College recruits are back on the road, and this first weekend in March will be a big one for them.
247Sports covers some of the biggest rides planned.
Most Promising Prospect Returned to USC
As first reported by 247Sports National Analyst Blair Angulo, Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle five-star quarterback and our top rookie Dylan Raiola will return to USC on Sunday.
As we’ve said in the past, Raiola might be something of a regular on the Trojan campus now that the dead period is over and recruits can attend schools. Raiola trains in LA with 3DQB and it’s convenient for him to come over to chat with Lincoln Riley and Trojans in the area.
USC is one of the top contenders for Raiola along with Georgia and Nebraska, among others. He was last on the Trojans campus in January.
“It’s a special place,” Raiola told 247Sports after the trip.
“I had to spend all day with Coach Riley and be there for him! We watched the USC tape last year and I just loved watching and listening to his quarterback teach and how he plays offensively. The most important thing for me was definitely spending time with the coach. Riley all the time.
“Having the whole day with Coach Riley was something special.”
Raiola and his father had once been to USC, and it was his mother’s first experience on campus.
“Another highlight would be that I took my mom with me and they took great care of her and showed her around the campus!” Raiola said. “To see the Colosseum for the first time and visit it was a pleasure!
“My mom was thrilled! She enjoyed spending time there. I am very grateful that this time I took it with me and showed it here.”
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Other prospects expected to make it through USC over the weekend include running back Top247. Jason Brown and desirable midfielder Braden Platt, according to 247Sports National Human Resources Editor Brandon Huffman. Huffman also revealed that the Top247 athlete Rahshon Clark and four-star safety Cayan McDonald will be nearby. Linebacker Top247 Jericho Johnson is one of the most coveted players in the west in this position.
Duran (OK) High Top247 guard lineman Xadavien Sims will be in the city. Michigan State and Oklahoma are two programs that have made a big impression on him.
Phoenix (AZ) Mountain Point running back Christian Clark has become one of the top prospects in the country for his position, and he’s also excited to be on campus.
Top Athlete Goes to Arkansas
Sam Pittman had to make some changes to their defensive line-up, moves that could have further brightened things along the way for the Razorbacks, who are looking to secure their second consecutive Top25 recruiting class after finishing 22nd a cycle ago.
Marcus Woodson was brought in as a joint defense coordinator to help replace Barry Odom who left for a top job at UNLV, and the former Florida State quarterbacks coach has several strong relationships with him with many of the nation’s top prospects in 2024.
Including Buford (Georgia), five-star athlete Kay Jay Bolden who will be in Fayetteville this weekend. Bolden could play anything from a nickel to a corner, from a safety to a receiver at the next level.
“I’m excited because I have a relationship with coach Woodson, who used to work in the state of Florida, who hired me in the former Soviet Union,” Bolden said. “Heard a lot of good things about the staff they built in Fayetteville. First time visiting the Razorbacks!”
Arkansas hopes to take a step forward, for example, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Alabama and the former Soviet Union.
Bolden is the No. 2 player in the country by 247Sports.
Best Linebacker in Oklahoma
Brent Venables and the Sooners signed 247Sports No. 4 recruiter rankings in the 2023 cycle marked by as strong a defensive catch as any in America.
Fans should get used to these results soon as Venables and company continue to work to quickly change the defense, which was ranked 129th in college football last fall.
There is no player more coveted OU in the class of 2024 than 247Sports #1 defenseman and #3 prospect overall. Williams Nwaneri. venables, Todd Bates And Miguel Chavis Lee’s Summit North has been achieving outstanding results for over a year now.
Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado are places he looks forward to after recent stops in Tennessee, Oregon and Missouri. It was Nwaneri’s return trip to the Ducks campus.
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Oklahoma is looking for the #1 commit in this class and many of their other top targets have to make it to campus as they keep encroaching on them as well. Including defender Top247 Jeremiah NewcombMidfielder Top247 Dakyus Brinkleyfour-star attack tackle Bennett WarrenTop247 receiver Irene Hamptonfour-star offensive linesman Daniel Cruz247Sports Composite Four Star Tackle Grant Brixquarterback Michael Hawkins, receivers Courtney Crutchfield And Kelly Daniels and state athlete LaDanian Fields.
247Sports reported that the No. 3 cornerback in the country in five-star Coby Black and #2 running back Taylor Tatum is also on the list.
Texas A&M looking for another elite linebacker
IMG Academy five stars David Stone247Sports No. 2 linebacker and No. 4 prospect overall returned to College Station.
“Their d-line is crazy,” Stone said. “For the last two or three years, they’ve gotten their first No. 1 linebacker every year. Why not continue the trend. I love life at College Station, I’ve been there a few times. This is a good place to be around. Their fans are good. The facilities are brand new, and the dorms I remember when they were first built, Coach Fisher told me they spend a lot of money on everything and should be finished freshman.
“There’s a whole bunch of good stuff out there, and I think they’ll be fine soon.”
Texas A&M is competing for Stone with states such as Michigan and Oklahoma.
Texas A&M will see a revolving door of prospects on campus with a 7v7 tournament hosted in the city. GigEm247 has more details here.
Best Receiver in Florida
State Champion Chaminade-Madonna Prep will be in Tallahassee along with the best wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and athlete number 2 in the country Joshisa Trader.
Smith has been oral at Ohio State since Dec. 14, and this will be extremely difficult to change for any program.
Florida State is one of Trader’s top schools along with the Buckeyes, with Miami being a major player for him, and another program that will also try to beat Smith.
Source: 247sports.com
