On3 has made updates to its 2024 high school recruiting rankings, and five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri is now the No. 1 prospect in the class.
Nwaneri is someone the Sooners are favored to earn a commitment from, with the Georgia Bulldogs and his home-state team, the Missouri Tigers battling for his services.
He has yet to confirm a commitment date, although it’s been reported by 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong (subscription required) it will be on Aug. 1, 2023.
It will be no easy task for Oklahoma to fight off the other contenders and land Nwaneri. However, that’s the case for any five-star with a top program in pursuit.
After last season, the Sooners can sell a vision of what the program will look like. Georgia can sell results. They are the two-time defending national champions and continue to send numerous people to the league, especially on the defensive line.
The Tigers will be tough because it’s home. Some people have that hometown pride and don’t want to leave it.
🚨BREAKING🚨 DL Williams Nwaneri is the NEW No. 1 prospect in the updated 2024 On300.https://t.co/pgyGoLJjFv pic.twitter.com/IZnEUaxKlx
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) July 10, 2023
If the Sooners can pull it off, it would be massive and would show how important relationships are as Nwaneri and Miguel Chavis are very close.
He’s a program-changing player. Earning a commitment from Nwaneri could help shape the trajectory of the Oklahoma Sooners for years to come, especially on defense.
The most physically-gifted defensive line prospect early on in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wing span and an 11-inch hand. Moves very well for his size. Clocked a sub-5.0-second electronically-timed 40-yard dash prior to his junior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, showing the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Still developing in terms of technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front. But looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass. – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power
If that Aug. 1 date is correct, we’ll see in just a few short weeks if the vision Brent Venables and Co. have for the program will pay off.
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