Recruiting rumor mill: Dust settles after National Signing Day
National Signing Day has passed, but there’s still some news to clear up from the class of 2025, and a ton of news coming in 2026. Here are the latest hiring rumors:
Texas A&M and oklahoma The 2026 four-star athlete from Spring Valley (Calif.) Mount Miguel was two early favorites, but that top list has changed hands in recent months.
The Aggies are still one of the early standouts, but now Oregon State and University of Southern California The other two most likely candidates at the moment.
A decision should come soon. The four-star quarterback has been working on: north carolina He was also close with his former coach, although since June 2023. Mack BrownHe was forced to leave the team at the end of this season.
Baker is currently waiting to see who will take the Tar Heels job before making his final selection. Either stick with Carolina or flip. pennsylvania state universitywhere he has been recently, and the Nittany Lions are definitely working on flipping him.
With the news that Gus Malzahn was leaving for floridaBrown rescinded his commitment to the Knights, and now Brown is being contacted by at least a dozen programs. Almost immediately, top programs reached out for the huge, high three-star offensive tackle from Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside, but one seemed to have the upper hand.
Georgia Tech Brown has made a big impression lately and the Yellow Jackets will be a player to keep an eye on as they have made him a top priority.
arkansas, University of California Los Angeles and Virginia Tech He is the final three three-star cornerback from Senatobia (Mississippi) Northwest Mississippi CC, with a decision date set for Dec. 12.
There’s still no final word from Davila, but the chatter near the end of the game is that the Razorbacks seem to be the strongest at this point.
After receiving the news that Gus Malzahn was leaving UCF Florida State’s Gordon decommitted from the Knights (and he also rescinded his previous commitment) Alabama) Reset the recruitment again.
2026 4-Star Safety in Jackson, Alabama. tennessee, LSU, Louisville, baylorGeorgia Tech and Liberty are the most prominent, but he has other high-level teammates and their decisions could impact him as well.
After committing to oklahoma Hutton rescinded his commitment with the Sooners earlier this month after more than a year with Alabama, Tennessee, ohio and Michigan State, but there is one team that stands out the most.
Texas A&M The clear leader among four-star running backs in 2026 is Cibolo (Texas) Steele, who could be very difficult to beat for the Aggies.
Despite announcing his commitment to Alabama in July, he ultimately did not go to Tuscaloosa, with the Crimson Tide coaching staff reportedly focusing on other priorities.
Michigan State emerged as a very serious option just before signing day, despite having never visited Ann Arbor at that point. Texas Tech University And so do others.
Alabama made a big impression on Iheanacho during his late-season visit, and their message that he could be an impact player “once he arrived” in Tuscaloosa definitely left a big impression.
The 2026 five-star offensive tackle from North Bethesda (Md.) Georgetown Prep has been highly praised by every team he visits, but right now the Crimson Tide appears to be very high on the list. is. Oregon, georgiaTexas A&M, and Penn State as well, which would be interesting. maryland 2026 four-star Zion Ely also just committed, making an even bigger leap forward.
USC remains the favorite for the 2026 five-star QB, and it could be very difficult to beat the Trojans.
Academically high, my brother plays there and I love attacking under the coach lincoln riley And then there’s his development as an NFL quarterback, as well as other factors.
Ole Miss and BYU There are other programs to watch, but USC is the top one.
Mattis is back on the market after nearly a year of decommitting from Ohio State, and Michigan appears poised to make good on his commitment.
Imhotep’s charter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, only plans a visit to Ann Arbor, but states like Pennsylvania, Oregon and Oklahoma are also pegged to Mathis.
Irmo, a four-star receiver from Columbia (SC), was not signed in the early going, but this could be a waiting game for very small reasons.
south carolina Clemson and Clemson are still two potential schools for his recruitment, and despite the late visit to Clemson (when the Shamcocks beat them), South Carolina still looks very strong here. I have a strong feeling that
The 2026 four-star offensive tackle is projected to be a top-five pick out of IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.) just around Christmas, but he’s also expected to be a top-five pick out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, but he’ll also be joining Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, miamiAlabama, Georgia; texasUCLA, Texas A&M, and Ohio State are the most prominent schools.
There’s been a lot of buzz about the Hurricanes, especially with their young players finding success on the offensive line, but if Pepe is looking to return to the West (he’s from Southern California), Oregon State is a team to watch. Probably.
The 2026 five-star quarterback, who had a great junior season, has been committed to Florida State since June and remains committed to the Seminoles despite the coaching change, but he has made many changes in recent months. programs are reaching out.
Washington, UCLA, missouri and michigan There are four players to keep an eye on, and there’s talk that LSU may be close to making an offer to Smigiel as well.
The 2026 four-star OL from Pace, Fla., has visited 10 game days this season as Wise has looked at programs across the country, but there were a few that stood out to him.
Oregon, Tennessee, Clemson and Oklahoma have made the biggest impressions, and while Wise hasn’t counted any of them yet, those four states could be the basis for his recruitment.
The 2026 four-star running back promised: mississippi It took place in September, but Mr Yates withdrew his pledge by early December, with three schools now making the biggest impressions.
florida, ohio, nebraska Three standout teams, but the Seminoles may be the one to watch as they are on a roll and just signed DeKalb (Mich.) Kemper County teammate Mario Nash.
