Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

Spring ball is wrapping up, the portal is open, high-end recruits are taking visits and making decisions, and SEC programs are right in the middle of all the action. Now it is time to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines.

Big Gets

CB Victor Singleton‍ flips from Illinois to Texas A&M

Headlines

Orlando DB Devin Jackson‍ decommits from Florida – The First Academy standout announced his decision to reopen his recruitment last Thursday (April 17). He visited Texas A&M this spring and holds offers from the likes of Miami, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Oregon. He had been committed to Florida since July of 2024.

Trimming the List - Marietta (GA Kell) LB Brayden Rouse‍ is down to a top four of Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas. Sarasota (FL) Booker CB Chauncey Kennon‍ trimmed his list to six with Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami and Oregon making the cut. Warner Robins (GA) Houston County S Jordan Smith‍ released a top 10 of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Michigan, Missouri, Stanford and Tennessee.

Iamaleavas headed back West – Nico Iamaleava made waves in the portal when he announced his decision to enter following two seasons at Tennessee. The conversation quickly turner to speculation about his next landing spot and controversy in the way everything happened. In the end, he chose UCLA, and shortly after announcing his decision, his younger brother Madden, who signed with Arkansas and enrolled in the spring, announced his plans to transfer to UCLA.

Oklahoma DL David Stone in and out of the portal – The Iamaleava situation caused a stir, but the late-night portal hopping of David Stone spiced things up in Norman for a few days. In the end, the uproar died quickly as he opted to stay at Oklahoma and continue his career with the Sooners.

Portaling Out

• Missouri Edge Jahkai Lang to SMU
• Georgia WR Nitro Tuggle to Purdue
• Auburn S Terrance Love to Colorado
• South Carolina Edge Wendell Gregory to Oklahoma State
• Nebraska/Missouri LB Mikai Gbayor to North Carolina

Portaling In

• Army LB Elo Modozie to Georgia
• Cal RB Jaydn Ott to Oklahoma
• Syracuse DL Maraad Watson to Texas
• Florida State OL Jaylen Early to Missouri
• Troy Edge Phillip Lee to Arkansas
• Fresno State/Stanford CB Julian Neal to Arkansas
• Troy RB Damien Taylor to Ole Miss
• Maryland OT Terez Davis to Ole Miss
• South Alabama CB Ricky Fletcher to Ole Miss
• Clemson CB Tavoy Feagins to Ole Miss
• Ferris St QB Trinidad Chambliss to Ole Miss

New name to know

DL Kyng Golston‍, Valliant (OK) – 2027

At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, Golston’s quick first step and explosive burst immediately jump off the tape. He is in the backfield in the blink of an eye. He has the power to work the line of scrimmage, and his 80-inch wingspan allows him to draw first blood with many opposing offensive linemen.

In addition to his physical gifts, Golston is also noted for his work ethic. When he is not putting in work with his teammates at Valliant, he is honing his skills at C4 Sports Performance and Fitness under the watchful eye of Sean Cooper.

The combination made him a powerful force on the field and helped him earn defensive player of the year honors at Valliant. It has also made him very popular among college coaches with offers arriving from Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Miami, Missouri, Notre Dame, Sacramento State, Tulsa and UTSA.

Golston also competes on the 7-on-7 circuit with C4, and he has also proven to be a versatile weapon at fullback, tight end and along the offensive line. His older brother, Kenny Golston‍, is a highly sought-after 2026 prospect with offers from the likes of Indiana, Missouri, Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State.

What’s up with the top

Top 10 SEC Area Safeties (alphabetical order)
Kentavion Anderson‍, Roebuck (SC) Dorman
Blaine Bradford‍, Baton Rouge (LA) Catholic – Ohio State
J'Zavien Currence‍, Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe – South Carolina
Zechariah Fort‍, IMG Academy (FL)/Long Beach (CA) - Georgia
Aiden Hall‍, New Orleans (LA) Edna Karr - LSU
Devin Jackson‍, Orlando (FL) First Academy
Ayden Pouncey‍, Winter Park (FL)
Jordan Smith‍, Warner Robins (GA) Houston County
Tylan Wilson‍, Pascagoula (MS)
Bralan Womack‍, Flowood (MS) Hartfield Academy