of Maumelle, while Georgia hit the JUCO ranks to bring Butler CC DL Seven Cloud‍ back home to the Bulldogs. Oklahoma went north for standout IOL Will Conroy‍ of Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius. There were also a couple of departures. Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs in Starkville saw DeKalb (MS) Kemper County RB Damarius Yates‍ re-open his recruitment, while Alabama and Birmingham (AL) Parker DL Vodney Cleveland‍ parted ways.

New Name to Know

DE Zyron Forstall‍, New Orleans (LA) Jesuit – 2027

The 6-foot-4, 238-pound defender brings a quick first step, a variety of pass-rush moves and the strength to extend and separate from his opponents. He is always moving forward. He has active, powerful hands and a nose for the ball.

In his two seasons on the varsity level, Forstall prides himself on an aggressive style of play, and he studies the likes of Von Miller and Aaron Donald for their explosive and disruptive traits as well as their inventiveness and their “do anything to get to create havoc” mentality in the trenches.

As a sophomore in 2024, he posted 30 tackles, 16 TFLs, 13 sacks, 12 hurries and four forced fumbles, including a five-sack performance against Brother Martin.

College coaches are taking notice. Forstall did not attend any college camps last summer, but he did visit Baylor, Tulane and LSU this fall. Offers have also arrived from Marshall, Nicholls State, Baylor, SMU, Houston and Ole Miss.

In addition to football, Forstall also competes on Jesuit’s varsity track and rugby teams. He has clocked a 4.7 time in the 40-yard dash, and he competed in the 100m, 4x100m, shot put and discus last spring.

What’s up with the top

Top 2026 prospect in each SEC State
Alabama: LB Anthony Jones‍, Mobile (AL) St. Paul’s Episcopal
Arkansas: DL Danny Beale‍, Cherry Valley (AR) Cross County
Florida: QB Dia Bell‍, Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage – Texas commit
Georgia: LB Xavier Griffin‍, Gainesville (GA) – USC commit
Kentucky: OT Jarvis Strickland‍, Paducah (KY) Paducah Tilghman
Louisiana: DL Lamar Brown‍, Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab
Mississippi: WR Tristen Keys‍, Hattiesburg (MS)
Missouri: OL Jackson Cantwell‍, Nixa (MO)
Oklahoma: DT Tajh Overton‍, Owasso (OK)
South Carolina: S J'Zavien Currence‍, Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe – South Carolina commit
Tennessee: QB Jared Curtis‍, Nashville (TN) Nashville Christian
Texas: ATH Jermaine Bishop‍, Willis (TX)