Tag: Justin Denson

ChampU BBQ Visitor List: Who’s coming to Norman this weekend?

A look at who’s coming to town for the ChampU BBQ this weekend.

Oklahoma’s future looks bright. Less than a day ago, they received news of their first slate of SEC opponents when they begin play in their new conference in 2024. It’s a compelling slate and something that gets the competitive energy flowing.

If they plan to make an impact when they get there, the class of 2024 will have a profound hand in that. This class will be the first class that hits the ground and is immediately thrown into the fire that is the SEC. They’ll spend their whole careers being molded by the best football conference in the country. For the Sooners to compete for the top, this 2024 class must be unique.

It’s only fitting that Oklahoma has its premier recruiting event, the ChampU BBQ this weekend, right after the SEC opponents were revealed.

The Sooners can use the SEC to their advantage, selling the appeal of playing in an elite conference to any athlete unafraid of competing against the best in the country.

Last year’s ChampU BBQ had attendees signing with the Sooners and are now on campus with the current roster. Here’s a running count:

  • OT [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag]
  • LB [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag]
  • ATH [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag]
  • RB [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]
  • CB [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag]
  • WR [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]
  • OT [autotag]Logan Howland[/autotag]
  • QB [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]

In short, a nice chunk of OU’s 2023 class came to the event. Arnold was already committed before the BBQ, but having him there helped Oklahoma recruit and, ultimately, the remaining players committed in the months after.

The visitor list for the event is long, with well over 20 official visitors already confirmed.

This weekend in Norman will be jam-packed with an extensive amount of talent. David Stone, a consensus top-10 recruit, is the headliner. He’s a hometown kid who grew up a Sooner fan. A commitment from him would be massive. He’s at the top of the Sooners’ recruiting board and a must-have in this cycle.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] are two talented four-star running backs Oklahoma would be delighted to have.

Oklahoma has four 2024 commits in the building this weekend, and aside from them enjoying their officials, they can and will likely be used to recruit some of their uncommitted counterparts. [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] are the four commits who will enjoy their officials as Oklahoma Sooners.

[autotag]Joseph Jonah-Ajonye[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] join David Stone as highly touted defensive linemen in Norman this weekend. Aside from landing Stone, can Oklahoma at least snag two of the remaining three? This weekend of visits could go a long way in determining that.

This weekend will have ripple effects for the 2024 cycle and help lay the foundation for Oklahoma’s future in the SEC. Last year’s event netted Oklahoma seven commits in the weeks and months after. The Sooners will be thrilled if the same happens this year.

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Florida on top of this 2024 DB’s recruitment following official visit

The Florida Gators are doing some solid work on the recruiting trail and remain on top for this out-of-state-defensive back.

La Salle Academy (Rhode Island) cornerback [autotag]Justin Denson[/autotag] is coming off an official visit with the Florida Gators — his second trip to the Swamp since April — and he’s still got the Orange and Blue at the top of his list, according to 247Sports’ Graham Hall.

“They’re definitely still up there at the top,” Denson said to 247Sports. “Florida’s definitely my leader.”

Spending three days in Gainesville was an eye-opening experience for Denson and his family. The rising senior praised the recruiting staff for “knowing everybody’s needs” and “rolling out the red carpet.” That kind of treatment is expected on an official visit, but Denson was still impressed by Florida’s hospitality.

Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond is taking the lead on Denson’s recruitment, which means the two spent some time together over the weekend.

“I feel like I became a better DB after this weekend,” he said. “As a matter of fact, just 20 minutes speaking with (Raymond) briefly right before my real long meeting, I learned so much. Different techniques, different way of stances, different plays, it was just amazing. I loved it. I learned a lot.”

There’s still some work to be done for Florida to lock down Denson, though. Alabama just entered the race and other schools like Oklahoma are supposed to get him in town for an official visit.

Denson is a consensus three-star recruit, ranked highest by ESPN at No. 30 among safeties. He’s being recruited as a cornerback, though, so his On3 industry ranking of No. 636 overall might paint a better picture. He’s also the consensus top-ranked recruit out of Rhode Island.

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MSU target, Rhode Island S Justin Denson cancels visit to Miami (FL)

It appears Michigan State is trending in the right direction for a quickly rising prospect in the 2024 class

A rising prospect and Michigan State target in the 2024 class has canceled an upcoming official visit to one of the more notable schools chasing after his talents.

Justin Denson of Providence, Rhode Island announced on Sunday that the will no longer be taking an official visit to Miami (FL). This is significant as Michigan State is in pursuit of a commitment from Denson — who will be visiting Michigan State on June 2.

Denson is yet to be ranked on 247Sports, but that should change in time based on the schools showing interest in him. He holds offers from 27 schools, including the likes of Michigan State, Florida, Arizona State, Florida State, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Denson is scheduled to take an official visit to Florida on June 9 but the cancellation of his trip to Miami (FL) would suggest they are no longer in the picture. This is big news for Michigan State as they are considered to be trending in the right direction for Denson and the Hurricanes no longer having an official visit would somewhat confirm that to be the case.

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Florida football takes lead in 3-star Rhode Island ATH’s recruitment

The Gators are apparently in the lead for this New England athlete.

Billy Napier and his staff have been working tirelessly on the recruiting front in an effort to restore glory to the Orange and Blue following the program’s second-straight season with a losing record — the first time that has happened since 1978-79. The Gator Nation is impatiently growing restless for results and the second-year skipper is doing all he can to accelerate the process of improvement.

While the primary focus has been on the blue-chip prospects available in the current and upcoming recruiting cycles, the Gators are also looking for diamonds in the rough to help cement the roster. Among those players is three-star athlete [autotag]Justin Denson[/autotag] out of Providence (Rhode Island) La Salle Academy, who recently received a scholarship offer leading to an unofficial visit earlier this month.

“They showed a lot of love,” Denson told Swamp247 following the visit. “I liked their facility, the coaching staff, the academic center and their education. Just all the classes you can take and what the degree means from there. Their practice was really cool to watch and the way they practice. You can tell they have a top-notch program over there.”

He also told Swamp247 that the Gators are the leaders in his recruitment after his first stop in the Swamp.

Assistant head coach and secondaries coach Corey Raymond has led the effort in drawing the high school junior to Gainesville as Florida projects Denson as a defensive back at the collegiate level. Co-offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton is also involved, attending the talented athlete’s high school practice on Monday to check up on his skills.

No official visit date with Billy Napier and the Gators has been set yet.

Denson is unrated and unranked in the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at No. 649 overall and No. 67 at his position nationally. The Michigan State Spartans currently hold the top spot in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 36.3% chance of landing him, while the Penn State Nittany Lions (26.5 %), Oklahoma Sooners (13.8 %) and Rhode Island Rams (4.1 %) follow behind, respectively.

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Alabama offers 3-Star CB Justin Denson from Rhode Island

2024 three-star cornerback Justin Denson recently received an offer from Alabama. Denson recently transferred to St. Thomas More High School in Oakdale, Connecticut.

The Alabama coaching staff extended an offer to three-star cornerback Justin Denson on Tuesday.

Denson plays cornerback at St. Thomas More High School in Oakdale, Connecticut. He spent his junior season at La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island.

As a junior, he tallied 60 tackles, one fumble recovery, and three interceptions.

Alabama was one of Denson’s most recent offers. However, he has been offered and visited programs such as Penn State, Rutgers, and Michigan State. He has taken six unofficial visits to Happy Valley since being offered by the Nittany Lions.

According to On3’s RPM, Penn State is the favorite to land Denson’s commitment at 59.1% likelihood.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Justin Denson’s recruiting profile.