Recruiting Rumor Mill: Power programs hosting key targets
Another busy weekend of news and rumors means it’s time for the Recruiting Rumor Mill. Here’s the latest from national recruiting director Adam Gorney:
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Duke, Wisconsin and USC have made an early impression but Florida State is the front-runner right now especially since he’s been to Tallahassee three times already and loved it every time.
Fulton, who is having a huge junior season at Sylvester (Ga.) Worth County, has a ton of respect for FSU position coach Ron Dugans and he can already see himself playing for the Seminoles. Plus, Florida State is less than two hours from home.
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Notre Dame is emerging as not only a legitimate contender in his recruitment but it could be one of his top programs after a recent visit. The 2025 four-star receiver from Davie (Fla.) Western loved the fans and the atmosphere in South Bend and he’s really hit it off big-time with position coach Chansi Stuckey.
Another visit to Notre Dame should definitely happen as Florida State, Florida, Miami, LSU and Penn State are also high on his list.
“I’m really high on Notre Dame moving forward,” Howard said.
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The five-star receiver from Temple (Texas) Lake Belton has been committed to Texas Tech since Sept. 11 but Texas A&M will not give up here and the rumor is that Hudson was back in College Station this past weekend during the Aggies’ bye week.
Hudson is saying all the right things about his commitment to the Red Raiders but he’s been to Texas A&M twice in three weeks, had A&M gloves at his game Friday and the Aggies' staff was there as well. How the visit went for Hudson is unknown, but he keeps showing up.
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Alabama, Oregon, Maryland, Miami, Tennessee and Georgia are among the favorites for the 2025 four-star cornerback from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances but Notre Dame is definitely a team to watch.
After a recent visit to South Bend, Humes thought the “defensive play-calling was the best I’ve seen” and that has shot the Irish into a spot in his top five.
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The Texas A&M linebacker commit was supposed to visit Alabama for its win over Tennessee on Saturday but he couldn’t make it. The Tupelo, Miss., standout is still planning to get to Tuscaloosa this season when LSU visits in early November. The word is the Crimson Tide are trying very hard to flip him and that Jernigan is listening seriously to the pitch.
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The La Mesa (Calif.) Helix quarterback committed to Utah State in late June shortly after a visit to Oregon State but the Beavers have not given up and had him back in Corvallis recently.
Still, Jesse has stayed with his Utah State pledge and while Oregon State is trying to flip him, the sense we’re getting is that nothing is really imminent there but definitely could happen since the Beavers have been playing so well.
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Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Georgia Tech, Michigan and USC are the front-runners for the 2025 four-star linebacker from Osceola (Fla.) Kissimmee but the word is that the Buckeyes and the Tigers have emerged as the top teams.
His weekend trip to Columbus could not have gone better especially since Melendez really felt like a priority by the coaching staff and that’s big when he’s ready to commit.
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After his decommitment from Texas A&M, all eyes are on LSU for the four-star receiver from Silsbee, Texas. It was basically those two teams down the stretch for Miller, who is putting up prolific numbers again this season.
While the Tigers are definitely considered the front-runner, don’t be surprised if Colorado makes a run at him as well. Deion Sanders is interested and if Miller’s recruitment stays open, watch the Buffaloes try to get involved.
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Miami is the one to watch for the 2026 four-star athlete especially after a recent visit there where the coaches made it clear he’s a priority and that “Miami is family.” The MIami Northwestern standout also likes Florida State, Louisville, Florida and LSU early in his recruitment.
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Ohio State’s defense shut down Penn State’s offense on Saturday and the 2025 five-star cornerback from Houston (Texas) North Shore was highly impressed by what he saw as the Buckeyes.
Alabama, Ohio State and Texas A&M are the three programs that have been in most focus by Sanchez and the word is that the Buckeyes are recruiting him the hardest.
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Tennessee made a big impression on the 2025 four-star receiver from Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake and the Vols should definitely be watched closely as his recruitment continues. Josh Heupel and position coach Kelsey Pope made him a priority as the three talked a lot pre-game and that will go a long way in Smith’s thinking.
He also loves the offense there and sees himself as a deep threat in Knoxville. The Vols are high but so are Georgia, Colorado, Auburn, Ole Miss and Oregon.
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A flip to Kansas State is not imminent – and if it happens would be closer to signing day – but the Pflugerville (Texas) Weiss receiver who is committed to North Texas had a great trip to Manhattan over the weekend. Spradley-Demps loves the fan base and that everyone is bought in with the plan.
“They really want me here,” Spradley-Demps said. “They made a strong case.”
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The Michigan coaching staff loves Terry’s explosiveness and quickness and that message rang loud and clear to the 2025 receiver from Ironton, Ohio, on a recent visit to Ann Arbor. That along with his growing relationship with position coach Ron Bellamy and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale definitely helps the Wolverines early on.
Wisconsin and West Virginia are two other programs to watch but Michigan definitely has Terry’s attention.
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The four-star receiver from Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day committed to Florida in May and raved about his relationships with the coaching staff in Gainesville. That pledge remains firm but after new offers from Texas and Texas A&M there seems to be at least a little daylight there.
The word is Williams is looking to take some visits with those two programs being considered but no dates have been finalized yet.