Newsletter: Texas A&M, LSU, Miami, and More!
March 23, 2025
Texas A&M, LSU, Miami, and More!
CFB Roundup – March 23, 2025
Good morning, and welcome back to CFB Roundup from CFB Home – the first daily newsletter that’s all college football, all the time with no bias, no slant, and no fluff.
Consensus 4-Star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. Commits to Texas A&M
Texas A&M has landed four-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. The talented back from Cíbolo Steele chose the Aggies over Oklahoma.
Consensus 4-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. committed to Texas A&M yesterday after having previously been committed to Oklahoma.
In Hatton’s own words, “what really made it clear was getting back on campus, being around the coaches and just continuing to talk with [Coach Trooper Taylor] and Coach Elko. They made me comfortable, I knew they wanted me and they not only recruited me, but they recruited my family and made them feel involved.”
According to the On3 industry composite, Hatton ranks 73rd nationally and 6th at the RB position. For Texas A&M, this is the 7th Blue Chip commitment and 7th commitment overall for the 2026 class, a class which currently sits at 4th nationally and 2nd in the SEC.
Consensus 4-Star WR Jabari Mack Commits to LSU
Four-Star WR Jabari Mack has committed to LSU. The 6’1", 200lb WR from New Orleans, LA chose the Tigers over Texas, Texas A&M, and Ohio State. He is ranked as the No. 8 WR in 2026 by On3.
Consensus 4-star WR Jabari Mack committed to LSU yesterday. Mack is choosing to stay home, an idea he shared with 247’s LSU affiliate: “I feel like we have the best athletes here in Louisiana, so staying home and going to LSU lets us showcase that even more. It’s really been a family feel every time I’ve been up there; that means a lot to me and my family.”
Mack ranks in the Top 80 on three of the four major recruiting sites. Due to being ranked 128th on 247, he ranks 82nd nationally on the On3 industry composite. Mack is also the 11th ranked WR according to the On3 industry composite.
This commitment further extends LSU’s spot atop the 2026 rankings, as the Tigers now have 8 Blue Chip commitments and 9 commitments total, holding the top-ranked class at the moment.
4-Star RB Javian Mallory Commits to Miami
4-star RB Javian Mallory committed to Miami yesterday after receiving offers from Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Notre Dame, and plenty of other top programs.
Mallory grew up a Florida State fan, but shared with On3 that his decision to go to Miami was based around the belief that Miami will allow him to have a role on the team early for a program that he thinks he will fit into the culture of better.
Mallory is a 4-star on three of the four recruiting sites. According to the On3 industry composite, Mallory ranks 269th nationally and 21st at the RB position. For Miami, this is the 6th Blue Chip commitment for a recruiting class which currently sits at 13th nationally and 2nd in the ACC.
3-Star DL Kevontay Hugan Commits to Louisville
3-star DL Kevontay Hugan committed to Louisville yesterday over offers from Miami, USC, Penn State, and others.
Despite the current rankings, his offer list suggests a high ceiling. According to the On3 industry composite, Hugan ranks 650th nationally and 62nd at the EDGE position, but his individual rankings on On3 (46th) and 247 (35th) suggest he will rise quickly once ESPN and Rivals provide updated grades.
This is now the 11th commitment for Louisville this offseason, providing a strong foundation for a 2026 recruiting class that ranks 28th nationally and 4th in the ACC.
3-Star IOL Michael Ionata Commits to Florida State
3-star IOL Michael Ionata committed to Florida State yesterday over offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, USF, and others.
Ionata shared with On3 that, “the whole staff has done a great job of making a connection with me and they make me feel like I am a part of the Florida State family." His father and uncle also played football for the Seminoles, and that family history played a significant factor in his decision.
Ionata ranks 690th nationally and 62nd at the IOL position. This is Florida State’s 8th commitment for the 2026 class, which currently ranks 18th nationally and 3rd in the ACC.
Colorado & Syracuse File Paperwork for Joint Practices and Scrimmage
Javon Edmonds of Syracuse.com reported that Syracuse and Colorado have both filed paperwork with the NCAA to hold joint practices and a scrimmage during the spring practice window.
“This thing may very well happen. It looks really good right now,” said Coach Deion Sanders.
Coach Fran Brown shared his enthusiasm after Syracuse’s first spring practice: “For us to be the first to do it at two historic schools would mean a lot. Two African-American men, too. To have the opportunity of doing that means a lot. Especially with [Coach Sanders] being an icon. It will help the game. Nobody wants to have spring games anymore. Nobody wants to worry about the portal.”
LSU’s Brian Kelly on John Emery’s Announcement to Play 7th Season
LSU RB John Emery recently shared that he was coming back to play a 7th season of college football, a decision that head coach Brian Kelly was apparently unaware of.
Coach Kelly shared, “No, we haven’t talked to John about it. It was the first that we’ve heard. We love John, but sometimes, you know, things happen. We don’t know where it came from. But we’ll be supportive in any way we can. We are set with where we are with the running back position, but love John, and we will be here to help and support him. If he’s given a 7th year, he is certainly a young man who can help somebody in the Power 4.”
SMU QB Tyler Aronson Plans to Enter the Portal
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg is reporting that SMU QB Tyler Aronson is planning to enter the transfer portal.
Aronson was a 4-star according to Rivals, though the On3 industry composite ranked him 1,015th nationally. Aronson did not see the field as a true freshman but was a four-year starter in high school, throwing for over 7,000 yards. He originally committed to SMU over offers from Virginia Tech, Miami, Florida State, and Georgia Tech.
Other Commitments/Decommitments
- Unrated WR Darnell Stokes Jr. commits to Syracuse
- Unrated CB Noah Lewis commits to Texas Tech