Category: Recruiting

Crystal ball predictions continue to roll in for Penn State and four-star RB

Penn State continues to gain strength in the recruiting race for this four-star running back in Florida

Penn State continues to be trending in a very positive direction for one of its top offensive targets in the Class of 2023. Running back [autotag]Treyaun Webb[/autotag] recently saw a bit of an uptick in Penn State commitment predictions from the recruiting industry, and that continues to be the case as another week gets underway.

Two more crystal ball predictions were filed for Webb on 247Sports on Monday, and each favored the Nittany Lions in the recruiting race for the four-star running back out of Jacksonville, Florida.

One crystal ball prediction was filed by Lions247 staff writer Tyler Calvaruso, who broke down his analysis here (paid subscription required). That prediction was accompanied by Noles247 contributor Zach Bolstein, who also cast his Penn State pick to be on the record.

Those two crystal ball predictions brought Penn State even with Florida on the 247Sports crystal ball predictions for Webb. Along with that, Penn State has emerged as the favorite for Webb’s commitment on the On3 recruiting prediction machine with a 60.2% chance of landing Webb’s commitment. Florida is second in the hunt with a 34.2% chance of receiving Webb’s commitment.

And a decision could be coming at any moment. Webb concluded his official visit schedule recently with a trip to South Carolina following his official visits to Penn State and Florida. When that decision will be made remains to be seen, but there could be more good news on the way for the Penn State recruiting efforts in the Class of 2023.

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Nation’s top-ranked kicker details ‘awesome’ Swinney Camp experience, getting to kick in Death Valley

Among the standout prospects who participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp earlier this month was one of the nation’s top kickers in the class of 2024. Hough High School’s (Cornelius, N.C.) Nolan Hauser, who is considered to be the No. 1 kicker in the …

Among the standout prospects who participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp earlier this month was one of the nation’s top kickers in the class of 2024.

Hough High School’s (Cornelius, N.C.) Nolan Hauser, who is considered to be the No. 1 kicker in the nation by Chris Sailer Kicking worked out at the Swinney Camp on Saturday, June 11.

“It was awesome,” Hauser told The Clemson Insider regarding his Swinney Camp experience. “I mean, I got to kick in Death Valley, so that was pretty cool. I’ve always dreamed of kicking at Death Valley, maybe next time it’ll be on game day.”

What type of feedback did Hauser get from Clemson’s coaching staff?

“I got (feedback) from both (Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and Bill Spiers),” he said. “They both said I kicked really well. I have to be patient with the whole process and wait it out. They’re not in a rush to take a ’24 (kicker). So, I have to wait it out and see how things go.”

Speaking with The Clemson Insider after he visited this spring, Hauser told us that Clemson had spoken to him about a potential offer, but they really needed to see him kick in person first. His plan was to go down there this summer to camp and gain condi

While Hauser would, obviously, like to have an offer from Clemson, he’s appreciative that the Tigers have been honest with him and haven’t misled him during the process. Clemson has only offered a handful of prospects of Hauser’s class.

“It would be awesome,” he said regarding a potential offer from the Tigers. “That would be a huge step in my recruiting. Clemson has been through the family, so that would be awesome to have and maybe be on that field someday.”

Hauser felt like he definitely showed what he wanted to show when he kicked for Swinney and Spiers in The Valley. He made a 56-yard field goal in front of Clemson’s head coach. When Swinney came over, Hauser didn’t even have to kick kickoffs for him; that’s all he needed to see.

While Swinney’s presence at Memorial Stadium was exciting for Hauser, he’s mainly cultivated a relationship with Spiers.

“It’s always really cool to talk with him because it’s not only about football, but it’s about family,” Hauser said of Clemson’s director of special teams. “It’s always good to talk with him. It’s always something new. My parents are always talking to him and he’s always very friendly. His family’s very friendly. We had a chance to meet (Spiers’ youngest daughter) Mary Crosby when we were down there…it’s always really cool to see him. Even though he can’t contact me, we always find ways to contact each other if I call him.”

In addition to Clemson, Hauser has been to North Carolina, Ohio State and Penn State this summer. He picked up an offer from the Tar Heels during his visit earlier this month and added it to his offer list, which includes the University of Maryland as well.

“It’s great to have all these different experiences, especially so young,” Hauser said. “I get to expose myself at a really young age. It shows that I can really grow to the coaches. It’s awesome to be able to see all these places and get to see what’s ahead in the future.”

Right now, Hauser is using this dead period to hit the gym and put on some extra weight before the season. As far as preparation goes, Hauser will usually go to the gym in the morning and then go kick in the early afternoon. Rather than “kicking than crap out of the ball,” he’s focused on his mechanics and contact going forward.

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Major Clemson OL target announces commitment timing

Harris Sewell, one of the top offensive lineman in the 2023 class, took to Twitter Monday to announce the date and time for his commitment announcement. The 6-4, 300 pound lineman from Odessa, Texas is set to announce between Clemson, Texas A&M, …

Harris Sewell, one of the top offensive lineman in the 2023 class,  took to Twitter Monday to announce the date and time for his commitment announcement.  The 6-4, 300 pound lineman from Odessa, Texas is set to announce between Clemson, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.

Sewell took an official visit to Clemson in early June and then took one to Texas A&M.

Sewell is the No. 72 player in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings and the No. 2 interior offensive lineman.

TCI expects another sunny day in Clemson on Wednesday.

4-star Georgia target Grayson Howard makes commitment

The No. 17 LB in the ’23 class has made his decision…

Four-star 2023 linebacker Grayson Howard has committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks over Georgia, Florida, and Texas A&M.

Howard, out of Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Fla., is rated as the No. 17 linebacker, the No. 50 player in the state of Florida and the No 249 recruit in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports. 

Former Georgia defensive assistant Shane Beamer has brought in a talented player in Howard as the rebuild in Columbia continues.

The Gamecock’s class sits ranked 33rd in the nation behind Georgia at No. 7.

Expect Auburn’s QB target to commit in near future

Auburn Football hopes to receive good news from four-star quarterback Brock Glenn very soon.

Auburn quarterback target [autotag]Brock Glenn[/autotag] is set to compete in the Elite 11 finals this week in Los Angeles, California. Out of the 20 competitors in this year’s event, Glenn is one of three quarterbacks that have yet to commit. That could change following this week’s event.

Once he arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday, Glenn spoke with Sports Illustrated’s John Garcia Jr about his recruitment. Garcia wrote a synopsis of the conversation.

Brock Glenn has added the most recent offers among passers still looking to make the final call. The Memphis native picked up LSU in recent days and told SI on Sunday he is considering the Tigers despite the lack of an official visit to Baton Rouge. Auburn is the program he’s most familiar with while Ohio State, another recent offer he was able to vet with an official visit, appears to be a primary challenger. Florida State, Mississippi State and TCU are also in the mix for the accurate Glenn, who says he wants to come off the board “as fast as I can” once the event wraps up.

Despite being courted by other Power Five programs, Glenn is still expected to commit to Auburn says 247sports. Three writers, including Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente, have confidently predicted that Glenn will land with Auburn by giving Auburn the Crystal Ball.

Glenn is a 247sports composite four-star quarterback from Memphis, Tennessee. He is the No. 18 ranked quarterback in the nation, and the 9th best prospect from the state of Tennessee. He would be a much-needed addition to Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class, which only has two commits to this point, and would hopefully spark a surge of commitments.

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2023 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc sets commitment date and includes Oklahoma in top 3 schools

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to trend upward on the recruiting front, this time landing inside the top three for 2023 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc.

It’s been steady as she goes for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting front. While the Texas Longhorns and other schools are landing commitments, the Sooners continue to plug away and will begin to reap the benefit as the summer months move along.

Seemingly, week by week, the Sooners are adding to their 2023 recruiting class, most recently with four-star running back [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] out of Denton Ryan. The Sooners will be on commitment watch this week as Samuel Omosigho is planning to make his decision on Thursday.

As days go by, we’re beginning to see the fruit of Brent Venables and his coaching staff’s labors. Now, the Sooners land inside the top three for four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc out of Kissimmee, Fla.

Right now, the only crystal ball projections for LeBlanc have him staying home and attending the University of Florida, but never count Brent Venables and Todd Bates out of a recruitment. The Sooners, along with Florida and Penn State make up LeBlanc’s top three heading into the final month of his recruitment.

LeBlanc intends to make his decision on July 28.

Here’s what 247Sports Cooper Petagna had to say about LeBlanc:

Versatile defensive line prospect that can play in multiple defensive fronts with excellent length and physical traits. Needs to continue to develop as a pass-rusher and refine his technique at the point of attack but has the natural ability to develop into a potential all-conference prospect at the next level. Will need two years to develop before playing into his ceiling at the next level. – Petagna, 247Sports

LeBlanc has been thorough with his unofficial visits. He’s visited Norman more than a handful of times while also making time to visit Gainesville nearly 20 times over the last couple of years. With recent visits for the spring game and Brent Venables’ camp, LeBlanc had a great opportunity to see what Oklahoma Football is all about.

This will be a tight recruiting battle between Venables and Florida’s first-year head coach Billy Napier. If the Sooners are able to land a commitment from LeBlanc, it will be a huge win in the battleground state of Florida.

Derrick LeBlanc’s Recruiting Profile

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2023 OT target Christopher Terek picks up pair of 247Sports crystal ball predictions to Iowa Hawkeyes

A pair of 247Sports experts put in crystal ball predictions for three-star offensive tackle Christopher Terek to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa has some serious momentum on the recruiting trail. After its largest and most important recruiting weekend of the year, the Hawkeyes already picked up a commitment from talented, four-star offensive tackle Trevor Lauck out of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, Ind.

Lauck’s commitment comes on the heels of fellow June pledges from four-star running back Kendrick Raphael of Naples High School (Fla.), three-star offensive tackle Cannon Leonard of Iroquois West High School (Ill.) and three-star EDGE David Caulker of North High School (Iowa).

These decisions from Caulker, Lauck, Leonard and Raphael bring Iowa’s current commitment total in the 2023 class to a baker’s dozen. According to 247Sports, the Hawkeyes’ 13 commitments comprise the nation’s No. 17 class. Meanwhile, Rivals rates Iowa’s 2023 class No. 18 nationally and On3 ranks the Hawkeyes’ current commits as the No. 29 class.

Across those respective team rankings, Iowa has the Big Ten’s No. 5 class according to 247Sports, the Big Ten’s No. 6 class according to Rivals and the Big Ten’s No. 6 class according to On3.

According to a pair of 247Sports experts, it should be about to get even better. 247Sports’ Sam Webb of TheMichiganInsider and David Eickholt of HawkeyeInsider both submitted crystal ball predictions for three-star offensive tackle Christopher Terek to commit to the Hawkeyes on June 23 and June 24, respectively. On3’s EJ Holland also put in a prediction for Terek to Iowa on June 20.

Terek was on hand this past weekend for Iowa’s big recruiting weekend and he is deciding between Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The 6-foot-6, 295 pound offensive tackle is rated by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 56 offensive tackle and the No. 16 player from Illinois.

On3 ranks the Glenbard West High School product as the No. 54 interior offensive lineman and the No. 12 player from Illinois in the 2023 class, while Rivals lists Terek as the No. 53 offensive tackle and the No. 9 player from Illinois.

Included below is a look at Terek’s junior season Hudl tape from Glenbard West High School, his full recruiting profile and Iowa’s full list of 2023 commits.

On3 prediction entered in favor of Texas for four-star safety Derek Williams

On3 has Williams as the No. 2 safety in the country and 247Sports rates him a five-star prospect.

On3’s Gerry Hamilton entered a new prediction in favor of Texas this afternoon. Continue reading “On3 prediction entered in favor of Texas for four-star safety Derek Williams”

Tigers cap off this past weekend with some star-studded official visitors prior to dead period

The Tigers hosted several official visitors this past weekend and we breakdown why these visits were so important.

This past weekend was a huge one for the Auburn coaching staff. It was the last chance for the coaching staff to bring in recruits before the dead period that begins on June 27. The dead period prohibits recruits from having face-to-face interactions between both coaches and players.

This past weekend the Tigers saw four recruits come in for official visits. A tandem from Montgomery, Alabama headlined the group. That is four-stars James Smith and Qua Russaw. Recently, the two recruits released their top eleven schools. Both Smith and Russaw had the Tigers in the mix. In all likelihood, the two will continue to play with one another in college. With that being said, it was essential for the Tigers to get them both on campus for official visits.

The two of them really seemed to enjoy their visit this past weekend. Just a week earlier, the two made an official visit to Georgia. Although those two schools seem firmly in the mix, Alabama is also heavily recruiting the two of them as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes down to those three schools in each of their recruitments.

Another key visitor from the weekend was three-star linebacker Phil Picciotti. The Pennsylvania native is one of the Tigers’ top defensive prospects. The coaching staff will likely have their hands full in his recruitment as other schools like Penn State and Oklahoma have also received official visits. It was Picciotti’s first trip to the Plains, so he was able to see what Auburn is all about. He has been predicted for months to commit to the Sooners, but we will see how his recruitment unfolds.

Another interesting visitor was Ohio State commit Cedric Hawkins. He has been committed to the Buckeyes since January and he seems unwavering with his commitment. Jeffrey Lee of On3 reported that he remains firm to the Buckeyes. His visit doesn’t give the Tigers hope in his recruitment. It seems as if he was just trying to get a feel for the school without actually having extensive interest.

The Tigers certainly hope that the other three official visitors will evaluate their options and keep the program in contention. All three are top-end recruits that the coaching staff would love to add to the recruiting class. It will be interesting to see if any of them elect to return to the Plains for a visit in the fall.

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Oklahoma Sooners get commitment from 2023 OT Heath Ozaeta out of Washington

Bill Bedenbaugh and the Oklahoma Sooners added another up-and-coming talent to his OL room for the 2023 class in three-star OT Heath Ozaeta.

The Oklahoma Sooners added another piece to the 2023 recruiting class in three-star offensive tackle Heath Ozaeta. A top 10 player in the state of Washington, Ozaeta was a target for several west coast schools including UCLA, BYU, Utah, and Stanford.

Oklahoma earned his commitment less than a week after extending their offer on July 22.

Though considered a three-star player in the 247Sports Composite rankings and On3’s Consensus rankings, Ozaeta is considered a four-star player by On3 Recruiting.

Ozaeta has great size to be an offensive tackle, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 295 pounds. He’s got a nice frame to add more strength and muscle to when he gets to Norman.

He’s an athletic player that is able to get out in space, quickly finds his target, and engages. Ozaeta isn’t simply looking to block his opponent, he wants to put them on the ground. He plays physical but also controlled and with good technique, using his legs to drive his opponent backward, sometimes 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. He also played interior defensive line for Mount Si high school and showed impressive burst and penetration ability. He’s got a strong athletic profile to be a starting offensive tackle for the Sooners.

Ozaeta joins center Joshua Bates in Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line room for the 2023 class and the Oklahoma Sooners are just getting started adding offensive line talent this recruiting cycle.

Heath Ozaeta’s Recruiting Profile

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