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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top Alabama 2026 football commit officially shuts down recruitment
According to a social media post Thursday night, one of the Alabama Crimson Tide's top 2026 football commits has officially shut down their recruitment. That prospect is highly-touted linebacker Xavier Griffin, who made the announcement Thursday night via a post on social media. A prospect who committed to Alabama back in June, Griffin is currently considered as the nation's No. 17 prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, as well as the No. 2 linebacker nationally. Griffin is also considered as a five-star prospect, as well as the No. 2 player in the state of Georgia, attending Gainesville High School. Alabama's 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 5 nationally, per 247Sports, holding 20 total commitments. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football commit Xavier Griffin shuts down recruitment
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Updated look at SEC recruiting rankings after official visit season
The 2026 recruiting cycle has just over five months to go until the early signing period in December. Most classes will be finalized in the next month or two as prospects look to make their decisions prior to their senior seasons. but that doesn't mean there won't be movement. College football has faced more parity over the last few years as name, image, and likeness and the transfer portal distribute the talent across the board. Despite the changes in college football, the SEC still has some of the best recruiting schools in the country. And while the transfer portal has become a quick fix to fill holes are find significant upgrades in talent, coaches still put a heavy emphasis on high school recruiting. As things stand on July 7, here's how the SEC stacks up in team recruiting rankings, taking an average of their standing according to 247Sports, Rivals, and On3. 1. Georgia Bulldogs Total Commitments: 27 Top Rated Player: Jared Curtis, 5-Star Quarterback Kirby Smart may not want to play the name, image, and likeness game that's run rampant through college recruiting, but that hasn't slowed down the top coach in college football. He's on track for another top five class after the Bulldogs SEC title win in 2024. 2. Texas A&M Aggies Total Commitments: 24 Top Rated Player: Tristian Givens, 5-Star ATH Recruiting has rarely been the problem for the Texas A&M Aggies but Mike Elko is having a great 2026 cycle. Of the 24 players pledged to the Aggies, 20 of them are blue-chip prospects, the most in the SEC. 3. Alabama Crimson Tide Total Commitments: 19 Top Rated Player: Xavier Griffin, 5-Star EDGE Kalen DeBoer is off to a fantastic July, picking up a pair of five-star commitments after earning a pledge from their highest-rated player in the class on June 29, edge Xavier Griffin. Any recruiting concerns in the post-Nick Saban era should be put to bed as DeBoer has the most five-stars committed in the conference. 4. LSU Tigers Total Commitments: 14 Top Rated Player: Tristen Keys, 5-Star Wide Receiver Brian Kelly has a top 10 recruiting class right now, headlined by a five-star commitment on both sides of the ball. If the Tigers have the season that many think possible, they could be in line for a great fall on the recruiting trail as well. 5. Texas Longhorns Total Commitments: 17 Top Rated Player: Dia Bell, 5-Star Quarterback Texas may have missed out on five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, but the pivot to John Turntine might work out better in the long run. 6. Tennessee Volunteers Total Commitments: 17 Top Rated Player: Faizon Brandon, 5-Star Quarterback The Nico Iamaleava drama from the spring may have been a setback for this season but it hasn't put a damper on Tennessee's recruiting efforts in the 2026 class. With five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda leading the way, the Volunteers are on pace for another strong recruiting class. 7. Florida Gators Total Commitments: 15 Top Rated Player: C.J. Bronaugh, 4-Star Cornerback The end of the season run for Billy Napier and the Gators has helped Florida to be in a good spot at this point in the recruiting cycle. Florida has a chance to make even more noise this year against one of the tougher schedules in college football. 8. Arkansas Razorbacks Total Commitments: 26 Top Rated Player: Bryce Gilmore, 4-Star Offensive Tackle This may be the last hurrah for Sam Pittman as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks but he's got a huge class coming to Fayetteville in 2026 headlined by a trio of blue-chip prospects. 9 (tied). Oklahoma Sooners Total Commitments: 14 Top Rated Player: Bowe Bentley, 4-Star Quarterback The Oklahoma Sooners have several big-time prospects they're hoping to land over the next couple of months in four-star prospects Jake Kreul, Davian Groce, and Jordan Clay. Oklahoma is also in a favorable position for three-star talents like Tyler Ruxer and Braxton Lindsey. 9 (tied). Ole Miss Rebels Total Commitments: 12 Top Rated Player: Damarius Yates, 4-Star Running Back Ole Miss had a good year and was a play away from the College Football Playoff but Lane Kiffin hasn't turned that into success on the recruiting trail yet. 11. Mississippi State Bulldogs Total Commitments: 25 Top Rated Player: Jaiden Taylor, 3-Star Athlete Jeff Lebby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs are going for quantity as they look to find some diamonds in their class that can help elevate a program that's become arguably the worst in the SEC. There were some positive signs in the second half of last season. If he can build on that the Bulldogs may not be long for the basement. 12. South Carolina Gamecocks Total Commitments: 10 Top Rated Player: J'Zavien Currence, 4-Star Cornerback It may be a small class for South Carolina and head coach Shane Beamer but they have a 70% blue-chip ratio at this point. If Beamer can put together another strong class, he'll have the Gamecocks as contenders for a long time. 13. Vanderbilt Commodores Total Commitments: 16 Top Rated Player: Keeyshawn Tabuteau, Jr, 3-Star Wide Receiver Clark Lea found success on the field in 2024 and has found some success in recruiting as well. Last year, they brought it just 13 players in the 2025 recruiting class. Lea's already put together a bigger class for 2026 with five months until the early signing period. 14. Kentucky Wildcats Total Commitments: 14 Top Rated Player: Messiah Tilson, 4-star Safety Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats earned a big win, pulling Dallas Dickerson from Oklahoma and flipping Denairius Gray from Auburn. 15. Missouri Tigers Total Commitments: 10 Top Rated Player: Keenan Harris, Jr., 3-star linebacker Eli Drinkwitz has done a nice job in the transfer portal and earned some big wins on the recruiting trail, but Missouri isn't reaping the rewards of another 10-win season on the recruiting trail. 16. Auburn Tigers Total Commitments: 7 Top Rated Player: Hezekiah Harris, 4-Star Defensive End Back in March, Auburn had a top-five class in the SEC team rankings. They've gone through a rough patch, losing players to other SEC squads in the process. Hugh Freeze is in a critical year for the Tigers. 2026 SEC Team Recruiting Rankings *As of July 7, 2025 Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Longhorns look to capitalize on star-studded recruiting weekend
The Texas Longhorns and coach Steve Sarkisian hosted a weekend of huge official visits. This was the second of three weekends in June for official visits and Texas just hosted one of the most star-studded in the nation. recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman has the intel on several of the prospects that were on the 40 Acres in the past few days, including some predictions. Spiegelman predicts five-star OT Felix Ojo (Mansfield, TX) will commit to Texas. Last week, Ojo cancelled an official visit to Oklahoma before heading to Austin for the UT OV. "There is a sense that Texas closed strong on this official visit and left a big enough impression on the elite OT ahead of his July commitment," Spiegelman said. "There is a strong sense that Ojo wont leave the state to play college football." The Austin-based recruiting expert also projects five-star LB Xavier Griffin (Gainesville, GA) will end up a Longhorn too. "It's down to Texas and Alabama with a June 26 commitment on the horizon," Spiegelman said. "No team has come on stronger with the four-star EDGE than the Longhorns. There's a sense Texas made another step forward with Griffin and his mother back in Austin this weekend." Another elite prospect in Austin this weekend was four-star DB Samari Matthews (Cornelius, NC), who was on campus for the second time. "My experience in Austin was amazing -- from the staff and players to the energy of the city itself," Matthews told Rivals. "What excites me most about the chance to play for Coach Sark is knowing he pushes his players to be their best in every way -- both on and off the field. At Texas, I know I'll be challenged to grow into the best version of myself, which aligns with the goals I've set for my future." Advertisement Texas' main competition for Matthews is South Carolina. "The opportunity to learn from Coach Orphey and Coach (Duane) Akina ... I got to do some board work with both of them and let's just say we had a time. That experience made the idea of becoming a Longhorn even more exciting," Matthews said. "I'm feeling really good. I got a good look at the vision they see for me. My comfort with Coach Sark and Coach O is high. Those are my guys. Austin is nice city for sure." Spiegelman says he's close to calling it for the Longhorns. Four-star OT Zaden Krempin (Prosper, TX) is emerging as a Texas lean. He tells Rivals UT is rising to the top of his list. "I'm a perfect fit here," Krempin said. "Texas is only doing 45 official visits. They told us how they only wanted to bring guys that fit their program." LSU and Texas A&M both made a good impression on the North Texas prospect, but the Longhorns knocked it out of the park with Krempin over the weekend. "It was incredible, he said. "Texas has something special happening here. You can just feel it. I got to see a detailed plan for me from the strength and development piece to the OL room. Overall, it was awesome from the moment we got here. It was a good time. Austin is a cool place." Four-star LB Brayden Rouse (Marietta, GA) was also in town this weekend. Spiegelman says Texas is trending with the blue-chip. "They did a great job making me a priority for them and showing that," Rouse said. "Texas impressed me." Advertisement Texas is battling Tennessee of Rouse. "The visit was great," he said. "It was good for me to get my family on campus and see what the school has to offer. I was impressed on their presentation on how they see me fitting in their scheme and program. I also had a great time spending time with the coaches and continuing to strengthen those relationships ... Texas has always been a school I could potentially see myself going to." Four-star DL Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, GA) was on the 40 Acres for the sixth time this weekend. He says Texas is at the top of his list with Texas A&M and Clemson. "The overall visit was great," the Georgia native said. "I really felt like I could see myself fitting in at Texas — not just as a player, but as a person. There was a strong sense of belonging being on campus this weekend. The energy was good and I could honestly picture myself there." Perry-Wright tells Rivals he's very comfortable with the coaches, the city of Austin and principles of the Texas program. "It's a system I feel like I'd thrive in," he continued. "Bonding with the players and coaches, and just being around everybody again was a real highlight. The city itself and the atmosphere around Austin are special and the overall vibe from the people I was around this weekend made a strong impression. They showed real belief in me and my ability to make an impact early. That meant a lot. The coaches made me feel welcomed, valued and like they truly want me to be a part of what they're building." Advertisement Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas in 'drivers seat' with multiple 5-stars after recruiting weekend
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longhorns lose another recruiting battle with SEC rival
The Longhorns thought they were in a good spot with 2026 five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin. The Gainesville, GA native decommitted from USC in May and took an official visit to Austin in June. Austin-based recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman thought Texas would land the blue chipper. "It's down to Texas and Alabama with a June 26 commitment on the horizon," Spiegelman said. "No team has come on stronger with the four-star EDGE than the Longhorns. There's a sense Texas made another step forward with Griffin and his mother back in Austin this weekend." Advertisement But it was not to be. Over the weekend, versatile, 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect committed to Alabama. Griffin is now the top-ranked prospect among 14 commits in Alabama's incoming class. "Growing up, just seeing them, all the draft picks and stuff that they've had -- all the guys they've put in the league -- it speaks for itself," Griffin told ESPN. "They have history and they're really clear about what they're trying to build with this new staff." Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns lose five-star recruiting target to Alabama
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama lands commitment from elite 2026 5-star linebacker
For the second time this recruiting cycle, the Alabama Crimson Tide have dipped into the state of Georgia to land a five-star prospect. Yes, on Sunday afternoon, Alabama officially secured a significant commitment from one of the peach state's top overall prospects, regardless of position, in highly-touted 2026 linebacker Xavier Griffin. Advertisement Griffin had previously been predicted by On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong to eventually commit to Alabama back in May, and chose the Crimson Tide over a list of three additional finalists that included Florida State, Ohio State, and Texas. According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Griffin is currently considered as the nation's No. 27 overall prospect, as well as the No. 2 linebacker nationally. Rated as a five-star prospect, Griffin is also considered the No. 4 player in the state of Georgia where he attends Gainesville High School, the same program as fellow Alabama commit Jamarion Matthews. Griffin is also a former USC commit who was a pledge to the Trojans from July 2024 to May 2025. Following the commitment of Griffin, Alabama now has two five-star prospects currently committed in the 2026 cycle, as well as 14 commits overall. The second of those two also comes from the state of Georgia in five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 2026 linebacker Xavier Griffin commits to Alabama football
