The street to varsity soccer stardom is paved with stress, promise, and potential — and for 3 of the highest operating backs within the 2026 class, that street is narrowing as dedication choices loom. Hollywood’s personal all-purpose phenom, a Jackson, Alabama, bruiser with a reclassified timeline, and an East Texas star discovering readability in chaos — all face defining moments. Visits are mounting, whispers are rising louder, and choices are inching nearer. Within the more and more high-stakes recreation of faculty soccer recruiting, momentum is every part, and this summer time, the pendulum is swinging wildly between goals and locations.
High operating backs are nearing main dedication choices as powerhouse applications make last pushes.
Chaminade-Madonna five-star leans Miami after visits to Auburn and others.
Ezavier Crowell stays a robust Alabama lean forward of June 26 choice.
KJ Edwards nonetheless possible headed to Texas regardless of visits to Alabama and LSU.
A South Florida Star, A Hometown Tug-of-Struggle
For the five-star again Derreck Cooper from Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Florida, the journey has by no means been brief on suitors. A latest go to to Auburn added gas to an already blazing recruitment, nevertheless it’s Miami that will maintain the within observe. With journeys lined as much as Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State, the panorama stays fluid — however South Florida roots run deep. The Hurricanes have lengthy been preventing to maintain elite expertise in-state, and with a surge of late curiosity and native momentum, they’re urgent each benefit to land Cooper.
The Buckeyes supply a well-recognized face in Jeremiah Smith, a Chaminade alum now thriving in Columbus. Georgia supplies championship pedigree and consistency. Alabama by no means wants a lot of a pitch. Nevertheless it’s the Hurricanes — the homegrown hope — who appear to be gaining probably the most traction. There’s an plain wave of perception that the speedster will keep residence, and whereas nothing’s last, steam towards Coral Gables is plain.
Miami goal 4-Star RB Derrek Cooper scores a landing right here at Chaminade-Madonna’s follow and throws up The U pic.twitter.com/zSfhZNIZhk
— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) Could 7, 2025
Alabama’s Quiet Confidence in Crowell
Ezavier Crowell isn’t simply one other identify on the recruiting board — he’s the prize that Alabama appears to have by no means let go of. Initially a 2027 prospect, the highly effective runner from Jackson, Alabama reclassified to the 2026 class, and from the outset, the Crimson Tide have stood agency atop his listing.
Texas made waves with a robust go to, and Auburn and Georgia stay within the image — pushing exhausting, particularly with Crowell’s teammate, quarterback Landon Duckworth, additionally attracting consideration. However within the background, Alabama has maintained quiet management. They’ve performed the groundwork, constructed the relationships, and positioned themselves because the logical and emotional favourite.
Crowell’s dedication date — June 26 — feels extra like a coronation than a toss-up. Regardless of the noise, nothing in latest weeks has shifted the trajectory. Alabama’s lead stays sturdy, and their observe document of growing backs speaks volumes.
5-star RB Ezavier Crowell will take an official go to to #Georgia this weekend, he tells me. 🐶
Crowell ranks because the no. 32 participant and the no. 2 RB within the 2026 class. 👀
Crowell will announce his school choice on June twenty sixth. pic.twitter.com/gYAm8j2H4H
— Dawg Recruiting (@DawggRecruiting) Could 27, 2025
Texas Holds Robust within the Edwards Chase
KJ Edwards’ recruitment is a chess match of technique and timing, and proper now, Texas holds probably the most highly effective items. The four-star from Carthage, Texas, was as soon as set to go to Baylor and SMU — however these stops have been swapped for Alabama and LSU, elevating eyebrows and expectations.
Nonetheless, the Longhorns seem unshaken. New operating backs coach Chad Scott has cultivated a robust bond with Edwards, and that relationship is proving tough to high. Texas A&M continues to be in pursuit, and the Tigers and Tide try late pushes, however Texas gives a compelling mixture of alternative, belief, and proximity.
In a recruitment panorama outlined by volatility, the Longhorns present a way of consistency — a spot the place Edwards can shine, develop, and keep near residence. Except one thing dramatic adjustments, this one seems like a gradual stroll towards a burnt orange end.
KJ Edwards, No. 3 RB within the nation, from Carthage HS in Texas is ready for an OV to Alabama.
🗣️ “Bama produces operating backs, so it solely made sense.”
Extra on his recruitment/early tackle the Tide’s place.
STORY: https://t.co/NmQur7pknQ
pic.twitter.com/VTkIJc7oGU
— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) Could 24, 2025
