Lead Story: Texas Wins the Battle for the Nation's No. 3 Running Back
The Texas Longhorns landed one of the biggest recruiting prizes of the summer on Saturday, securing a commitment from Richmond Randle (Texas) running back Landen Williams-Callis, the No. 3-ranked running back in the class of 2027 and the reigning Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year. According to ESPN, Williams-Callis chose Texas over a finalist group that included two SEC rivals — the Texas A&M Aggies and Missouri Tigers — along with Houston and SMU.
The production behind the ranking is staggering. Williams-Callis has piled up more than 7,500 rushing yards and 125 rushing touchdowns over three varsity seasons, including a 3,502-yard, 59-touchdown campaign in 2025. Ranked a consensus five-star and the No. 29 overall prospect nationally, he becomes the second running back in the Longhorns' 2027 class, joining consensus four-star Noah Roberts and closing out the position.
The ripple effects reach beyond Austin. Per the 247Sports Composite, the commitment vaulted Texas past Oklahoma to the No. 5 overall class in the cycle, keeping the Longhorns on track for a potential top-three finish — and leaving Texas A&M and Missouri searching elsewhere for backfield help in 2027.
Quick Hits
LSU baseball scores a rotation coup. Left-hander Logan Schmidt, drafted 59th overall by the Cleveland Guardians, announced Saturday he will not sign professionally and will honor his commitment to the LSU Tigers rather than take the JUCO route. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound lefty sits 97-98 mph and was ranked the No. 12 prep prospect by Perfect Game — a massive addition for the reigning national champions.
Kentucky's mystery wing gets a strong endorsement. Wildcats guard Kam Williams told local media that redshirt freshman Braydon Hawthorne will be an X-factor for Kentucky Basketball this season, praising the 6-foot-8 wing's shooting, ball-handling, defense, and shot-blocking length after a full developmental year in Lexington.
Kentucky eyeing Michigan State big man. Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler plans to explore a fifth college season following the recent court ruling granting an additional year of eligibility to qualifying Class of 2022 athletes. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 38.9% from three, and is drawing interest from Kentucky, Kansas, and BYU, with a Michigan State return also possible.
A stunning return to Lexington could be brewing. Former Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari — who participated in Green Bay Packers minicamp this offseason — is exploring a return to college football under the same eligibility ruling, his brother told On3's Pete Nakos. Afari posted 123 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and four sacks over his final two seasons with the Wildcats.
Georgia's safety room looks loaded. The Bulldogs return Second Team All-SEC safety KJ Bolden (76 tackles, two interceptions in 2025) alongside Kyron Jones and Zion Branch, and added transfers Khalil Barnes from Clemson and First Team All-AAC pick Ja'Marley Riddle from East Carolina (70 tackles, three interceptions in 2025). Four four-star freshmen deepen what may be the strongest unit on Georgia's defense.
Portal Watch
No new transfer portal entries in the last 12 hours. The bigger roster story right now is the eligibility ruling granting an extra year to qualifying athletes who finished their careers in four seasons — it has already put names like Jaxon Kohler and Alex Afari in play for SEC rosters, and more could follow as camps open.
Recruiting Buzz
The Williams-Callis commitment headlines the weekend, and the SEC angle cuts both ways: Texas closes its 2027 running back board with a five-star flourish, while Texas A&M and Missouri come up empty on a player both pursued hard. Per the report, the Aggies were among the early leaders in the recruitment before Texas closed the gap with an official visit in June.
Games to Watch
No SEC games are scheduled today, but Vanderbilt soccer opens its preseason to the public for the first time with the annual Black-Gold intrasquad scrimmage tonight at 6 PM Central at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex. It may be the only free look at a Commodores side that returns SEC Forward of the Year Sydney Watts and First Team All-SEC midfielder Courtney Jones ahead of the August 12 season opener against SMU.
