One of the most intriguing parts of Early Signing Day is the term "flip watch," with many of the nation's top prospects from the 2024 cycle currently in that category. As to what "flip watch" means, it simply means that a player is currently committed to one program, but is rumored to potentially be on the verge of flipping their commitment to another program prior to signing their National Letter of Intent.
Here are some names that could be considered on flip watch during Early Signing Day that we here at Southbound & Down will be keeping an eye on in particular, along with updates on what happens with each. (NOTE: This post will be updated)
SEC Football: Early Signing Day Flip Watch Tracker
WR Perry Thompson (Foley, AL)
One of the top players in the state of Alabama, Thompson enters Early Signing Day down to the two in-state programs - Alabama and Auburn. The five-star wide receiver out of Foley High School is also currently committed to Auburn, but was previously committed to the Crimson Tide from June 2022 to July 2023, where he would then flip to the Tigers.
UPDATE: Thompson signs with Auburn.
DL LJ McCray (Mainland, FL)
One of the nation's premier defensive linemen out of Mainland High School in Florida, McCray is a current Florida commit, but still has programs in the mix such as Auburn and Florida State. McCray is rated as a five-star prospect, and has been committed to the Gators since October of 2023.
UPDATE: McCray signs with Florida.
DL Eddrick Houston (Buford, GA)
Also among the nation's top defensive linemen, five-star prospect Eddrick Houston, who is the first-of-two Buford High School (GA) products on this list, enters Early Signing Day committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes, which he has been since August of 2023. Alongside the Buckeyes, Alabama is also currently in the mix for the five-star.
UPDATE: Houston signs with Ohio State.
S KJ Bolden (Buford, GA)
Considered the nation's No. 1 safety in the 2024 class, Bolden is the second of those two previously mentioned prospects out of Buford High School in Georgia. Bolden, a five-star prospect, enters Early Signing Day having been committed to Florida State since August of 2023, but has programs such as Auburn and Georgia squarely in the mix.
UPDATE: Bolden flips his commitment from Florida State to Georgia.
WR Aeryn Hampton (Daingerfield, TX)
Rated as a four-star athlete out of Daingerfield High School in Texas, Hampton enters Early Signing Day as a Texas commit, whom he has been committed to since July of 2023. Hampton however has interest from Alabama, and will likely decide between the Crimson Tide and Longhorns.
UPDATE: Hampton flips his commitment from Texas to Alabama.
RB Kevin Riley (Tuscaloosa County, AL)
A four-star running back out of Tuscaloosa County High School in Alabama, Riley has been a Miami commit since June of 2023. However, the local team in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is reportedly making a late push to flip Riley from the Hurricanes.
UPDATE: Riley flips his commitment from Miami to Alabama.
DL Amaris Williams (Clinton, NC)
One of the biggest names in Florida's 2024 class, Williams has been committed to the Gators since June of 2023, but has interest from a few other programs. Williams is rated as a four-star defensive lienman out of Clinton High School in North Carolina.
UPDATE: Williams flips his commitment from Florida to Auburn.
LB Adarius Hayes (Largo, FL)
Another player who enters Early Signing Day committed to Florida is Hayes, but the Largo High School (FL) product also has intrest from other programs. Hayes is rated as a four-star linebacker, and has been committed to the Gators since January of 2023.
UPDATE: Hayes flips commitment from Florida to Miami.
QB DJ Lagway (Willis, TX)
Florida entered Early Signing Day with likely more "flip watch" players than any other SEC team, with Lagway, who is the highest-ranked commit in the Gators class, arguably a must-get for Billy Napier and Co.. Lagway, a five-star quarterback out of Willis High School in Texas, has been committed to the Gators since December of 2022.
UPDATE: Lagway signs with Florida.