As the high school football season approaches the mid-point, the 2025 recruiting cycle is beginning to near its completion. This week Rivals national data analyst Austin Cochran is breaking down the five best commits for the Group of Five conferences, continuing today with the Sun Belt Conference.
GROUP OF FIVE SPOTLIGHT: Ranking the five best Conference USA commits | Best AAC commits | Mountain West commits
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Top 100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
1. DE KELAN BUTLER, Georgia State
Every defensive line coach in the country is looking for prospects with speed and power, and Butler has both in droves. He plays much bigger than his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame, bullying blockers into the backfield.
He has a quick get off, really strong punch and quick hands which makes him a nightmare off the edge. He also has really good speed and quickness. Butler can hunt plays from behind, set an edge and has the lateral quickness to make plays inside.
The three-star prospect has all the ability to play either standing up or with his hand in the dirt on the edge. He is a very complete player.
A great pick-up by this new Georgia State staff, Butler chose the Panthers over Arkansas, West Virginia and Georgia Tech.
2. ATH ARMONI WEAVER, Appalachian State
Weaver has at least one touchdown on offense, defense and special teams this year. As a defensive back, Weaver sees the whole field and reads the play very well. He has a quick trigger and is a sure tackler. He does a really good job in both man and zone coverage.
As a receiver, he’s very quick and shifty. Weaver makes a lot of would-be tacklers miss. He runs really good routes and accelerates in and out of breaks like a pro.
It will be a tough decision deciding where Weaver fits best, but for me personally, I think he is the perfect slot receiver because of his speed, agility and ability to make guys miss.
With 16 total offers, Weaver chose Appalachian State over programs such as Cincinnati, Missouri and Virginia Tech. I expect Weaver to be an immediate impact player for the Mountaineers
3. WR RUSSELL BABINEAUX, Louisiana
Russell is not exactly an imposing figure, but you better not blink when he’s on the field. He is a dynamic playmaker who can take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. He gets a ton of touches: passes downfield, screens and even in the running game.
He plays much bigger than he is. Babineaux has excellent body control to go up and make some really impressive high point catches and contort his body. He is also surprisingly strong with good contact balance and not easy to bring down.
Russell decided to stay at home in Lafayette and play for the Ragin Cajuns over other programs such as LSU, Auburn and Houston.
4. QB JACK JAMES, Troy
There have been a lot of good quarterback commits in the Sun Belt so far this year, but James is my favorite. The three-star prospect is undersized, but he has that dog in him. He has been incredibly prolific throughout his career, so much so that this past weekend he broke the Kentucky state record for passing touchdowns in a career.
He is incredibly accurate with elite ball placement. He throws accurately from the pocket, on the move and under pressure. James can make the off-platform throws and is very tough. A three-sport athlete, James has the athleticism to be a threat on the ground.
James has 10 total offers at this point. If he was a few inches taller he would have a lot more, but luckily for Troy, the Trojans got a steal.
5. LB QUATORIOUS WALKER, Marshall
Head hunter is the best term to describe Walker. He loves the physicality and violence of playing the linebacker position, maybe a little too much. Walker is a very athletic player who fits best as a strongside or weakside linebacker with the ability to play in coverage.
He is a really good blitzer both off the edge and up the middle, and diagnoses plays well. He has good eyes to read blockers and ball carriers. Walker is a very sure tackler who is a big-time hitter.
Walker has 10 total offers and will bring some nastiness and athleticism to the Marshall defense.
