Tag: Kelby Collins

A look at recruits Florida football is hosting first weekend of June

Here are the eight prep prospects making their way to the Swamp this weekend.

Florida football will host a group of eight 2023 recruits this weekend starting on Friday, June 3, as [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff prepares to impress some of the best that the high school ranks have to offer. The Gators have seven blue-chip prospects heading to Gainesville — all four-star rated by both the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Consensus — plus a three-star commit who is also making the trip.

Additionally, in line with the new policy of focusing on recruits from within the state’s borders, six of the visitors hail from the Sunshine State while the other two are not much further away in Georgia and Alabama. There will be plenty more visits in the coming weekends this month and the Gators are looking to get off to a strong start with this first batch of preps.

Below is a look at all eight prospects heading to the Swamp from June 3 to 5 along with their respective rankings, a brief blurb on their recruitment, as well as a look at our previous coverage here at Gators Wire.

Top-10 defensive line recruit sets Florida visit date

The Gators got top-10 defensive lineman Kelby Collins to commit to an official visit in Gainesville this summer as recruiting rolls along.

Florida football’s recruiting team continues to push ahead on the prospect trail as new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff look to clean up the mess left behind by the previous administration. The staff has been busy out on the road visiting preps while also planning campus visits for the coming months.

Among the many moves made lately was the scheduling of four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag]’ official visit, which is set for the weekend of June 3-5, according to GatorsOnline. The 6-foot-5-inch, 280-pounder out of Gardendale, Alabama, has included the Gators in the race for his services, which also includes the South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs to round out his five finalists.

Collins is ranked No. 69 overall and No. 6 nationally at his position, according to the 247Sports Composite, while the On3 Consensus has him at Nos. 51 and 7, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has ‘Bama out front in his recruitment with a 92.4% chance of signing him while the Gators are fourth with a 1.4% chance.

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Florida makes top 5 for this 4-star defensive lineman

Four-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins dropped his list of top five schools that included Florida on Tuesday.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag] dropped his list of top five schools, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and South Carolina on Tuesday. The Gardendale, Alabama, native is ranked as the 70th overall prospect and the sixth-best at his position, according to the 247Sports composite.

Collins told On3 that the Gators mainly made his list of top schools due to a conversation he had with the assistant director of college personnel and on-campus recruiting coordinator [autotag]Chase Clark[/autotag], who was retained and promoted from former head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]’s staff. Clark told him about how they have a need for edge rushers this cycle because of all the players they expect to lose after this season.

Collins has not made a trip to the Swamp so far since head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has taken over the program. However, he could use an official visit to see the Gators since they made his top five and each prospect gets five of them to use. So far, he has made two unofficial trips to the Crimson Tide and another one to the Bulldogs.

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4-star Alabama DL Kelby Collins names top-five schools

Big-time 2023 Alabama DL Kelby Collins released his top-five schools

4-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins ranks as the nation’s No. 70 overall player for the class of 2023, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Collins, at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, hails from Gardendale, Alabama, roughly an hour away from Tuscaloosa and the Crimson Tide.

During the 2021 season, Collins recorded 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks for Gardendale High School.

On Tuesday, Collins released his top-five schools, which included four SEC programs and one from the Big 12. Here’s a look at Collins’ top-five schools, with quotes on each program via Hayes Fawcett and On3 Recruits.

Oklahoma Sooners make top-5 for 4-star DL Kelby Collins out of Alabama

Oklahoma Sooners make the top 5 for 2023 4-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in the 2023 recruiting cycle to secure a top 10 recruiting class. But if they were to land [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag], that would go a long way to putting them among the best in the country for 2023.

Via his Twitter account, Collins released the top five teams remaining in his recruitment and the Oklahoma Sooners were among those who made the cut.

Colllins’ top five includes Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Four teams in the SEC and one that will be in the next few years.

The Oklahoma Sooners made their offer to Collins back in January as they look to reset their 2023 recruiting class. Venables and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates have had a long-standing relationship with Collins dating back to their time at Clemson. The Tigers offered Collins during the summer of 2021. Safe to say that that relationship has remained strong even after Venables and Bates relocation to Norman.

Collins is a top 70 prospect in both the 247Sports composite rankings and On3’s consensus rankings. ESPN has the Alabama product as the No. 55 prospect in their ESPN 300 rankings while Rivals has him as the No. 37 overall prospect. According to 247Sports, the four-star prospect had 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks as a junior in 2023.

Here’s what national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna had to say about Kelby Collins in his recruiting profile at 247Sports.

Explosive athlete that has the ability to play the run and the pass. Could grow into a 300-pound plus interior player, but more than likely projects to beginning his career as a three-technique at the next level. Well built player with an ideal frame that will more than likely need one to two years to develop and projects as an impact multi-year starter at a Power Five program at the next level. – Petagna, 247Sports

Though Alabama looks to have the lead in this recruitment, don’t count out Brent Venables and Todd Bates’ ability on the recruiting trail. And if they can land Kelby Collins, it would be a huge win for the 2023 class.

Kelby Collins’ Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

No crystal ball projections are available at this time but On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Alabama Crimson Tide out in front.

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A comprehensive look at some of Oklahoma Football’s recent offers

Oklahoma has been busy on the recruiting trail. Here’s a look at some of the recent offers OU has sent out to 2023 and 2024 prospects.

National Signing Day is swiftly approaching on Feb. 2 and that means the 2022 class is just about finished.

With that date within shouting distance, it’s time for Oklahoma to turn its collective attention to the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes.

OU has been busy sending out offers and looking to establish momentum in both of their upcoming classes. Here’s a look at some of the names the Sooners have offered recently.

Swinney, Eason stop by Alabama high school Tuesday

Dabo Swinney hit the recruiting trail with his new defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator on Tuesday. Swinney was accompanied by Eason and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall as the trio traveled to Gardendale (Ala.) High School to meet …

Dabo Swinney hit the recruiting trail with his new defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator on Tuesday.

Swinney was accompanied by Eason and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall as the trio traveled to Gardendale (Ala.) High School to meet with the program’s head coach, Chad Eads.

Clemson, of course, has been heavily recruiting a four-star defensive end out of Gardendale by the name of Kelby Collins.

“I know Kelby has been up to Clemson quite a few times,” Eads told The Clemson Insider Tuesday night. “Todd Bates was recruiting him the most, of course, he’s gone to Oklahoma, but I know he really likes Coach Swinney.”

This visit comes off the heels of a December visit to Collins’ school, in which Bates and Brent Venables paid him a visit. Whiles Bates and Collins built a solid rapport, it’s worth mentioning that Auburn is among his top schools and Eason served as a lead recruiter.

Collins plans to attend Clemson’s Elite Junior Day on Jan. 29 and told The Clemson Insider as much last month.

“I know he’s got that planned, he hasn’t told me any different,” Eads said. “I know he really likes being up there. I don’t know that he’s made his mind up about what he wants to do yet.”

Collins received an offer from Clemson on June 1 and participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp the same week. He returned to campus in October as an unofficial visitor for the Tigers’ 30-20 win over Florida State at Death Valley.

“I enjoyed the game when I went up there,” Collins later told TCI. “The atmosphere was crazy.”

Collins (6-5, 257) is ranked as high as the No. 32 overall prospect in the country for the 2023 class by Rivals.

“I’ve coached, this is my 29th year and he’s the first one I’ve been around that’s this heavily recruited,” Eads said. “I was at Hoover when Marlon Humphrey was there, but everyone knew he was going to Alabama and nobody else really recruited him. But this one, they’re coming for all over.

“He wants to be really good. He enjoys the weight room. The difference in him is just how explosive he is in such a big body. That’s what stands out to me and what I think people notice about him.”

Extra Points: While in the Yellowhammer State, Swinney also stopped by a familiar high school in Central (Phenix City, Ala.) on Tuesday. Swinney, along with cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Mike Reed met with the head coach of a priority cornerback prospect in 2023 five-star A.J. Harris.

Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!

Oklahoma offers four-star 2023 DT Kayden McDonald out of Suwanee, Ga.

Oklahoma offered four-star 2023 defensive tackle Kayden McDonald out of North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga.

It’s nearly curtains on the 2022 signing class. National signing day is rapidly approaching on Feb. 2 and that means attention will rapidly shift over to continuing to add to the Sooners’ 2023 recruiting class.

New Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates brings with him a pedigree of landing top defensive line prospects. Alongside Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables, Bates and the Sooners should have a serious shot at luring some of the nation’s top defensive talent to Norman.

That’s why OU hasn’t been bashful about sending out offers to some of the top defensive players in the 2023 class. The latest offer went to four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald out of North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga.

McDonald is rated as the nation’s No. 153 player overall and the country’s No. 5 defensive tackle by Rivals. 247Sports puts McDonald No. 226 overall and ranks the 6-foot-3, 325 pound prospect as the No. 33 defensive lineman in the 2023 class.

ESPN ranks McDonald as the country’s No. 20 defensive tackle and 290th player overall in its 2023 rankings.

In the 247Sports composite rankings, McDonald sits at No. 214 nationally and the nation’s No. 34 defensive lineman. On3‘s consensus rankings have McDonald as the country’s No. 268 player overall and the No. 37 defensive lineman nationally.

Kayden McDonald’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247Sports 4 226 26 33
Rivals 4 153 17 5
ESPN 4 290 27 20
247 Composite 4 214 21 34
On3 Recruiting 3 N/A N/A N/A
On3 Composite 4 268 27 37

According to 247Sports, McDonald also holds offers from the likes of Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The Sooners have also sent out offers to 16 other 2023 defensive linemen. That list includes names like Lebbeus Overton, David Hicks, Peter Woods and Kelby Collins. Here’s a look at Oklahoma’s full list of 2023 offers via 247Sports.

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Oklahoma Sooners re-offers class of 2023 DB Jayvon Thomas

With a new coaching staff in place, the Sooners re-offered class of 2023, four-star defensive back Jayvon Thomas.

There’s plenty happening for Oklahoma with potential transfer portal additions and OU welcomed some 2022 recruits this weekend as well.

The Sooners’ coaching staff hasn’t forgotten about the 2023 class either, though.

Oklahoma extended an offer to four-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins. Four-star defensive back Jayvon Thomas said he has been re-offered by OU, too.

Thomas tagged a pair of Oklahoma coaches in his tweet, safeties coach Brandon Hall and cornerbacks coach Jay Valai. According to 247Sports’ timeline, the Sooners were one of the first schools to offer Thomas.

OU offered Thomas in March of 2021. Of course, that was with a different head coach and defensive coaching staff.

The South Oak Cliff High School standout in Dallas, Texas, is a consensus four-star defensive back. ESPN ranks Thomas No. 85 player overall in its class of 2023 player rankings and the No. 7 athlete.

247Sports ranks the 5-foot-11, 170-pound recruit as the No. 113 player nationally and the No. 12 cornerback. On3 places Thomas No. 124 nationally and No. 14 among cornerbacks. Rivals rates Thomas as the No. 36 cornerback.

In the On3 consensus rankings, Thomas is No. 119 nationally and the 14th-best cornerback. 247Sports’ composite rankings has Thomas No. 133 nationally and the country’s No. 11 cornerback.

Jayvon Thomas’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247Sports 4 113 23 12
Rivals 4 N/A 63 36
ESPN 4 85 15 7
247 Composite 4 133 25 11
On3 Recruiting 4 124 19 14
On3 Composite 4 119 22 14

The Sooners are starting fresh in Thomas’ recruitment as Hall and Valai hadn’t offered Thomas while at Troy and Alabama, respectively. Oklahoma can sell Thomas on proximity to Dallas, playing at the Cotton Bowl and the opportunity to play in the SEC.

Currently, the Sooners have a pair of commitments from four-star wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. and three-star interior offensive lineman Joshua Bates in the 2023 class.

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Oklahoma offers class of 2023 four-star DL Kelby Collins

Oklahoma extended an offer to consensus four-star class of 2023 defensive lineman Kelby Collins out of Gardendale, Ala.

It’s turned into a weekend filled with some high-profile campus visits from the likes of USC transfer targets Jaxson Dart and Michael Trigg.

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Oklahoma has also already secured a commitment from Tulane defensive tackle transfer Jeffery Johnson.

That doesn’t mean Oklahoma’s coaching staff is taking a break from their pursuit of talented high school players that can help bolster OU’s upcoming recruiting class. The Sooners extended an offer to class of 2023 defensive lineman Kelby Collins.

Collins is a consensus four-star recruit out of Gardendale High School in Gardendale, Ala. Rivals rates Collins as the nation’s No. 31 player in the 2023 class and as the No. 6 defensive end.

On3 and ESPN also have Collins inside the nation’s top-100 class of 2023 players. On3 ranks Collins as the country’s 55th-best prospect overall and the No. 8 defensive lineman in the class. Meanwhile, ESPN has Collins as the No. 98 player nationally and No. 9 defensive tackle.

247Sports ranks Collins as the nation’s No. 135 player and No. 18 defensive lineman.

In the On3 consensus rankings, Collins is the country’s 43rd highest-rated player and the No. 9 defensive lineman. 247Sports’ consensus rankings has Collins at No. 71 overall and the No. 10 defensive lineman.

Kelby Collins’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247Sports 4 135 10 18
Rivals 4 31 3 6
ESPN 4 98 8 9
247 Composite 4 71 7 10
On3 Recruiting 4 55 8 8
On3 Composite 4 43 7 9

247Sports national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna wrote this about Collins after a Jan. 13 player evaluation.

Collins possesses the prototypical size and frame to develop into an interior lineman at the next level. Displays good athletic ability and position versatility showing the ability to line up in multiple positions across the defensive line.

Possesses some slight hip and ankle stiffness but overcompensates with an explosive first step, initial quickness, and heavy hands. Has the ability to beat you with speed or power and shows the ability to close space quickly once in the backfield. Can anchor in the run game and also offers a consistent pass rush ability as an interior lineman.

Explosive athlete that has the ability to play the run and the pass. Could grow into a 300-pound plus interior player, but more than likely projects to beginning his career as a three-technique at the next level. Well built player with an ideal frame that will more than likely need one to two years to develop and projects as an impact multi-year starter at a Power Five program at the next level. – Petagna, 247Sports.

Collins also holds offers from programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M.

The Sooners currently have a pair of commitments in their 2023 class from four-star Los Alamitos, Calif., wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. and from three-star Durango, Colo., interior offensive lineman Joshua Bates.

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