As we move into the first semester of the new academic year, programs are planning and setting visions for their seasons, getting to know the freshmen on the team, and recruiting visits are increasing in frequency. It was a busy weekend for schools in the SEC, with success for Alabama, which scored its second five-star recruit for the class of ’25 in Azaraya Ra-Akbar. This leaves Ly Bui, of GAGE in Missouri, as the last remaining uncommitted five-star in that class.
Commitment Changes
- Erin Pinder, ’24, a Barbadian native and the first female artistic gymnast from the nation to compete at the Commonwealth Games, has found a new home at Centenary following Talladega’s program closure.
Official Visits
Check out our Recruiting Visit Tracker for a comprehensive list of recruits and which teams they’re considering for college as they go on official visits. To submit missing official visits, leave a comment below or send us an email. We’ll highlight where some of the top recruits are considering each week below.
The SEC saw the most activity for our rated recruits with Michigan State also hosting five recruits to watch.
- Olympic gold medalist and five-star in the class of ’26, Hezly Rivera, visited Florida.
- Alabama hosted class of ’26 recruits Ella Kate Parker, Presley Duke, Addison Sarisky, and Avery Moll alongside ’25 five-star recruit Azaraya Ra-Akbar who, along with Parker, committed to the Crimson Tide following her visit. Sarisky also previously committed to the Crimson Tide in June.
- Four-star recruit in the class of ’26 Izzy Stassi joined already-committed ’26 four-star Audrey Snyder for an official visit to Auburn.
- Class of ’26 recruits Imani White, Isabelle David, Tori Hess, Gabrielle Black, and Jazlene Pickens visited Michigan State.
Class of 2025
- Five-star Azaraya Ra-Akbar is the penultimate top-rated recruit in her class to commit and has landed a scholarship at Alabama. A former junior elite for the U.S., Ra-Akbar now lives in and competes for Canada, where she placed third on bars at the 2023 Canadian Worlds trials.
- Ella Soles, a three times national qualifier from New Jersey with a floor high of 9.975, has committed to Temple.
- Alexa D’Andrea, who scored 36.775 in the all-around at 2024 nationals, will become a Tiger with her commitment to Towson.
Class of 2026
- Four-star recruit, former elite, and current junior Nastia Liukin Cup champion Ella Kate Parker has announced her scholarship offer and verbal commitment to Alabama following her visit this past weekend.
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Article by Katie Couldrey
Kelise Woodford also visited Georgia, despite being committed to Clemson
Her visit was after this article was published! We will likely include her in this week’s Recruiting Roundup.