Tag: damon wilson

What missing out on Five-Star Keon Keeley means for Ohio State

With Keon Keeley off the board, what’s next for Ohio State?

Shortly after Keon Keeley, the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2023 class decommitted from Notre Dame, Ohio State was all in. And it seemed like Keeley was interested as well.

Despite all the recruiting experts crystal balling the coveted recruit to Alabama, Keeley made his way to Columbus for the season opener against the Irish to whom he was formerly pledged. Then, just a few weeks after that, the young man decided to make another visit to OSU, this time on his own dime to check things out even more. Most recruiting specialists had the Tide and Buckeyes neck and neck for Keeley’s services.

However, in recent weeks talk of Ohio State slowed and Alabama gained most of the momentum. All of this culminated with a commitment to Nick Saban and the Tide yesterday. This wasn’t necessarily unexpected but, it still leaves the Bucks looking for more help on the defensive line. Where do they go from here?

The good news is that Ohio State is still in play for three highly touted defensive linemen. The bad news is things may have started swinging in the wrong direction.

Damon Wilson, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Joshua Mickens are all three players that the Buckeyes have been courting for some time now.

Wilson looked to be leaning toward Columbus and then in recent weeks, Georgia seems to be picking up steam. Ohio State also has had most of the buzz around Uiagalelei and he has put the Buckeyes in his top three, but now USC seems to be picking up momentum. Will he choose to stay closer to home in southern California? Finally, Mickens seemed to be a lock once he decommitted from LSU immediately after a visit to Ohio State, but things have gotten eerily quiet.

We know Ryan Dan and Larry Johnson would like to snag at least two of these three guys. At the very least, they must get one. Right now, things are still trending for Mickens to sign with OSU. After that, Uiagalelei is the next best bet, but it looks to be 50/50 at this point. I think Wilson is as good as gone unless the Buckeyes can pull off some kind of miracle as he plans to announce on December 21.

With Keeley off the board, the pressure increases that much more to make a convincing argument to these three that Ohio State is the place to be.

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Top uncommitted prospects left in the 2023 recruiting class

Who are the top uncommitted players in the nation?

Recruiting is beginning to heat up as we approach the early signing period on Dec. 21. Programs across the country are doing everything in their power to close out the cycle on a good note.

Alabama sits on top of the team rankings at the moment, followed by the likes of Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas. The race for the No. 1 spot is going to come down to the final whistle.

While the majority of the top 300 prospects have already made up their mind on where they will play college football, multiple star players remain uncommitted.

Players are taking last-minute visits, meeting with coaches and monitoring the transfer portal to figure out where they want to go. Recruiting is the backbone of college football and the decisions of these prospects directly impact the future of the game.

Here is a look at the 10 highest-rated uncommitted recruits in the 2023 cycle according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

ESPN names this 2023 Ohio State verbal as their key commit

Who do you believe is the most important commit in the ‘23 class for Ohio State? #GoBucks

With the early signing period just around the corner and the fact that many players opt to end their recruiting at this time, it is time to look at who will be linchpins for every class. ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren looked at the top 25 classes and selected one recruit from each as their key verbal (subscription may be required).

For Ohio State, it was defense end [autotag]Jason Moore[/autotag], ESPN’s 53rd overall ranked player. VanHaaren views Moore as “a player who has room to refine his game, can be important in the pass rush.” He also mentions the possibility of adding [autotag]Keon Keeley[/autotag] (don’t expect it) and [autotag]Damon Wilson[/autotag] to the defensive line haul. He fails to mention [autotag]Matayo Uiagalelei[/autotag], who I believe is much more likely to join the class than Keeley.

VanHaaren is correct about depth at the position, as the Buckeyes have three seniors ([autotag]Zach Harrison[/autotag], [autotag]Javontae Jean-Baptiste[/autotag], and [autotag]Tyler Friday[/autotag]) as the position. [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] will have to find some younger players to step up next year to play opposite [autotag]J.T. Tuimoloau[/autotag].

The improvements on the defense do warrant a defender to be selected, but in my eyes it’s a member of the secondary that needs to be highlighted. The defensive back commits of [autotag]Calvin Simpson-Hunt[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Hartford[/autotag], [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Bonsu[/autotag], [autotag]Cedrick Hawkins[/autotag] or [autotag]Jermaine Matthews[/autotag] would be on the list, but they are ranked lower than Moore.

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Friday Night Notes: Alabama nabs 5-star QB, Desmond Ricks sets his date and more

Big weekend awaits in the football recruiting world.

USA TODAY High School Sports‘ Friday Night Notes is a weekly high school recruiting recap that looks at the latest news from around the country—from the Class of 2023 to ’24 and beyond.

Alabama already has the lead in the recruiting race in 2023. They’re over 15 points ahead of second-ranked Georgia in those rankings, thanks largely to having five five-star recruits when no other team has more than three.

This week the rich got richer, as Alabama got a head-start on next year’s recruiting class by securing their first five-star prospect of the class of 2024 in quarterback Julian Sayin.

247 Sports

Sayin (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) is a Junior at Carlsbad (Calif.), where he’s led his team to a 9-1 record thus far this season. He’s completed 68.7% of his passes, totaled 2,032 yards, 25 touchdowns and just three interceptions. This follows an equally-strong Sophomore campaign that saw Sayin post a 71.5% completion rate, 2,769 yards, 34 touchdowns and four picks. A dual-threat QB, Sayin has also added 399 yards and four scores as a rusher.

According to 247 Sports, Sayin is ranked No. 2 at quarterback in his class behind Dylan Raiola of Chandler (Ariz.), who’s committed to Ohio State. Sayin is also the consensus top player overall in the state of California.

Sayin had also been considering Georgia and LSU. Here’s what he told Hank South of BamaOnLine on Wednesday following his decision.

“I would say Bama is the standard for college football. When you go on Saturdays and turn on the TV and see that crimson, you think of Alabama. Coach Saban, being the greatest coach of all time, how could you not want to play for a guy like that? And then just the ability to produce NFL talent they have there. Their track record for quarterbacks is second to none.”

Alabama is currently placed at No. 5 in the recruiting rankings for 2024. Notre Dame is still on top.

Ohio State picks up crystal ball predictions for two highly touted recruits

Two big-time crystal ball predictions coming in for Ohio State. #GoBucks

We’re midway through the 2022 college football season and Ohio State looks like a real national championship contender. Even though the schedule has been lackluster thanks to opponents not living up to their hype, the Buckeyes have taken care of business in dominating fashion.

Because Ohio State is such a high-profile school, the Buckeyes have played some big games on the national stage. And with those games come some high-profile recruits that are checking things out in Columbus. There has been no shortage of four- and five-star prospects littering the sidelines of Ohio Stadium week to week.

As the early recruiting period draws closer, remaining uncommitted recruits are narrowing their choices and deciding on the best fit for their future. Recently Ohio State picked up crystal ball predictions to land two highly coveted players, one in the 2023 class and one in the 2024 class.

Let’s take a look.

5-star pass rusher visiting Athens for Georgia-Auburn

Five-star pass rusher Damon Wilson is visiting the University of Georgia for the Auburn game

Five-star class of 2023 linebacker recruit Damon Wilson is visiting the University of Georgia from Oct. 7-9 for the Georgia-Auburn weekend. Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have a lot of top visitors for the Auburn weekend.

Damon Wilson plays for Venice High School in Venice, Florida. Venice plays against a high level of high school competition. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge rusher won the 8A state championship in Florida back in 2021. He made a clutch interception in the state title game.

Wilson has also participated on the school’s weight lifting team. Impressively, Wilson recorded 15 sacks during the 2021 high school football season and was named as the Herald-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year, per 247Sports.

Venice defensive end Damon Wilson makes an interception in the endzone for a touchdown in the first half. Venice High met Apopka High Saturday afternoon in the FHSAA Class 8 state championship. Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The five-star edge rusher is ranked as the No. 29 recruit in the senior class. The Venice standout is the No. 5 edge rusher in the class of 2023 and the No. 11 player in Florida.

Wilson’s trip to Athens is an official visit. Wilson’s top schools are Georgia, Miami, Alabama, Ohio State and Texas.

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Arch Manning helping Texas Longhorns recruit two 5-star defenders

Manning has been helping in that department, as well

The Texas Longhorns are deadly serious about putting together a strong recruiting class of 2023. Texas has already secured commitments from several of the nation’s top high school football players. That list includes consensus No. 1 quarterback Arch Manning, the centerpiece of Steve Sarkisian’s efforts. Manning committed to playing for Texas back in June – following a recruiting splurge that cost the school $280,000 in one weekend alone.

That investment has paid off in several ways, including helping to draw other top athletes from around the country. Manning has been helping in that department as well. 

According to Andrew Miller at Hookem Headlines, Manning is actively trying to recruit two five-star defenders for Texas:

Venice (Fla.) EDGE Damon Wilson

Wilson (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) is an explosive and well-coordinated pass rusher. He’s currently ranked No. 5 among edge defenders in his class and No. 8 in the state of Florida. Last year as a Junior, he posted 15 sacks, 25 hurries and 23 tackles for a loss. He has not made a commitment yet but has 29 offers and serious interest from several major programs, including Georgia and Miami. His most recent visit was to Ohio State on September 3.

Ryan (Texas) LB Anthony Hill

Hill (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) is an athletic and physical sideline-to-sideline defender with enough potential to eventually play in the NFL. He’s ranked as the top linebacker in his class and No. 17 overall. Last season he totaled 131 tackles, including 93 solo tackles and 18 for a loss. Hill committed to playing for Texas A&M only a few days ago. However, Texas is hoping to pry him away. He also has offers from 31 other schools, including Alabama.

Speaking of the Crimson Tide, they’re the only team ranked higher in the 2023 recruiting class over Texas.

More News:

USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school football rankings: Week 4

Arch Manning leads Newman in epic comeback win over Benton 54-52

A Miami commit tried to recruit 4-star EDGE Damon Wilson mid-play

Miami commit Francis Mauigoa took recruiting to the lines of the gridiron, pitching the U to Damon Wilson mid-play.

Recruiting truly never really stops, and five-star Francis Mauigoa is finding new ways to get out the word about the U.

Francis Mauigoa took his efforts to the trenches, apparently pitching the University of Miami to four-star EDGE rusher Damon Wilson in the middle of a play in IMG Academy’s (Bradenton, Fla.) preseason game against Venice (Fla.).

It was a matchup between a pair of the top players on both sides of the line, but that competition didn’t stretch beyond the lines of the gridiron.

“He definitely recruited me mid-play and I have to admit that has never happened to me before,” Wilson said to 247Sports (Subscribers).

Mauigoa is ranked the No. 11 player and No. 2 offensive tackle on the 247Sports Composite — No. 1 OT on 247Sports’ ratings — and his innovation is shown on the recruiting front as well. While he is shoring up the offensive line of the U, he’s trying to get Wilson, No. 39 on the composite and a five-star on the 247Sports rankings, to join him on the other side of the ball.

Damon has 29 offers from schools around the country. In July, he announced his top five schools are Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami and Texas, per UGAWire.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge will mull his decisions as his senior season ramps up, and Mauigoa will continue trying to pitch his school to opponents who are actively attempting to defeat him on the line.

SCORES: Live in-game results around the nation as they happen

Trick plays were on full display this week: Westerville Central (Ohio) and Loganville (Ga.)

Live-Stream your team’s games in 2022 on the NFHS Network

Texas Football: Is Cedric Baxter the beginning of a burnt orange raid on Florida?

Cedric Baxter and Payton Kirkland may not be the only elite Florida players that Texas wins.

Steve Sarkisian is recruiting Florida as well as Charlie Strong did, if not better. He’s just doing so much more efficiently.

It is easy to see what coaches like about football in that state. Florida has a reputation for being in the same tier as California and Texas for producing the best high school prospects. Albeit, the top football state on the East Coast hasn’t always been a winning battleground for Texas, until now.

In the span of about a month, Sarkisian has landed two of Texas’ top four recruits from Florida since 2010. According to the first Florida commitment of the class, there could be more on the way.

Four-star offensive lineman Payton Kirkland has his sights set on elite edge rusher Damon Wilson. Wilson, a five-star player from the Sunshine State, seemed like a pipe dream not long ago. With the growing connections to Texas within Florida, Wilson might be a realistic possibility for the Longhorns.

Here is a list of Florida prospects Texas has a chance to sign in the 2023 recruiting class.

4-star LB Damon Wilson names top schools

Four-star linebacker recruit Damon Wilson plays football for Venice High School

Four-star class of 2023 linebacker recruit Damon Wilson named his top five schools ahead of his final high school football season. Wilson plays for Venice High School in Venice, Florida.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge rusher won the 8A state championship in Florida this past season. He made a clutch interception in the state title game.

Wilson has also participated on the school’s weight lifting team. Impressively, Wilson recorded 15 sacks during the 2021 high school football season and was named as the Herald-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year, per 247Sports.

Who are Wilson’s top five schools?