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USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Blue-chip 2026 safety recruit Devin Jackson decommits from Florida football
Blue-chip 2026 safety recruit Devin Jackson decommits from Florida football The Florida Gators lost a member of their 2026 football recruiting class on Thursday with the departure of four-star safety Devin Jackson out of Orlando (Florida) First Academy, who decommitted and reopened his recruitment after the end of the spring practice season. The 6-foot-1.5-inch, 195-pound defensive back had been all-in on the Orange and Blue since 2023, when he was still playing for Winter Garden (Florida) West Orange, also located in the Orlando area. He has made frequent trips to Gainesville over the past couple of years and made his verbal commitment to the program last summer. Jackson had recently stood out at the Golden Ticket Tournament of OT7 (Overtime's 7-on-7 league) in Dallas, Texas, last Sunday before he made his decision to leave Gainesville. 'Devin Jackson was a guy this weekend—he was playing for 24k—and was playing corner primarily for them," offers On3 national recruiting analyst Cody Bellaire. "I know he's a safety prospect for the Gators and his film is at safety and I think that's what he projects to at the next level. But Devin was playing outside corner in this 7-on-7 setting for both days of work.' Bellaire continues, 'I was glad I got to see him move around and attack the football, play some coverage in both off and man coverage. All in all, pretty impressed with Devin Jackson this weekend. Very excited to dive back into the tape for our next 2026 update and see if I see a little bit more of that on the second go around.' It was not made immediately clear why Jackson chose to seek greener pastures, but it is hard to ignore his 7-on-7 performance as a contributing factor. Recruiting summary Jackson is rated at four stars and ranked No. 355 overall and No. 28 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 industry ranking has him rated at three stars and ranked at Nos. 381 and 33, respectively. "Based on our conversation with Cody Bellaire, we believe Jackson will be strongly considered for a fourth star during this recruiting cycle if he continues to perform well," On3's Keith Niehbur notes. "He currently is the No. 36 safety in the country for On3 and carries an 88 rating. A player becomes a 4-star when their rating hits 90. Jackson is every bit of his listed 6-foot-2 and he continues to grow. The fact he played corner over the weekend in Texas speaks to his versatility." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top performers from OT7 Week 4 headlined by four-star SAF Joey O'Brien
DALLAS --Week 4 of OT7's fourth season is in the books. High-level recruits from all over the country competed in Texas for the fourth and final week of OT7's regular season -- ahead of the the Golden Ticket Tournament next weekend and the OT7 Championships on June 26-29 in Florida. Advertisement The field featured several blue-chip recruits in the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 classes so far. Included in this weekend's field was players committed to Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Rutgers, Penn State, and more. Here's a look at the Day 1 top performers -- and here are the 10 top performers from the entire two-day span of Week 4 action at OT7 from Dallas College's Mountain View campus headlined by Rivals MVP Joey O'Brien. 1. FOUR-STAR SAFETY JOEY O'BRIEN Joey O'Brien was a runaway Day 1 MVP at OT7 on Saturday -- and continued his outstanding run in coverage again to close out the weekend. The four-star SAF came up with five interceptions on Day 1 and added a sixth on Sunday. Four of O'Brien's picks were returned for scores this weekend. Advertisement O'Brien also accounted for several more big plays in coverage -- covering a ton of real estate at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds. He's rangy and long and consistency puts himself around the ball. He plays with a sixth sense and was a game-breaking MVP during Week 4's action. 2. FOUR-STAR SLOT WR VANCE SPAFFORD (GEORGIA COMMIT) Vance Spafford was among the leaders in receptions after two days in Dallas. The top-40 prospect from California also ranked in the tops in touchdown catches and was proficient working underneath and in the middle of the field. Rivals' No. 2 SLOT has strong hands and catches everything thrown in his direction. Spafford is electric with the ball in his hands and has a propensity to get open -- and do in consistently. The Georgia verbal showed some real toughness making several catches through contact in the end zone. 3. FOUR-STAR WR JABARI MACK (LSU COMMIT) Elite WR Jabari Mack was a regular source of big plays through the weekend. The four-star prospect from The Boot consistently got open and was targeted often -- and came away with difficult grabs showcasing his catch radius and ability to get up and win in contested-catch situations. Mack is an explosive route-runner and dangerous with the ball in his air. The top-100 WR committed to LSU has enjoyed a very productive off-season, including strong showings both weekends at OT7. 4. FOUR-STAR TE MARK BOWMAN Elite TE Mark Bowman moved at a different speed than other pass-catchers of his stature. The top-30 prospect from California is very gifted winning 50-50 balls and also maneuvering in the middle of the field. Bowman catches everything thrown in his direction and is strong working in the middle of the field and in one-on-one coverage. The four-star TE is a crisp route-runner that can also stretch the field and play above the rim by end zone. 5. FOUR-STAR WR KEEYUN CHAPMAN Keeyun Chapman is a difference-maker working on the outside. The big-framed multi-sport athlete was reliable moving the sticks and working downfield. A possession receiver for Landon Duckworth -- his high school teammate at Jackson (Ala.) High -- Chapman was the source of multiple touchdowns. His size presents major mismatches for defenders in coverage and he has plus-ball skills. 6. FOUR-STAR ATH SALESI MOA Four-star ATH Salesi Moa was dynamic working on both sides of the ball -- as one of the top targets for five-star QB Ryder Lyons and also in coverage during the two days of competition. Moa was outstanding stretching the field and separating in the short area and on routes downfield. He was also good working after the catch. The coveted ATH from Utah also orchestrated a wild two-minute stretch on Day 1 -- scoring two touchdowns and also had a pick-six before halftime of a game on Saturday. 7. FOUR-STAR SLOT WR MYLES MCAFEE (2027) Myles McAfee was one of the most productive pass-catchers on the Week 4 slate. The four-star WR from Maryland was a favorite target for Gavin Sidwar. McAfee consistently found holes in the defense and was sure-handed and able to turn and run for chunk gains. He brings an electric skill-set to the SLOT with the propensity to make plays at multiple levels of the field. 8. FOUR-STAR SLOT WR TRENTON YANCEY (2027) Four-star SLOT receiver Trenton Yancey was constantly moving the sticks and operating with purpose in the middle of the field. Yancey is extremely sure-handed and dynamic in even the smallest glimpses of daylight. The top-15 recruit in the 2027 cycle out of Texas is also quick to navigate downfield and capable of making plays at multiple levels of the field. 9. THREE-STAR WR ELIAS COKE (RUTGERS COMMIT) 2026 three-star WR Elias Coke came away with several highlight grabs over the course of the weekend -- none bigger than the game-winning reception downfield in overtime on Day 2 of action. The Rutgers verbal out of Pennsylvania was excellent operating down the sideline and making catches through contact. Coke showed strong hands throughout Week 4 and was a huge big-spark play on offense. 10. FOUR-STAR SAF JETT WASHINGTON Jett Washington consistently found himself around the football -- and was among the leaders in interceptions after the two-day stretch of competition in Dallas. On the field, the top-100 SAF is known for his physical presence. In this setting, the four-star prospect showed his range and coverage skills -- and how easily and instinctively he operates in his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. The multi-sport standout is an innate playmaker that showed up big time this weekend. ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM OT7 WEEK 4: --Texas QB commit Dia Bell was surgical working the short-passing game. The top-100 passer from South Florida throws with great timing and anticipation -- was on-point throughout the two-day stretch with a very strong Day 2 of work to close out the competition. Advertisement --Four-star QB Luke Fahey was excellent distributing the football to his array of blue-chip pass-catchers. Fahey was consistently on-time and on-point, and able to effectively go through his reads and churn out good decision after good decision. He had a very strong two days of work. --Four-star 2027 WR Easton Royal was in the "just missed" category on Day 2 and continued to make plays on both offense and defense throughout the weekend of action. Royal is a big-play spark capable of getting behind defenders over the top or making them miss in the open field. Royal also snaps at a NICKEL defender and moved well laterally and in coverage. --Four-star QB Gavin Sidwar was another player in the mix for top performers both days. The Pennsylvania passer showed great timing and ball placement with his cast of receivers and was excellent fitting throws into tight windows and keeping touch on some of his deep-ball throws. --Four-star LB Anthony Davis covers a ton of real estate from sideline to sideline on Friday nights, but on Saturday and Sunday in the 7-on-7 setting was constantly sniffing out passes and getting his hands on passes in coverage. Davis moves well as a linebacker and has fantastic football instincts. --Four-star SAF Jordan Smith is physically imposing and moves at a different speed working over the top at FREE. The South Georgia blue-chipper has excellent range and can close on passes in a hurry. Smith flies around on the field and sets the tempo with his play-style.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top performers from Day 1 of OT7 Week 4 action
DALLAS -- It's Week 4 of OT7's fourth season of 7-on-7 competition, and the action is red hot. High-level recruits from all over the country are competing in Texas for the fourth and final week of OT7's regular season -- ahead of the the Golden Ticket Tournament next weekend and the OT7 Championships on June 26-29 in Florida. Advertisement The field features several blue-chip recruits in the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 classes so far. Here are the 10 top performers from Day 1 of the Week 4 action at OT7 from Dallas College's Mountain View campus headlined by Rivals MVP Joey O'Brien. 1. FOUR-STAR ATH JOEY O'BRIEN Joey O'Brien was a runaway Day 1 MVP at OT7 on Saturday. The four-star ATH came up with an awe-inspiring five interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, O'Brien is long with range -- and stepped in front of several passes and out-jumped and anticipated several more big plays in coverage throughout the first day of action. 2. FOUR-STAR SLOT WR VANCE SPAFFORD (GEORGIA COMMIT) Vance Spafford found the end zone on four different occasions and was dynamic with the ball in his hands and consistently gets open in all different parts of the field. The twitchy four-star SLOT receiver committed to Georgia has a vast catch radius and extremely sure hands. He's both quick and fast getting downfield and showed some real toughness making several catches through contact in the end zone. 3. CB MAKHI BOONE 2026 Ohio CB Makhi Boone was superb taking away the football with a pair of interceptions in Saturday's action, including a game-winner along the way. Boone was sticky in overage and was able to move step for step with receivers on the perimeter -- and he plays the ball in the air smooth. He broke up a few more passes in coverage in the end zone 4. FOUR-STAR TE MARK BOWMAN Four-star tight end Mark Bowman was playing at a different tempo during three games of action. The top-30 prospect from California is very gifted winning 50-50 balls and also maneuvering in the middle of the field. Bowman catches everything thrown in his direction -- and is a crisp route-runner that came up big in several timely situations. 5. FOUR-STAR ATH SALESI MOA Salesi Moa put on a show during a wild stretch of action in which the four-star ATH from Utah scored two touchdowns and also had a pick-six before halftime of a game on Saturday. Moa scored again later on in action and also was effective in coverage at cornerback -- making big plays consistently on both sides of the ball. He's extremely instinctive with the ball in the air and can get downfield in a flash. 6. FOUR-STAR WR JABARI MACK (LSU COMMIT) Top-100 WR Jabari Mack was a source of big plays. The four-star LSU verbal from The Boot consistently got open -- and came away with difficult grabs showing off his catch radius and ability to get up and pluck the rock in the air. Mack is an explosive route-runner and dangerous with the ball in his air. He's enjoyed a very productive off-season, including strong showings both weekends at OT7. 7. FIVE-STAR QB RYDER LYONS Five-star QB Ryder Lyons was dealing for parts of Saturday's action. After being immersed in the 7-on-7 setting for the first time in Week 1, Lyons was ripping the ball downfield and delivering throws with touch and anticipation at a high clip. Rivals' No. 2 passer from the West Coast zipped several throws over defenders and into tight windows -- and was excellent as a decision-maker along the way. 8. FOUR-STAR 2027 SLOT WR MYLES MCAFEE Myles McAfee was among the most active pass-catchers during Day 1 of OT7's Week 4 slate. The four-star WR from Maryland was a favorite target for Gavin Sidwar. McAfee consistently found holes in the defense and was sure-handed and able to turn and run throughout the day. He brings an electric skill-set to the SLOT and showed as much on Saturday. 9. FOUR-STAR WR KEEYUN CHAPMAN Four-star WR Keeyun Chapman is a difference-maker working on the outside. The big-framed Alabama pass-catcher was a force picking up first downs. A possession receiver for Landon Duckworth -- his high school teammate at Jackson (Ala.) High -- Chapman was the source of multiple touchdowns. His size presents major mismatches for defenders in coverage and he has plus-ball skills as a dual-sport athlete. 10. FOUR-STAR RB MESSIAH MICKENS (PENN STATE COMMIT) The longtime Penn State verbal was dynamic out of the backfield as a pass-catcher. At 5-foot-10 and 200-plus-pounders, Messiah Mickens has the build of a Big Ten back that can barrel between the tackles; the four-star running back is also a skilled receiver out of the backfield that came away with several timely grabs to move the chains in Day 1 of action and was gone in a hurry when he saw daylight.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ten players we're watching at OT7 Week 4
DALLAS -- OT7's fourth season of 7-on-7 competition returned to the Lone Star State earlier this spring, and we're gearing up for Week 4 of the competition -- the final weekend of action before the Golden Ticket Tournament next week and the OT7 Championships on June 26-29 in Florida. This season, 18 teams have been competing over this four-weekend season. More on the OT7 Tournament here. Advertisement The field has featured several blue-chip recruits in the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 classes so far. Previous top performing prospects included USC-bound QB Jonas Williams, Texas WR commit Chris Stewart, and five-star CB Havon Finney Jr. Here are 10 more players Rivals will be watching closely during Week 4 action at OT7: FOUR-STAR QB LANDON DUCKWORTH, RWE Landon Duckworth is one of six quarterback ranked inside the top 30 of the Rivals250 in the 2026 cycle. The four-star passer from Alabama possesses as much -- or more -- upside than anyone in this class. Duckworth is an efficient distributor with big-play ability attacking vertically and extending plays outside of the pocket. In this 7-on-7 setting, the elite QB will have an opportunity to showcase his processing and decision-making early and often. FOUR-STAR ATH JOEY O'BRIEN, LEVEL82 Four-star Joey O'Brien has been tabbed as an ATH in the Rivals250 given the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder's ability to make plays at receiver and at defensive back in various settings. The four-star has found a home playing safety and is a prospect with size, range, length, and playmaking ability at the position. O'Brien's should see plenty of action against a stout group of pass-catchers this weekend. FOUR-STAR WR VANCE SPAFFORD (GEORGIA COMMIT), CALIFORNIA POWER Four-star Vance Spafford was absolutely electric in this setting this time last year -- and is very much in the conversation to be the No. 1 SLOT WR in the Rivals250 by the end of this recruiting cycle. The Georgia verbal from the West Coast will get an opportunity to line up against various NICKEL defenders. We're excited to see Spafford at work and how he directs coverages with so much star power around him on the Cali Power offense. FIVE-STAR QB RYDER LYONS, COLD HEARTS Ryder Lyons made his 7-on-7 debut Week 1 of the OT7 season. After two days of action, the five-star QB was well-acclimated to the speed of the game and found a rhythm. Lyons has a live arm and a talented cast of receivers around him. He wasn't shy about taking shots downfield -- and we anticipate seeing a different version of the touted passer this weekend. FOUR-STAR TE MARK BOWMAN, CALIFORNIA POWER Elite TE Mark Bowman is one of a handful of prospects to reclassify into the 2026 cycle. The top-30 recruit from California moves at a different speed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. He also should be a mismatch in the red zone. Bowman should draw the attention of several talented linebackers and safeties along the way. FOUR-STAR WR JABARI MACK (LSU COMMIT) Four-star WR Jabari Mack has been enjoying a stellar off-season so far -- shining in various settings, including Week 1 of the OT7 season last month. The speedy pass-catcher from The Boot is up to 200 pounds this spring -- and has continued to deliver big plays downfield and highlight catches each and every event this spring. Mack is one of the several elite WR committed to LSU in this cycle. FOUR-STAR ATH SALESI MOA, COLD HEARTS Four-star ATH Salesi Moa was superb in his last outing at OT7 in Week 1. The dynamic two-way player from Utah was one of Lyons' top receiving targets -- making deep catches downfield and also working underneath effectively. Moa was equally as good in coverage playing cornerback. Moa's father played in the NFL and a brother at Michigan State, and he has a skill-set to follow suit. FOUR-STAR SAF JETT WASHINGTON, LO-PRO Jett Washington is known for being the late great Kobe Bryant's nephew -- and he also has an established reputation as one of the top defensive backs at OT7 the past two seasons. The top-100 SAF has outstanding range and length patrolling the back end of the secondary and can fly to the football. Washington, unsurprisingly, is also a standout basketball player. THREE-STAR WR JAMES SCOTT, TUCSON TURF Touted 2026 WR James Scott out of the Lone Star State was one of top performers in OT7 Week 1. The big-framed pass-catcher was outstanding by the goal -- playing above the rim and consistently winning one-on-one matchups inside and also working on the perimeter. Scott was one of the biggest stock-up recruits at the position so far this spring -- and has programs like Houston, , TCU, Texas A&M, and USC in pursuit. THREE-STAR SAF KENTAVION ANDERSON, RWE We're ecstatic about our first live evaluation of touted 2026 SAF Kentavion Anderson. The South Carolina native constantly puts himself by the football. Anderson largely works in in the box and covers a ton of ground -- and his skill-set should translate well in this 7-on-7 setting. Anderson is set to make his college commitment on May 16.
