Latest news with #recruiting
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
FSU football recruiting: Seminoles land 4-star Georgia defensive end Earnest Rankins from
Florida State football remains red-hot in recruiting, landing a commitment from 4-star defensive end Earnest Rankins. Rankins, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 285 pounds, committed to the Seminoles over Auburn and Purdue, and he becomes the 13th player to commit to the program since June 1. Advertisement The Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Georgia) senior is now the 21st overall recruit in FSU's 2026 class. The recruiting boom has shot FSU up to the recruiting rankings, with the Seminoles sitting at 11th nationally before landing Rankins. Rankins becomes the highest-ranked recruit in their class and sits just outside of the nation's top 100 players, according to 247Sports, ranked 111th. Florida State's 2026 commits Earnest Rankins, defensive lineman, Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Georgia), 4-star Jasen Lopez, wide receiver, Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, Florida), 4-star Jay Timmons, defensive back, Pine Richland (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania), 4-star Xavier Tiller, tight end, Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia), 4-star Devin Carter, wide receiver, Douglas County (Douglas County, Georgia), 4-star Jaden O'Neal, quarterback, Mustang (Mustang, Oklahoma) 4-star Brandon Bennett, wide receiver, American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 4-star Efrem White, wide receiver, Vero Beach (Vero Beach, Florida), 4-star James Carrington, defensive line, Crean Lutheran (Irvine, California), 4-star Jakobe Green, offensive line, Gadsden County (Quincy, Florida), 3-star Noah LaVallee, linebacker, Walton (Marietta, Georgia), 3-star Sean Johnson, cornerback, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Maryland), 3-star Tedarius Hughes, safety, Northwestern (Miami, Florida), 3-star Darryl Bell III, safety, Barbara Gorman (Hialeah, Florida), 3-star Amari Thomas, running back, Blountstown (Blountstown, Florida) 3-star Darryon Williams, wide receiver, Plant (Tampa, Florida), 3-star Karon Maycock, linebacker, Miami Central (Miami, Florida), 3-star Michael Ionata, offensive line, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida), 3-star Wihtlley Cadeau, defensive line, Booker T. Washington (Atlanta, Georgia), 3-star Luke Francis, offensive line, Coral Gables (Coral Gables, Florida), 3-star Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@ or on Twitter @__liamrooney This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football recruiting: Earnest Rankins commits to the Seminoles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How a new USC recruiting prediction spells potential victory for Oregon Football
A potential domino is about to fall in the wide receiver recruiting world, and it may have some positive ramifications for the Oregon Ducks. On Wednesday morning, On3's Steve Wiltfong logged a prediction for the USC Trojans to land a commitment from 4-star WR Ethan 'Boobie' Feaster, the No. 40 player and No. 4 receiver in the 2026 class. Standing at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Feaster is a talented pass-catcher who the Trojans have been trying to land over the likes of Texas A&M and LSU. Advertisement While the pickup for USC would be massive, adding to their No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, it could also spell victory for Dan Lanning and the Ducks. How? By potentially taking the Trojans out of the running for 4-star WR Jalen Lott, who the Ducks are recruiting heavily ahead of his July 8 commitment. Lott is rated as the No. 49 player in the nation and the No. 5 ATH in the 2026 class. The Ducks are among Lott's finalists, alongside USC, the Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, and Georgia Bulldogs. While USC might still try to land Lott as well, it's fair to think that the 4-star may choose to go elsewhere. Oregon currently holds a slight lead over Texas in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, with USC in third place. It will be no means be easy for the Ducks to land him, but should Feaster end up committing to the Trojans, then it may make things slightly easier. Advertisement Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: USC's latest recruiting forecast may open door for Oregon Football
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Rises Early Among Top Schools for Elite 2027 Talent
USC Rises Early Among Top Schools for Elite 2027 Talent originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC is already winning over one of the nation's top 2027 talents. Even during a time the Trojans still have until December to finalize their nation's best recruiting class for 2026. Advertisement IMG Academy wide receiver Osani Gayles told On3/Rivals USC reporter Scott Schrader Sunday that the Trojans are among his top teams. He claims USC extended its early offer to him the moment Chad Savage jumped from Colorado State to the Trojans to coach the wide receivers. "He said I was one of the guys at the top of his board. I feel love because he liked me at Colorado State, not just at USC," Gayles said. So how did USC win Gayles over this early into his recruitment? Makai Lemon catching against Notre Dame during the 2024 season. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports "I love the educational part and I love just what USC produces," Gayles said to Schrader. "They got a good history of receivers. And, yeah, USC is definitely one of the top schools for me." Advertisement Despite the kind words toward USC, Gayles hasn't made a summer trip to the campus. The native of Tracy, Ca., did visit during March. Will he be planning a future trip out west in the future? "I was talking to Coach Savage about a visit. We're definitely gonna get out there for a game day visit," Gayles said. He adds he's sensing a bright future in the Land of Troy with head coach Lincoln Riley at the forefront. "USC, I think for me, the program has such a rich history and they have the ability to do that again,' said Gayles. 'And that's what they're talking to me about. Like, they they know it's been down for a few years, and it's probably they're still redoing it a little bit. But I think when they get to the 2027 class, I think that's what they're gonna be really good." Advertisement Gayles adds he likes how the 2026 class is shaping up. He even concludes that USC assured him they won't dip into the transfer portal much, thanks to the incoming '26 class. USC isn't the only school making a dash at the speedy 5-foot-11 WR, though. He's considered "warm" on Stanford, per 247Sports. Related: Former USC 5-Star Sends Message After Finding New CFB Home This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Handed Massive Recruiting Loss by National Title Contender
USC Handed Massive Recruiting Loss by National Title Contender originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC rarely has tasted defeat in the 2026 college football recruiting cycle. Creating the nation's top ranked class by multiple outlets. Advertisement But the Trojans sustained a massive 2027 recruiting loss Monday. And watched a local talent choose a Southeastern Conference power with national title aspirations. Long Beach Poly star cornerback Donte "Tae" Wright spurned USC for Georgia, with Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals confirming the move. Oregon was also in the fold. So was SEC representative Texas A&M. The 6-foot-2 Wright, however, emerges as a rare early recruiting defeat for head coach Lincoln Riley and USC. Wright stars for a nearby prep powerhouse that's delivered its share of future Trojans talent. Plus became the first massive '27 recruiting loss. But what elements convinced Wright to trek east and choose the early Georgia offer? He explained his decision with Benjamin Wolk of 247Sports following his verbal decision. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his Cashore-Imagn Images "It was just the love that they showed me when I got to the facility. I just felt like I was at home," Wright told Dawgs247. "It was also me working out in front of them, seeing how they coached me if I was there already, and that really stood out to me." Advertisement Turns out there's a family connection that paved the way for Wright to choose the Bulldogs. Donte Wright Sr. played for Georgia DBs coach Donte Williams at L.A. Harbor College in the junior college football scene. That JUCO became one of the early coaching stops for one of the nation's top recruiters. Wright now jump starts the 2027 class in Athens. Meanwhile, USC holds no commits for the next class as of yet. This isn't the first significant loss to Georgia on USC's side. Famed Trojan brothers Zachariah and Zion Branch transferred to the Athens university via the transfer portal. Related: $10 Million Recruit Sends Stirring Message on What He's Bringing to USC This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky Basketball Spending Big in NIL Era
Kentucky Basketball Spending Big in NIL Era originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In today's college basketball, talent wins games, but money, specifically NIL money, wins recruiting battles. And nobody is playing that game more aggressively than the Kentucky Wildcats. Advertisement Led by head coach Mark Pope, Kentucky is making headlines, not just for the talent it's acquiring but for the cash it's investing in that talent. At the center of it all, quite literally, is 6-foot-10 Jayden Quaintance, a teenage phenom with a $1.9 million NIL valuation who's quickly becoming the face of the Wildcats' new era. Mar 13, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives instructions to his team against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images© Steve Roberts-Imagn Images According to Fox Sports, Quaintance is the sixth-highest valued player in college basketball based on NIL earnings. He's also the youngest on the list, as he he won't turn 18 until later this July, making his financial standing all the more impressive. After a standout freshman season at Arizona State, where he earned Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Freshman honors, Quaintance hit the transfer portal. Kentucky, reportedly one of the top three NIL spenders in the nation, wasted no time locking him in. The big man now holds NIL deals with PSD Underwear and Panini America, brands that rarely throw endorsement money behind unproven prospects. But Quaintance isn't just any recruit. Jan 21, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils forward Jayden Quaintance (21) dunks the ball during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images © Ben Queen-Imagn Images This is a calculated risk for Kentucky. Quaintance is currently rehabbing from an ACL tear but is expected to return early in the 2025–26 season. If healthy, he's projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Pope and the Wildcats are betting big on that upside, and paying accordingly. Advertisement But Quaintance isn't the only major investment. Kentucky's entire transfer class is drawing attention for the NIL dollars flowing into Lexington. Also, rumors continue to circulate that wing Otega Oweh, who withdrew from the NBA Draft and chose to return to Kentucky received a lucrative offer, though exact figures remain under wraps. It's clear Kentucky's strategy is shifting. They're no longer just betting on blue blood tradition and NBA pipelines, they're leveraging NIL capital to build a roster that can compete right now. For fans of the new NIL era, this is the drama they signed up for. Schools aren't just building programs, they're building brands. And few are doing it as boldly as Kentucky. As the 2025–26 season approaches, all eyes will be on Lexington. If Quaintance lives up to the hype, and the price tag, he could become the poster child of NIL success. For Kentucky, this could be the beginning of a new dynasty, funded by dollars and driven by dreams. Related: How NIL Spending Is Reshaping College Football's Competitive Landscape This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
