Published Jul 17, 2024
Mid-South Spotlight: Five commitment predictions
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Marshall Levenson  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Analyst
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@MarshallRivals

Recruiting doesn't take breaks in the summer. In fact, it only heats up.

After a wave of June official visits, July and August have been popular stretches for some of the nation's best to lock in their college decisions. More are expected as the summer continues.

Here are the latest predictions from Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Marshall Levenson:

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There have been a couple of different significant moments in Brown's recruitment over the past year or so. One of the biggest was this summer when SMU offered the 6-foot-2 wideout. Brown has a lasting connection with now SMU four-star quarterback commit Ty Hawkins, who flipped over from TCU recently. The two have played 7-on-7 together on a few different teams over time.

While TCU is also involved, and he has taken official visits to Arizona State and Colorado State, I think Brown pairing back up with Hawkins might be too fun for him to pass up on.

Prediction: SMU

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The contenders in the final stretch for Lockett are certainly no slouches as it's Texas, Alabama and Texas A&M that appear to be the primary programs gunning for his commitment. There have been waves this offseason of which program feels the best at a given time, with the Longhorns picking up the most buzz this offseason. However, with Keelon Russell committed to Alabama, and a number of elite prospects jumping aboard the Tide, they too seem attractive for the Sachse standout. Texas A&M is the latest to get some love as a potential trending team.

As it winds down, I look at Texas as being the likely destination. The Longhorns have been linked to a number of elite wide receivers this cycle and I think Lockett will be the one they lock down.

Prediction: Texas

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Marsh has had a very busy recruitment over the past two years. There have been seemingly dozens of visits around the country, including five official visits to this point to Texas, Michigan, USC, Kentucky and Washington.

Early in his recruitment, I leaned toward USC as his likely future destination, but after this summer, it is the recent national champions in Michigan that appear to hold solid footing with the top-100 wide receiver.

Marsh has flirted with a few different commitment dates, some close while others much farther away. Either way, it looks like Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines have the momentum right now.

Prediction: Michigan

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Just a few weeks ago, all the momentum in Ukponu's recruitment was in LSU's hands. The Denton (Texas) Guyer defensive tackle even had a commitment date locked in late June where the Tigers were expected to be the answer. However, he decided to hold off and we have since seen LSU reel in two defensive tackles in the 2025 class, leaving it likely that LSU is not the eventual answer here.

Arkansas and Florida have been two programs also in the thick of this one for quite some time, the Razorbacks seemingly ahead of the Gators. With a decision expected to come before the season starts, I am going with the program that has been in the mix the longest to this point.

Prediction: Arkansas

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Williams' recruitment is truly one of the more fascinating we have seen in the 2025 cycle.

The five-star prospect has taken official visits to Oregon, LSU and Texas A&M. Oklahoma was also a program heavily linked at times, same with Texas.

But, in the month of July, if you look at the general trends of some of the top prospects in the country, it might be tough to go with anyone other than Oregon. The Ducks are crushing it on the trail right now and despite heavy baseball connections at the in-state programs and even LSU and Oklahoma, Williams may find it tough to pass up the Pacific-North West.

Prediction: Oregon