Arkansas has been on a tear throughout the summer.
After hosting Lone Star State linebacker Bryce Breeden last weekend, his commitment is in.
Breeden committed to the Razorbacks on Friday, choosing Arkansas over Arizona, Purdue, TCU, and others.
“All the schools were pretty neck and neck from a football standpoint. When I took football out of it and looked at the whole picture, Arkansas is where I feel at home and will perform my best every day,” Breeden told Rivals of his commitment.
“When I got on campus, I felt like I was home,” he continued. “It’s a big town with a small-town feel. I fit right into the scheme and culture at Arkansas.”
“It’s a new staff that has only been there for a couple of months; they have a history of putting guys in the right spot and longevity,” Breeden detailed. “I’m trusting my plan they have for me for the next couple of years.”
Ohio State sits on the cusp of another top-5 recruiting class, and the Buckeyes could be receiving even more good news this weekend.
Four-star Jackson (Miss.) offensive lineman Caden Moss is set to commit Friday night, and the Buckeyes are surging late as the favorite to land him. Over the past 24 hours, Rivals national experts Steve Wiltfong, Sam Spiegelman and Chad Simmons have each logged picks in OSU’s favor to land Moss.
Ole Miss was seen by many insiders as the favorite over the past few months, but that’s no longer the case.
“Over the final week, the dynamics have shifted,” Simmons wrote. “Ohio State gained traction at the perfect time. Tyler Bowen and Ryan Day’s staff have generated the strongest buzz entering decision day, pushing the Buckeyes ahead in a race that changed repeatedly over the last several days. Moss considered Ole Miss, Kentucky and Ohio State his final three heading into the finish, but the momentum now points toward Columbus.”
Moss may be the crown jewel of them all. The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder is the No. 45 overall prospect and No. 5 offensive lineman in the class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.
He also ranks as the No. 1 recruit in Mississippi.
Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:
“Wide-bodied offensive lineman with the length and power to be an asset in the run game. Measured in at around 6-foot-4.5, 330 pounds prior to his senior season. Has long arms that measure over 34 inches, along with 10+ inch hands. Wide-hipped and carries most of his mass in his lower body. Emerged as a top offensive line prospect early on in his high school career. Lines up at left tackle for his high school. A mauler in the run game. Plays low, working to get underneath the pads of smaller opposing defensive linemen. Runs his feet on contact and works to finish blocks with authority. Plays with good effort and requisite physicality. Flashes solid footwork in pass protection.
… Width makes him a significant obstacle for defensive linemen to run around in pass rush situations, particularly if playing on the interior. Also participates in track and field, throwing a personal best of 44 feet in the shot put. Tacked on over 30 pounds during his junior football season and will need to reshape his body once he’s in a college strength and conditioning program. Registers as an average athlete in the combine setting and does not face top competition on a weekly basis playing in Mississippi’s private school league. Has some positional versatility if he can continue improving his movement skills with the upside of working at both tackle and guard at the college level.”
Notre Dame’s 2027 class is one of the most decorated in America.
The Irish’s haul added even more star power in the form of five-star offensive line prospect Albert Simien, who committed to Notre Dame over Texas A&M, LSU, and others on Friday.
The No. 10 player in American, Simien has been to South Bend three times since last fall.
Notre Dame staff has steadily been climbing for the blue-chipper from Louisiana and moved into the lead after knocking it out of the park during last weekend’s official visit.
“South Bend was great. The Notre Dame visit was great,” Simien told Rivals after returning home. “Getting to see the lifestyle of the student-athletes was the main thing to me.”
“Getting to talk shop with Coach Freeman was great,” he continued. “Coach Freeman and I talk shop every now and then. Mainly, just conversation to get a feel for each other as people.”
Marcus Freeman has been an ace for the Irish recruiting the No. 2 interior OL in the class out of Lake Charles (La.) Sam Houston.
After visiting town in January during the Contact Period, there was buzz all across the town about Freeman visiting the high school.
Notre Dame also checked all of the boxes for Simien along the way.
“We went up there for junior day and learned about the traditions behind the college itself and the atmosphere,” Simien has said. “When you go outside of the football side of the program, it’s a lot more academic-oriented than most places I’ve visited. Then getting to talk with other recruits, their commits, they guided me on the side of their religious reasons for going and picking that school.”
“It was big for me to understand that they care about the person behind the pads more than the player,” he added.
5-star OL Albert Simien Scouting Summary
The Under Armour All-American and Polynesian Bowl All-American from The Boot is the No. 10 overall prospect in the country.
A multi-sport athlete for Sam Houston, Simien is also considered one of the best offensive line prospects in this cycle, according to Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power.
“Dominant interior offensive line prospect whose combination of length, functional mobility, and balance makes him one of the top linemen in the 2027 cycle. Measured just under 6-foot-3 and around 270 pounds prior to his junior season with plus length, including 34-inch arms. Lines up at left tackle for his high school, where he consistently controls the line of scrimmage. Dominant run blocker who manipulates defenders with his length, strength, and coordination. Moves easily to the second level and maintains leverage to seal running lanes. Has outstanding lower-body flexibility as a mover. Equally effective in pass protection with controlled feet and strong balance in his set. Rarely off-platform and plays with a calm, steady demeanor. Shows up as a better athlete on the field than he tests in combine settings. Does not overwhelm from a stature standpoint and is slightly shorter than ideal for a top interior prospect, but compensates with technique, consistency, and competitive toughness. Well-rounded game, positional versatility, and dominant film make him one of the safest offensive line prospects in the 2027 cycle.”
The Opening Finals is officially back following a six-year hiatus. The Nike Football event gets underway on Thursday from Beaverton, Oregon and will run through Friday.
More than 100 prospects across the 2027, 2028 and 2029 recruiting cycles are in attendance this week at the Philip H. Knight Campus. Prospects earned invites to the finals after competing in regional events across seven cities this spring and summer.
Some of the program’s prominent alumni include 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, two-time All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase, reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, and two-time NFL rushing yards leader Derrick Henry.
Friday’s action will feature a 7-on-7 tournament, culminating in a championship match in the afternoon. Rivals National Scout Cody Bellaire, as well as Rivals national experts Greg Biggins, Brandon Huffman and Sam Spiegelman are all on hand this week and will provide analysis throughout the first session.
3:05 p.m. PT: Gabe Osborne picks off Brady Edmunds on the second play of the championship game. — Brandon Huffman
1:31 p.m. PT: Tahj Gray is special, really like how he plays, has a college body right now, but moves really well, high compete level, tough, physical and smart. — Greg Biggins
1:16 p.m. PT: Midwest about to play the Southwest in semifinals – winner plays West in the championship game. — Brandon Huffman
10:18 a.m. PT: Neimann Lawrence having a strong outing thus far. Has been fitting the ball into tight windows and consistently moving the chains. — Cody Bellaire
10:17 a.m. PT:Rutgers commit Jamar Taylor make a sick one-handed touchdown catch on a pass from Missouri commit Braylon Warren. — Brandon Huffman
10:10 a.m. PT: Next game on Field 1 will be South – Northeast. — Greg Biggins
10:07 a.m. PT: Peyton Houston clutches up. Drives Team Southwest down the field and ends the game with a walk-off score after evading the blitz. — Cody Bellaire
10:06 a.m. PT:Hayden Stepp with the pass breakup on the final play of the game to seal the win for the West, 14-6.
Hayden Stepp with the PBU on final play of the game to seal the win for the West 14-6 pic.twitter.com/Jr3Tx8cPWw
10:01 a.m. PT:James Foster has been patrolling the secondary with a VENGEANCE. Has been flying all over the back half of the field. — Cody Bellaire
10 a.m. PT: Tough game for Trae Taylor, four three-and-outs and a pick. Two coverage sacks to end drives, too. — Brandon Huffman
9:59 a.m. PT:Israel Abrams throws a dot down the right sideline to Derrell Hines who climbs the ladder to bring down a 50-50 ball. — Cody Bellaire
9:53 a.m. PT: Sarod Baker continues to making magic happen in the open field. He’s extremely shifty with the ball in his hands and has been consistently targeted in the underneath levels of the field. — Cody Bellaire
9:51 a.m. PT: Raheem Floyd super active this game- had the pick six and just nearly had another one to break up a 4th and goal pass. — Brandon Huffman
9:46 a.m. PT: Jaxsen Stokes has been really good catching the ball out of the backfield. The Cal commit is also showing no hesitance when a defender tries to get too physical in tagging him. He just lowers his shoulder. — Brandon Huffman
9:43 a.m. PT:Raheem Floyd with a sick one-handed pick-six in the back of the end zone on a pass from Ryan Rakowski to get them on the board. — Brandon Huffman
9:35 a.m. PT: SMU linebacker commitment Braylon Williams was taken off the field after suffering what looked to be a knee injury during play on Friday morning. — Sam Spiegelman
9:33 a.m. PT: Halftime here with the West team up 14-0. Midwest has yet to get a first down. — Greg Biggins
9:29 a.m. PT: Rakowski’s first drive ends with a touchdown pass to Eli Woodard. — Brandon Huffman
9:16 a.m. PT: James Foster with an early INT jumping Israel Abrams pass down the left sideline. — Cody Bellaire
9:12 a.m. PT: Top seed West takes on the Midwest on field one. Ohio State QB commit Brady Edmunds gets the first reps for the West. — Brandon Huffman
8:43 a.m. PT: Back at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon this morning for the final day of The Opening Finals. The double elimination Nike 7-on-7 tournament gets started this morning and the championship game is set for 3 p.m. PT.
Action gets started at 9 a.m. PT. — Brandon Huffman
The four-star Johnson chose the Yellow Jackets over opportunities from Indiana, LSU and North Carolina.
“I feel comfortable with them,” Johnson said.. “It’s a stable program, and I really like a lot of the players there, including many of the players in the 2027 recruiting class.”
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Johnson ranks as the Rivals300’s No. 17 offensive tackle and No. 207 prospect overall. He becomes commit No. 26 for head coach Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets, adding to a class Rivals previously ranked No. 23 nationally.
“It seemed like the perfect fit,” Johnson said. “There weren’t any red flags or aspects I disliked. It was the first official visit I took, and I found myself comparing every other visit to it.
“I’m excited to call Georgia Tech home.”
Georgia Tech is particularly recruiting well on the offensive line as Johnson adds to a class that also includes four-star offensive tackle Joshua Sam-Epelle, along with fellow offensive tackle Braylin Mills and interior targets Jordan Dillon and Jaiden Thompson.
Johnson raved about his official visit to Georgia Tech with colleague Greg Smith.
“I don’t know how any other OV could top this one. The city was incredible and the staff matched that energy. I really connected with Coach Mo and Coach Torrey. They spent time with me in the film room and pointed out a few things I can improve.
“What really stood out was that two highly recruited players who had their OVs the week before came back just because they heard I’d be there. We all talked about what it could look like if we ended up there together. They’re definitely building something special.
“A great program, great academics and a chance to play my freshman or sophomore year in college.”
The 6-foot-4.5, 235-pounder has had his sights set on a summer pledge. This weekend, he’ll choose between five finalists: LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State and Oregon.
Cartwright is the No. 346 overall prospect and No. 18 TE in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 recruit in the state of Michigan.
After logging his official visits, Cartwright has seen what he needs to see and is ready to come off the board. Oregon got him over to Eugene for his final OV over the weekend and it’s the Ducks that are currently trending, per the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine.
“It was great,” Cartwright said of his trip to Oregon when speaking with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “The opportunity to play with and for people whether it’s within the football program or outside of the program excites me because everybody in Eugene wants to reach that ultimate goal which is winning the Natty, and being a part of that would be special.”
In-state schools still swinging for Cartwright
For a while, it looked like it was going to be tough to pull Cartwright out of The Great Lakes State. Both the Wolverines and Spartans have been pushing heavily to land the blue-chipper. Cartwright is a Michigan State legacy.
“I’ve been around Michigan State a lot of my life, so the campus wasn’t really new,” Cartwright told SpartanMag following his OV to East Lansing. “My dad always tells me anytime I have a question, I can ask him, because he’s an alumnus there. It was pretty cool being able to put on the uniform and walk around the stadium to get that experience that I’ve seen for as long as I can remember, for real.”
Michigan has continued to up its standing with Cartwright, too. He’s continued to get familiar with Kyle Whittingham and the new staff in Ann Arbor.
“They do a lot with tight ends, so I feel like that really fits my playstyle, and I’ll be able to excel in their scheme,” Cartwright told The Wolverine last month.
This weekend, one school will be greeted with good news from one of the top tight end recruits in the nation.
His final two schools remain the same. Clemson and Georgia have been wrestling for momentum with the Yellowhammer State star this summer and one of those programs will nab his pledge in the coming days.
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers currently have the edge, according to the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine. Aparicio-Bailey took official visits to both schools weeks ago.
He is the No. 174 overall prospect and No. 14 safety in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 recruit in Alabama.
The likes of Auburn, South Carolina and Florida were also previously involved in Aparicio-Bailey’s recruitment, but it’s Georgia that emerged from the SEC contenders. Clemson has been at the top of the pack for some time and is looking to pluck him out of SEC country.
“Those two schools best fit me as a player, scheme-wise,” Aparicio-Bailey told Rivals’ Chad Simmons earlier this month. “And just the atmosphere they have in the building, they’re the two best out of everybody.”
“I feel like I have everything answered from both schools,” he added. “Now it’s just me and my family thinking through everything. I think it comes down to relationships and what school I can be the happiest at.”
After weighing his options, Aparicio-Bailey will announce his decision live with Rivals this weekend.
Scouting Jayden Aparicio-Bailey
Rivals’ Greg Biggins wrote this about Aparicio-Bailey as a prospect back in May:
“Versatile defensive back with a really nice all around game. Has a safety frame but a corner skill set and could legitimately play anywhere in the secondary. Plays more safety in order ti impact the game more but being recruited more as a corner. Long and rangy and covers a ton of ground. Gets great jumps on the ball and is one of the more instinctive defensive backs in the country. Flys off the hash and shows knock back ability at the point of contact. Plays the ball well in the air and is able to cover down the field without being to handsy. Has shown at various 7v7 events he’s very capable as a potential lock down corner.
…Strong in press coverage and can bully opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage. Does a nice job high pointing the football and flashes big play ability with the ball in his hands. Big frame and still filling out and his likely college position will be determined by how much size he puts on over the next few years. Very talented around player and should see the field early in his college career.”
The Opening Finals is officially back following a six-year hiatus. The Nike Football event gets underway on Thursday from Beaverton, Oregon and will run through Friday.
More than 100 prospects across the 2027, 2028 and 2029 recruiting cycles are in attendance this week at the Philip H. Knight Campus. Prospects earned invites to the finals after competing in regional events across seven cities this spring and summer.
Some of the program’s prominent alumni include 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, two-time All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase, reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, and two-time NFL rushing yards leader Derrick Henry.
Thursday will feature 1-on-1 action, as well as “training camp” style periods. Rivals National Scout Cody Bellaire, as well as Rivals national experts Greg Biggins, Brandon Huffman and Sam Spiegelman are all on hand this week and will provide analysis throughout the first session.
3:31 p.m. PT: We are in the afternoon seven on seven session and Alabama five-star quarterback commit Elijah Haven through touchdowns on three consecutive throws
Two were deep shots and another a strike in coverage in the middle of the end zone
Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell is coaching Elijah on the field. — Sam Spiegelman
3:26 p.m. PT:Braylen Bedford with an INT, twitchy 2028 safety/corner. — Greg Biggins
Following the end of Thursday’s morning session, Rivals’ Cody Bellaire and Brandon Huffman have named their eye-catchers as the players will break for lunch before returning for the evening session.
Nebraska four-star QB commit Trae Taylor, Miami four-star QB commit Irsael Abrams, Texas Tech four-star RB commit SaRod Baker, Texas five-star WR commit Easton Royal and Miami five-star CB commit Donte Wright were among the 17 prospects featured.
“Taylor spun it extremely well, placed it well during 1-on-1s, looked good during warmups, the ball jumps out of his hand,” Bellaire wrote. “He finished top five in the longest-throw contest, sending one 66 yards downfield. From an arm talent and strength standpoint, he really does have it all and he showed that.”
On Royal: “The vertical ability of Texas WR commit Easton Royal is second to none in this setting. He’s clearly a sub-10.5 100-meter track star and he shows that on the field. His play speed matches his track speed — if you don’t get a hand on him in the line of scrimmage and can’t re-route him, then you better be as quick as him or he’ll blow by you vertically.”
Opening Finals Day 1 Morning Updates
10:40 a.m. PT: Onto the longest throw competition as the elite crop of QBs let it fly. Clemson four-star commit Kharim Hughley takes first with a 68-yard throw. LSU four-star commit Peyton Houston (67), Nebraska four-star commit Trae Taylor (66), Missouri four-star commit Braylen Warren (63) and Ohio State four-star commit Brady Edmunds (61) round out the top five. — Cody Bellaire
10:25 a.m. PT: The fastest man competition came down to Texas Five-Star Plus+ CB commit John Meredith and junior four-star WR Deandre Bidden. With a 4.49 hand-time, Bidden was the overall winner after they both won a heat.
10:15 a.m. PT: Pass-catchers like Texas WR commit Easton Royal, Texas Tech WR commit Benny Easter Jr., Cal TE/WR commit Charles Davis and Kentucky TE commit Tank Proctor definitely look the part early on. — Cody Bellaire
10:08 a.m. PT: Three-star SMU LB commitBraylon Williams and Cal three-star RB commit Jaxsen Stokes each win a rep against each other. Williams gets him violently first, then Stokes accelerates past him the next rep. — Brandon Huffman
10:05 a.m. PT: Four-star LB Brayton Feister is pretty damn physical. Four-star RB Trey Martin jukes right into him and gets drilled. Feister will announce his commitment on July 11. — Brandon Huffman
10:02 a.m. PT: Junior four-star linebacker Allen Kennett just laid out a running back as he tried to juke him. He didn’t have time for that today. Kennett is the No. 12 LB in the 2028 cycle, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. — Brandon Huffman
9:58 a.m. PT: Four-star RB Trey Martin gets to work in the cat-and-mouse drill, juking his defender with ease. Martin, an LSU commit, is the No. 11 RB in the nation.
LSU 4-star RB commit Trey Martin jukes out a defender
9:51 a.m. PT: Trenton Yancey, a four-star WR out of Duncanville (Texas), was held for an entire rep and still comes down with the catch. — Brandon Huffman
9:49 a.m. PT: Quickly in to 1-on-1s. On the first rep, Quentin Hale, the four-star USC commit, went up against five-star Donte Wright and the Miami CB commit (and Hale’s 7on teammate) gets the breakup. — Brandon Huffman
9:30 a.m. PT: Purely body-typing…out of the quarterback group, Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds, Alabama commit Elijah Haven, 2028 QB Neimann Lawrence, Missouri commit Braylen Warren and Nebraska commit Trae Taylor are the most well put together prospects. — Cody Bellaire
9:15 a.m. PT: Prospects are on the field and getting loose. In addition to participating in the event, a handful of blue-chippers are also nearing their college commitments. Four-star linebacker Fredderick Ford, four-star linebacker Sean Fox and junior four-star quarterback Niemann Lawrence are among those that will announce their decisions on Thursday.
8:35 a.m. PT: At the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton this morning for the first day of the The Opening Finals. The morning session will be the Jordan Football Training Camp, with a dynamic workout, individual drills, 1-on-1s and some events before this afternoon and evening see the Nike 7-on-7 portion get underway. Action should be getting underway in the next hour. — Brandon Huffman
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