While the class of 2026 is virtually three years away from suiting up at the college level, a few talented sophomores have already shut down their commitment.
Arkansas, Miami and USC are the only programs with two commitments, while five other programs hold a single commitment from the class of 2026.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Interior offensive lineman Zykie Helton: At 6-foot-2, 320-pounds, Helton is a menace in the trenches. After being used as a rotational piece along the Carrollton (GA) offensive and defensive line as a freshman, Helton has morphed into one of the most dominant blockers in all of high school football. While he has mainly played the guard and center position for the Trojans, Helton is more than capable of handling the responsibilities of a tackle, which only increases his value as a prospect.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Athlete Tay Lockett: With nine interceptions in his last nine games dating back to 2022, Lockett has emerged as one of the best young defensive backs in the country. His success has not come easy, as St. John Bosco (CA) plays one of the toughest schedules in all of high school football.
Offensive tackle Bear McWhorter: The Cass (GA) product already looks the part of a Division I offensive lineman, standing at a staggering 6-foot-4, 300-pounds. He announced his commitment to the Razorbacks just three days after Lockett, kicking off the Arkansas recruiting class with a bang.
Florida State Seminoles
Athlete Devin Carter: Football is a family affair in the Carter household, as both Carter's father (Dexter) and brother (Dexter Jr.) played at the collegiate level. However, Devin may end up being the most talented of the bunch. He is virtually unguardable at the high school level, despite playing in one of the toughest classification in the nation.
Miami Hurricanes
Cornerback Ksani Jiles: With only 13 Division I offers to his name, Jiles shut down his recruitment rather quick. And despite his commitment to the Hurricanes, Jiles is continuing to court a number of other schools. His recruitment, along with many of the other listed athletes, is one to monitor over the next few years.
Wide recieiver Malachi Toney: Standing at just 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, Toney plays much bigger than his size suggests. While his speed is his main tool to beat defenders, the American Heritage (FL) receiver is more than able to go up and compete for 50-50 balls.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.: Coming in at 6-foot-5, 185-pounds, Henry is the prototypical jump ball receiver. His 4.57 speed at such a towering height makes him a unique prospect that can beat you with both his speed and athleticism. For what it's worth, of all the commitments on this list, Henry's feels the most secure.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Running back Messiah Mickens: As a freshman, Mickens ran for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding another 200 yards through the air. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound back has great speed for a prospect his size and his prowess as a receiver only makes him more coveted as a prospect.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Quarterback Landon Duckworth: Even as a freshman, Duckworth had already cemented himself as one of the best overall prospects in the state of Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller led the Aggies to the 4A playoffs while throwing for 1,985 yards and rushing for another 355 yards while finding the endzone a total of 28 times. The Gamecocks hope Duckworth can provide stability at the quarterback position, something the program has lacked under Shane Beamer.
USC Trojans
Wide receiver Ja'Myron Baker: While Baker could more than likely play both wide receiver and cornerback at a Division I level, his commitment to the Trojans came on the offensive side of the ball. He was one of current USC quarterback Malachi Nelson's favorite targets last season at Los Alamitos (CA), so the fit here seems natural.
Quarterback Julian Lewis: Lewis may be the best prospect in all of high school football at the moment, regardless of age. If a quarterback was engineered in a laboratory, Julian Lewis would be the result. There's nothing else to say other than this kid is the real deal.
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