After missing out on Bryce Underwood to Michigan in the 2025 class, LSU kicked off their 2026 recruiting cycle with a bang. Back in January, Brian Kelly and the Tigers landed a 245-pound defensive end who chose them over rivals like Tennessee and USC at the Under Armour All-America Game. This blue-chip recruit, ranked No. 12 in the Rivals250, had been on LSU’s radar since his underclassman days, and their relentless pursuit initially paid off. However, he shook up the recruiting world by committing on January 2nd, only to decommit a month later, on February 3rd. Another Underwood saga brewing? The race for this prized prospect is now wide open, with powerhouse programs all vying for his commitment.

Well, the four-star defensive lineman is heating up the 2026 recruiting race with Auburn making the cut. Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, and holding 45 offers, he’s narrowed his focus to a powerhouse group. According to Chad Simmons of On3, Auburn, LSU, Texas, and Florida are all pushing hard for his commitment. With July 1 looming as his tentative decision day, these schools are battling for the top spot on his list. So, the countdown is on—who will win this elite talent’s nod?

On May 23rd, Rivals.com dropped a fiery clip of 6-foot-7, 245-pound JaReylan McCoy with the caption, “BEAST😤💪.” And guess what? Longhorns commit Dia Bell commented on the post with “Hook ’em” emojis, to which McCoy cryptically replied, “🏡👀”

From day one, this freshman showed elite promise, finishing his first year with 70 tackles, nine TFLs, and six sacks. In 2023 McCoy exploded with a monster sophomore season: 44 tackles, 23 TFLs, and two forced fumbles. But here’s the kicker—the standout DE was caught flashing Texas Longhorns gloves, sending a loud message after LSU’s surprising setback. Could this be a major hint about his College Football future?

McCoy recently revealed that Texas and Florida are currently leading the charge in his recruitment. “Everything is bigger in Texas for sure,” McCoy said after the Texas visit. “It was good meeting with the coaches and seeing the atmosphere out there. When I went out there, they did a meet-up with the fans. All the fans came out, and the players signed autographs … that’s somewhere I know I can be … with the fans supporting the team, that played a big role for me.” So, the energy, the passion, and the connection—Texas isn’t just a school, it’s a whole experience, and McCoy feels it deep. While Texas seems to be gaining the edge in McCoy’s recruitment, Florida isn’t backing down. Is it a two-horse race now?

The JaReylan McCoy sweepstakes

According to Rivals recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman, Texas and Florida are setting the pace in the race for JaReylan McCoy. The standout 6-foot-7 defensive force is drawing heavy attention, and these two programs have emerged as serious contenders. Ranked No. 108 in the Rivals250 for the 2026 class, McCoy is feeling the love. “They’ve separated a lot … It feels good to feel like a priority for both of these teams,” he said. So, with both schools turning up the heat, McCoy’s next move could shake up the recruiting landscape.

Well, On3’s Charles Power had high praise for JaReylan McCoy, calling him a “physically gifted defensive lineman with a huge frame and plus athleticism.” Power also noted McCoy’s impressive speed and movement, highlighting his upside as a run-stopper. Though Texas offered him back on March 10, McCoy hasn’t stepped foot in Austin just yet.

The same goes for Florida—no official visit, but that’s about to change. He’s locking in a busy schedule: Florida on May 30, Texas on June 13, and Ole Miss for a second look on June 6. Right now, McCoy’s final four are Auburn, Texas, LSU, and Florida. While LSU currently tops the SEC’s 2026 class, Auburn sits at sixth, Texas at seventh, and Florida is further back at fourteenth. With visits heating up, the next few weeks could be game-changing for McCoy’s recruitment. We’ll have to see if any of these powerhouse SEC teams can lure this rising talent and shake up those recruiting rankings!