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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Spotlight: Five biggest June recruiting visits
Nick Lucero/ June has become arguably the most important month in the recruiting calendar, with prospects crisscrossing the country on official visits and lining up announcement dates. Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia Jr. looks at five Sunshine State prospects who are taking key visits this month. Advertisement BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND AHEAD: Top storylines | Five biggest Southeast visits in June | Biggest Midwest visits CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CJ BRONAUGH - Nebraska, June 6 One of the nation's fastest prospects and fastest risers this spring, Bronaugh has been committed to Nebraska since the fall and has always confirmed a solidity to the Cornhuskers despite adding plenty of offers and taking previous visits to other programs. Advertisement In that time, however, Florida has emerged as arguably the top contender to NU and the Gators are fresh off of hosting the top-100 in-state star. By all indications, including from Bronaugh himself, the trip went well and Billy Napier spent considerable time with the defensive back while in town. Nebraska has long held the ball in its court, but it feels more literal right now, as Bronaugh is scheduled to return to Lincoln this weekend. Matt Rhule and company have a chance to reiterate elements that led to the two-sport star picking the program in the first place, mainly a tangible belief that preceded the more high-profile programs now on his list. Florida State, Penn State and others are working to jump to the top of the list with Bronaugh, and official visits are still to be taken, but Florida and Nebraska back to back feels like a tale of a top two at this stage of the game. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT DERREK COOPER - Georgia, June 13 The five-star running back heads to Alabama this weekend and while there is considerable interest both ways, it would project as a major surprise should the South Floridian end up in Tuscaloosa for good. His next scheduled trip, however, could not bring on the same reaction by any stretch. Advertisement Cooper is expected at Georgia beginning June 13, the first time in Athens since he celebrated his birthday there in the spring. Also a one-time Bulldog commitment, however brief it was, there is plenty of love from the Cooper camp and the Bulldog program. For the last year or so since that quick commitment and reset, Georgia looked like the most likely program to bring Cooper in when it counted most. Miami has closed that gap better than most others with the local recruit, and he is fresh off of a detailed return to campus for an official visit. Since even before that point, confidence in him potentially staying home for college has increased, so it's only been reinforced with the official visit in the books. Even if that is the case, Georgia's culture, tradition and sale of development is a tough pitch to overlook, something Cooper has all but admitted at different points in the recruiting process. If UGA has a chance to swing momentum back its way, next weekend will play a critical part. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT KENDALL GUERVIL - Texas, June 20 The combination of how relatively quiet the big man has been through the recruiting process and how coveted he is within a not-so-strong defensive tackle class nationally has made every recent step of this one interesting. Guervil was at Florida State last weekend and admitted the Seminoles came from the back-end of his list all the way near the top. Florida, Georgia and Texas have occupied those coveted spots to this point, so a return to Austin for the last official visit of the month of June seems like a key trip if a preseason decision continues to be under consideration. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT DANNY ODEM - Ohio State, June 13 When Odem picked up the Ohio State offer, a lot of movement was created nearly instantly. The Buckeyes pushed out a Florida official visit for mid-June and the intrigue to get up to Columbus plays as a legitimate wrinkle in the plans of one of the nation's fastest-rising recruits. Odem was at Clemson last weekend and the Tigers look like a major contender for the Orlando-area standout at the moment, and that trip was put together without much time. OSU will be in the thick of the race to try and close that gap along with Penn State, Nebraska and Oklahoma in the coming weeks. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT IZAYIA WILLIAMS - Ole Miss, June 6 One of the most athletic and coveted recruits in the class is set to return to the campus he is currently committed to. On the surface, it doesn't appear to be a big deal, but considering Williams has been committed to a handful of different programs to date, every trip he works in should be under higher consideration than conventional thought. We hear this will be Williams' parents first time at Ole Miss, too, which could prove critical should Lane Kiffin and company hold on to the Floridian fresh off of a strong official visit to Georgia and ahead of potential trips to Florida State, Florida and Texas in the future. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Predictions: Big Ten in the draft, Nebraska's Thomas Fidone, Indiana
© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith has predictions on Big Ten products in the NFL Draft, Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone and Indiana securing a commitment for its 2027 class. Advertisement MORE NFL DRAFT: Potential first-rounders that we underranked in high school MORE GREG SMITH: Midwest rumor mill | How transfer portal is impacting Big Ten HS recruiting CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker THE BIG TEN WILL DOUBLE ITS FIRST-ROUND PICKS FROM LAST YEAR USA Today Sports It's become pretty typical that the Big Ten is chasing the SEC for most NFL Draft choices. That'll likely remain the same for overall selections but the Big Ten is closing the gap with first-round selections. This year I think the conference could hit double-digit first-round draft picks. Advertisement Technically, there were only four first-rounders from the Big Ten in the 2024 draft because the West Coast programs hadn't started playing in the conference yet. But this year the Big Ten will blow that number out of the water. We know for sure that Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, Mason Graham and Colston Loveland will go in the first round. There will be plenty others too and people will be buzzing about how well the conference did on night one. THOMAS FIDONE WILL BE THE HIGHEST SKILL PLAYER DRAFTED FROM NEBRASKA SINCE 2016 © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The recent history of Nebraska skill players being drafted is not great. Since 2018 the program has only had three (QB Tanner Lee, WR Samori Toure and WR Trey Palmer) drafted. Interestingly, none of those players signed with Nebraska out of high school. Advertisement In fact, you'd have to go back to the 2016 NFL Draft to find a homegrown skill player drafted as high as fullback Andy Janovich. He was the first pick of the sixth round. But Thomas Fidone has a shot to get drafted and go higher than expected. He was a major recruit coming out of high school and injuries really slowed his progress in college. Fidone still has a lot of that athleticism even if the production wasn't there at Nebraska. Someone's going to take a shot on him. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT FOUR-STAR QB JAMESON PURCELL WILL CHOOSE INDIANA The Illinois four-star quarterback was just in Bloomington to check out the Hoosiers' spring game. Indiana has locked in on him as a top target and the feeling is mutual as Jameson Purcell holds the program in high regard. Advertisement The quarterback believes that he would be a great fit in coach Curt Cignetti's scheme. An added wrinkle here is that Purcell's parents both went to Indiana along with several other family members. It makes a lot of sense for him to be part of the 2027 class. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH INDIANA FANS AT
NBC Sports
09-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Big Ten Spotlight: Concern level for programs lagging behind on 2026 class
Spring official visits have kicked off around the country and players are still taking unofficial visits to check out spring practices. As we enter a very busy time on the recruiting calendar, which programs currently lagging behind should be truly worried about their recruiting classes and which of them will be just fine? We'll start with a look at the Big Ten. RELATED: Big Ten team recruiting rankings RUMOR MILL: Intel flows from trip to North Carolina CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker Big Ten Rank: 17th out of 18 Level of concern: High Smith's Take: As of right now, Indiana only has one commitment for the 2026 recruiting class, three-star OL Samuel Simpson. That's an extremely slow start for a team that had a historic season last year. The Hoosiers are hosting plenty of players for spring practices including three-star safety Brayden Reilly out of Ohio. But things need to pick up in a big way for them to get the type of recruiting momentum they need after last season. INDIANA'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH INDIANA FANS AT Big Ten Rank: Tied for 14th out of 18 Level of concern: Low The Spartans are in an interesting position heading into Year 2 of coach Jonathan Smith running the program. They stay under the radar and quietly do their work even as rival Michigan has been among the biggest stories in college football. That approach has paid off early and they have some very high upside players in the class, such as quarterback Kayd Coffman and tight end Eddie Whiting. But Michigan State will need to show improvement on the field this season to boost this recruiting ranking, and I have a sneaky feeling it will. MICHIGAN STATE'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN STATE FANS AT Big Ten Rank: 16th out of 18 Level of concern: Medium Nebraska is among the programs in the Big Ten in need of a huge official visit season. The program has three commits now but rising four-star defensive back CJ Bronaugh is a very soft commit. The Huskers hosted a lot of good players for spring practice visits but will they be able to close them? How they finish with players such as defensive end Titan Davis, running back DeZephen Walker and receiver Nasir Rankin will go a long way in determining the success of the cycle. NEBRASKA'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT The Badgers are facing a critical recruiting class and season under coach Luke Fickell. Things have not gone to play yet but there is still hope in Madison. The 2026 recruiting class is starting to gain steam. Wisconsin got a major steal in getting a verbal from Chicago pass rusher Carmelow Reed. I also really like the pickup on Tuesday of versatile defensive back Carsen Eloms. The Badgers have a lot of good regional targets left on the board scheduled to come in for spring/summer official visits. Those will be critical to where this recruiting class ultimately lands. WISCONSIN'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WISCONSIN FANS AT Editor's Note: This article first appeared on the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ACC Spotlight: Comparing top 2026 standouts to NFL Draft prospects
Nick Lucero/ As the NFL Draft creeps closer, the national analyst team at Rivals is taking a look at some current 2026 recruits that compare favorably with upcoming draft picks. Next up is the ACC. MORE: Comparing top 2026 standouts to Big Ten NFL Draft prospects | SEC comparisons COMMITMENT PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2026 RIVALS250: Nos. 1 - 50 | Nos. 51-100 YOU DECIDE: What city produces the best high school football talent? CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker The massive frame Thomas entered college with – north of 6-foot-2 – created a lot of positional questions surrounding his future. Always confident he could play cornerback, that is where he broke out in Tallahassee and after putting on some 20 pounds of muscle in the process, Thomas is projected to go as early as a first-round pick once the draft opens. Bigger corners were a bit of a fad but maybe it's coming back? Thomas could join an early round group of players such as Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, Trey Amos and many others among those on the island at 6-foot-1 or better come April. In the 2026 class, the prospect rising up the ranks despite the bigger build at the position is CJ Bronaugh, the Nebraska commitment plenty of other programs still want. The Orlando native has truly elite verified speed, including sub 10.4-second marks in the 100-meter dash, great length and cornerback instincts at the catch point. Long and lean at this time, he'll fill out in the coming years and have many of the physical traits necessary to command attention at the position. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT Armed with a great frame and base relative to the position, Hampton is viewed as a bell cow back with that rare combination of power and shiftiness despite the great size. While he can run through tackles, the vision and instincts in space to make defenders miss as both a runner and receiver sometimes surprise in the process. Cooper is beginning to be viewed in a very similar light. Certainly capable of playing close to 220 pounds at the next level, the five-star is already one of the unicorns of the cycle in that while he is listed as a bigger back, he moves and wins like a much smaller prospect. From an elite pass-catching game to legitimate one-cut wiggle in tight quarters, Cooper has rounded out his game even though he can still work very well behind his pads at the contact point. Undersized ahead of his time at Boston College, Ezeiraku put on considerable weight before bursting onto the scene as perhaps the best pass rusher in the ACC of late. His 30 sacks were a combination of quick twitch, smooth pass rushing moves and a motor that is easy to notice. It also translated that way against the run and it could result in an early-round selection. At this point, anyone following college football recruiting even casually has seen clips of Kreul winning in a pass-rush setting. The IMG Academy star has a somewhat compact, yet lengthy frame and despite improved strength, it's the natural athleticism and relentless motor that combine to borderline dominate just about every time out. Kreul is coveted coast to coast with his pass-rushing prowess, but he has worked to round out his game both on and off the ball on the outside, too. There was a lot of splash and impact in the space game in looking back at Arroyo coming out of high school at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. It donned a top-10 positional ranking as the game moved to these hybrid mismatch-type tight ends who are too much physically for smaller defensive backs and yet too skilled for bigger cover defenders. Arroyo faced some blocking questions coming out of the state of Texas and Petit has some of the same attached to his name coming out of Southwest Florida. More of a jumbo wide receiver at 6-foot-4, just over 200 pounds, there is a dominance of smaller players that Petit has shown. Perhaps most importantly for the projection, there is also plenty of trench experience on defense as a pass rusher to his name, making many in the area quite comfortable with the tight end projection. As the mass is added and it all comes together, Petit could soon be quite the win for a college program. Farmer was an intriguing big-bodied defensive line recruit coming out of high school and he has since packed on the pounds. Now viewed as more modern interior type at north of 300 pounds, he can aid the depth of the unit on all three downs and it should lead to a selection in the first few rounds come April. Wilson currently checks in at about 260 pounds but in seeing him live this spring, it's clear that he will continue to add legitimate mass to that frame and work closer to 300 pounds when he hits his college stride. Like Farmer, Wilson is a quicker than fast rusher at this stage with plenty of room to add power to his game and balance out like the three-down player all defenders aspire to project as against both the pass and the run.
