The recruiting rumor mill: August is heating up
The season is almost here, so we’re in a relatively quiet period in the recruiting world, but there’s still a lot of buzz in the recruiting rumor mill this week.
The four-star linebacker from Vero Beach, Fla., has been committed to Ohio State since late March, but two programs haven’t given up an inch in their efforts to flip him.
Alford continues to hear the most from Florida and Illinois, and while word is that the four-star prospect is still “locked” to the Buckeyes, neither the Seminoles nor Illinois have stopped recruiting him.
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Four-star quarterback Deuce Knight is expected to commit to Auburn at some point (though sources say Mississippi isn’t giving up either), and Notre Dame is reconnecting with Bachmeier, a former target who later committed to Stanford.
Prior to making that commitment, the four-star quarterback from Murrieta Valley, Calif., flew to South Bend with the intention of committing to a possible commitment, but the Irish had previously accepted Knight’s commitment.
Bachmeier remains “just a lock” to the Cardinals right now, but Notre Dame’s pursuit is worth keeping an eye on.
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Alabama is competing for the four-star cornerback from Baltimore St. Francis, Maryland, who has been committed to Indiana since April.
Sources say Baldwin is now “definitely interested” in the Crimson Tide’s flipping offer and listening to everything the coaching staff has to say, as the Hoosiers made a big commitment early but still have a lot of work to do.
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Auburn has Bowden at the top of its recruiting class, and the 2026 four-star tight end from Panama City Bay, Fla., likes his arrival during Big Cat weekend, but the Tigers will face a battle, especially from Georgia state competition.
The Bulldogs have been a major contender early on, as two SEC programs and Miami stand out, with Missouri and Colorado also ranked high.
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Auburn is definitely one to watch in 2026 with four-star receiver Booker T. Washington out of Tuskegee, Ala., especially since four-star teammate Joseph Phillips signed with the Tigers in the last recruiting cycle , but there are others worth keeping an eye on.
Florida State, South Carolina and Louisville were three other cities where Daniel stood out early in his recruitment.
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After retiring from the University of Mississippi in late June, there was word that the Darlings might soon turn to Alabama, but we’re now past July and into August and that hasn’t happened yet. Sources say the four-star running back out of Quitman, Mississippi, has “quieted down,” but the belief remains that the Crimson Tide are the team to beat. This was reinforced on Thursday when Dear took to Instagram and posted a video of his official offer from the Tide.
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The 2026 four-star running back from Aledo, Texas, decommitted to Texas in June and now has various programs popping up in his recruitment. Michigan State is certainly attractive to Guillory after receiving an offer recently, so he hopes to head to Ann Arbor as soon as possible while also arranging a trip to Ohio State.
USC, Georgia and Arkansas will be three other schools to watch during his junior season.
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Heading into his junior season, Helton’s recruitment “remains the same,” meaning Alabama and Georgia are competing for the 2026 center from Carrollton, Georgia. But after two months of coaching Nick Saban Announced retirement and began recruiting.
However, Alabama has made him a priority again, so both SEC powers are still pursuing him.
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The 2026 five-star offensive tackle out of Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Md., will soon be in the top 16, which isn’t a dramatic cut for his roster, but it still shows. Which teams appeal to him the most.
A recent visit to Oregon certainly puts the Ducks high on his list, with Penn State, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, Oklahoma and Maryland all early competitors.
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For the four-star linebacker from Omaha (Neb.) West, three projects stand out the most, but in reality it could end up being a two-team race that could end up being the first few days of his senior season. Make decisions during the game.
Oklahoma State and Nebraska are primarily in contention for Jones, and Miami is also high on the list, but with Jones unable to attend a late-summer barbecue in Coral Gables, the Hurricanes’ situation is “up in the air.”
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USC sent out feelers hoping to get in touch with the Texas A&M four-star quarterback from Corona (Calif.) Centennial.
Flipping Longstreet will only become a priority if five-star Julian Lewis leaves the Trojans, but if a position opens up in the future, the local four-star appears to be the priority.
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After months of quiet on the recruiting front, three programs have emerged as top contenders to recruit the four-star defensive end from Detroit, Miss. Martin Luther King Jr.
UCLA, Penn State and Purdue are the three programs that have had the hardest time recruiting Newsom and appear to have the upper hand in recruiting him.
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Arkansas and LSU remain the two mainstays in Otis’ recruitment, as the Razorbacks and Tigers have been working with the four-star defensive tackle from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for a long time.
Mississippi State and Texas A&M are the other two schools to watch, but this could end up being a battle of two teams, with Arkansas State and LSU at the top of the list.
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An Aug. 19 commitment is still planned, with Louisville, Mississippi State, Mississippi State and Arkansas all involved in the 2026 four-star cornerback from Franklin Field Academy in Tennessee, but Purdue remains one to watch team.
The Boilermakers have worked with Otey for a long time and both parties still maintain a strong interest.
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A commitment is expected in the coming days, and two plans are still being considered for the four-star receiver from Winston-Salem (N.C.) Tabor Hill.
NC State and Virginia Tech are the top two prospects for Peterkin, and the feeling now is that the Wolfpack will continue to add to their elite receiving corps by adding another in-state prospect in Peterkin.
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It’s still a long list for Wise, but after receiving over 30 offers, there’s definitely a select group of schools that look the best so far in his recruitment.
Clemson has been an oft-mentioned top program for the 2026 four-star offensive guard from Pace, Fla. Oklahoma State, Miami, Florida State, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon State, Alabama, Mississippi State and Penn State are all in that top group.
