Class of 2027 linebacker Joakim Gouda is starting to narrow his focus - and he’s keeping it all in the SEC family. On Monday, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound defender out of South Paulding High School in Douglasville, Georgia, announced his top five schools: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Auburn.
No matter where he lands, one thing’s certain - Gouda will be suiting up in the Southeastern Conference, a league that continues to dominate the recruiting landscape, especially when it comes to physical, high-upside defensive talent like him.
While Gouda is currently rated as the No. 738 overall player in the Class of 2027, along with the No. 61 linebacker and No. 82 prospect in Georgia, his offer sheet tells a more compelling story than the rankings might suggest. He’s already drawn serious attention from some of the sport’s most competitive programs, and it’s clear college coaches see something they like - maybe even love - in his game.
At 6-2, 225 pounds, Gouda brings a solid frame and the kind of athleticism that fits the mold of today’s versatile SEC linebacker. Whether he’s playing downhill in run support or dropping into coverage, his size and movement skills give him a chance to contribute early in the right system.
He’s already locked in two official visits - one to Auburn and another to Florida, both scheduled for June 2026. That gives those two programs a leg up in terms of facetime and relationship-building, but with Alabama, Georgia, and Texas still firmly in the mix, this recruitment is far from over.
It’s worth noting that Gouda’s recruitment hasn’t been confined to just his top five. He’s also picked up offers from Tennessee, Ole Miss, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida State - all programs with strong linebacker traditions in their own right. But when it came time to cut things down, he zeroed in on five SEC powerhouses, each with a proven track record of developing defensive talent and sending it to the next level.
From a geographic perspective, there’s a mix of proximity and prestige at play. Georgia offers the in-state connection and a clear pipeline to the NFL.
Alabama and Florida bring national championship pedigrees and defensive reputations that speak for themselves. Texas, now fully entrenched in the SEC, has the resources and recruiting momentum to make a serious push.
And Auburn, with its strong ties to Georgia high schools, could be a dark horse if things click on his June visit.
There’s still plenty of time before Gouda makes a final decision, and as with most recruitments, things can shift quickly once official visits start and coaches make their final pitches. But for now, Gouda’s top five gives us a clear look at the caliber of program that believes in his potential - and the kind of player he could become at the next level.
Keep an eye on this one. Gouda might be a 3-star on paper, but his recruitment is shaping up like someone whose best football is still ahead of him - and the SEC is taking notice.