Four-star wide receiver Jaden Upshaw is entering a pivotal stretch in his recruitment, and the picture is starting to come into focus. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound playmaker out of Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, has narrowed his list to six programs: Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Southern California, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
Upshaw, ranked No. 63 overall and the No. 11 wide receiver in the 2027 class by Rivals, has been a hot commodity on the recruiting trail-and for good reason. He’s a big-bodied receiver with strong hands, crisp route-running, and the kind of body control that makes him a nightmare in one-on-one matchups.
Over three varsity seasons, he’s hauled in 125 catches for 1,964 yards and 22 touchdowns, including a junior campaign in 2025 that saw him post 47 receptions for 902 yards and eight scores in just 10 games. That followed a sophomore season where he notched 63 catches for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Recruiting-wise, Upshaw’s been doing his homework. He’s taken four unofficial visits to Florida, two apiece to Auburn and Georgia, and made single visits to Miami, USC, Alabama, and Clemson.
One of those trips stood out-he was in Coral Gables to watch Miami take down Florida in a convincing 26-7 win. That kind of in-person experience can leave a lasting impression, especially for a player evaluating not just the football program but the energy around it.
Miami, in particular, is in the middle of reshaping its wide receiver room, and Upshaw could be a critical piece of that puzzle. The Hurricanes have already landed a trio of transfer portal wideouts for the 2026 cycle: Vandrevius Jacobs from South Carolina, Cam Vaughn out of West Virginia, and have made significant moves on the high school front as well.
Their 2026 class includes Somourian Wingo (St. Augustine, Fla.), Milan Parris (Walsh Jesuit, Ohio), Vance Spafford (Mission Viejo, Calif.), and Tyran Evans (Hough, N.C.).
But while Miami’s bringing in talent, they’ve also seen a notable exodus. JoJo Trader entered the transfer portal on Jan.
22, Chance Robinson left on Jan. 1 and committed to NC State, Ny Carr transferred to Wake Forest after entering the portal in mid-December, and Ray Ray Joseph made the move to East Carolina. It’s clear the Hurricanes are retooling, not just reloading-and a player of Upshaw’s caliber could be a cornerstone in that rebuild.
One bit of stability for Miami? True freshman Joshua Moore announced he’ll return for the 2026 season. That’s a big win for the Canes, who’ll need some continuity as they integrate new faces into the offense.
As for Upshaw, each of his six finalists brings something different to the table. Alabama and Texas A&M offer SEC pedigree and proven pipelines to the pros.
Auburn and Tennessee are both building something under energized coaching staffs. USC brings the West Coast allure and a wide-open offense.
And Miami? They’re in the middle of a WR overhaul, and there’s a clear path to early playing time.
No matter where he lands, Upshaw is the kind of wideout who can change the complexion of an offense. He’s got the production, the physical tools, and the upside. Now it’s just a matter of which program gets to unlock it.