It was the Easter weekend, yet that did not hinder top programs from hosting significant visit lists and generating a plethora of news. Here are the latest updates from this week’s Recruiting Rumor Mill.
Florida State appears to have a strong position in the recruitment of a four-star offensive tackle from Riverview (Fla.) Sumner. A recent encounter with the likely first-round NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu at Penn State has elevated the Nittany Lions’ standing on his list.
Drawing parallels between the two, Fashanu conveyed to Addison his belief that Addison could follow a similar path in the next three or four years. This perspective has led Addison to view Penn State more favorably in his recruitment process.
For the 2027 receiver, who has received offers from only four programs so far, Ole Miss has set a high standard for the standout from Brentwood (Tenn.) Brentwood Academy. Bowman was impressed by the offensive environment at Oxford, the coaching approach of George McDonald and Patrick Carter with the receivers, and the potential for NFL-level development, positioning the Rebels at the top of Bowman’s list.
Michigan’s success in placing players in the NFL Draft is a significant factor influencing Brice’s recruitment. The athlete from Cartersville, Ga., holds Michigan in high regard due to the coaching staff, facilities, and particularly the player development program. Brice also holds strong interest in Georgia, Auburn, Louisville, and Oregon.
Initially committing to Iowa upon returning from Georgia for his junior season, the highly rated four-star offensive tackle from Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Kennedy, Brooks, later retracted his commitment in November. Currently, he is considering Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, USC, Auburn, and Iowa for his collegiate future.
Kansas State seems to have an advantage over other programs in recruiting Cure, a four-star tight end from Goodland, Kan. Following significant visits to Texas and Texas A&M, Cure’s recent trip to Kansas left a lasting impression. The coaching staff at KU expressed that Cure is their top target for the 2025 class, a sentiment that resonated with him.
Despite recently committing to USC, the high three-star defensive end from Austin (Texas) Lake Travis embarked on a trip to Florida over the weekend, which he thoroughly enjoyed. While there is excitement surrounding a potential switch, Cordova’s experience with the Florida coaching staff and facilities suggests that a decision alteration is not imminent.
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Consecutive visits to Texas A&M have added an element of intrigue to Fasusi’s recruitment. The five-star prospect, hailing from Lewisville, Texas, is also considering Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and other programs. Fasusi prioritizes development at his next destination, a factor that positions the Aggies favorably in his recruitment process.
Before finalizing his decisions, the five-star prospect plans to visit Georgia on Monday and Tuesday.
The 2026 four-star defensive end from Gainesville, Ga., Griffin, expressed initial apprehension about his recent visit to Alabama amidst the coaching transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer. However, Griffin thoroughly enjoyed his time in Tuscaloosa, appreciating the blend of existing elements and DeBoer’s unique coaching style. Currently, Griffin holds Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, USC, and Florida State in high regard.
Speculation suggests that Texas is a leading contender for the four-star receiver from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, Harris. While Harris explores various options nationwide, Texas stands out, with Oregon, Alabama, and Tennessee following closely behind. Conversely, Georgia and Penn State’s positions in Harris’s considerations may be diminishing.
Michigan is making significant strides in recruiting Jackson while also navigating the recruitment of five-star running back Jordon Davison. Jackson’s renewed interest in Michigan stems from his recent interaction with coach Sherrone Moore and the addition of position coach Tony Alford to the staff. As a result, Michigan emerges as a strong contender for the standout from Cleveland (Ohio) Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
Texas Tech, Houston, New Mexico, Texas State, and UTEP are notable options for Martin, a high three-star running back from Bryan (Texas) Rudder. However, an offer from Texas A&M could potentially sway Martin’s decision, given his positive impressions of the Aggies’ coaching staff and facilities during a recent visit to College Station.
Mississippi State appears to be a frontrunner for the 2026 four-star defensive end following a recent visit that left a strong impression. The Bulldogs, alongside LSU, have been actively pursuing McCoy, emphasizing his importance to their programs. McCoy acknowledges the appeal of both programs, with Mississippi State potentially holding a slight edge due to their compelling message of necessity and value to the recruit.
The four-star offensive guard from Upper Marlboro (Md.) Riverdale Baptist is considering Ohio State, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Miami, Penn State, and Maryland. While Penn State holds a slight advantage, a recent visit to Miami made a significant impact on McFadden. The coaching approach of Alex Mirabal and his emphasis on player development have positioned Miami favorably in McFadden’s recruitment.
Efforts are underway to sway a four-star LSU commit from Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab, although the task appears challenging. Despite Texas A&M’s vigorous recruitment over the weekend, the likelihood of a commitment flip remains low. The coaching dynamics and individual relationships presented by Texas A&M have been noted by Moses, yet his commitment to LSU stands firm for now.
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Ohio State, being one of McWhorter’s favored programs, significantly elevated its standing in his recruitment by extending an offer during a recent visit. The four-star quarterback from Kingston (Ga.) Cass expressed gratitude for the offer and highlighted the positive rapport established with coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly during his time in Columbus. Ohio State now joins the top list of considerations alongside West Virginia, Florida, Clemson, and Auburn.
The potential success of Texas in recruiting the 2026 four-star running back from Forney, Texas, hinges on the rapport established by position coach Tashard Choice with the running backs. Osborne’s recent visit underscored the positive atmosphere and coaching style within the program, potentially positioning Oklahoma at the forefront of his considerations, with Louisville, Oregon, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Alabama also in the mix.
Ohio State’s recent offer to Scott, a highly rated prospect from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, has significantly enhanced the program’s standing in his recruitment. Scott was impressed by the intensity and focus observed during practice, indicating a strong alignment with Ohio State’s competitive spirit. Tennessee and Ohio State are currently prominent contenders for Scott, who is scheduled to visit Texas A&M next.
The top-ranked 2026 player spent a rewarding weekend at Miami, where coach Mario Cristobal and his staff outlined a strategic plan for utilizing Stewart across the defensive line. Stewart’s affinity for Miami’s marketing program and the strong connection with defensive coordinator Lance Guidry have positioned Miami as a leading contender. Texas, LSU, USC, and Oregon are also under consideration, with upcoming visits planned before a final decision is made.