Championships in college football are won in large part by recruiting. Every recent national champion was filled with players who were highly sought-after prospects during their time in high school. For example, QB JJ McCarthy and CB Will Johnson were four-star recruits when they committed to play for the Michigan Wolverines. Here is one “must-have” recruit for six prominent programs in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Alabama Crimson Tide: LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale initially committed to play for the Washington Huskies. However, less than an hour after the news broke of Kalen DeBoer leaving Washington for the Alabama job, the four-star linebacker announced that he decommitted from Washington. Coincidence?
Relationships are everything in the world of recruiting. If Rainey-Sale commits to playing for DeBoer in Tuscaloosa after previously committing to play for him in Seattle, then it could signal a level of trust that will result in other notable recruits signing up to play for Alabama.
After a great conversation with@PlayerProMorgan and @freddierch8 i'm blessed to say i've received a offer to @AlabamaFTBL #RollTide pic.twitter.com/loePYm6KZt
— 4⭐️ LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale (@ZaydriusS) January 16, 2024
Tennessee Volunteers: WR Thomas Blackshear
Thomas Blackshear announced that he will commit to either the Georgia Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, or Tennessee Volunteers. The four-star WR would be an excellent addition for Josh Heupel. Blackshear would be an excellent fit in Tennessee’s offense, which likes to run no-huddle and make opposing defenses cover every blade of grass. Could Blackshear be the next Jalin Hyatt?
Friday night was a movie!! @RustyMansell_ @RecruitGeorgia @JeremyO_Johnson @ChadSimmons_ @247Sports @RivalsFriedman pic.twitter.com/q0UMWontrY
— Thomas Blackshear “Tblack” (@ThomasB2_) September 24, 2023
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Georgia Bulldogs: OT Mason Short
Mason Short was previously committed to play for Alabama. However, after recently visiting the University of Georgia, the four-star decommitted from Alabama. Kirby Smart has built Georgia as a team that wants to prioritize dominating the line of scrimmage. Short would be a great pickup for the Bulldogs.
BREAKING: 2025 4-star IOL Mason Short has announced that he is reopening his recruitment.
Short, a Georgia native, had been committed to Alabama since April 2. pic.twitter.com/aQHlBrMs1o
— Brody Smoot (@BrodySmoot) January 16, 2024
Texas A&M Aggies: DB Deyjhon Pettaway
There is mutual interest between the Texas A&M Aggies and four-star defensive back Deyjhon Pettaway. New Head Coach Mike Elko has lost some talented players from the transfer portal, including but not limited to former five-star recruits Evan Stewart and Walter Nolen. Elko was the Aggie’s defensive coordinator in 2021 and coached a unit that allowed the third-fewest points in the entire nation. Bringing Pettaway would certainly help Mike Elko return Texas A&M to being one of the best defenses in the country.
Pretty cool quote from my conversation with five-star cornerback Deyjhon Pettaway tonight:
“Man, the new staff is great. You can really tell they want change, the conversations hold more meaning and weight. They have the teaching, resources, mindset, and mentality to win.” pic.twitter.com/eVfN0duQeL
— Jaxson Callaway (AT) (@AggiesToday) January 14, 2024
Washington Huskies: OT Andrew Babalola
The Washington Huskies were the recipient of the 2023 Joe Moore Award, the honor that’s given to the team with the best offensive line in college football. If the Huskies want to continue to have dominant offensive line play, it would behoove them to heavily go after Andrew Babalola, a four-star prospect who many consider to be the best high school player, regardless of position, in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Offers for 4⭐️ OT Andrew Babalola (@AndrewBabalola4)
Babalola is the #3 ranked OT and the #20 ranked recruit in the 2025 class. (247Sports) pic.twitter.com/NOUVPFJiHk
— Parker Titus (@ptgraphics0) December 30, 2023
Miami Hurricanes: DB DJ Pickett
DJ Pickett is considered by many to be a top 10 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. There is mutual interest between the Tampa product and the Miami Hurricanes. Will Pickett elect to stay in state and help the Hurricanes return to national prominence?
2025 5⭐️DB DJ Pickett #GoCanes #TheU 🙌🟩🟧 pic.twitter.com/jYw8EETNh7
— CB (@ChalupaBatmaan) January 18, 2024