4-star defensive lineman Preston Carey names top 7 schools, sets commitment date

Four-star IMG Academy (Fla.) defensive lineman Preston Carey is down to seven schools and has set his commitment date for June 30, he announced on Monday.

Among the remaining contenders are Georgia, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Rutgers, Alabama and USC. Carey has also locked in official visits with each his seven finalists before he commits at the end of June.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder is the No. 278 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 28 defensive lineman and No. 40 recruit in the state of Florida.

Carey is originally from the Long Island area of New York, but transferred to IMG ahead of junior season. During that campaign with the Ascenders, he logged 24 tackles — including five tackles for loss — as well as a pair of sacks and quarterback hurries. For his first two seasons at the high school level, he played at New York power St. Anthony’s, where he totaled 90 tackles, five TFLs and and two sacks.

Carey recently visited both USC and Florida

Two of the contenders left on Carey’s list, USC and Florida, hosted him last month for unofficial visits. And both appear to have made strong impressions on him.

“I also loved seeing California and LA for the first time in my life,” he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “LA is somewhat similar to where I was born and where I grew up as a kid (New York City) and I loved that. The program and 2026 class USC is building is great and you can see when you visit why so many people are getting on board.

… Love was shown and I felt it the whole weekend. Coach Riley and Coach Henderson truly showed and expressed how bad they want me at USC. I loved my visit and it excites me that there 2026 Class and staff is only getting better and better by the day.”

The Gators, meanwhile, are looking to keep him in the Sunshine State after his move there, and he has a strong connection with multiple members of the coaching staff. His trip early in March only solidified his feelings about the program.

“My eyes have opened with them way more (Saturday) than they have in the past,” Carey told GatorsOnline.

On his list of official visits, he’ll stop first at Georgia (May 16), then head to Ohio State (June 30), Auburn (June 3), Florida (June 6), Rutgers (June 14), Alabama (June 17) and USC (June 20).