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Late spring into the summer has become not only the hottest time of the year, but it’s the hottest months for rising high school stars to make their college decisions.
Official visits tend to sway the decisions of some upcoming seniors, and some juniors, as they prepare for either their last or second to last season of high school football.
That was the case for 615 standouts as the months of June and July saw several of the area’s top prospects announce we’re they’ll play their college ball.
We decided to take a look at those months, especially July, as they have become the two biggest commitment months on the recruiting calendar. To save some time, below is a list of area players who made their college decisions in June.
- Femi Babalola, Ravenwood: Boston College
- Owen Cabell, CPA: Alabama
- Jordan Curll, Page: Western Kentucky
- Omeiza Daniyan, Green Hill: Army
- Jack Fuchs, Beech: Penn State
- Syler Green, Independence Eastern Kentucky
- Avery Hughes, Portland: Navy
- Kaedyn Marable, BGA: Columbia
- Chelton Swafford, Beech: ETSU
- Luke Thompson, Franklin: Tennessee
July was just as big, if not bigger, as several high-profile names came off the board. Here’s a breakdown of the area’s top July commitments:
Cayden Auckerman, Page: Samford
Page’s defense may have stolen the spotlight last season, but their offense was a massive factor in why the Patriots made a fourth straight Class 5A championship appearance.
When it came to their passing attack, Auckerman was easily the Patriots’ most reliable deep threat. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder finished his junior season with 41 receptions for 456 yards and seven touchdowns.
He’ll look to cap off his high school career posting career numbers before heading off to Homewood following his July 11 commitment to the Bulldogs.
Cam Blivens, Lipscomb Academy: Columbia
Whether it was basketball or football, whatever school landed Blivens was getting a certified athlete once he made his decision. Ultimately, that school proved to be Columbia as Blivens announced his commitment to the Ivy League program on July 22.
Due to Lipscomb Academy’s postseason ban last year, Blivens’ numbers seemingly didn’t get the praise that they should have. He was one of the area’s top pass-catchers with 72 receptions for 1,082 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Kesean Bowman, Brentwood Academy: Oregon
A commitment that came as a surprise to many around the midstate, Bowman announced his commitment to the Ducks on July 24. He chose Oregon over LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Regarded as one of the nation’s top 2027 prospects, Bowman was electric during Brentwood Academy’s bounce-back season in 2024. As a sophomore he caught 56 passes for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kannon Burroughs, Green Hill: UT Martin
Much to the chagrin of Isaac Leedham, Burroughs will not be staying in Middle Tennessee and playing for his beloved Commodores. Instead, he’ll head to West Tennessee as Jason Simpson landed one of the state’s best dual-threat quarterbacks.
After breaking out following a great sophomore year, Burroughs led the Hawks to their first unbeaten regular season in the school history. He finished the year as Mr. Football semifinalst and the Region 4-6A MVP combining for 2,623 total yards and 27 touchdowns.
He committed to the Skyhawks on July 24.
Ethan Harris, Green Hill: Davidson College
Harris committed to the WIldcats on July 29th and they’re getting a guy who has more than 30 career starts as he enters his final season of high school football.
A two-way starter for the Hawks the last two seasons, he excels regardless of what side of the ball he’s on. He can be argued as their best offensive lineman while also being a major factor in the Hawks’ defensive success in 2025.
Jacob Rathbone, Page: Central Arkansas
A stalwart on one of the state’s best offensive line units, Rathbone announced his commitment to the Bears on July 28.
A two-time All-State selection, two-time Region Lineman of the Year and two-time All-615 Preps Medium Class first team selection, Rathbone has started 45 straight games.
Playing both sides of the ball last year, he was best manhandling opposing defenders, finishing the year with 25 pancakes and grading out at 88%.
Jackson Stroup, Gallatin: VMI
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Stroup looks like a college quarterback already and has the play to back it up. He announced his commitment to VMI on July 29th ahead of what he hopes is a bounce-back season for himself and the Green Wave.
Following a breakout sophomore season, Stroup capped his junior year passing for 1,845 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Craig Tutt, Oakland: Ole Miss
A Mr. Football finalist in 2024 after leading Oakland to another state title, many expected to see Tutt announce his decision to Tennessee. Instead he chose the Rebels over Tennessee and Auburn on July 29th.
Tutt was a do-it-all player for the Patriots last season. Last year’s 615 Preps Large Class Player of the Year, Tutt rushed for 1,250 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns.
On defense, he recorded 64 total tackles, seven pass breakups, three tackles for loss and an interception.
T.J. Ward, Nashville Christian: TCU
In May Ward watched his Eagles’ teammate Jared Curtis announce his commitment to Georgia. In July he decided it was his turn to take the spotlight committing to the Horned Frogs on July 13th over Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
Transfer rules allowed for Ward to only play in four games last year, but in those games he shined. He would go on to finish the season with 653 yards and seven touchdowns.
Joel Wyatt, Oakland: Tennessee
Wyatt may be new to the area but on the first day of practice in pads on July 28th, he made some noise with his commitment. He chose the Vols over Louisville, LSU, Vanderbilt and other programs.
The state’s No. 2 player in the 2026 according to multiple recruiting sites, Wyatt transferred to Oakland on July 27th. At Webb-Bell Buckle last season he caught 44 passes for 890 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, he accounted
While he put up significant numbers offensively, don’t be shocked to see the Vols’ newest in-state pledge to make a bigger impact playing both ways.
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