Around the SEC: Recruiting News & Trends

The recruiting action never stops on the SEC recruiting trails, and plenty of moves are being made as the summer months heat up across the south. It is time once again to dive into the latest news, notes and headlines from across the SEC area.

Big Gets

DB Camren Hamiel‍ is an Aggie

Headlines

Florida on fire – Since mid-May, the Gators have seen their 2026 class quadruple as their class added three new additions to QB commit Will Griffin‍. Billy Napier received a mid-May pledge from DL Jamir Perez‍, and this past week, they added Milton (FL) S Kaiden Hall‍ and IMG Academy OL G’Nivre Carr to their list.

Mississippi Movements – Both Mississippi State and Ole Miss saw some departures from their 2026 recruiting classes. For the Bulldogs, it was in-state pledges OL Emanuel Tucker‍ and S Iverson McCoy‍, who chose to reopen their recruiting processes, and for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels of Ole Miss, it was ATH Zion Legree‍ who decided to take another look at his options.

Narrowing the focus – Cincinnati (OH) QB Matt Ponatoski‍ named a top four with four SEC programs making the cut as he narrows his recruitment down to Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon. Carthage (TX) linebacker DaQuives Beck‍ announced a top three of Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, while Loganville (GA) backer Anthony Davis‍ named a top five of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Michigan and Ole Miss. In Florida, wide receiver Brandon Bennett‍ named a top three of Georgia, Florida and Florida State, and OL Chancellor Campbell‍ announced a top five of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State and Penn State.

New Name to Know

WR Jacolby Campbell‍, Abbeville (LA) - 2028

At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Campbell is a long, lean, fluid athlete with a quick change of direction and an explosive burst. A smooth strider, he seems to glide, and he has the flexibility that allows him to contort his body and extend to make tough receptions.

Campbell considers Justin Jefferson and JaMarr Chase among his football role models, and he takes great pride in pushing his limits as he reaches for greatness.

Over the weekend, he turned heads at Texas A&M’s first summer camp, and college coaches are already watching closely. Offers have arrived from Penn State, Houston, UTSA and Old Dominion, and this summer, he plans to attend camps at LSU, Penn State, Houston, Tulane, USC and Ohio State.

In addition to being a standout on the football field, Campbell is also a varsity member of Abbeville’s basketball and track teams. He earned first-team all-district honors as point guard this past season, and he has PRs of 45 feet in the triple jump and 6-3 in the high jump.

What’s up with the top

Top SEC Area prospect at each position

QB: Jared Curtis‍, Nashville (TN) Nashville Christian - Georgia
RB: Ezavier Crowell‍, Jackson (AL)
WR: Tristen Keys‍, Hattiesburg (MS) - LSU
TE: Kaiden Prothro‍, Bowdon (GA)
OL: Jackson Cantwell‍, Nixa (MO) - Miami
DL: Lamar Brown‍, Baton Rouge (LA) University High
Edge: Tank Jones‍, Mobile (AL) St. Paul’s Episcopal
LB: Xavier Griffin‍, Gainesville (GA) 
CB: Jorden Edmonds‍, Marietta (GA) Sprayberry - Alabama
S: Bralan Womack‍, Flowood (MS) Hartfield Academy
ATH: Jermaine Bishop‍, Willis (TX) - Texas