Prospects in the News
-Demarcus Riddick, LB, Clinton, AL (Chilton County HS), #31 nationally, #3 LB, and #4 LB in Ala.
The Auburn Tigers snagged a defensive upgrade by landing four-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick. Riddick, an Alabama native and 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, beat out the Tigers over the likes of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday.
Riddick flipped his commitment from the Bulldogs to the Tigers. Riddick is one of the best linebackers in the nation and has made a name for himself as a 2024 prospect to pay attention to.
While at Chilton County, he has also shown his versatility as a multi-positional and multi-sport athlete. He traded the gridiron for the hardwood in the winter months, where he averaged nearly nine points per game a season ago.
Not only has he been a standout linebacker, securing 109 tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble, but he has also contributed on kickoff returns and in kickoff coverage.
Riddick’s commitment brings the Tigers’ list to 12 pledges and a top-30 ranking in the nation (No. 27). Riddick is the eighth in-state commit for the Tigers and joins the likes of Jalyn Crawford and J’Marion Burtnette to add to an already underrated class.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ linebacker Demarcus Riddick announces his commitment to Auburn University over Bama and Georgia #WARDAMNEAGLE pic.twitter.com/VUcAU64FAe
— Power of Dixieland (@PwrofDixieland) July 26, 2023
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-Cai Bates, CB, Orlando, FL (Edgewater HS), #92 nationally, #12 CB, and #12 CB in Fla.
Another massive SEC commit comes from Cai Bates, who pledged to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers Wednesday night.
The four-star cornerback picked the Tigers over Florida State, Alabama, and Tennessee, as he is a top-15 player in Florida and nationally.
At 6-foot-1 1/2, 175 pounds, Bates has quickly caught the attention of some of the nation’s best as one of Edgewater’s premier players. The rising senior was dominant at the varsity level a year ago, showcasing his presence on both sides of the ball.
It’s official…@bates_cai 4 ⭐️ DB from @EdgewaterFB commits to @LSUfootball .
Cai Bates from is a long rangy DB with untapped potential.
Congrats and Best of Luck young fella pic.twitter.com/i9Q0cmpF2F
— elite100prospects (@elite100prospec) July 26, 2023
In 2022, Bates had a breakout season and was part of a 12-1 Eagles team that made it to the regional finals of Florida’s 3M state playoffs. Bates saw action at wideout with 17 catches for 241 yards and one score. Defensively, he also made his presence felt with four interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Adding Bates gives LSU some ground as it inches near the top 10 in national recruiting. Bates is the second player from Florida to give his verbal to the Tigers and is one of 11 four-star recruits.
-KJ Bolden S, Buford, GA (Buford HS), #8 nationally, #1 S, and #2 CB in Ga.
Arguably the most significant commitment watch over the next week is wherever five-star safety KJ Bolden lands. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, Bolden is in an elite group as a top 10 prospect in the country and the best safety in Georgia.
His commitment date is set for Aug. 5, as On3 predicts there is a 46.5% chance he will stay in-state and play for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs while Florida State, Ohio State, and Alabama are his other top choices.
Bolden attends Buford High School and has turned heads with his dynamic playmaking ability and his effortlessness in flying around all over the field. During his junior season, Bolden secured 43 tackles and was a junior MaxPreps All-American selection, helping lead Buford to an 11-1 season and a playoff berth.
Bolden visited Georgia on June 9 and Ohio State on June 16 but has yet to visit Florida State. Nonetheless, a commitment from Bolden would give the Bulldogs 26 pledges for the 2024 class and help maintain the No. 1 recruiting ranking.
-Aydin Breland DL, Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei HS), #26 nationally, #6 DL, and #3 DL in Calif.
As usual, Mater Dei continues to dominate the high school football scene and enters the 2023 season as the top team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.
Many legendary names, including recent NFL draftee Bryce Young, have sported the classic red and white uniform over the last decade-plus. Another future soon-to-be alumni who could follow a similar path is defensive lineman Aydin Breland.
Breland, a 6-foot-6 290-pound prospect, enters his senior season as a top-3 defensive lineman in the state of California and anchors a defensive unit that only gave up 153 points last season.
Breland’s physical presence has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, including quarterbacks, as he was part of four quarterback takedowns and 10.5 tackles for a loss. With one year to go, not only is his overall game improving, but his recruitment is also starting to take shape.
On3 sees a tight race for Breland, especially after visiting the Oregon Ducks on June 23, as it holds a slight lead at 23.9%. Not far behind them is Georgia, along with Miami (FL) and Texas A&M at 20.9%, 15%, and 10%, respectively.
At press time, Breland does not have a commitment date set.
