Simmons Scoop: SEC schools are trending for some of the best in the midwest

There is top talent in the midwest this cycle. Lincoln Cure and DaSaahn Brame are two of the top tight ends in the country. Both reside in Kansas. While On3’s Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons didn’t see those two on this trip, he saw other top talent in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

He shares the latest intel on some of the top 2025 and 2026 prospects he saw:

4-star OT Andrew Babalola

The buzz: Andrew Babalola is likely cutting his list down to around five schools by the end of April. He is in California this week visiting USC and Stanford. Heading into this trip, the schools in the best position are Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Babalola was in College Station last weekend and the Aggies made a big impression. The Wolverines did the same earlier this spring. A couple of months ago, Oklahoma looked to hold a comfortable lead, but this race is much tighter and official visits will play a big role in his decision.

4-star LB Dawson Merritt

The buzz: This weekend is big for Dawson Merritt. Alabama will host him on an official visit and the Crimson Tide are likely in his top two. The buzz is around Alabama and Nebraska. He was in Lincoln last weekend and now Tuscaloosa. Heading into this visit, Alabama could have a slight lead, and with a strong visit, they could be hard to beat in the end. He is also considering Missouri and Oklahoma.

4-star ATH CJ Nickson

The buzz: Oklahoma is in the driver’s seat for CJ Nickson. He is close to the staff, especially Miguel Chavis, and the Sooners will be tough to beat. It is hard to name another school to watch. Nickson was back in Norman last week and the Sooners are trending in a big way.

4-star OT Broderick Shull

The buzz: Things are lining up nicely for Auburn when it comes to Broderick Shull. They check a lot of boxes for not only him, but for his family. Shull likes the staff, the community and the people on the Plains. His father, an engineer, has connections to a professor on campus as well. Auburn is leading the way heading into official visits. Texas Tech was the first school to offer Shull, but Texas A&M looks to be Auburn’s biggest competitor at this time.

4-star CB Trystan Haynes

The buzz: The race for Trystan Haynes starts with Oklahoma. He is expected back at the in-state school this weekend for the spring game and he is coveted by the staff in Norman. Haynes had a nice visit to Notre Dame last weekend and he will be back for an official visit in June. Texas A&M is in this race too. Georgia and Miami round out his top five, but Haynes has two teammates committed to the Sooners and brent Venables would love to add a third star out of Carl Alberts High.

4-star WR Corey Simms

The buzz: Missouri is working hard to keep Corey Simms home. I still lean toward the Tigers with the playmaker in St. Louis, but USC has his attention too. He likes Lincoln Riley’s offense, how he always has a top quarterback and how he sees himself in the system. Expect Missouri to roll out the red carpet in June when Simms takes his official visit. Nebraska and Ole Miss are also in the mix.

4-star OT Jack Lange

The buzz: Jack Lange is giving each school on his list a fair shot. Talking to sources, nobody has a great feel on who has the edge heading into official visits. Missouri is working to keep him home. Michigan really impressed him this spring and he likes Sherrone Moore. Nebraska and Wisconsin are both in play too.

4-star RB Jamarion Parker

The buzz: Nebraska has some momentum, but the longer this recruitment of Jamarion Parker goes, the more time other schools have to make up ground. The one-time Arkansas commit was recruited by Jimmy Smith and Smith has moved to TCU. The two have picked things back up and Parker could visit the Horned Frogs this summer. Alabama had Parker on campus last weekend and offered. South Carolina recently offered the Gamecocks pique his internet too.

4-star OT Brock Heath

The buzz: Brock Heath is working to finalize his official visits, but Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern look to be in a good position to receive one. He could take three, but he could end up taking four or five. Heath has multiple connections to Kansas State in football and basketball, but he is still exploring his options. Iowa has his attention too with their history of producing offensive linemen.

3-star EDGE Tristan Abrams

The buzz: Triston Abrams stock is going up, so his recruitment may look like this now, but be completely different after the spring evaluation period. Heading into that, Indiana has done a great job with Abrams. The Hoosiers are set to host Abrams on an official visit on June 21. He likes the staff and the opportunity. Michigan has started to show interest and others are expected to in the coming weeks.

2026 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell

The buzz: I like where Georgia sits for Jackson Cantwell. It is early, but the relationships are strong between Cantwell and those in Athens. Not only the football staff, but his parents have connections with members of the track staff as well. Cantwell is one of the best in the country in the shot put and he is leaning toward trying both on the next level. Kirby Smart’s program is setting the pace at this stage.

2026 4-star RB Kaydin Jones

The buzz: Kaydin Jones is an Oklahoma legacy and he is a top target in 2026 for the Sooners. His recruitment starts with the SEC program in Norman and sources expect the Sooners to be tough to best. He visited Louisville and Tennessee last week, he wants to check out Oregon, but Oklahoma, the school his father played running back at, is expected to be tough to beat.

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