Fact or Fiction: Oklahoma leads for DE Williams Nwaneri
Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analyst Clint Cosgrove along with Parker Thune of OUInsider.com and Julie Boudwin from TigerDetails.com tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
*****
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board | Team ranking FAQs
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
*****
1. Oklahoma now is the clear leader for high four-star DE Williams Nwaneri.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Clear leader might be a little strong but Oklahoma looks to be the favorite right now and it could be tough to overtake the Sooners. He has a former teammate in Cayden Green on the team, the coaching staff has made him a top priority and he has loved his time in Norman. While others are definitely in the running, it looks like Oklahoma is on top right now. The Sooners could end up with an outstanding defensive line haul in this recruiting cycle with Williams Nwaneri, five-star David Stone and others if things fall the right way. Right now it looks like they’re falling that way.
Thune’s take: FACT. Oklahoma has paced the field for the elite Kansas City-area defensive end ever since his most recent unofficial visit to Norman in early March. Tennessee should by no means be disregarded in this race, nor should Georgia and Oregon; Nwaneri plans to take official visits to all four programs, and Missouri will get him on campus for an additional visit. But Miguel Chavis and the rest of the Oklahoma staff have established a strong rapport with Nwaneri, and he’s the type of kid for whom relationships go a long way. It doesn’t hurt that the Sooners have his former teammate, freshman offensive lineman Cayden Green, on their roster as well. The lead isn’t insurmountable, but OU has a leg up on the field right now.
*****
2. Top 2025 QB Bryce Underwood will stay in-state.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I would be very surprised at this point if Michigan State lands Bryce Underwood just based on some transfer portal movement recently and – to be blunt – a lack of offensive firepower in East Lansing. Michigan could make things very interesting. But from the people I’ve talked to about this, an offense that is very quarterback friendly will be of utmost importance and that leads me to Ohio State. Underwood just took another visit there and there’s no arguing he would be surrounded by elite receivers in Columbus. There is a long way to go but Underwood is definitely not a lock to stay in the state of Michigan.
Cosgrove’s take: FICTION. Michigan State and Michigan should remain legit contenders throughout the five-star's recruitment, but I am far from considering him an in-state lock as things stand today. The battle for Underwood will likely become the most highly contested recruitment we see during the 2025 recruiting cycle and with that comess a number of unique variables. The opportunity to start for a national power early and NIL opportunities are just a couple of variables likely to factor into his decision, and unlike many other highly recruited prospects, Underwood will likely have the leverage to call his shot when it comes to both.
Similar to the recruitment of fellow Michigan native Dante Moore in the 2023 recruiting cycle, the in-state programs had an early leg up due to proximity, and I see Underwood's recruitment potentially following a similar path. I certainly wouldn't count the Michigan schools out, but look for the likes of LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida and others to make a strong push in a recruitment that is far from over.
*****
3. LSU should be considered the clear front-runner for four-star Dominick McKinley.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I don’t think there is a clear top team for Dominick McKinley yet and June is going to be of vital importance to his recruitment. The four-star defensive lineman is planning to see Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma in June and there have been some whispers that the Sooners could be much higher in his recruitment than some people think. That might very well be the case but LSU has made the Lafayette (La.) Acadiana standout a priority and getting elite players out of Louisiana and away from LSU is like pulling teeth. The Tigers could land McKinley, but I definitely don’t think they’re the clear leader because I don’t think any team is at this point.
Boudwin’s take: FACT. Only because LSU makes the most sense at this stage of McKinley's recruitment. It's too soon to say exactly which school might be the favorite in the end but LSU is a safe bet being just down the road. Plus, the Lafayette area has been good to the in-state SEC power over the years in terms of recruits. The Tigers already got McKinley on campus this spring and will make sure McKinley continues to be a priority down the stretch. It will be an interesting recruitment to track as the 2024 prospect has a talented younger brother, 2026 DL Darryus McKinley, who already has several big-time offers too. LSU figures to be in the mix until the very end for the older McKinley, who's planning June visits to Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and back to A&M, and it's quite possible that the Tigers are the front-runner at this point.