Another thrilling weekend of college football has come and gone, bringing a flurry of activity for top recruits on campus visits. Here’s the latest scoop from Rivals’ national recruiting director, Adam Gorney, in this week’s Recruiting Rumor Mill.
The atmosphere in Aggieland was electric, impressing standout four-star athlete Arrington from Spring Valley (Calif.) Mount Miguel. While rumors suggest Texas A&M is currently a front-runner alongside Oklahoma and USC, Arrington remains in the early stages of his recruitment. Nonetheless, the Aggies are certainly a significant contender in his decision-making process.
In another development, 2026 four-star defensive back Arnoux is still committed to USC, along with his teammate Julian Lewis from Carrollton, Ga. However, Miami is making a strong push to flip him, with Arnoux expressing enthusiasm for his conversations with head coach Mario Cristobal and position coach Chevis Jackson. Given his family ties in South Florida and Miami’s recent performance, this situation is worth monitoring.
Meanwhile, 2026 four-star cornerback Barney, who is currently committed to Alabama, had impressive visits to both Ohio State and Georgia. However, his recent trip to Texas A&M may have been the standout experience of his recruitment. The Aggies made it clear that they will do everything possible to sway him away from the Crimson Tide.
There has been speculation about 2026 two-way four-star lineman Brown, from Baton Rouge, La. Originally thought to be destined for LSU, recent insights suggest Texas A&M has taken the lead. Brown appreciated the attention he received from the coaching staff during his visit, making connections with players like Nic Scourton.
Cantwell, a 2026 five-star offensive tackle from Nixa, Mo., is caught in a competition between Missouri, Oregon, and Alabama. His weekend visit to Alabama, where the Crimson Tide achieved a shutout against Missouri, left a lasting impression. Cantwell was particularly drawn to Alabama’s game-day traditions and their ability to help him reach his aspirations. He plans to visit LSU in early November when Alabama plays in Baton Rouge.
On the recruitment front, three-star receiver Collier from Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles, who committed to Baylor in June, is reportedly considering his options. After receiving an offer from Kansas State last week, Collier might visit Manhattan soon. He has also shown interest in Kansas and Michigan State from previous summer visits, with additional programs like Michigan State, Arizona State, Utah, Virginia Tech, and Illinois vying for his attention. Iowa, following his recent visit, is also in contention due to their coaching staff’s stability and track record in developing NFL talent.
As for Elee, a 2026 four-star defensive end, Oregon is currently leading his recruitment, but Maryland is close behind, benefitting from its geographical advantage. Other schools like Tennessee, Miami, and Texas A&M are also in the mix, but the competition appears primarily between Oregon and Maryland.
The 2026 four-star linebacker Forkpa from Hoschton, Ga., has Florida State as his top choice due to their consistent interest and involvement. The Seminoles appear to be the team to beat in his recruitment.
Three-star defensive end Gillians, currently committed to Syracuse, visited Michigan over the weekend as the Wolverines seek to flip him. Important discussions took place during his visit that could influence his decision between remaining with the Orange or considering the Wolverines more seriously.
Another recruit at the Florida State-Miami game, Hughes, remains committed to the Seminoles despite the team’s disappointing season. The 2026 three-star safety from Homestead (Fla.) South Dade has shown no signs of wavering from his pledge.
Kalis, a standout 2027 offensive tackle from Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic, has his eye on programs like Penn State, Ohio State, and Georgia. After visiting Indiana recently, he was impressed by their performance against Nebraska, noting that it has made them one of his early favorites.
Keyes, a 2026 four-star tight end from Ann Arbor, finds himself in a tug-of-war between Michigan and Ohio State. Although he lives in Ann Arbor, Ohio State has made him a priority, and a recent visit to Columbus heightened his interest following engaging talks with head coach Ryan Day and position coach Keenan Bailey.
Lockhart, a 2026 four-star cornerback committed to USC, reminisced about his thrilling visit to Oregon for their game against Ohio State. He noted the deafening atmosphere at Autzen Stadium, which made a lasting impression and indicates a growing attraction to the Ducks.
McDaniel, a high three-star quarterback from Hughson, Calif., committed to Arizona in May after an early commitment to Cal didn’t work out. However, he has recently received an offer from Florida and is seriously considering a visit to Gainesville soon, with indications that he might become increasingly interested in the Gators.
In the defensive front, Simpson remains committed to Nebraska but has been in consistent contact with USC and Texas, keeping the situation fluid. He currently sees Nebraska at 65 percent, followed by USC and Texas, while UCLA has also started reaching out.
Finally, several programs are vying for the attention of the 2026 four-star cornerback from Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School, including Clemson, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Ole Miss. After witnessing Indiana’s performance firsthand and building a rapport with their coaching staff, the Hoosiers have emerged as a significant contender in his recruitment.
Stewart, a five-star defensive end from New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr, visited Ohio State recently, and the Buckeyes feel confident about their standing in his recruitment. With Oregon also making a strong push, it’s clear that the competition for Stewart is heating up. Despite his local ties to LSU, it’s evident that he is keeping his options open.
