Fresh off his official visit to Arkansas for the LSU game, tight end Gavin Garretson committed to the Razorbacks on Tuesday after he recently rescinded his San Diego State pledge.
Garretson, 6-7 and 245 pounds, of Chico (Calif.) Pleasant Valley, committed to the Aztecs on Sept. 8 and on Monday reopened his recruitment. Arkansas extended him a scholarship offer Oct. 2.
He also owns offers from California, New Mexico State, Eastern Washington, Idaho and others
In a stunning turn of events, tight end Gavin Garretson, one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, has decommitted from San Diego State and flipped his commitment to an Arkansas football rival. The move sent shockwaves through both the Mountain West and SEC communities, as Garretson had been considered a cornerstone of San Diego State’s recruiting class. His decision to jump ship and commit to one of Arkansas’ fiercest rivals intensifies the competition and adds another layer of intrigue to the Razorbacks’ future matchups.
Gavin Garretson’s decision to decommit from San Diego State came as a major surprise. The 6’5”, 240-pound tight end had been a key piece of the Aztecs’ 2025 recruiting class and was expected to be a future star for head coach Brady Hoke’s program. Garretson’s rare combination of size, speed, and hands made him a coveted prospect, and his commitment to San Diego State was seen as a major recruiting win for the program.
Garretson had long been vocal about his admiration for the Aztecs and the program’s winning tradition. He praised the coaching staff for their vision and the opportunity to play a significant role in the offense. However, as is often the case in college football recruiting, things can change quickly.
Sources close to Garretson indicated that his decision to decommit was influenced by his desire to compete at the highest level of college football. The allure of playing in the SEC, which is widely regarded as the most competitive conference in the country, reportedly played a significant role in his decision-making process. While San Diego State has consistently been a strong program in the Mountain West, the opportunity to compete against top-tier talent week in and week out was too enticing for Garretson to pass up.
Gavin Garretson’s decommitment from San Diego State was shocking enough, but his decision to flip to one of Arkansas’ fiercest rivals took the college football world by storm. Although the exact school Garretson has committed to has not been officially announced, sources suggest that it is one of Arkansas’ most heated rivals, with fans and analysts speculating between schools like LSU, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss.
Whichever program Garretson has chosen, it is a significant recruiting victory and a major blow to Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been actively recruiting tight ends and building a strong offensive front, and losing out on a prospect like Garretson to a direct competitor in the SEC adds fuel to the rivalry.
Garretson’s commitment to an SEC team also showcases the growing trend of top-tier recruits seeking out opportunities in the nation’s premier football conference. The SEC’s visibility, competitiveness, and the chance to play on national stages like the College Football Playoff and high-profile bowl games have made it a dream destination for many elite recruits.
Gavin Garretson is not just any recruit. His physical attributes and football IQ make him a unique talent who could immediately contribute to his new team. At 6’5” and 240 pounds, Garretson has the size to be a dominant blocker in the run game, while his agility and soft hands make him a legitimate receiving threat. In high school, he showed an ability to stretch the field and create mismatches against smaller defenders, making him a versatile weapon in any offensive scheme.
For his new SEC team, Garretson’s arrival could change the dynamics of their offense. A quality tight end who can both block and catch is invaluable, especially in the physical SEC, where tight ends are often asked to do a bit of everything. Garretson’s commitment also signals to other recruits that his new program is serious about building a dominant offense and competing for championships.
For Arkansas, losing out on a talent like Garretson to a rival stings, especially given the fierce recruiting battles that define the SEC. Head coach Sam Pittman has been working diligently to build a program that can compete with the powerhouses of the conference, and while the Razorbacks have recruited well, losing a prospect like Garretson to a rival sets the stage for heated on-field matchups in the coming years.
For San Diego State, Garretson’s decommitment is a significant blow to their recruiting class. The Aztecs have long been known for developing strong tight ends and utilizing them effectively in their offense, and Garretson was expected to carry on that tradition. Now, they’ll have to regroup and find another player who can fill the void left by his departure.
Gavin Garretson’s decommitment from San Diego State and his subsequent flip to an Arkansas rival is one of the more surprising moves in the 2025 recruiting cycle. His decision highlights the intense competition for top recruits, particularly within the SEC, and underscores the allure of playing in college football’s most prestigious conference.
While San Diego State and Arkansas will undoubtedly feel the effects of Garretson’s decision, his new team will be celebrating a major recruiting victory and eagerly anticipating what he can bring to their program. As for Razorback fans, the next meeting with their SEC rival just got even more personal, with Garretson set to be a key player in those matchups for years to come.