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SEC decommitment tracker: 9 prospects have changed pledge so far in 2018 class
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Recruiting is an extremely fluid process. Nothing is ever a done deal until a player has faxed in his signed letter and arrived on campus.
Because of the competitive nature that is recruiting in the SEC, it’s not uncommon for players to back out of a pledge to re-evaluate a massive life decision. Of course, this leaves fans frustrated and in the dark.
Although the 2018 recruiting cycle still has a long way to go, there already have been a few changes of heart from SEC targets.
Let’s review each of those situations.
Donovan Georges, 3-star LB (decommitted from Georgia): The most recent SEC decommitment came from Florida inside linebacker Donovan Georges. The 3-star prospect reopened his recruitment May 22 after committing to Georgia in January. The Bulldogs remain in play for Georges, who is the No. 27 inside linebacker prospect in the 247Sports Composite, but he is drawing attention from several schools.
Dameon Pierce, 4-star RB (Alabama): Few programs have reloaded at running back like Alabama has in recent years, so it should be able to survive the loss of Dameon Pierce. The 4-star prospect is rated the No. 5 running back in this class and had been committed to the Tide for nearly a year before backing out on May 18.
Pierce has said that he is back to square one, and some believe Georgia is very much in play.
Jashaun Corbin, 3-star RB (Tennessee): Unlike the previous two players, Jashaun Corbin is no longer on the market. After decommitting from Tennessee on May 16, Corbin announced his pledge to Florida State on May 22. The 3-star prospect is rated the No. 8 all-purpose back in this class.
Cadarius Gaskin, 3-star WR (Kentucky): Cadarius Gaskin was committed to Kentucky for less than a month before reversing that decision May 8. It was reported that the Wildcats and the 3-star receiver parted ways, making it seem like a mutual breakup. Gaskin doesn’t have many notable offers, and it’s possible Kentucky wanted to pursue other players at the position.
Caden Sterns, 4-star S (LSU): It’s not often that a highly-rated defensive back gets away from LSU, but Caden Sterns flipped his pledge from the Tigers to in-state Texas on May 7. Sterns is rated the No. 4 prospect at his position. LSU is well-stocked at the safety position, though, and can survive the loss of a prospect like Sterns.
Adam Anderson, 4-star LB (Georgia): The Bulldogs haven’t had much luck with linebacker prospects in this class. Adam Anderson, the No. 2 outside linebacker prospect, flipped his commitment from Georgia to LSU on April 22 so that he could continue to play with two teammates from Rome High School who are committed to the Tigers.
Jemaurian Jones, 3-star CB (Mississippi State): Since Jemaurian Jones decommitted from Mississippi State on April 9, the 3-star cornerback has picked up several big offers. Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee are just some of the teams who have shown interest in the No. 61-ranked cornerback prospect.
Stephen Guidry, 4-star WR (LSU): The saga between LSU and the nation’s top JUCO wide receiver, Stephen Guidry, has been well documented. After an on-again, off-again relationship with the Tigers, the No. 1 JUCO receiver opted not to sign with the program on National Signing Day and then reopened his recruitment April 8. As of now, LSU appears to be a longshot to regain Guidry’s commitment and several other SEC teams are in the mix.
Max Wray, 4-star OT (Georgia): Max Wray became the first of three prospects to back out of a pledge with the Bulldogs in the recruiting cycle. The No. 6-rated offensive tackle decommitted from Georgia on March 10 and took visits to several prominent programs before committing to Ohio State on April 15.
