Category: Recruiting

The Irish land Ausberry, talented linebacker commits to Notre Dame

The start to what could be a huge recruiting stretch for the Irish

Although recruiting seems to take a break for the Irish, this weekend has been set up to be a big one. The first portion of the potential commitments was Louisiana linebacker [autotag]Jaiden Ausberry[/autotag].

The six-foot-one-inch and 210-pound ‘backer went to Instagram live and verbally committed to Notre Dame over LSU, Michigan, Alabama, Florida and a host of others. Ausberry becomes the 21st commitment of the 2023 recruiting class that has been among the top rated classes. [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has been on top of his game since coming to South Bend and the commitment from Ausberry just solidifies the magnificent job the new Irish head coach has done.

The banner weekend is set to continue for the Irish as a commitment from safety [autotag]Ben Minich[/autotag] on Friday and then running back [autotag]Dylan Edwards[/autotag] would be the perfect scenario. Ausberry committing should not be taken lightly or a back seat to a verbal from Minich or Edwards, he’s one of the best players in the country.

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2024 four-star center locks in official visit to North Carolina

The UNC Basketball program is set to host 2024 four-star center James Brown for an official visit in October.

August 1 marked the new recruiting calendar which meant rising juniors could start taking official visits. For one four-star center, he wasted no time in scheduling his official visit to UNC basketball and Chapel Hill.

2024 four-star prospect [autotag]James Brown[/autotag] will take his official visit to North Carolina on October 15th, according to Rivals’ David Sisk.

Brown holds offers from Duke, Michigan State, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Notre Dame and others.

The 6-foot-9 center is ranked No. 31 in the Rivals class of 2024 rankings. He is also ranked as the No. 4 center and the No. 1 player in Illinois. He plays for St. Rita (IL).

Brown recently discussed his recruitment and North Carolina with On3.com.

“I know a lot historically about the program, with their success and their many great players but that’s another school I’m prepared to learn a lot about,” Brown said of UNC. “That’s a school that I like, even outside of their basketball success but educational success as well. That’s something that’s really important to me and my family, athletics, but education as well. I’m really excited to get to know Coach (Hubert) Davis and his staff and the whole Carolina program.”

Brown has said previously that North Carolina was a ‘dream school’ of his growing up.

Brown took an unofficial visit to Illinois earlier this week and has an official visit scheduled to Missouri Oct. 1.

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Alabama target 2023 DE Kelby Collins sets commitment date

2023 DE Kelby Collins announced via Twitter that he would be announcing his commitment on August 13.

Alabama has been prioritizing 2023 DE Kelby Collins. In May, he listed his top five schools: Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia and South Carolina. Now, it appears that he is closing in on a decision.

He announced via Twitter that he would be announcing his commitment on August 13. In a recent interview with On3’s Chad Simmons, here is what Collins said about his upcoming decision:

“My mind is not made up yet,” Collins told On3. “One day it is one school, then the next, it is another one. I still have to think about this some more. I am in between schools right now. There is some more time for me to figure it out, so I will keep praying about it and working to do that.”

Alabama has been trending in the right direction for quite some time according to On3’s RPM. The Crimson Tide is the heavy favorite to land Collins at 89.9% likelihood. However, the Florida Gators are making a late push with first-year head coach Billy Napier. Collins made it to Florida’s July cookout this past weekend. He was supposed to make two trips to Tuscaloosa last week but didn’t make either.

As of right now, it appears to be a three-team race between Florida, Georgia and Alabama. With a decision still looming, I think all three teams are in play to land his commitment. Here is what Collins had to say about Alabama when speaking with On3’s Chad Simmons:

“It is a hometown team, and I know a lot of people there. I am close with recruits and players that are either at Alabama or that are going to Alabama.”

I certainly like Alabama’s chances to land Collins and don’t see him committing elsewhere. It is still on the table obviously, but I would be surprised if he didn’t end up committing to Alabama.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Collins’ recruitment and other Alabama football recruiting news.

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2023 ATH Jacobe Johnson down to five schools, commitment coming soon

Alabama listed in 2023 ATH Jacobe Johnson’s top five. He will announce his commitment on August 13.

Alabama has already hauled in one 2023 recruit from Oklahoma in four-star wide receiver Cole Adams. Adams. Another Oklahoma-based recruiting target for the Alabama coaching staff is Jacobe Johnson. On Wednesday, he announced that he was down to five schools and a commitment date of August 13.

Alabama is likely on the outside looking in for the native of Mustang, Oklahoma at this point in his recruiting. As it stands, Oklahoma has a sizable lead according to On3’s RPM. The Sooners are favored to land Johnson at 86.5% likelihood. The Crimson Tide is predicted as the second favorite to land him at 4.6%.

The two-sport athlete has taken four official visits so far. One of the visits that he took was to Alabama. It is looking like he will end up in Norman, but the Crimson Tide still has over a week to make up some ground in his recruitment. Wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins has been able to land commitments Malik Benson along with Cole Adams. Ideally, the Crimson Tide would like to bring in up to four wide receivers in the class.

The coaching staff has expressed interest in several different receivers in Jaren Hamilton and Michigan State commit Demetrius Bell. Johnson is a long shot at this point, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility. We will have to wait and see what Johnson decides to do for his commitment.

Four-star CB Jordan Matthews breaks down his top three schools

Four-star defensive back Jordan Matthews is set to announce his college decision on Aug. 15. 

Four-star defensive back Jordan Matthews is set to announce his college decision on Aug. 15.

The Baton Rouge product released a top three of Michigan, Tennessee and Texas. Matthews took visits to each schools throughout the summer months and is ready to pick his future home.

Matthews is as listed the No. 15 cornerback prospect in the nation and the No. 139 overall player in the 2023 cycle according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Texas is trending for the talented defensive back. Two 247Sports crystal ball projections and multiple On3 RPM picks are entered in favor of the Longhorns.

The State of Louisiana has been kind to Texas in this recruiting cycle. Five-star quarterback Arch Manning and five-star defensive back Derek Williams are already committed to the Horns. Adding Matthews would mark another elite prospect from Louisiana for Steve Sarkisian and company.

Matthews spoke with On3 Sports about what stands out about each of his final three schools.

2023 Linebacker Derion Gullette announces commitment date

2023 Linebacker Derion Gullette announces commitment date

We are now nearly a week removed from last Saturday when Texas A&M held its annual recruiting pool party, featuring over 30 recruits attending the event from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 recruiting classes, including one of the most versatile defenders in the 2023 cycle, linebacker Derion Gullette.

Recently, Gullette released his commitment date, which is set for Friday, August 5th at 3:00 PM Central, with his final school list including Ohio State, Texas, and Texas A&M.

The Aggies have been on Gullette from a recruiting standpoint going back to last summer, offering him on June 11th, 2021. He has proceeded to visit the Texas A&M’s campus nine times, with his last visit coming last Saturday during the pool party. In relation to his final school list, Gullette has taken visits to Ohio State on June 10th, and Texas on June 24th, and according to recruiting sites 247Sports and On3 is a favorite to land with Texas.

In a scouting report I wrote for Derion Gullette, I described his ability on the field and how it might translate at the collegiate level:

As a prospect, Gullette’s film is just plain fun to watch; catching the ball, intercepting the ball, kicking the ball, and tackling, so yes, the man can literally do it all. As an outside linebacker, he is patient in coverage, shows adequate lateral quickness, and has great ball skills paired with a nice closing burst after reading the route. He is a high-level tackler and an instant threat to outside run concepts due to his speed and athleticism, mostly coming from his snaps at wide receiver. Overall, Derion Gullette has the makeup to become an instant contributor to whatever school he chooses.

We’re finally at the “fingers crossed” stage of Derion Gullette’s recruiting journey, so here’s to trusting that last weekend’s festivities left a lasting impression on one of the most sought-after prospects in the state of Texas.

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Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Four-star safety to announce commitment Friday, Notre Dame among finalists

The Irish class could be growing again

It very well could be a banner weekend for the Irish. We already knew that running back [autotag]Dylan Edwards[/autotag] plans to make his pledge on Saturday, and linebacker [autotag]Jaiden Ausberry[/autotag] plans his announcement later today.

Another Notre Dame target has made his decision date known. Ohio safety [autotag]Ben Minich[/autotag] tweeted he plans to make his intentions known on Friday, at 6 p.m. EDT. Minich will pick from Stanford, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Kentucky and the Irish. He will do it via his YouTube page, which is a bit different from other prospects however it gives many the ability to watch his decision live.

The 6-foot-1-inch and 185-pound safety would be a very solid addition to the Notre Dame 2023 recruiting class. The recruitment of Minich really has blown up during the summer months, and he is ready to make a decision.

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LSU reportedly leading for top-50 2023 defensive back

Javien Toviano would be the best commit in LSU’s 2023 class, as things currently stand.

LSU is piecing together a very nice 2023 recruiting class, and coach Brian Kelly’s group may be about to get even more talented.

According to a report from 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong, the Tigers are leading the way for four-star Martin (Arlington, Texas) cornerback Javien Toviano, the No. 34 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.

“I think the way it’s set up right now, LSU’s the team to beat for him,” Wiltfong said. “… But LSU, I think that they’re the ones that are recruiting Javien Toviano the hardest and the best and with that, I think that they’re the one to beat.”

Wiltfong also said that Toviano has become a priority for the Tigers.

Currently, Texas holds the only Crystal Ball projection for Toviano. On3, which lists him as a safety, gives the Tigers just a 9.7% chance to land him. However, since receiving an offer from LSU on Jan. 20, he has taken two trips to Baton Rouge — one in March and another last weekend.

The new coaching staff has put a lot of effort into pursuing Toviano, and if it lands him, he would be the highest-rated recruit in the class, as things currently stand.

Film

Javien Toviano’s Recruiting Profile

Michigan makes top three for four-star cornerback

#Michigan needs to land this one!

Michigan football is currently ranked 28th in the country for the 2023 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports composite. But the Wolverines are squarely in the mix for a top-150 prospect who will be making his decision on August 15.

2023 four-star corner Jordan Matthews tweeted out his final three on Thursday which includes Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee.

Matthews plays at Woodlawn (Louisiana) and according to the composite ranking, he is the 139th-ranked prospect in the country and the 15th-ranked cornerback.

He visited Michigan back on June 3rd and Ron Bellamy has been his primary recruiter.

The Baton Rouge native checks in at 6-foot and weighs 165-pounds. He runs a verified 10.66 100-meter and a 21.29 200-meter. There are currently two crystal balls in for Texas — both being Texas insiders.

Michigan currently has zero defensive backs committed for the 2023 cycle, so if the Wolverines could land Matthews, it would be a significant commitment. Tune in on August 15th to see if Matthews comes to Ann Arbor.

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Oklahoma receives projections for Jacobe Johnson, includes Sooners in top 5

The Oklahoma Sooners land inside the top 5 for 2023 four-star athlete Jacobe Johnson out of Mustang, Oklahoma.

One of the biggest dominos left to drop on the Oklahoma Sooners recruiting check list is 2023 four-star athlete Jacobe Johnson. Johnson, a top three player in the state of Oklahoma, has long been projected to land with the Sooners, but has patiently been working through his process this recruiting cycle.

Johnson is ranked inside the top 50 on the ESPN 300 list and is a top 100 prospect according to On3 Recruiting and the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s a top 10 athlete in the 2023 recruiting class. Johnson released his top five on Wednesday and included the Oklahoma Sooners, Michigan Wolverines, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Stanford Cardinal.

Over the last week Parker Thune of OUInsider.com at 247Sports issued a crystal ball projection for the Oklahoma Sooners to land Jacobe Johnson. According to Thune, the Sooners plan to play the 6-foot-3 talent out of Mustang, Okla. at cornerback. All four crystal ball predictions from 247Sports favor the Oklahoma Sooners.

Shortly after releasing his top five Wednesday evening, the Sooners received another projection, this time from Rivals’ Michigan recruiting editor Zach Libby.

Johnson’s athletic profile could lend him to playing on either side of the football at the collegiate level and it looks like the Sooners will have another cornerback to add to their 2023 recruiting class that includes four-star cornerback Jasiah Wagoner.

Jacobe Johnson’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

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