Here are a few things you need to know about Meadows:
Derek Meadows recruiting ranking
According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Meadows ranks as the nation’s No. 119 overall prospect, as well as the No. 17 wide receiver nationally. A four-star prospect, Meadows plays for one of the nation’s top programs in Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada. He is the state’s No. 3 ranked player.
Where Derek Meadows fits on Alabama football depth chart
Alabama’s wide receiver room could look a bit different next season than it does now, but it’s very likely Meadows is high on the depth chart. As to where, a role similar to what Caleb Odom is playing right now could be an option.
Will Derek Meadows play right away with Alabama football?
Meadows is in a position where freshmen could make an impact, and the four-star is certainly capable of doing just that. Meadows is a wide receiver with notable size at 6-foot-5 and could easily find the field in 2025 early on as a potential red zone target.
Derek Meadows high school stats
A player with 1,000+ receiving yards for his high school career, Meadows is coming off a senior season in which he had 24 receptions for 598 yards and seven touchdowns across 12 games.
When is Early Signing Day? When it Late Signing Day?
The Early Signing Period will last from Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 6. If a prospect does not sign during this span, then the Late Signing Day comes in February.
The prediction came from On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong, who listed a confidence meter of 60% in the Crimson Tide to end up flipping Meadows from the LSU Tigers.
Meadows is considered as a four-star prospect in the 2025 class, ranked as the nation’s No. 119 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The four-star also ranks as the nation’s No. 17 wide receiver, as well as the No. 3 player in the state of Nevada where he attends Bishop Gorman High School.
Looking ahead, Meadows has been committed to LSU since July of 2024, but it’s clear that Alabama is quickly emerging as a potential flip candidate.
Will the talented wide receiver end up flipping to Alabama from LSU in the coming days?
When Michigan football managed to flip four-star safety Elijah Dotson from Pitt and five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU, the prevailing thought was that four-star wide receiver Derek Meadows (also an LSU commit) would flip right alongside of them. However, as the days continue to pass and early signing day approaches, it’s appearing to be less of a slam dunk as it had a week ago at this time.
Predictions came flying in for the maize and blue in the immediate aftermath of Underwood’s pledge for the 2025 Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman receiver, but it now appears as if Alabama is surging and very well may land the elite talent.
If Meadows isn’t coming to Ann Arbor, the Wolverines will likely make late pitches to Ohio State commit Quincy Porter and USC commit Jerome Myles — each of whom were strongly considering the maize and blue earlier in the process. If neither are willing to flip from their current school, that will necessitate Michigan looking for another option in the transfer portal.
With Name, Image and Likeness coming into play a few years ago, there are going to be more and more crazy recruiting stories, with Notre Dame being a part of it.
Two years we saw plenty of drama around signing day, as safety Peyton Bowen flipped to Oregon, before flipping again to Oklahoma a day later. While the Irish did have a few flip last year, none of them happened close to signing day.
This year’s class may also be void of the drama, but there is a certain player that Notre Dame would more than welcome into the class in wide receiver [autotag]Derek Meadows[/autotag]. The Irish were viewed as a frontrunner, but eventually lost out to LSU.
With the Tigers quarterback commit Bryce Underwood flipping to Michigan, it seemed like Meadows would follow him to the Big Ten. As Lee Corso famously says, “Not so fast,” as on Wednesday 247Sports Tom Loy put in a crystal ball pick in for the nation’s No. 119 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings to land at Alabama.
It’s obviously been a crazy recruitment, one that doesn’t look like Meadows will end up in South Bend, although the temptation has always been there.
Oct 19, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts to a call in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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The Tide are reportedly emerging for a current LSU commit.
According to a report from On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong, the Alabama Crimson Tide have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Derek Meadows, who is a wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class.
Meadows has been committed to the LSU Tigers since July.
On the 247Sports composite, Meadows is the nation’s No. 119 overall player in the class and a four-star prospect. Meadows is also ranked 17th among wide receivers nationally and third among players in Nevada, where he attends national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School.
The 6-foot-5 wide receiver holds 20-plus collegiate offers. He visited Alabama on an unofficial in March and on an official in June, according to 247Sports’ timeline for Meadows.
This news of Alabama’s recent push for Meadows’ commitment comes on the heels of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, flipping from LSU to Michigan on Thursday night. The Wolverines are also a program to watch for Meadows.
Could the Crimson Tide flip the four-star wide receiver before the early signing period opens on Dec. 4?
Alabama has entered the race for LSU 4-star WR commit Derek Meadows, per @SWiltfong_👀
Michigan football certainly isn’t done after Bryce Underwood flipped his longtime commitment to LSU, his dream school, to the Wolverines on Thursday. With 13 days until the early signing period, several uncommitted recruits and prospects committed elsewhere will give the maize and blue a strong look.
Not long after Underwood’s surprise (in terms of timing) pledge to the Wolverines, On3 vice president Steve Wiltfong logged three predictions via the On3 recruiting prediction machine for Michigan football to flip now that Underwood is in the fold.
Steve Wiltfong just On3 crystal balled:
4⭐️CB Alex Graham
4⭐️WR Derek Meadows
4⭐️LB Bradley Gompers
Here’s more on each: Where they are, ranking and scouting report.
Alex Graham
Photo: Isaiah Hole
The in-state defensive back from Detroit (Michigan) Cass Tech (though he briefly played at IMG Academy in Florida) has long been committed to Colorado, but officially visited Michigan football for the Oregon game earlier this month.
A play-making defensive back prospect that began his prep career up in Detroit before transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy ahead of junior season. Size hasn’t been third-party verified, but looks to be pushing 6-foot with more of a stout build. Has experience working in both press-man and off coverage. Rather fluid with his backpedal and does a nice job of mirroring with his hips while trying to steer wide receivers towards the sidelines. Not one that usually shies away from contact and tends to embrace his role in run support. Lack of data points isn’t ideal, but he has looked the part as an 11th grader working opposite five-star corner Ellis Robinson IV, and did win a number of track and field awards as a youngster. Could carve out a role at a number of spots in the secondary. Must stay healthy having dealt with numerous injuries over the years, but has multi-year Power Five starter upside and tools to emerge as a difference-maker on the backend.
Derek Meadows
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Meadows was once a five-star prospect but has dropped slightly in the recruiting rankings over the course of the 2025 cycle. He visited Michigan football for the spring game and again in the summer recruiting cycle before committing to LSU. The Las Vegas (Nevada) Bishop Gorman four-star wideout surprised many by taking an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor for the Oregon game. Still committed to LSU, Notre Dame is also a contender for a flip.
Meadows is a jumbo receiver and one of the more intriguing players in the ’25 class. He has a rare combination of size, athleticism and body control and is only scratching the surface of how good we think he can be. At 6-6, 200 pounds and an 80” wingspan, he’s a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs and should be an immediate red zone threat. He can run as well and is one of the region’s top track athletes although a hamstring injury has limited him this Spring. He was the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and is one of the region’s top hurdlers. He has a big frame and it wouldn’t shock us if he eventually grows in to a pass catching tight end who would be lethal working against linebackers and safeties down the middle of the field. Saying that, he has a receiver skill set and we’ve seen him dominate on the 7v7 circuit with his length, jump ball skills and ability to catch the ball through contact. His upside is extremely high and with continued development, there’s no question he has the potential to play on Sundays for a very long time.
On3’s Michigan insider EJ Holland and LSU insider Shea Dixon also put in flip predictions for Meadows to end up in Ann Arbor.
Bradley Gompers
Photo: Isaiah Hole
A former high school teammate of current Michigan football linebacker Cole Sullivan has been committed to Duke for some time. However, the 2025 Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Central Catholic athlete visited Ann Arbor for the MSU game late in October.
Three-phase impact playmaker for WPIAL 6A power program Pittsburgh Central Catholic at an estimated 6-foot-5, 215 pound billing. Missed the majority of his junior season due to a broken collarbone but has played at a Mr. PA Football level through nine games of his senior campaign. Senior season highlights are show-stopping in all three phases and include work at linebacker, wide receiver, tight end, and as an edge rusher. Above-the-rim basketball tape clearly translates on the gridiron. Arrives at the contact point with violent intentions but can also operate in space as a coverage defender. Schools seem to be split on tight end or linebacker at the next level as National Signing Day approaches. Should be viewed as a highly athletic well put together football player who reads the game on both sides of the ball at a high level. Lack of verified testing and measurement data isn’t ideal, but has the multi-sport indicators and playmaking prowess to suggest immense NFL Draft upside.
Who else should you be on the look out for?
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Michigan is in a good spot with others who have shown recent interest. While it may be unrelated, Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng announced shortly after Underwood’s commitment that he will not visit Texas this weekend as planned.
Alabama commit, 2025 Denton (Texas) Ryan five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood should be on the radar, as should 2025 Cocoa (Florida) four-star WR Jayvan Boggs, who is set to visit this weekend.
This would be huge for the Irish’s 2025 recruiting class
If you didn’t know by now, LSU wide receiver commit [autotag]Derek Meadows[/autotag] will be making another visit to South Bend to see Notre Dame this weekend.
The Irish were in the 6-foot, 5-inch and 200-pound prospects final group before he chose the Tigers, and by all accounts they were viewed as the runner-up in his recruitment. The verbal hasn’t stopped Notre Dame from continuing to try for a flip, as 247Sports believes that is very much the case.
Garrett Stepien, who looked at some of the biggest recruiting visitors of this coming weekend (subscription required), noted that Meadows won’t be in Death Valley as LSU hosts Alabama in one of the bigger games on Saturday. It’s significant as this is a huge recruiting weekend for the Tigers, with one of its top commitments going elsewhere.
The nation’s No. 82 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings visited Michigan last weekend, as Meadows is clearly still thinking about where he will land. Hopefully this visit puts the Irish back in front and he ultimately signs with Notre Dame.
Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman shown during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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A key LSU 2025 commit is taking a visit to Michigan on Saturday
The final stage of the 2025 recruiting cycle is heating up and one of LSU’s top 2025 commits is taking a visit to Michigan on Saturday. Derek Meadows, a four-star receiver from Las Vegas, will be in Ann Arbor for the Michigan–Oregon showdown.
LSU was involved with several of the top receivers in the country this cycle. It’s a position that requires loading up on talent year after year and Meadows is the Tigers’ top-ranked receiving recruit of the class.
According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Meadows is the No. 80 overall recruit and the No. 11 ranked receiver. 247Sports is high on Meadows, slotting him as a top 50 overall player.
Meadows is committed to LSU, but his recruitment is far from over. Along with the Michigan visit, Meadows will be returning to Notre Dame later this month.
The Meadows recruitment isn’t the only high-profile flip battle featuring Michigan and LSU. The two schools are also battling for five-star QB Bryce Underwood, a Michigan native and the top overall recruit in the country.
LSU’s 2025 class is one of the best in the nation, but there’s shaping up to be some drama down the stretch. For now, LSU fans shouldn’t be too concerned. Taking visits throughout the fall is a natural part of the recruiting process, even for guys that are already committed.
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Michigan football was in the running for one of the top wide receivers in the country until midsummer, when 2025 Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman four-star wide receiver ended up opting to commit to LSU to play with Tigers commit Bryce Underwood. But as the Wolverines look to lure the Belleville (Mich.) five-star quarterback, they need to get some of the players who are pledged to LSU to come to Ann Arbor.
Thus it’s huge news as Meadows is reportedly visiting Michigan football for the Week 10 game against Oregon according to 247Sports’ Tom Loy, indicating that he’s still open to coming up north.
As I reported yesterday would be the case…
I’m told Top100 receiver and #LSU commit Derek Meadows is visiting #Michigan today for the game vs. Oregon.
Meadows previously visited for the spring game in April and also in the first official visit weekend in May. The Wolverines need to find a way to make a move with him if they want to up their chances of flipping Underwood and quickly revamping the offense going into next season.
Meadows does have a former teammate on the maize and blue with freshman running back Micah Ka’apana having also played at Bishop Gorman high school.
This is a huge development for the Irish in their 2025 recruiting class
The saying in recruiting that it isn’t over until a prospect signs is exactly the case for Notre Dame football and Nevada wide receiver [autotag]Derek Meadows[/autotag].
The 6-foot, 5-inch and 200-pound 4-star had the Irish in his final group before he picked the LSU Tigers during late July. The nation’s No. 82 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings was viewed as a Notre Dame lean at one point in his recruitment, but the verbal didn’t stop the coaching staff from continuing to recruit him.
This would be a massive flip for head coach Marcus Freeman, as he not only would fill a huge need for an elite receiver in Notre Dame’s 2025 class, but also take away a great player from Brian Kelly and the Tigers.
Anytime the Irish can stick it to their former coach, it’s a welcomed sight. Hopefully the return trip to Notre Dame sways Meadows to sign with the Irish in December.
Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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