College Football Recruiting: Week 11 Ignites Flip Battles and Program Reshuffles Ahead of Early Signing Period.

With a mere four Saturdays remaining until the commencement of the early signing period, the college football recruiting landscape has intensified significantly during Week 11, as programs nationwide scramble to finalize their 2026 classes. The three-day early signing window, scheduled from December 3-5, looms just 26 days away, adding urgency to every visit, offer, and decommitment.

A major focal point of this week’s recruiting activity centers on the fallout from the recent coaching change at Auburn. Following the program’s decision to fire head coach Hugh Freeze last weekend, rival institutions have swiftly turned their attention to the Tigers’ incoming class, sensing potential vulnerability. While Auburn navigates its coaching search, programs like Ohio State, Texas, and Texas Tech are aggressively pursuing late-cycle flips, with critical visits planned for key prospects in the coming weeks. Concurrently, the market for premium defensive tackles, featuring fall decommits such as Danny Beale (Oklahoma State), Dylan Berymon (Texas), and Emanuel Ruffin (Colorado), has become particularly competitive this month.

Auburn’s Class Faces Uncertainty Post-Freeze Firing

The dismissal of head coach Hugh Freeze on October 26, after just over two seasons at the helm, sent ripples through Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class. To date, three-star rusher Eric Perry, a former Memphis commit who had flipped to Auburn, stands as the sole commit to officially depart the class. According to ESPN sources, similar to situations observed at Florida and LSU earlier this fall, Auburn’s current incoming class is largely expected to remain intact in the immediate short term. This stability is attributed to Freeze’s remaining staff, who will continue to coach the team under interim head coach D.J. Durkin for the remainder of the season.

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However, the ongoing coaching search on The Plains could significantly destabilize Auburn’s 2026 class in the crucial weeks leading up to the early signing period. This vulnerability starts at the top with four-star defender Bralan Womack, who is ranked as the third-best safety and the No. 39 overall prospect in the ESPN 300. Sources close to the situation informed ESPN that Womack’s commitment was heavily contingent on Freeze’s long-term future with the program. With Freeze’s departure, Womack is now actively re-evaluating his options, with Texas A&M emerging as the most significant threat to secure his pledge.

The Aggies had been the narrow runners-up when Womack initially committed to Auburn in August. Notably, Womack was present at LSU when Texas A&M delivered a decisive blow to the Brian Kelly era in Baton Rouge on October 25, just a day before Freeze’s firing. Womack is now scheduled to visit the Aggies on November 15. Additionally, summer finalists Ohio State and Florida, along with in-state programs Ole Miss and Mississippi State, could also enter the competition for his services.

Auburn’s defensive commitments also face scrutiny, particularly a talented linebacker class. This group includes inside linebackers Adam Balogoun-Ali and Shadarius Toodle, two of the cycle’s top three prospects at the position, and four-star outside linebacker Jaquez Wilkes, ESPN’s No. 132 overall recruit in 2026. All three remain firmly committed to Durkin, Auburn’s second-year defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, whose own future with the program is now uncertain. Balogoun-Ali has informed ESPN that Missouri has been in frequent contact, while Georgia and Notre Dame are also making late pushes. Toodle, who had previously flipped from the Tigers to Georgia in the summer before re-committing to Auburn on October 14, is expected to receive renewed interest from the Bulldogs this month.

On the offensive side, No. 7 dual-threat quarterback commit Peyton Falzone, who flipped his commitment from Penn State to Auburn in June, told ESPN that he is re-evaluating his situation and "navigating this process day-by-day." The door is also open for four-star wide receiver Jase Matthews (No. 258 overall), who is attracting significant late-cycle interest from LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. Matthews, one of six ESPN 300 pledges remaining in Auburn’s 2026 class, indicated his willingness to explore other options, stating, "Don’t be surprised if I’m on the road when the Tigers are not playing at Jordan-Hare."

Texas Aggressively Pursues Pair of Top-100 Flips

Following a successful summer on the recruiting trail that saw them build the nation’s fifth-ranked class, coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are now working to add crucial finishing touches. Among the program’s top late-cycle flip targets are offensive tackle Brysten Martinez (LSU commit) and defensive end Jamarion Carlton (Baylor commit), both of whom were on hand for Texas’ 34-31 victory over Vanderbilt last weekend.

Martinez, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound lineman from Gonzales, Louisiana, has been committed to the in-state LSU Tigers since February. ESPN’s No. 84 overall prospect maintained consistent contact with other SEC programs throughout the fall, even prior to coach Brian Kelly’s late-October firing at LSU. However, his Week 10 trip to Texas marked a significant turning point, representing Martinez’s first non-LSU campus visit since the beginning of his senior season, signaling a potentially crucial breakthrough in his recruitment process. According to his mother, the weekend experience with the Longhorns left a profound impression on Martinez, who is now set for an official visit to Texas when the program hosts Arkansas on November 22. Martinez also remains in contact with Oklahoma and Tennessee. Nevertheless, as the situation currently stands, LSU’s sixth-ranked pledge has no other trips scheduled over the next month outside of his return visit to Texas. The Longhorns aim to secure a third 2026 offensive tackle commit, joining in-state pledges John Turntine III (No. 47 overall) and Max Wright (No. 39 offensive tackle).

On the defensive side, Texas seeks to bolster its defensive end class alongside five-star pledge Richard Wesley (No. 8 overall). The program has maintained its persistent pursuit of Carlton, ESPN’s No. 96 overall prospect from Temple, Texas. The Longhorns had finished second when Carlton committed to Baylor in July. Sources indicate that Texas edge coach LaAllan Clark and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski have remained in frequent communication with Carlton in the subsequent months. The Week 10 visit to Austin coincided with Carlton’s continued evaluation of his options, amid swirling uncertainty surrounding the Baylor program in the weeks leading up to the early signing period.

Jordan Carter Reopens Recruitment, SEC Trio and Georgia Tech Emerge

Four-star defensive end Jordan Carter (No. 57 overall) became ESPN’s top-ranked uncommitted prospect when the edge rusher from Douglasville, Georgia, rescinded his long-standing commitment to Texas A&M on November 1. This decommitment occurred amidst the Aggies’ aggressive flip efforts with multiple defensive line prospects in the class.

With his recruitment process reopened, sources anticipate Carter will prioritize development opportunities and the potential for early playing time. His focus is expected to be on four specific programs this month: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Texas. Carter has already taken unofficial trips to Auburn and Tennessee over the past month. He is slated to return to Tennessee for an official visit on November 15 and is scheduled to be present when Auburn hosts Alabama for the Iron Bowl on November 29. Georgia Tech, which offers Carter the opportunity to play within 30 miles of his hometown, will host ESPN’s eighth-ranked defensive end on November 22. Carter is also working to finalize an official visit date with Texas.

Missouri, Ole Miss, Ohio State Lead Race for Top Defensive Tackles

The market for defensive tackles is experiencing a surge in activity during the final month before the early signing period. Here is the latest on ESPN’s three highest-ranked uncommitted prospects at the position:

Danny Beale, No. 108 in ESPN 300: The 6-foot-4, 300-pound defender from Cherry Valley, Arkansas, has been one of the cycle’s most coveted available defensive tackle recruits since he decommitted from Oklahoma State on October 15. Beale took official visits to Missouri, North Carolina, and Ole Miss in the spring before committing to the Cowboys in late June. All three of these programs have now re-entered the competition for Beale’s pledge, while in-state Arkansas continues to maintain contact. ESPN sources identify Missouri and Ole Miss as the most serious contenders in Beale’s recruitment over the next month.

Dylan Berymon, No. 206 in ESPN 300: Berymon, ranked as the nation’s No. 15 defensive tackle, announced his decommitment from Texas on Wednesday, after nearly five months as part of the Longhorns’ 2026 class. His departure from a crowded Texas defensive tackle group means the towering defensive tackle from Monroe, Louisiana, will have no shortage of potential suitors. Mississippi State and USC were finalists for Berymon when he committed to Texas in June and are expected to re-engage in his recruitment. Sources also anticipate LSU, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Purdue, and Texas Tech to be among the programs actively involved in Berymon’s process in the coming weeks.

Emanuel Ruffin, No. 30 DT in 2026: Consistently rumored to be considering a move away from Colorado throughout the fall, the interior defensive lineman from Bessemer, Alabama, formally announced his decommitment from coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes on Tuesday. No program has been more prominently involved in Ruffin’s recruitment since the start of the regular season than Missouri, which hosted Ruffin for a visit last month. However, following Ruffin’s official decommitment, sources now consider Ohio State as the top contender to secure his pledge, with Buckeyes assistants Larry Johnson and Miguel Patrick leading the charge.

Ohio State Poised for Strong Finish in 2026

The Ohio State Buckeyes recently secured commitments from cornerback Jay Timmons (flipped from Florida State) and offensive guard Mason Wilhelm (flipped from North Carolina) late this week. These additions signal the potential for a busy and successful month on the recruiting trail for the defending national champions, who currently hold ESPN’s No. 9 recruiting class.

ESPN sources believe that four-star defensive tackle Emanuel Ruffin, a recent Colorado decommit, could be the next recruit to join Ohio State’s 2026 class. Three-star Alabama defensive end pledge J.J. Finch is another defensive line target expected to visit the Buckeyes later this month. On the offensive line, Penn State offensive tackle commit Kevin Brown (No. 78 overall) remains a priority target for Ohio State, particularly after his Week 10 visit with the Buckeyes. West Virginia has also emerged as another leading contender for Brown, while the outcome of Penn State’s ongoing coaching search could significantly influence his decision if the Nittany Lions appoint a new coach by early December.

Sources further anticipate that the Buckeyes will ultimately flip three-star Tennessee pledge Legend Bey, edging out Texas A&M for the playmaking high school quarterback from Texas, who is projected as a dynamic skill position talent at the collegiate level.

Key Visits Highlight Week 11 Recruiting Action

Texas Tech:
Florida commit Kevin Ford Jr., ranked No. 158 overall, is a versatile edge rusher from Duncanville, Texas, and is drawing significant late-cycle interest. His Week 11 visit to Texas Tech coincides with the Red Raiders’ strong performance on the field and their active pursuit of multiple flip targets. Ford remains committed to the Gators, but he informed ESPN this week that he has been in communication with Clemson, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and USC since Florida fired coach Billy Napier on October 19. He has already visited Texas A&M twice this fall and plans a trip to USC at the end of the month. On Saturday, with the No. 8 Red Raiders hosting No. 7 BYU (noon ET, ABC), Texas Tech will have its opportunity to impress Ford, ESPN’s No. 20 defensive end. The Red Raiders’ 2026 class already features a prominent defensive pledge in five-star outside linebacker LaDamion Guyton (No. 13 overall). The question now is whether Texas Tech can add another high-profile talent in Ford.

Notre Dame:
Penn State commit Matt Sieg, ranked No. 162 overall, hails from McDonald, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles outside Pittsburgh. ESPN’s No. 14 safety prospect has spent the past month evaluating his options since the Nittany Lions fired coach James Franklin on October 12. Sieg has already visited Indiana and Pitt in recent weeks. On Saturday, he will make his first visit to Notre Dame. The 10th-ranked Fighting Irish did not extend an offer to Sieg until after he committed to Penn State last November, but coach Marcus Freeman and his staff have consistently cultivated a relationship with Sieg over the past year. They will have their chance to make a strong impression with Navy on campus in Week 11. Sieg, who intends to closely monitor the coaching search at Penn State, also told ESPN this week that he is scheduled to visit West Virginia later this month. Notre Dame faces stiff competition to flip Sieg, but if successful, he would become the latest addition to a star-studded 2026 secondary that includes No. 5 safety Joey O’Brien (No. 63 overall), a fellow Pennsylvanian with whom Sieg has developed a close bond.

Alabama:
Michigan State commit Samson Gash, ranked No. 57 among wide receivers, is set for a highly anticipated visit to Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The Crimson Tide have been actively working to add another wide receiver pledge to their 2026 class, and No. 4 Alabama may be nearing a commitment. Gash, the son of former Penn State and NFL fullback Sam Gash, is a high-level producer at Detroit Catholic Central High School and has been committed to Michigan State since June. However, offers from prominent programs like Alabama and Wisconsin this fall have opened the door to his recruitment. The Crimson Tide have been particularly aggressive in their pursuit of Gash over the past month, leading up to his visit for the program’s Week 11 matchup with LSU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). As it stands, Alabama currently holds three wide receiver pledges in 2026, led by four-star Cederian Morgan (No. 36 overall), and the Crimson Tide could soon secure Gash as well.