Four new commitments, plus one new name to know

Javon Vital Jr. announced his commitment April 2, 2026, to USC. (Photo: Jerit Roser)

Jerit Roser April 9, 2026 @ 03:51 PM

Offseason recruiting activity is really hitting its stride as the calendar turns to April and the end of the school year draws nearer.   The height of the region's major scouting camps is winding down, prospects are tearing up the roads and flights for spring visits to college campuses and college coaches will soon be returning the favor and making their rounds through high school spring practices.   Commitment announcements from rising seniors in the 2027 class have already started to pick up during the past week-plus, while some more under-the-radar or younger prospects continue to hit the radar each day as well.   Here's a look at four new 2027 commitment announcements from the end of March through the first week of April, as well as the latest 2028 prospect to kick off his recruiting process Wednesday with a Power-Four offer.     Zyron Forstall — 6-4, 240 EDGE/DL — Jesuit —> IMG Academy —> Texas A&M   Breaking down the new commitments in alphabetical order means beginning with a special circumstance of "one that got away." Forstall was tabbed to become Prep Redzone Louisiana's highest-ranked 2027 prospect in the state this past summer before he announced his move to IMG Academy. The now-former Jesuit star possesses elite athleticism and versatility at his size, which he's only continued to fill out and become stronger every year. Forstall, once a priority LSU target in the class, announced March 31 his commitment to Texas A&M.   [player_tooltip player_id='871856' first='Kendrick' last='Joseph Jr.'] — 6-0, 185 DB/ATH — St. James —> Old Dominion   The Wildcats' two-way standout during his high school career thus far was spotlighted earlier this offseason as his recruiting process kicked off with a couple of offers, including an Old Dominion program making a clear push to land some Louisiana talent this cycle. And the Monarchs didn't take long to secure Joseph's commitment to that mission after he left a late-March visit comfortable with the campus, the staff and the vision for him as a safety in their system.   [player_tooltip player_id='2075026' first='Marcus' last='Watson'] Jr. — 6-0, 160 WR/DB — Central —> Houston   One of the emerging stars of the offseason, Watson was one of the top athletic testers as Prep Redzone Louisiana's Stock Up showcase in January and racked up a slew of notable offers throughout the next three months. He committed April 3 to Houston, continuing the pipeline former Tulane coach Willie Fritz and company have worked to build there. And while his recruiting profile has already risen substantially during the past few months, Watson is likely only beginning to scratch the surface of the player he can be as he continues to develop both physically and technically to go go with his explosive and springy athleticism.   [player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.'] — 5-10, 195 ATH/RB — Lake Charles College Prep —> USC   Less than two days after Forstall's announcement, another of the top-ranked 2027 prospects to receive an early LSU offer shared his own plans to head out of state for college. USC had long been a bigger factor in Vital's recruiting process than many might have realized, but particularly surged to the forefront during the coaching transition in Baton Rouge and shared his pledge to the Trojans on April 2. He will bring to the west-coast program a dynamic athlete capable of moving all over the offense as a versatile weapon and chess piece with highlight-reel potential as a pass-catcher or with the ball in his hands.   Brock Mitchell — 6-3, 180 TE — Westgate (2028)   The Tigers' tight end hadn't yet gained the early recruiting traction of several of his classmates in the program's loaded 2028 class, but he's off and rolling now with a Florida State offer during a visit this week to Tallahassee. His measurables immediately stand out, and his intriguing sophomore film shows not only flashes of his highlight-reel pass-catching ability, but his potential as a well-rounded tight end with good athleticism, catch radius and hands, but also a willingness and effectiveness as a blocker.

Offseason recruiting activity is really hitting its stride as the calendar turns to April and the end of the school year draws nearer.