Gage Mayfield is a four-star and consensus top-100 prospect in the 2026 college basketball recruiting class. He’s one of the better overall athletes in the class, a high-flying 6’7 forward who can defend at a high level and has a high overall ceiling with even better shooting.
Mayfield, the top prospect out of the state of Alabama, is reportedly down to five options. Which of them is the best potential fit? Here’s a closer look at the teams involved.
NEWS: 4⭐️ Gage Mayfield (@Gagemayfield4) is down to five schools, he tells @Rivals:
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) July 29, 2025
Tennessee, Michigan, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Florida State
The 6-7 small forward and top-75 overall recruit discusses his finalists: https://t.co/LWAcfFsWIP pic.twitter.com/QYhc1PVXcz
Florida State Seminoles
It’s a new coaching staff and roster at FSU, which presents both questions as to how it’ll go and opportunities for early playing time. The team did land freshman forward Thomas Bassong and recently landed top-100 center Marcis Ponder in the 2026 class. With guys like Alex Steen and Chauncey Wiggins gone after next year, Mayfield could come in and get minutes as a freshman.
Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines do have a pair of incoming small forward freshmen in Winters Grady and Ricky Liburd, who are more offensive-minded. Mayfield would be a nice defensive complement to them and with both Will Tschetter and UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg leaving after next year, Michigan can make room for all the underclassmen forwards for the future.
Oklahoma Sooners
Last year, Jeremiah Fears went from a four-star prospect ranked around 40 in the 2024 class to a top-10 NBA Draft pick. Can Mayfield do the same? There’s going to be a clear path for him to get early minutes, as Notre Dame transfer Tae Davis will only be with the team for one year. From a PT perspective, the Sooners stand out compared to some other options.
Tennessee Vols
The Vols lack true wings on the roster, especially if 5-star freshman forward Nate Ament is only around for one more year. Mayfield aligns with Tennessee's emphasis on defense and could see early playing time with this option.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Most of Vandy’s forwards for next season are seniors, with incoming freshman Chandler Bing being an exception. Like with FSU and Oklahoma, this option won’t over-recruit Mayfield out of the gate and offers a chance for him to develop over time into a quality SEC player.