LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Three commitments are expected Sunday at the Under Armour All-America Game. Here is a breakdown of each prospect that’s making their pledge and a prediction on where they will pick.
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Overview: Abor has been talking up a lot of schools throughout the week and has even hinted Texas A&M could be the surprise pick. But this one might circle back to what was expected for a long time in his recruitment. Ohio State has worked hard on the four-star defensive end from Duncanville, Texas, for a long time and the Buckeyes have had the edge in his recruitment for a while. Texas did make a serious late push – and Abor wore Texas gloves during his state title game – but that could’ve been more of a smokescreen than anything.
Prediction: Ohio State
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Overview: The four-star running back from Las Vegas (Nev.) Desert Pines narrowed his list to Oklahoma, USC and Florida State in recent weeks ahead of Sunday’s decision. His relationship with Sooners position coach DeMarco Murray is the biggest factor and selling point in his recruitment, plus Barnes likes the vision for Oklahoma’s offense moving forward.
USC is also a major contender and Lincoln Riley getting that job certainly helped. Barnes hung out with some USC signees during the week at Under Armour so the Trojans are a viable option.
Florida State is probably running in third place here. Despite liking his visit to Tallahassee the most, his best relationship was with assistant coach Kenny Dillingham, who left for a job at Oregon.
Prediction: Oklahoma
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Overview: Texas A&M has been a mainstay in Perkins’ recruitment and is now considered the team to beat heading into his decision. LSU has always hung around and been a major contender but the five-star linebacker admitted this week that he still has not even talked with new coach Brian Kelly so it would be surprising if he picked the Tigers without even talking to the guy in charge.
Texas is also a finalist and Perkins loves the NIL pitch from that staff and the job coach Steve Sarkisian and assistant Jeff Banks have done at Alabama and now at Texas. Florida has tried to make a late push under first-year coach Billy Napier as well but it might be too little, too late.
Prediction: Texas A&M
