Tag: Lebbeus Overton

The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman selects Oklahoma as best defensive line destination for 5 stars

The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman wrote that Oklahoma is the best destination for five-star defensive line prospects.

What a breath of fresh air. There’s national optimism surrounding Oklahoma’s defense. Asked by a reader in his recruiting mailbag to pick the best destination for a five-star recruit at each position, The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman chose Oklahoma for defensive line.

Can you believe that Oklahoma is making an appearance on this list at a defensive position? Well, the Sooners lost out on quarterback because their coach left, so they should be able to absorb the resume of their new coach. And Brent Venables really knew how to put together an elite-level defensive line while at Clemson. Looking back at the 2019 draft, the Tigers had three D-linemen picked in the first round. Bryan Bresee will also be a first-round pick one day. If I were a five-star defensive lineman, I’d want to play for a defensive-minded head coach who has a history of producing NFL Draft picks. It also doesn’t hurt that he was one of the faces that defined the defensive renaissance for one of America’s best programs. – Wasserman, The Athletic.

Clemson defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence were all taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Defensive end Austin Bryant was also selected in the fourth round of that same draft.

This is the hope moving forward for Oklahoma. With OU head coach Brent Venables and co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, the Sooners have two coaches in place with a proven track record for landing some of the nation’s top defensive line players annually.

Bates said ahead of the start of spring practice on March 22 that he expects Oklahoma will be able to attract the best players up front.

“Man, it’s because they’re attracted a lot of times [to] the scheme that you run. Does it highlight their skillset? Does it create a one-on-one matchup? And then you’ve got to go recruit guys that can win those. And they want to play in an aggressive scheme, attacking scheme, and that’s what we’ve been. We’ve led the country in tackles for loss and sacks over the last decade. And that’s what guys are attracted to. They want to see [that]. They want to have a chance to produce, and they want to see you producing draft picks. And so you’ve got to be productive, and that’s what we’ve been under Coach Venables’ defense. We’ve been very productive, and we’ve been very intentional, and it hasn’t just happened by chance. You don’t do something 10 years in a row and that’s just by chance. So, recruits are drawn to that,” Bates said.

OU will have several players drafted from its defensive line in short order. Both Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey will hear their names called and Nik Bonitto will in the 2022 NFL Draft as well. That also can’t hurt Oklahoma’s pursuit of five-star defensive linemen targets Lebbeus Overton and David Hicks.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=none image=https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

5-star Matayo Uiagalelei, No. 1 DE in 2023 class, to make return trip to Eugene this weekend

Oregon’s recruiting weekend just got bigger. According to @DUiagalelei No. 1 DE Matayo Uiagalelei will join numerous 5-star recruits on campus.

[jwplayer Rv1Bar6c]

The Oregon Ducks’ recruiting weekend just got bigger than it already was, with the father of 5-star edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei announcing on social media that his son would once again be in Eugene to see Dan Lanning and Co. this coming weekend.

Uiagalelei, who is the No. 1 rated DE in the 2023 class, made a visit to Oregon near the end of January right before national signing day. He obviously has a lot of interest in the Ducks, which is supported by his decision to return again so quickly.

[lawrence-related id=20814]

Uiagalelei is the younger brother of DJ Uiagalelei, the starting quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. He has offers from the USC Trojans, Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan Wolverines, Clemson Tigers, and Ohio State Buckeyes, among numerous other top programs.

This coming weekend was already going to see a lot of top players come to Eugene, with 5-star OT Josh Conerly and 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton also coming to town. On top of that, All-Pac-12 DE Mitchell Agude, a transfer from UCLA, will also be on campus to see the facilities ahead of making his decision.

The Ducks start spring practice on Thursday and will take the field again on Saturday, giving the recruits a chance to see what Lanning and his staff are about in action. Here’s to hoping they see everything they need to see.

[listicle id=20607]

5-star OT Josh Conerly, 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton set for official visits to Oregon this week

Josh Conerly and Lebbeus Overton, the top unsigned OL and DL in the 2022 class, will be taking official visits to Eugene this weekend.

The Oregon Ducks have an important recruiting weekend ahead of them, with some of the top available prospects in the nation coming to Eugene to check out the facilities.

According to 247Sports, both 5-star OT Josh Conerly and 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton will be in Eugene this coming weekend for official visits, getting a chance to see new head coach Dan Lanning and check out the Oregon facilities.

Conerly is listed as the No. 2 OT in the 2022 recruiting class, and the No. 15 player overall. He is a highly coveted prospect, and among the best players left unsigned after delaying his recruiting process until after national signing day. He recently listed Oregon in his top-6 ahead of his commitment.

One of the other top unsigned players in the 2022 class is Overton, who was originally part of the 2023 recruiting class, but reclassified after NSD and will look to start his college career this fall. Overton, who is the No. 5 DL in the nation, and No. 18 player overall, will be accompanied by his brother, Micaiah, who is a defensive lineman at Liberty who recently entered the transfer portal and announced he plans to transfer to whichever team signs his younger brother. The Ducks offered a scholarship to both Overton brothers earlier this month.

On top of those two visits, Oregon will also be hosting Mitchell Agude, an all-Pac-12 edge rusher who is transferring from UCLA this offseason.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=20607]

Five-star DE Lebbeus Overton set to visit UGA, other programs

Five-star class of 2022 defensive end recruit Lebbeus Overton is set to visit three college football programs in the upcoming weeks.

Five-star class of 2022 defensive end recruit Lebbeus Overton is set to visit three college football programs in the upcoming weeks. Overton plans to visit Oregon on March 12, Georgia on March 19 and Texas A&M on March 26.

Overton is the top remaining unsigned player in his class. He had been one of the top recruits in the class of 2023, but reclassified. He remains a five-star prospect.

Overton is the No. 17 recruit in the class of 2022. He’s the No. 6 defensive lineman and the fourth-ranked player in Georgia.

Overton plays for Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end put up incredible sack numbers throughout his career in high school.

The Milton star is extremely quick off the snap and has an excellent first step. Overton also plays basketball at an elite level. He’s an elite athlete in both football and basketball. In fact, Overton has a basketball scholarship offers from Stanford, Ohio State and North Carolina among others.

The class of 2022 defensive end is also considering Ohio State and Oklahoma. He will provide a boost to one luck school’s recruiting class. He has to reach a decision in the upcoming weeks.

Kirby Smart and Georgia would love to pair him with their elite pass rushing recruits from the class of 2022.

[vertical-gallery id=70827]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

5-star DL Lebbeus Overton, top unsigned defensive player in 2022, locks in visit to Oregon Ducks

Oregon’s recruiting momentum is still rolling, with 2022 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton setting a date to visit the Ducks.

[jwplayer fUhZ1ebR]

Recruiting momentum is hot right now in Eugene, and while the Oregon Ducks were just recently projected to be among favorites to land both 5-star QB Nico Iamaleava Jr. and 5-star OT Josh Conerly, they also locked in an official visit from 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton, according to 247Sports Steve Wiltfong.

Overton is the top-unsigned defensive player remaining in the 2022 class after reclassifying from the 2023 class and choosing to enter the college ranks this coming summer, rather than a year down the road.

Overton, who stands at 6-foot-4, 265-pounds, is listed by 247Sports as the No. 5 DL in the 2022 class, and the No. 18 player overall. His older brother, Micaiah, is a defensive lineman at Liberty who recently entered the transfer portal and announced that he plans to transfer to whichever team signs his younger brother. The Ducks offered a scholarship to both Overton brothers earlier this month.

It isn’t expected that the Overtons will make a final decision until this summer, but the fact that Oregon was able to lock down an official visit is a big win for Lanning, who developed a relationship with Lebbeus during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. If the Ducks can wow the brothers on campus later this spring, it could go a long way in convincing them to make the move out to the Pacific Northwest and help reshape Oregon’s defensive line.

[listicle id=20369]

On3’s Chad Simmons predicts elite 2024 DL David Stone to land at Oklahoma

Chad Simmons, On3’s director of recruiting, predicted class of 2024 defensive lineman David Stone will end up at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma made it clear that then-Del City High School defensive lineman David Stone was still one of its top targets in the 2024 class after Brent Venables and his defensive staff came aboard. OU re-offered Stone on Jan. 2, which was two days before Venables and Oklahoma officially announced the hiring of new co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

Stone has since transferred to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., so he’s now the former No. 1 player from the state of Oklahoma.

“I’m forever thankful for the entire Del City HS coaching staff because they believed in me and pushed me to be the best me everyday. I’m grateful to have made memories and bonds that’ll last forever with all my brother on the team,” Stone wrote in his transfer announcement on Jan. 21.

“But it’s time for me to begin the next chapter of my life so with that being said after heavy consideration from my loved ones I’ve decided it’s best for me and my future to transfer to the prestigious IMG Academy. I will be forever grateful for the time I’ve spent at Del City High School.”

Now, the highly-sought after prospect will play against some of the best players in the country on a more routine basis to close out his high school career. It’s great news for whichever program ultimately lands Stone after the next several years.

On3’s director of recruiting Chad Simmons believes that program will be Oklahoma. Simmons submitted an On3 prediction for Stone to wind up at OU late Thursday night.

This would be a big win in the 2024 class if Oklahoma can pull it off. According to his stats on MaxPreps, the 6-foot-4, 255 pound defensive lineman recorded 47 tackles and 16 tackles for loss during the 2021 season with Del City.

247Sports ranks Stone as the nation’s No. 55 player nationally and the No. 6 defensive lineman in the 2024 class. In the On3 consensus rankings, Stone checks in as the nation’s No. 15 player overall and the No. 2 defensive lineman.

247Sports shows that Stone already has 13 FBS offers. In addition to Oklahoma, that list includes Arkansas, Baylor, Iowa State, LSU, Memphis, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC and Wisconsin.

Here’s a look at Stone’s Hudl tape from his sophomore season at Del City.

 

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[mm-video type=video id=01fw7gq858zq5yp557y6 playlist_id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fw7gq858zq5yp557y6/01fw7gq858zq5yp557y6-1a3bec3fec634312d55642fc25d45e8c.jpg]

[listicle id=58207]

Ducks offer transfer DT Micaiah Overton, brother of 5-star DL Lebbeus Overton

Micaiah and Lebbeus want to be playing football together next season. Knowing that, the Ducks extended an offer to the 5-star prospect’s older brother.

 

Sometimes, in order to get a date with the girl of your dreams, you have to impress her friends first.

It isn’t a perfect comparison, but that’s sort of the situation that the Oregon Ducks are in when it comes to 2022 5-star defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton, the No. 1 DL in the nation who recently reclassified from 2023 to this year.

[lawrence-related id=19864]

It came out last week that Lebbeus’ older brother, Micaiah Overton, recently entered the transfer portal and will be going wherever his brother commits in a package deal. The DT from Liberty is a former 3-star recruit from Bessemer Academy in Alabama.

Over the weekend, it came out that both Micaiah and Lebbeus will be coming to Eugene sometime in March to see the Ducks’ facilities and meet the coaching staff before they make a decision. While Oregon may not be the favorite in their recruitment, they certainly are in the running.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=19890]

Oklahoma offers Liberty transfer Micaiah Overton, brother of five-star DL Lebbeus Overton

Liberty defensive tackle transfer Micaiah Overton picked up an OU offer. He and his brother Lebbeus Overton will visit Oklahoma in March.

When Micaiah Overton arrived at Liberty, he was a 218 pound tight end. Now, he’s leaving Liberty as a 6-foot-3, 300 pound defensive tackle.

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong reported yesterday that Micaiah had entered his name into the transfer portal and that he plans to play with his brother Lebbeus Overton at his next stop.

Oklahoma associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates offered Micaiah today.

At Bessemer Academy in Alabama, Micaiah had 55 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior. He also caught 16 passes for 368 yards and five touchdowns that season.

Micaiah’s brother, Lebbeus Overton, is a five-star defensive line target for the Sooners that recently reclassified into the 2022 class. Oklahoma made the cut into Lebbeus’ top-five schools. Lebbeus’ plan is to enroll at the school of his choice this summer.

He’s locked in on Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M. Micaiah will join on visits to Norman, Eugene and College Station in March. Those dates have not been locked in yet. – Wiltfong, 247Sports.

It’s noteworthy that the pair are visiting Norman, Eugene and College Station as a duo. That gives the indication that this may be a battle between Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Their father, Milton Overton, was a four-year starter on Oklahoma’s offensive line during the 1992-95 seasons. Milton Overton served as Texas A&M’s associate athletics director from 2003-09 and Alabama’s associate athletics director from 2009-15.

Then, he was hired as Florida A&M’s athletics director in June of 2015. Milton Overton was named Kennesaw State’s director of athletics on October 31, 2017, and he still oversees the Owls’ athletics today.

As far as Lebbeus’ recruitment is concerned, On3 recruiting experts Gerry Hamilton and Chad Simmons both submitted On3 predictions for Lebbeus to wind up at Texas A&M on Feb. 1. 247Sports’ reporter Rusty Mansell of Georgia Insider also recently submitted a crystal ball prediction for Lebbeus to Texas A&M on Feb. 3.

Lebbeus and Micaiah appear to be a package deal and it remains to be seen if a third visit for Lebbeus and a first for Micaiah to Norman can swing the pendulum in the Sooners’ favor.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[listicle id=55159]

5-star DL Lebbeus Overton set to visit Oregon Ducks with brother Micaiah

5-star DL Lebbeus Overton, one of the top remaining recruits in 2022, is set to visit Eugene in the coming weeks.

Just after the spectacle that is national signing day came and went, the 2022 recruiting cycle got a jolt of energy with the news that 5-star defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton was reclassifying from the 2023 class and looking to make his college decision in the coming months.

This news was especially exciting for fans of the Oregon Ducks, who saw their team be listed in Overton’s final list of potential destinations. It also came out this week that Overton is scheduling a visit to see the Ducks with his brother, Micaiah Overton, and Dan Lanning, sometime this spring before making his final decision. Lanning is one of the coaches who was in close contact with Overton during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Ducks recently missed out on 4-star ATH Arlis Boardingham, but still, have a chance to pick up some high-profile players like Overton and 5-star OL Josh Conerly. If they can pick up either player, it will be a huge win for Lanning and the Ducks.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=19825]

Five-star prospect, Lebbeus Overton reclassifies with Ohio State in top five

Top 2023 defensive lineman, Lebbeus Overton has reclassified and plans to enroll for the 2022 season.

We thought the 2022 recruiting class was all wrapped up, but some new developments will keep Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson on the recruiting trail. Five-star defensive line prospect, Lebbeus Overton, has decided to forgo his senior year and will reclassify to the 2022 recruiting class.

Overton, who is from Alpharetta, Georgia, shared the news on Thursday and said he would be focusing on his top five schools which included Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas A&M.

Overton has connections to both the Sooners and the Aggies. Overton’s father, Milton Overton, played for OU in the mid-90s and the family has had a close relationship with Jimbo Fisher since he was a young boy. But the young man was quick to point out that he wants to leave his own legacy and is looking for a family feel.

While crystal ball predictions are pointing toward the Sooners and Aggies, Overton was clear that he is going to visit all five schools and find the best fit for him. He plans on enrolling in the summer.

If it’s family Overton wants, Ohio State may be in a great position. We hear about the brotherhood more often than not when players who could have been NFL draft picks come back to Columbus. It would be interesting to see how OSU would make room for him, but you don’t turn away that type of talent. Just because the predictions say one thing, don’t count Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes out of this race just yet.

[listicle id=73207]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.