Recruiting Battles Heat Up

The lifeblood of college athletic programs is dynamic athletic prospects. With the college football season only three weeks away, the recruiting battles for 2025 and 2026 prospects is intense. Recruiting battles have been a part of the college football landscape for years. Now the players and schools are in the spotlight when it comes to the recruiting battles that take place. What once was behind the scenes, has now become a major topic of discussion. Here are several prospects that are in the middle of interesting recruiting battles.

Demetres Samuel-Ahtlete-Heritage-Palm Beach, Fl-6’2” 180-Pounds

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17640157/64ec0a314797750abc70595b

Demetres Samuel excels in the defensive secondary for Heritage High School. He has the versatility to play multiple positions for Heritage this season. The range that Samuel has eye opening ability when he is playing the ball in the air. Samuel continues to improve his one-on-one coverage ability.  However, it is his skills in the defensive secondary that has earned him multiple scholarship offers. Florida and Syracuse have been locked in a recruiting battle vying for his services. On July 31^st, the Florida Gators earned his commitment. Hall of Fame football has Samuel ranked as the 205^th player in the country. Samuel has reclassified into the 2025 class, and he will provide the Gators with a much need boost in the secondary when he arrives in Gainesville.

Jadon Perlotte-Linebacker-Buford-Buford, GA-6’3” 200-Pounds

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16651217/651bf8ba4df5fa16106e8aa6

Linebackers that possess the athleticism of Jadon Perlotte is a rare trait to find in the recruiting world. Perlotte is a player that rarely needs to come off of the field. He is athletic enough to drop back enough into pass coverage and cover a wide receiver. Meanwhile, Perlotte makes great use of his speed coming off of the edge and getting into the offensive backfield. The Buford linebacker has had a busy offseason. Over the past few months, Perlotte visited Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Miami. On July 30^th, Perlotte decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs and placed his commitment with the USC Trojans. The recruiting battle for Perlotte is likely just getting started.

Derick Smith-Athlete-Southside-Selma, AL-6’1” 185-Pound

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14904762/6522fd5432e65f0ed46d6c26

Alabama and Auburn always have a heated battle each November. The bad blood does not disappear on the recruiting trail. Especially when a talented prospect like Derick Smith has lit up Friday nights in the state of Alabama. Smith is a versatile prospect that has attracted the attention of a number of powerhouse programs. Last season, he racked up 1,487 yards receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball he amassed 74 tackles on the season with 15 of those being for loss. Earlier in the spring, Smith committed to the Crimson Tide on March 11^th.  Four months later Smith flipped his commitment to Auburn on July 29^th. The battle for Smith’s services will likely continue through the 2024 high school football season.