Rivals.com national analyst Cole Patterson shares his thoughts on Texas and Oklahoma's looming conference move, the Mid-South's riches at receiver and a pair of blue chip defensive backs from Dallas-Fort Worth that are are closing in on commitments.
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TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA GET INK AT SEC MEDIA DAYS
SEC coaches took center stage this past week in Nashville for conference media days. From Nick Saban to Lane Kiffin to Kirby Smart and everybody in between, the league's top personalities outlined their plans for the upcoming season, addressed key position battles and even provided fun soundbites for social media.
But one of the more interesting storylines of the week was that many coaches discussed next year's addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the league. Josh Heupel joked that Tennessee is the real UT, while Kiffin used the subject as an opportunity to talk about his days with Steve Sarkisian at USC.
The Longhorns and Sooners have one more season to prepare for life in the Southeastern Conference. It's no surprise that each program has targeted the line of scrimmage ahead of the transition, with Texas recently landing four-star D'antre Robinson and the Sooners heavily involved for several blue chip players in the trenches.
There's no doubt that both brands will add even more firepower to what is largely viewed as the best conference in college football. Not only that, but it is worth noting that the SEC will host its media days in Dallas next year. What a welcoming gift for the Longhorns and Sooners.
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MID-SOUTH HAS NO SHORTAGE OF ELITE PASS CATCHERS
This week, the Rivals staff wrote features on the top wide receiver talent in each region. Superlatives such as best hands and best route running were handed out for a position that has been increasingly more valuable in the sport.
Which brings me to the loaded skill talent in the Mid-South. Micah Hudson is the No. 2 wide receiver nationally and a coveted target for in-state programs Texas Tech, Texas and Texas A&M. Not too far behind him is Bryant Wesco, a Clemson pledge that is sitting on the cusp of five-star status.
Beyond those two, talents like Dre'lon Miller, JJ Harrell and Courtney Crutchfield are among the prospects worth mentioning at the position. Four-star speedsters Ernest Campbell and Jelani Watkins are track stars and some of the fastest prospects nationally.
One Mid-South program in particular that deserves a shoutout for recruiting the position this cycle is Texas A&M. Jimbo Fisher and Dameyune Craig have been crushing on the portal, landing talents such as Miller, Campbell and elite playmaker Cameron Coleman - just to name three of their five-man haul. Talk about stockpiling skill talent for whoever is behind center.
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BUY STOCK IN DFW DEFENSIVE BACKS
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the biggest recruiting hotbeds in the nation. Home to several elite programs and high-end talent, there is no shortage of potential difference-making prospects with the ability to play key roles right out of the gate in college.
The defensive back position is strong for the 2024 cycle. While there is no five-star just yet, the Metroplex is home to Rivals100 defensive backs Xavier Filsaime and Corian Gipson, as well as four-star standout Ka'Davion Dotson. The latter of two are set to make their commitments this weekend.
It's a Texas-Clemson-Ohio State battle for Gipson, who has the versatility to play all over the defensive backfield. Clemson surged in the Lancaster product's recruitment after offering in the spring and hosting him on multiple visits over the last few months. Though, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the Longhorns leading up to the announcement. And the Buckeyes should never be counted out for a prospect that they covet.
As for Dotson, he stands out on a loaded Duncanville defense that is among the best in the high school level. He is a downhill safety that loves to play the run and make tackles in space. LSU and Texas were high up on his list earlier in the process. But the trio of Oklahoma State, SMU and TCU have all made pushes.
SMU is the program that looks to be in best position to potentially keep the blue chip talent home. That said, the pair of Big 12 programs are more than worth keeping tabs on leading into the commitment. Dotson is scheduled to announce his decision live on the Rivals YouTube channel on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.
