SEC Spotlight: Programs on a roll in recruiting
THIS SERIES: Big Ten programs on a recruiting hot streak
MORE SEC: 2026 conference recruiting rankings
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
Alabama began stockpiling blue-chip pieces in its 2026 recruiting class on Christmas Eve – edging out Auburn and Tennessee for top-100 cornerback Zyan Gibson out of Gadsden (Ala.) High.
The Crimson Tide have been rolling ever since, adding verbals from four-star interior offensive lineman Chris Brooker and locking in four-star edge defender Jamarion Matthews, an in-state target who will play his senior season alongside another priority target Xavier Griffin at Gainesville (Ga.) High.
MORE: Alabama's 2026 commitment list
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT TIDEILLUSTRATED.COM
Sam Pittman and the Hogs already hold a top-20 class in the 2026 Rivals Team Rankings and are continuing to pick up steam as the offseason progresses. Since the turn of the new year, the Razorbacks have locked in commitments from stout interior defensive lineman Ari Slocum and talented defensive back Jalon Copeland.
MORE: Arkansas' 2026 commitment list
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The Dawgs are just beginning to find their rhythm on the recruiting trail for the 2026 cycle. Kirby Smart has added two new four-star commitments since the start of the new year, including in-state four-star receiver Brady Marchese, who reached 22.3 MPH in GPS tracking last fall as a junior at Cartersville (Ga.) High.
Georgia also locked in Rivals250 safety Zech Fort and is sitting with the No. 13 class in the Rivals Team Rankings.
MORE: Georgia's 2026 commitment list
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Rivals.com
Jeff Lebby hit the ground running to kick off this 2026 class and already has the engine humming in Starkville. Mississippi State has added a trio of verbal commitments since February, including four-star in-state offensive tackle Emanuel Tucker and four-star interior offensive lineman Jakobe Green out of the Florida Panhandle.
The Bulldogs hold a top-15 class in the 2026 Rivals Team Rankings midway through the spring.
MORE: Mississippi State's 2026 commitment list
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MISSISSIPPI STATE FANS AT BULLDOGBLITZ.COM
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USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ranking the Top 25 players to play for Alabama in the last 25 years
It's safe to say that a lot has happened for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program over the past 25 years. Since the year 2000, Alabama has won a total of six national championships in football, each of which came during an era where the greatest head coach of all-time led the Crimson Tide in a decade-plus long dynasty the levels the sport has rarely, if ever, seen before. Over that same span, Alabama has also won a total of nine SEC championships, as well as recorded 18 seasons of at-least 10 wins-or-more. As to why this level of success has happened for the Crimson Tide, a big reason is the level of talent that has come through Tuscaloosa since 2000, a list that includes multiple Heisman Trophy winners, countless All-America picks, and more. Here is a ranking of the 25 greatest players to suit up for the Crimson Tide over the past 25 years, as well as what each did during their time at Alabama. 25. Mark Barron, Safety (2008-11) We begin with safety Mark Barron, who started three of his four seasons at Alabama from 2008-11 where he had a combined 235 tackles, 14 TFL, five sacks, and 12 interceptions, among other stats. A two-time national champion, Barron had arguably his best season in 2009 where he had 76 tackles, four TFL, and seven interceptions, which led the SEC, but however also earned All-America honors in 2011. 24. Dont'a Hightower, Inside Linebacker (2008-11) Dont'a Hightower was a four-year inside linebacker who racked up 234 tackles, 22 TFL, five sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles from 2008-11. A two-time national champion, Hightower's best season at Alabama was his 2011 campaign in which he recorded 85 tackles, 11 TFL, four sacks, and an interception to earn All-America honors. 23. DeMeco Ryans, Linebacker (2002-05) One of Alabama's greatest linebackers of the early 2000's was Ryans, who spent four seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2002-05, ending his time in Tuscaloosa with 307 career tackles. Ryans was also one of Alabama's first All-America selections of the 2000's, doing so during the 2005 season in which he also won the Lott Trophy and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. 22. Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback (2018-20) A three-year starter at Alabama, cornerback Patrick Surtain II compiled 117 tackles, seven TFL, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries from 2018-20. Surtain was a one-time national champion with the Crimson Tide who had his best season in 2020 where he compiled 38 tackles, four TFL, and an interception to earn All-America honors. 21. Landon Collins, Safety (2012-14) A multi-year impact player at safety for the Crimson Tide, Landon Collins amassed a combined 188 tackles, nine TFL, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries from 2012-14. Collins, a one-time national champion, had likely his best season in 2014 where he had 103 tackles, five TFL, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries to receive All-America honors. 20. Terrence Cody, Defensive Tackle (2008-09) While only at Alabama for two seasons, Terrence "Mount" Cody made the most of his time while in Tuscaloosa, as the defensive tackle racked up a combined 52 tackles, 11 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble from 2008-09. Cody, a one-time national champion, was a two-time All-America selection at Alabama whose best season was likely his 2009 campaign in which he had 28 tackles and six TFL. 19. A.J. McCarron, Quarterback (2010-13) Alabama's all-time leading passer, A.J. McCarron was a three-year starter at quarterback during his four seasons at Alabama, completing 66.9% of his overall passes during that span for 9,019 yards and a 77:15 TD:INT ratio, rushing for three more scores as well. A two-time national champion, McCarron's best season at Alabama was also likely his 2013 campaign in which he completed 67.3% of passes for 3,063 yards and a 28:7 TD:INT ratio to win the Maxwell and Unitas Awards. 18. Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle (2016-18) At Alabama for three seasons, the first of which he redshirted, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams ended his time in Tuscaloosa with a career 91 tackles, 21 TFL, and 10 sacks from 2016-18. A one-time national champion, Williams' top season at Alabama came in 2018 when the defensive tackle had 71 tackles, 20 TFL, and eight sacks to win the Outland Trophy. 17. Reuben Foster, Inside Linebacker (2013-16) Reuben Foster is among the most talented inside linebackers in Alabama program history, finishing his four seasons in Tuscaloosa from 2013-16 with a combined 222 tackles, 24 TFL, eight sacks, and 11 PD. Foster, a one-time national champion, had likely his best season at Alabama in 2016 when he had 115 tackles, 13 TFL, and five sacks to win the Butkus Award. 16. Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle (2014-16) Cam Robinson started for each of his three seasons in Tuscaloosa at left tackle, eventually departing Alabama as one of the top offensive linemen in the program's storied history. A one-time national champion, likely Robinson's greatest season at Alabama was his 2016 campaign in which he won the Outland Trophy. 15. Trent Richardson, Running Back (2009-11) A three-year running back at Alabama, Trent Richardson compiled a total of 3,130 yards and 35 touchdown on 540 attempts from 2009-11, while also hauling in 68 receptions for 730 yards and seven more scores, as well as 700+ yards as a kick returner. Richardson, a two-time national champion, had likely his best season at Alabama in 2011 where he led the SEC with 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns to win the Doak Walker Award. 14. Najee Harris, Running Back (2017-20) A four-year impact player in Alabama's backfield, running back Najee Harris racked up a combined 3,843 yards and 46 touchdowns on 638 attempts from 2017-20, while also hauling in 80 receptions for 781 yards and 11 additional scores. Harris, a two-time national champion, had his best season in 2020 where he led the SEC with 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing, the latter of which also led the nation, to win the Doak Walker Award. 13. Barrett Jones, Offensive Lineman (2008-12) At Alabama from 2008-12, Barrett Jones is one of the most accomplished offensive linemen in Crimson Tide history, starting 50 games across four seasons at every position. A three-time national champion at Alabama, Jones was a three-time All-America selection with the Crimson Tide, as well as the winner of the 2011 Outland Trophy. 12. Jonathan Allen, Defensive Tackle (2013-16) A four-year player along Alabama's defensive front, Jonathan Allen racked up a combined 153 tackles, 46 TFL, 28.5 sacks, seven PD, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries from 2013-16. Allen, who won one national title at Alabama, had likely his best season in 2016 where he compiled 69 tackles, 16 TFL, 10.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries to win numerous honors such as the Nagurski, Bednarik, Hendricks, and Lombardi Awards. 11. C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker (2010-13) A two-time national champion, C.J. Mosley is among the greatest inside linebackers in Alabama program history, collecting a total of 317 tackles, 24 TFL, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions, 17 PD, and two forced fumbles across four seasons from 2010-13. Mosley, a two-time All-America selection, likely had his best season at Alabama in 2013 where he racked up 106 tackles and nine TFL to win the Butkus Award. 10. Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker (2007-09) Rolando McClain was a three-year starter at inside linebacker for Alabama, racking up a combined 274 tackles, 32 TFL, eight sacks, five interceptions, and a forced fumble from 2007-09. A one-time national champion at Alabama, McClain's best season was likely his 2009 campaign in which he had 105 tackles, 15 TFL, and four sacks to win the Butkus Award. 9. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety (2015-17) A three-year starter at safety for Alabama from 2015-17, Minkah Fitzpatrick compiled 171 tackles, 16 TFL, 4.5 sacks, nine interceptions, and two forced fumbles with the Crimson Tide. At Alabama, Fitzpatrick was a two-time national champion and All-America selection who led the SEC with six interceptions during the 2016 season, with his best year with the Crimson Tide likely coming in 2017 when he had 60 tackles to win the Bednarik and Thorpe Awards. 8. Julio Jones, Wide Receiver (2008-10) One of Alabama's most accomplished wide receivers ever, Julio Jones spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa where he had a combined 179 receptions for 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns from 2008-10, while also rushing for two more scores. Jones' best season at Alabama was likely his 2010 campaign in which he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns, each of which were career-high's. 7. Mark Ingram, Running Back (2008-10) Alabama's first-ever Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mark Ingram spent three years at Alabama from 2008-10 where he racked up a combined 3,261 yards and 42 touchdowns on 572 attempts, while also hauling in 60 catches for 670 yards and four more scores. Ingram's best season at Alabama was his 2009 Heisman winning campaign in which he rushed for a SEC-leading 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns. 6. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver (2012-14) Starting for three seasons at Alabama from 2012-14, wide receiver Amari Cooper hauled in 228 receptions while in Tuscaloosa for 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns. Cooper, a one-time national champion, also had a memorable year in 2014 where he led the SEC with 1,727 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns (also led college football with 124 total receptions) to win the Biletnikoff Award. 5. Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback (2017-19) A two-year starter who delivered one of the biggest moments in Alabama program history, Tua Tagovailoa, over three seasons at Alabama from 2017-19, completed 69.3% of passes for 7,442 yards and an 87:11 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for nine more scores. Tagovailoa, a one-time national champion, had likely his best season in 2018 where he led the SEC with a 69 CMP%, 3,966 passing yards, and 43 touchdowns, among other categories, while winning the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards, as well as finishing runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. 4. Will Anderson Jr., Outside Linebacker (2020-22) When it comes to defensive players alone, an argument can certainly be made that Will Anderson Jr., an outside linebacker who had a combined 205 tackles, 63 TFL, 34.5 sacks, one interception, four PD, and a forced fumble across three seasons from 2020-22, is the best at Alabama since 2000. A one-time national champion, Anderson led the SEC in both TFL and sacks during the 2021 and 2022 seasons (led college football in 2021), and was a two-time Nagurski Award winner who also won the Bednarik, Lott, and Lombardi Awards in 2022 as well. 3. Derrick Henry, Running Back (2013-15) At Alabama for three seasons from 2013-15, running back Derrick Henry ended his time in Tuscaloosa with 3,591 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns on 602 career attempts, while also hauling in 17 receptions for 285 yards and three more scores. A one-time national champion, Henry also had one of the best seasons Alabama has ever seen from a running back in 2015 where he led college football with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, receiving multiple honors that included the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards. 2. Bryce Young, Quarterback (2020-22) One of the highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history, Bryce Young spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa, two of which he started at quarterback, where he overall completed 65.8% of his passes for 8,356 yards and an 80:12 TD:INT ratio from 2020-22, while also rushing for seven more scores. A one-time national champion, Young also won numerous honors following his 2021 season that included the Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien, Manning, and Maxwell Awards, one in which he led the SEC with 4,872 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. 1. DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver (2017-20) Alabama's all-time leading receiver, DeVonta Smith spent four seasons at Alabama where he hauled in a combined 235 receptions for his career with 3,965 yards and 46 touchdowns from 2017-20, while also adding two more scores through the rushing and return game. A two-time national champion, Smith also won the 2020 Heisman Trophy, as well as the Biletnikoff, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards following one of the best season's Alabama has ever seen from a wide receiver in which he led the nation with 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Ranking the SEC's Top 10 Cornerbacks for the 2025 College Football Season
In modern college football, few positions are as important as cornerback. A shutdown corner can change the completion of a defense. When a defensive coordinator trusts a corner on an island, it makes everything easier for the rest of the unit. Safeties can help in run support, and playcallers can dial up creative blitzes. If another player in the secondary is struggling, resources can be allocated there because the coaches know the shutdown corner doesn't need any help. LSU football fans have become familiar with elite cornerback play over the years. LSU is known as "DBU", even if the Tigers' secondary hasn't been up to standard in recent years. LSU is hoping that changes this year with the addition of some top transfers, along with five-star freshman DJ Pickett. Cornerback play around the SEC is expected to be strong with several of the top names from 2024 set to return. With kick-off one month away, here's a look at the SEC's top cornerbacks for the 2025 football season. 10. Kayin Lee, Auburn Lee joined Auburn in 2023 as a four-star recruit from Georgia. He saw time as a true freshman, playing 336 snaps, but 2024 was a breakout year for the cornerback. Lee's 58.0 passer rating targeted ranks second among returning SEC corners, only trailing the guy who is No. 1 on this list. Lee broke up four passes with two picks and forced seven incompletions. Quarterbacks weren't afraid to throw his direction, but he made them pay. Opposing offenses completed just 46.9% of passes when throwing at Lee. 9. Domani Jackson, Alabama Domani Jackson has a strong case to be higher on this list was named Second Team Preseason All-SEC at SEC Media Days. He has the attention of NFL scouts, and with a strong 2025, he'll be a first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. Jackson is a former five-star recruit who began his career at USC. 2024 was Jackson's first year with the Tide, and he broke up five passes while recording two interceptions. Jackson made 15 stops and had a 63.0 passer rating when targeted. Expect a big year from the talented veteran in 2025. 8. Mansoor Delane, LSU Delane was one of the top available corners in the transfer portal. With LSU needing help in the secondary, the Tigers made Delane a priority and secured his commitment. Delane was Third-Team All-ACC with Virginia Tech in 2024. He posted a 69.5 PFF defensive grade and allowed a completion percentage of 47.2%, which ranked seventh among ACC cornerbacks. Delane is a big and physical corner who will replace Zy Alexander in the boundary. Delane has a knack for forcing turnovers with six career picks and four forced fumbles. "Mansoor Delane has been very, very impactful at the cornerback position," LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. 7. Zabien Brown, Alabama Jackson wasn't the only Alabama corner to make this list -- he's joined by teammate Zabien Brown. Brown made an instant impact as a five-star freshman in 2024. He played 660 snaps and posted a PFF coverage grade of 70.8. Brown's allowed completion percentage of 45% ranks fourth among returning SEC cornerbacks and he allowed a reception once per 18.7 coverage snaps. That's close to an elite mark. Now, as Brown enters his sophomore year, he looks to take another step. If he progresses at this rate, he has a chance to be the best corner in the SEC by season's end. 6. Eli Bowen, Oklahoma Bowen's 78.7 PFF coverage grade ranks second among returning SEC cornerbacks. He was a three-star recruit, but he exceeded all expectations and made a massive impact as a true freshman. Bowen served as a rotational piece early in the year, but took over as a starter in week seven and didn't look back. Bowen stands at 5-foot-9, but he punches above his weight and can play on the outside. LSU got the best of Bowen, targeting him for 115 yards. But it's hard to find any blemishes outside of that. Look for Bown to emerge as a star in 2025. 5. Daylen Everette, Georgia Daylen Everette earned First Team Preseason All-SEC honors at media days. The veteran Georgia cornerback has over 1,600 snaps under his belt after three years with the Bulldawgs and now looks to have a career campaign as a senior. Everette has eight career pass breakups with four picks. Three of those picks came in 2024, when Everette posted a 73.3 PFF coverage grade. Everette forced two fumbles and registered a sack, too. Georgia needs Everette to perform at a superstar level as the Dawgs look to get back to playing national championship-level defense after the unit was down a tick in 2024. 4. Will Lee, Texas A&M Lee was one of the top-ranked transfers in last year's transfer class. Texas A&M was searching for an impact corner and got just what it was looking for. Lee posted a 71.8 coverage grade and allowed just 47.2% of targets to be completed, which was one of the best marks in the SEC. Standing at 6-foot-3, Lee is one of the most physical corners in the conference. Despite just being in college for two years, Lee has already played 1,000+ snaps of quality football. Lee has the upside to be an All-American and a first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. 3. Malik Muhammad, Texas Muhammad has big shoes to fill. Star Texas corner Jhadae Barron is off to the NFL, leaving Muhammad as the feature piece in the secondary. Muhammad was a highly touted recruit in the class of 2023, just missing the cut to be a five-star. He broke up nine passes in 2024, which is tied for the best mark among returning SEC cornerbacks. He can blanket receivers and opponents only completed 50% of passes when throwing his way. Muhammad has the talent to be an All-American corner. Texas needs Muhammad to play at that level with the departure of Barron. 2. Jay Crawford, Auburn I'm doing some projection here after Crawford's stellar true freshman campaign. But the numbers back it up. Crawford's forced incompletion rate of 28% ranks No. 1 among returning SEC corners. His allowed completion percentage of 40.6% is also the best mark in that group. He only allowed 13 catches all year with 19.1 snaps/reception, ranking second among returning SEC corners. Crawford played just 267 snaps, fewer than most of the guys on this list, but he'll be a full-time starter in 2025. His lone bad game came vs. Texas A&M, where he allowed over 100 yards, but Crawford was near perfect outside of that. I expect Crawford to be All-American in 2025. 1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee Jermod McCoy transferred to Tennessee ahead of 2024 after a standout freshman campaign with Oregon State in 2023. The adjustment to the SEC was seamless as McCoy emerged as one of the top defenders in the conference. McCoy broke up six passes and picked off four. McCoy was targeted a lot, 62 times, but he was a playmaker when the ball was thrown his way. He forced 12 incompletions, which was one of the best marks in the SEC. There's one hang-up here, though. McCoy tore his ACL in January, and there's a chance he's not ready for week one. But that's not enough to keep McCoy out of the top spot. Assuming McCoy's recovery is smooth, he's the best corner in this conference. Tennessee's defense was stout in 2024, and while some key pieces are gone, McCoy gives them a chance to be top-notch again in 2025.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Caleb Surratt tied for third place after LIV Golf UK 2025 second round
LIV Golf UK 2025 is taking place, Friday-Sunday, at JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England. Former Vol Caleb Surratt is part of the field. On Saturday, he finished the second round tied for third place with Paul Casey and Adrian Meronk (-7). The 21-year-old is seven strokes behind leader Joaquin Niemann (-14). Surratt is also part of Legion XIII. He is teammates with Jon Rahm (captain), Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin. Legion XIII enters Sunday's final round in second place (-21), three strokes behind Torque GC (-24). Surratt appeared in 15 tournaments at Tennessee from 2022-23. He earned 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year honors and was the 2023 SEC individual champion. The former Vol is in his second season as a professional in LIV Golf. More: Vols' Caleb Surratt becomes first freshman to claim SEC title since Justin Thomas More: Caleb Surratt wins team event at LIV Golf Nashville LIV Golf format LIV Golf consists of 12 teams, 48 players, 14 events, zero cuts and with shotgun starts. Each stroke counts for the individual event. A winner is the player with the lowest total amount of shots after 54 holes. The team event consists of scores for each team's top three players, for the round count, toward the team's total score. The team with a cumulative low score following three rounds is the team champion for the event. During the first two days of each event, only the top three players' scores count towards their team's round. On the third day of an event, all four players' scores count. The top eight teams earn points in team standings. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
