Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

The SEC recruiting trails continue to burn red-hot as top prospects make big moves, and it is now time to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines as we head into an action-packed Fourth of July weekend.

Big Gets

LB Xavier Griffin‍ commits to Alabama

Headlines

Fourth of July fireworks – Commitment season is in full effect with several decisions with SEC implications being made on July 4 and a few more on July 6. Texas receivers Boobie Feaster‍ and Kaydon Finley‍ both have July 4 decisions. SEC programs Texas A&M, Alabama and LSU are involved with Feaster, with USC also a strong contender, while Texas and A&M represent the SEC in Finley’s finalists alongside Notre Dame, UCLA and Arizona State. A couple of offensive linemen have July 4 decision plans as well, with Fort Worth (TX) North Crowley standout John Turntine‍ ‍choosing between A&M, Texas, Michigan and Stanford, and Picayune (MS) OL Mitchell Smith‍ selecting between Alabama, Florida State and Vanderbilt. Then, July 5 brings the decision of Buford (GA) DE Bryce Perry-Wright‍. He will choose between A&M, Clemson, Miami and Texas. The SEC is also a factor as Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy S Jireh Edwards‍ chooses between Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M, and Ogden (UT) Fremont ATH Salesi Moa‍ decides between Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Flip flopping – Commitment decisions do not always stop the pursuit, and the activity has been popping with a few changes, resulting in new SEC decisions. Auburn has seen the most activity flipping QB Peyton Falzone‍ from Penn State, but the Tigers also saw LB Shadarius Toodle‍ flip to Georgia and wide receiver Denairius Gray‍ flip to Kentucky. The Crimson Tide raided, flipping a couple of standouts from the Big Ten in RB Javari Barnett‍ from Illinois and S Rihyael Kelley‍ from Rutgers. Arkansas flipped Lancaster (TX) CB Victor Lincoln‍ from Oklahoma State, and Mississippi State flipped Montgomery (AL) Carver WR Zion Crumpton‍ from South Florida.

Lone Star to the SEC – SEC programs have taken a summer dive into the deep Texas talent pool. Galena Park (TX) North Shore S Chace Calicut‍ recently committed to Georgia, while Kentucky hit the state for Lake Travis DL Ben Duncum‍ and Katy CB Isaiah McMillian‍. In DFW, North Forney ATH Legend Bey‍ opted for Tennessee, and Duncanville DE Landon Barnes‍ pledged to Ole Miss.

On a heater – Summertime commitments have been coming in fast, but the last two weeks, a few teams have been hotter than most. Alabama welcomed its 10th 2026 commitment of the last two weeks on Wednesday to tie Mississippi State for the most new additions in the last two weeks. Georgia is right behind them with nine new 2026 pledges, and Tennessee is hanging around with seven commitments in the same time span. Georgia also added a commitment from top 2027 DB Donte Wright‍ of Long Beach (CA) Poly in the last couple of weeks.

New Name to Know

LB Kaiden Buchanan‍, Tupelo (MS) – 2028

At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Buchanan is quick to draw the eye. A versatile, young defender equipped with a 33-inch vertical and a 4.6 40-yard dash time, he is an explosive presence on the edge of the defense. He also brings plenty of power with a 270-pound bench press max and a 420-pound squat.

His idols include Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons for their explosiveness, aggression, intensity and versatility. He prides himself on being a disruptive force and making offenses “feel” him every snap of the ball. As a varsity freshman at Aberdeen (MS) in 2024, it is safe to say he did just that with 108 tackles, 35 TFLs and 11.5 sacks.

Now at Tupelo (MS), college coaches are quickly taking notice. Offers have arrived from Texas A&M, Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, Florida State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas State, Toledo, Miami (OH), UT-Martin, Georgia State, Southern Miss, Akron, UTSA and Jackson State. He says the most consistent attention is currently coming from A&M, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and Michigan. This summer, he visited A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Memphis and Mississippi State.

In addition to football, he also competes on the track in order to improve his speed, explosion and acceleration. He currently runs the 200m and throws the shot put.

What’s up with the top

Highest rated June addition
Alabama: LB Xavier Griffin‍, Gainesville (GA)
Arkansas: OL Bryce Gilmore‍, Prosper (TX)
Auburn: QB Peyton Falzone‍, Nazareth (PA)
Florida: CB CJ Bronaugh‍, Windermere (FL)
Georgia: OL Ekene Ogboko‍, Garner (NC) South Garner
Kentucky: S Messiah Tilson‍, Rockford (IL) Guilford
LSU: OL Emanuel Tucker‍, New Albany (MS)
Mississippi State: WR Jayden Cration‍, Canton (MS)
Missouri: WR Jabari Brady‍, Pompano Beach (FL) Monarch
Oklahoma: QB Bowe Bentley‍, Celina (TX)
Ole Miss: DE Landon Barnes‍, Duncanville (TX)
South Carolina: DL Aiden Harris‍, Matthews (NC) Weddington
Tennessee: ATH Legend Bey‍, Forney (TX) North Forney
Texas A&M: ATH Brandon Arrington‍, Spring Valley (CA) Mount Miguel
Texas: DE Richard Wesley‍, Chatsworth (CA) Sierra Canyon 
Vanderbilt: DE Jace McCallum‍, Harrisburg (NC) Hickory Ridge