Tag: zion grady

BOOM! Ohio State football adds elite pass rusher Zion Grady to its 2025 recruiting class

The Buckeyes stay hot on the recruiting trail. #GoBucks

The final weekend of the summer official visit season was a huge success for Ohio State football.

The Buckeyes hosted multiple prospecst and grabbed a commitment from offensive lineman Jake Cook on Sunday. The good news for OSU continued on Monday, as Alabama defensive end, [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag], verbally committed to Ohio State.

At 6-foot, 4-inches and 235-pounds, Grady is ranked as the nation’s No. 66 overall prospect and 6th edge rusher according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. With him joining Ohio State’s defensive line class, the Buckeyes now have three of the country’s best along with London Merritt and Zahir Mathis.

Once again defensive line coach Larry Johnson shows that he’s not quite finished, reeling in the trio of elite players. Ohio State’s 2025 class continues to pace the sport, ranking No. 1 according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.

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Herbert Scroggins’ recent visit to Auburn was ‘momentum-changing’

Auburn gained ground last weekend in the recruitment of the three-star EDGE.

Auburn football has had a busy summer in terms of recruiting, and their hard work has paid off as several targets have pledged to Auburn following their official visits.

The next recruit that could follow the trend is [autotag]Herbert Scroggins[/autotag], a three-star EDGE from Savannah, Georgia. Scroggins was one of 12 recruits that were on campus last weekend for an official visit, joining USC commits [autotag]Daune Morris[/autotag] and [autotag]Julian Lewis[/autotag] and four-star EDGE [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag]. Before his visit, Scroggins had a pair of ACC schools at the top of his list. Now, he is strongly leaning towards Auburn.

The visit was considered “momentum-changing” for both Auburn and Scroggins says Chad Simmons of On3, as the Tigers have now emerged as the favorite. Simmons says that the race for Scroggins will be interesting ahead of his commitment date next week.

Auburn hosted Herbert Scroggins, and there was buzz around the Tigers heading into the visit and even more coming out. North Carolina was viewed as a competitor, along with Miami and Georgia Tech, but Auburn did a great job with the Peach State defender over the weekend. He is expected to make a decision by the end of the month.

On3 has given Auburn a 98.7% chance to sign Scroggins, and the Tigers have received two crystal balls from 247Sports in favor of Scroggins. During last weekend’s visit, Scroggins said that he wants to find a solid balance between academics and football. Auburn may have just that.

“You can get a good degree here and still play football,” Scroggins said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. “I’ve been touring all the ACC schools, I’m a big academic guy, so I’ve been going to Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina looking for a good way to football and get a good education. When I went to the engineering center here and saw everything, that clicked.”

Scroggins is a three-star EDGE from Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia. He is Georgia’s No. 37 overall 2025 recruit according to On3 and is the No. 34 overall EDGE for the class. Scroggins is scheduled to visit Miami this weekend, and will make a decision regarding his future college program in the early stages of next week.

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Four-star safety Eric Winters commits to Auburn

Alabama’s No. 5 overall recruit from the 2025 recruiting cycle commits to Auburn on his official visit.

Auburn target [autotag]Eric Winters[/autotag] is one of 12 recruits on campus for official visits this weekend. Speculation of a commitment to Auburn began to rise as soon as he stepped on campus, as recruiting analysts from multiple outlets projected Auburn to land Winters before the weekend ended.

Turns out, speculations were true as Winters announced his commitment to [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Winters, a four-star safety from Enterprise, Alabama, says that his relationship with Freeze led to his pledge to Auburn.

“(Freeze) is a big part of why I committed to Auburn,” Winters said after announcing his commitment to Auburn. “He loves his players, he is a family guy and we built a great relationship. Coach Freeze is doing big things at Auburn and he made me feel like a priority and made me feel comfortable.”

Auburn has always been near the top of the list for Winters, but they needed to make a giant stride this weekend in order to create separation between themselves, Georgia, and Miami. Between Freeze and the “home” atmosphere of Auburn University, the chose became simple for Winters.

Now, he wants several of the state’s top recruits to join him on the Plains.

“I am already working guys. It starts with my teammate [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag]. I am going after [autotag]Alvin Henderson[/autotag], [autotag]Julian Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]KJ Lacey[/autotag] and some others,” Winters said. “Coach Freeze has this group of defensive players in Alabama he wants called the Super 7. Guys like [autotag]Jared Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Anquon Fegans[/autotag], [autotag]Naeem Offord[/autotag], and Zion are guys that haven’t committed yet. I will be on all of those guys.”

Winters is the No. 5 recruit from Alabama for the 2025 cycle, and is the fourth top-10 player from Alabama to pledge to Auburn. The 6-2, 200-pound safety ranks No. 5 overall at his position, and is the No. 53 overall recruit for the cycle. By landing Winters, Auburn now ranks No. 6 in 247Sports’ class of 2025 recruiting rankings.

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Can Auburn pull off the flip of five-star DL Isaiah Gibson?

Gibson is a USC pledge, but Auburn is the “top school” to watch out for when it matters most.

Auburn football is no stranger to taking away commits from Power programs. Currently, USC is [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s top target for poaching talent.

Auburn will welcome two Trojan pledges to campus this weekend for official visits: five-star QB [autotag]Julian Lewis[/autotag] and three-star RB [autotag]Daune Morris[/autotag]. Lewis and Morris will be the second and third USC commits to officially visit Auburn this week, joining five-star DL [autotag]Isaiah Gibson[/autotag], who wrapped up his trip on Wednesday.

Gibson joined four-star EDGE’s [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag] and [autotag]Javeon Campbell[/autotag] by taking their official visits beginning Monday and departed with plenty to think about. Gibson, who visited Auburn with his mother, said that Freeze made the visit about football and family, which “meant a lot” to him.

In a recent interview with Auburn Undercover, Gibson says that he does not plan on changing his tune with USC, but Auburn is a school that is showing up boldly on his radar.

“I would say is a top school,” Gibson said of Auburn. “A lot of schools are trying to get me to flip, I don’t see myself flipping no time soon but if I were to flip Auburn would be a top school.”

The possibility of flipping Gibson would be massive for Auburn. As it stands, Auburn holds commitments from two defensive linemen: four-star [autotag]Jourdin Crawford[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Autry[/autotag], who recently received his fifth star from 247Sports. Adding Gibson would bring stability to Auburn’s defensive front, and would mix well with [autotag]Jakaleb Faulk[/autotag], who is set to play EDGE for the Tigers as a member of the 2025 class.

Like so many others, Gibson could return to Auburn for Big Cat weekend in July. That weekend, plus a successful unofficial visit during the season, could make things interesting ahead of December’s signing day.

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Ohio State football commit Na’eem Offord is luring 2 elite prospects to join him

The Buckeye commit is working hard to get two of his friends to join him

Ohio State football has used a different component of recruiting over the last few years, having its commitments help out with uncommitted prospect to lure them to join up.

Buckeye cornerback commit [autotag]Na’eem Offord[/autotag] is doing his best to do just that, as he told On3’s Mick Walker that he’s recruiting his follow Alabaman’s [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Autry[/autotag] who is committed to Auburn.

Both play on the defensive line, with Grady viewed as more of an outside player and Autry on the inside. Each is also highly viewed as a recruit, with Autry ranked as the No. 180 overall prospect while Grady is No. 66 according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

The Alabama to Columbus movement has started, and it looks like more could be on the way.

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Top-100 EDGE got first look at Florida football on Tuesday

Th Gators got this former Alabama commit on campus Tuesday and the experience opened the 2025 recruit’s eyes to what Florida has to offer.

Florida’s coaching and recruiting staff jumped on Enterprise (Alabama) edge rusher [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag] following a decommitment from Alabama in January, but the blue-chip recruit couldn’t get to Gainesville until Tuesday thanks to the NCAA calendar.

Grady’s first look at the Gators went well, according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman. He got a chance to see the stadium and meet with position coach Mike Peterson in person.

Florida’s goal during this trip was to get Grady back for an official visit, but it will be tricky with so many teams pushing for the same opportunity. Grady has been letting teams pitch themselves to him since opening his recruitment back up and doesn’t have a commitment date set.

“I really like them,” he said. “I should be setting up the OV with them. So I can see how it goes. Just so we can build the relationship more with the coaches.”

Recruiting summary

Grady is a consensus four-star recruit ranked inside the top 60  everywhere besides the On300. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 49 overall and No. 4 among edge rushers in the class of 2025, and the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 64 and 8, respectively.

The On3 recruiting prediction machine favors Alabama heavily, giving the Crimson Tide 91.5% odds to land Grady; however, most of that data is powered by predictions sent before his initial commitment.

Auburn and Alabama are considered home-state favorites, and Georgia, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee are all in the mix, too.

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Five-star edge rusher projected to commit to Georgia football

Five-star edge rusher is projected to commit to Georgia after previously committing to Alabama.

Five-star pass rusher Zion Grady, who recently decommitted from the Alabama Crimson Tide after Nick Saban’s retirement, has been projected to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs, per Anna Adams of 247Sports.

Georgia was one of Grady’s top schools when he previously committed to Alabama. The Bulldogs have not given up in their recruitment of the No. 1 edge rusher in the class of 2025. In fact, Grady recently visited Georgia.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound pass rusher plays football for Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama. Grady is the No. 23 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Grady is the second-ranked player in Alabama.

Grady helped Charles Henderson make a state championship game in two consecutive seasons. Last season, the elite prospect recorded 11 sacks and 87 tackles.

The five-star recruit also plays basketball. According to Grady’s social media page, he recorded 108 tackles and 22 sacks in 2022. Grady has already committed to playing in the 2025 All-American Bowl on NBC.

Grady has scholarship offers from almost every top college football program. The five-star pass rusher is an explosive athlete with excellent bend. Grady’s closing speed helps him accumulate sacks on opposing quarterbacks. He’s exactly the sort of pass rusher that Kirby Smart and Georgia are looking for.

Ohio State offers 2025 5-star Alabama defensive end

The Buckeyes are continuing to make waves in Alabama

The loss of Nick Saban is still having ripple effects throughout college football, and Ohio State is once again trying to capitalize on it.

Already the Buckeyes have gotten transfers from safety Caleb Downs, center Seth McLaughlin and quarterback Julian Sayin. Over the weekend they grabbed a commit from 5-star cornerback Na’eem Offord. Now, an offer out to Alabama native [autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag] was the most recent move, as the Buckeyes are looking to make a positive impression on the 6-foot, 4-inch and 220-pound edge rusher.

Grady is one of the best prospects in the country, ranking as the No. 1 player at his position and 23rd overall according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Currently the 247Sports Crystal Ball picks favor the Crimson Tide to land a commitment from Grady, but those were all made prior to Saban riding off into the sunset. You have to make the assumption that at this point, his recruitment has reset due to the Hall of Fame coaching no longer leading the program.

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List of top Alabama recruits who have decommitted since Nick Saban retired

After Alabama coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, football recruits began decommitmenting from the Crimson Tide. See the list here.

Longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement sent a shock wave around college football as the sport lost not only a legend but one of the greatest coaches of all time. A key part of game planning, program strategy, and recruitment, Saban touched all elements of arguably the top program of modern college football.

With his exit, many top high school football recruits who chose Alabama are now reconsidering their decision. Five-star prospects including Ryan Williams, Jaime Ffrench and Zion Grady are among those who have announced intentions to re-evaluate the college football market and have conversations with other teams they previously passed on in favor of Alabama and Saban.

Take a look at the list of former Alabama commits back on the market. All rankings are according to the 247Sports Composite:

Auburn target Zion Grady decommits from Alabama

Alabama suffers yet another decommitment following the retirement of Nick Saban. Can Auburn take advantage and land the four-star in-state product?

The fallout of Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama continues, as more players such as Caleb Downs continue to enter the transfer portal. Saban’s departure can also be seen on the recruiting trail, as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2025 recruiting class has backed off his pledge.

[autotag]Zion Grady[/autotag], a four-star EDGE from Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama, announced Wednesday that he has decommitted from Alabama. The news comes after a recent visit to Auburn.

Grady visited Auburn last weekend, and got to take in Auburn basketball’s win over LSU on Saturday. He tells Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that the game was his “favorite part” due to the fan support. Grady also says that he respects the vision that head coach Hugh Freeze brings to the program.

“Coach Freeze challenges you to be different,” Grady said in a recent interview with 247Sports. “He has a vision for this program and makes you feel like you can be a part of change. He really brings a different energy to Auburn.”

According to Andrew Ivins’ scouting report of Grady, he is known as an “uber-productive pass rusher.”

Checks off some of the desired boxes with his multi-sport participation (hoops) and testing numbers (4.4 in the short shuttle). Has operated primarily out of a two-point stance since he was a freshman in one of Alabama’s higher classifications and found plenty of success, totaling 34 sacks through 30 varsity games. Tends to stun opposing tackles with his quick first step and is able to get off blocks with a limber upper half. Owns a few go-to moves, but an expanded menu is only going to make him more dangerous on the edge.

Grady is the No. 1 EDGE for the 2025 class, and is the No. 2 overall prospect from Alabama according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Auburn currently has four commitments from the 247Sports top-25 for the 2025 cycle, and is in the hunt to secure three more including Grady. The Tigers currently boast the No. 4 overall class in 247Sports 2025 recruiting rankings.

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