Meet the 2019 class: Weakside defensive end
The 2019 class is officially on the clock and with the early Signing Period just about nine months away and the first opportunity for prospects to take official visits coming this spring, it’s time for recruiting fans from across the country to start familiarizing themselves with the class of 2019.
We at Rivals.com are here to help. Over the course of two weeks, we will introduce the top five players at each position in the class. Today we take a look at weakside defensive end.
MEET THE 2019 CLASS: PQBs | DTQBs | AP RBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OL | SDE | DT
Early contenders: USC, UCLA, Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Georgia, among others
Breakdown: Thibodaux’s recruitment is just starting to heat up, and it figures to be quite the battle between some of the country’s best schools. Many of the prospects at this past weekend’s Rivals Camp event in Los Angeles said that Thibodaux has aspirations to leave the West Coast to play in the SEC, something that bodes well for the Tide, Tigers and Bulldogs. But USC and UCLA were also mentioned several times, and anytime there’s an elite prospect from Southern California, the local schools can’t be counted out.
Early contenders: Georgia (committed), Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma, among others
Breakdown: Smith has been committed to Georgia for more than a year, and as a native of the Peach State, he has always felt an affinity for the Dawgs. But it’s clear that he will take some visits before he signs, and he’s mentioned Clemson, Alabama, Tennessee and Oklahoma as being among the schools that are in the mix. The Tide recently got a visit from Smith and his trips to other campuses are still in the works. Like most prospects who commit early in their careers, Smith will want to take another look around just to make sure he made the right choice initially, but Georgia is still his most likely college destination.
Early contenders: Clemson, Florida State, Miami
Breakdown: Bogle is still adding offers on a weekly basis, but he has already zeroed in on three programs. Miami is clearly the team to beat for the South Florida native, despite a recent change at defensive line coach. With the momentum the Canes have on the recruiting trail after a resurgent season on the field in 2017, they are in a great position for Bogle, but both the Seminoles and Tigers are working to get him on campus this spring.
Early contenders: Michigan (committed), Ohio State, Louisville, Stanford
Breakdown: Another player who ended his recruitment early, Herron pledged to the Wolverines last summer. Since then he’s kept a low profile in terms of recruiting, collecting offers from a few major programs but not electing to take any visits. Herron is expected to let his senior season play out before deciding to take any official visits, with schools like the hometown Cardinals and the Buckeyes among those jockeying to host him when the time comes.
Early contenders: Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia, Clemson, among others
Breakdown: Smith has quickly become a hot commodity in the recruiting world, with several major programs hoping to get his attention. Clemson hosted Smith for a visit earlier this year and he raved about the trip afterwards. Meanwhile, Penn State has also been a school that Smith has mentioned as a major contender several times. With him expected to take a slower approach to his recruitment, expect several schools to get visits before Smith really starts to narrow his list and zero in on some favorites.