College Football Recruiting Takes Wild Turn
For anyone who monitors college football recruiting, it’s quite the emotional roller coaster. This was especially clear on Tuesday night.
The player drawing attention is Ben Jarvious Shoemaker, a four-star defensive tackle from Choctaw County, Mississippi. He’s quite the prospect, ranking as a top 100 player nationally and the second-best player in Mississippi.
Like many of his peers from the state, Shoemaker committed to the Ole Miss Rebels back in March. This commitment was seen as significant for head coach Pete Golding and his team, as Shoemaker is considered a key part of a recruiting class aiming to reach the top 20, with lots of potential for growth. Golding is in his first year and is gaining traction.
Shoemaker expressed his enthusiasm for joining Golding and the Rebels when he announced on Instagram Monday that he was “terminating” his recruitment, implying he was firmly signing with Ole Miss.
However, skeptics might point out that we’ve seen talented recruits “wrap things up” only to change their minds later. I mean, even I couldn’t believe how fast Shoemaker altered his stance.
The pace he set is a bit unusual, even by the standards of 2026 recruiting. Committing, then decommitting, and flipping back in less than 24 hours—it certainly raises eyebrows. But, I guess, one should follow their instincts?
Regardless, this is a promising addition for Colorado, who really needs standout players on both lines to get back in the playoff hunt. Yet, I just heard that Shoemaker decided to stay committed to Ole Miss after all.
It’s rather bizarre, to be honest. I’ve been involved in recruitment for over two decades, and this tops the chart for unexpected twists. The rapid-fire changes are wild.
Even as Shoemaker tried to manage the public perception with a statement, the reaction surrounding this whole episode has already been formed.
This reflects the frustrating trends we’re seeing in recruitment right now.
If I had a dollar for every time I cautioned others that college football recruiting isn’t for the faint-hearted, I’d be set financially, but I digress.
Shoemaker officially reaffirmed his commitment to Ole Miss. However, as a fan of the Rebels, I’d still be somewhat hesitant to take his word at face value.
The coaching staff must closely monitor this talent, who is seen as the second-best player for the upcoming freshman class, and they’ll surely be wary for the duration of his time in Oxford. This inconsistency means that simply securing new recruits isn’t sufficient anymore; retention has become crucial.
Take a moment to look over your favorite team’s commit list and try not to form attachments. You never know when a player might decide to switch things up.
