Recruiting Rumor Mill: Lots of chatter after busy weekend
The Recruiting Rumor Mill is back with more news and chatter from a busy weekend of visits and more right here:
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STING FACTOR: Christian Brathwaite flips from Baylor to LSU
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Michigan and Tennessee have jumped out early for the 2025 quarterback from Lexington (Ky.) Lexington Christian Academy and he was back in Ann Arbor this past weekend. The amount of love and attention he received on the visit especially stood out as Boley talked to coach Jim Harbaugh for a long time and that relationship is definitely going to be a compelling aspect in his recruitment.
“I like him more and more every time I get to talk to him,” Boley said.
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NC State, Wake Forest, Indiana, Syracuse, Pitt and West Virginia are the programs to watch for the former Georgia Tech commit who backed off his pledge last week. The Wolfpack definitely look strong here but the Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County safety could take a little more time to see how things shake out with some other schools that could reach out.
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The four-star linebacker from Smyrna, Tenn., remains committed to Memphis but the rumor is that Alabama has a strong lead in his recruitment and a flip to the Crimson Tide could happen sooner or later. However, Ohio State and Michigan cannot be counted out yet, either, so until Carter announces for Alabama, the Buckeyes, Wolverines and possibly others cannot be discounted.
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Tennessee is going to be a very serious contender for Carter throughout his recruitment but the 2024 four-star athlete from Chattanooga (Tenn.) Chattanooga Christian School was at Michigan over the weekend and loved it. The atmosphere, the amount of people and the vibe around the rivalry game all stood out to Carter, who was told by defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale that he’d be a great fit there.
“I had an amazing time at the Big House,” Carter said.
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The Ackerman (Miss.) Choctaw County receiver could be one of the best players at his position in the 2025 class and over the weekend he was at Jackson State, which could emerge as a serious contender even with many SEC programs involved. Deion Sanders’ status in a few years will play a role here but Cunningham loved the trip and was excited to see Sanders and Travis Hunter in person. Rappers NLE Choppa, Fredo Bang and Key Glock were also in attendance and Cunningham took notice.
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The Fulton (Miss.) Itawamba Agricultural quarterback is putting up big numbers in his senior season and a big offer from Mississippi State just came in that could be huge in his recruitment. It is the first Power Five offer for Davis and it means a lot since he’s from Mississippi and coach Mike Leach has seen him throw in person. But after the Bulldogs offered many others are getting interested as well with Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Alabama and FAU all reaching out in the last couple days.
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An early Baylor commit, Hampton has been committed to Texas since February but there are still many teams making a run at him but especially one in particular. LSU coach Brian Kelly is personally making a run at the Daingerfield, Texas standout and said Hampton could make an impact on either side of the ball. Hampton is heading to LSU for a visit this weekend for the Alabama game and then Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Ohio State, Florida State and Auburn are also pushing.
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Clemson came through with a surprise offer for the Roanoke (Ala.) Handley three-star running back and the Tigers have to like their chances because other programs are just getting started in seriously recruiting Haynes. Ever since Clemson offered in recent days, Haynes has received more interest from Auburn, Washington State and UAB but if Clemson wants him, it would be no surprise if he landed there.
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The love shown to Johnson-Rubell and the other recruits at Florida State is second to none and it’s a big factor as to why the Seminoles remain a serious contender in his recruitment. The 2024 four-star safety originally from Texas who’s now at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy has a great bond with coach Mike Norvell and assistants Adam Fuller and Marcus Woodson and the four-star loves the idea of potentially following in the footsteps of Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James and “of course the GOAT Deion Sanders.”
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The 2024 defensive end from Yuma (Ariz.) Yuma Catholic committed to Washington in mid-September but has now seen his recruitment absolutely take off with new offers from Utah, USC, Notre Dame and Oregon as his junior season continues with 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks and more. Kansas State and Oregon State have also reached out but the Huskies are definitely going to have their hands full keeping his commitment with some other heavy hitters involved.
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The 2024 four-star from Willis, Texas was back at Texas A&M this weekend and the Aggies continue to be one of his top teams despite their offensive struggles this season. The environment stood out Saturday night in A&M’s loss to Ole Miss but Lagway said he isn’t concerned by the issues especially on offense this season. A visit to LSU is coming up and Florida is also pushing very hard for him.
“They’re playing a lot of young guys,” Lagway said. “I feel like in the next couple years they’ll be a top-five team for sure.”
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Michigan State, Ole Miss, Florida State and others are battling for the 2024 offensive tackle from Marrero (La.) John Ehret but when LSU offered in recent days, that might have sealed his fate. LSU is the “dream offer” and the Tigers are now the frontrunner in his recruitment. The local prospect is expected back in Baton Rouge this weekend when LSU hosts Alabama and that could only further his interest in the Tigers.
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Some believe Texas Tech could be the main contender for the recent Oklahoma State decommitment but it sounds like Texas, Ole Miss and the Cowboys are the main contenders at this point. The Waco (Texas) Connally standout could be throwing up some smokescreens with leaving the Red Raiders out but he also said Oregon and Texas A&M have stepped it up for him recently as well.
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A lot of programs remain in the running for the 2024 four-star quarterback from The Woodlands, Texas and North Carolina made a serious pitch over the weekend. The message from offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Phil Longo was that the Tar Heels are tagging Mettauer to come in and take over when Drake Maye leaves.
“They tell me that I’m their No. 1 pick,” said Mettauer, who could visit Mississippi State but it also depends on his team’s playoff run.
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Ever since decommitting from Kentucky a few weeks ago, West Virginia has been the main school involved with the three-star running back from Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin County. Western Kentucky, Cincinnati and Memphis have also reached out as Moorman works through the recruiting process again.
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Despite the loss to Ole Miss, Pierce loved his time at Texas A&M and thought the Kyle Field experience was his best as the crowd was loud and involved the entire time. There are some concerns about the Aggies’ struggles this year and that’s something the 2024 four-star linebacker from Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy will have questions about after the season and his top teams come into focus. Oklahoma and Texas have the edge at this point but the Aggies could make a move if the relationship there grows even more.
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The 2024 running back from Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County has seen his recruitment absolutely take off in recent weeks and over the weekend Riley made it to Alabama. He loved the campus and thought the fan base was phenomenal even though there could be a coaching change coming on The Plains sometime soon. At this point, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Miami stand out the most in his recruitment.
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After a visit to Alabama in June, the 2025 four-star cornerback from Houston (Texas) North Shore returned for a recent game and absolutely loved his experience in Tuscaloosa. Throughout the night, Sanchez was pondering whether this could be his future home he loved it so much and while the Crimson Tide will be in his top five there are still lots of schools he’s considering. USC, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan State, Houston and, yes, UTSA is on the list.