Texas A&M, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon and Florida staff, one of the best in the country on Sunday, dropped its over 50 offers to seven, leaving additional springs step by step. The Seven to Land race is now underway between 2023 four-star Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Tailback Richard Young.
Each team in the country will feature Richard Young in their list. Fighting against 7A Florida teams for Lehigh High School, Young was that bullish power back, covering 196 to 1,755 yards and scoring 19 quicks in just 10 games. But based on the scheme, the players who are currently on the collegiate roster and chatting along the recruitment route, have been given space to compete for Richard Young’s verbal promise.
1. Florida
The Gators have made a fantastic comeback from Louisiana in 2022 out of class in Trevor Etienne. Combining Young’s skills with Etienne’s will give the Gators a truly dynamic pairing. Under new head coach Billy Napier, enthusiasm for Florida is on the fever pitch. The Gators under Napier have so far focused on details and cultural changes that are noticeable not only for employers, but also for parents and former players. Young has visited Gainesville four times since last summer, twice with new staff. Florida is the only in-state team on its list.
2. Georgia
The long list of standout tailbacks outside Athens speaks for itself. Georgia has a running back tradition that rarely matches. Carrying the weight of winning a national championship in 2021. While no one has been able to climb to the top of the 1,000-yard rushing mark, Georgia carries between split land White (856) and James Cook (728) which keeps them fresh for a terrible push in the post-season. With Kirby Smart and the company getting young on campus at the end of March, Georgia’s interest is real. It’s hard to shake the memory of Yankee wearing a Georgia Bulldogs shirt at the FBU Freshman All-American Game in his hometown.
3. Alabama
Any employer who chooses to sign with Crimson Tide knows what to expect; Bama is a winning program that will always be in discussion with head coach Nick Saban for the national championship. From a tailback perspective, Alabama builds and develops NFL talent. Brian Robinson is set to make his mark on the next level from the latest 1,000-yard race Tuscaloosa. Jamarian Miller of Texas, the tide in 2022 only took one back. The timing of the opening game and playing for the competitors keeps Alabama in the spotlight.
4. Ohio State
There is an underground movement among the top players in Florida that could make the Buckeyes a big winner in this recruitment cycle. Ohio State landed three four-stars in 2022 class outside of Florida, defensive back Ryan Turner and Kyrie Stokes and defensive end Kenyatta Jackson. Athlete Cedric Hawkins is already verbally attached to the 2023 class. Three to four more Sunshine State talents chatting behind the scenes are already leaning towards Columbus. Mark Fletcher’s four-star return to American Heritage on Tuesday could influence Young’s decision.
5. Texas A&M
The Aggies had an eye-opener running late to close class 2022, pushing past both Georgia and Alabama. Texas A&M have been losing many key players in their 8-4 team since last season but there is plenty of talent in the ranks of underclassmen to fill the roster. The 2021 bike included four-star running backs Amari Daniels and LJ Johnson, and Le’Veon Moss was a November addition to the 2022 class. This backfield is deep and talented, what does that mean for 2023 and 2024 prospects, who want to get on the field early?
6. Oklahoma
While Norman’s new coaching staff feels like a complete reset, the Suners’ offense should remain explosive under offensive coordinator Jeff Leby. Levy, an OU graduate, has made a name for himself at UCF as an offensive coordinator and has backed his rise as one of the game’s best last seasons at Ole Miss. In 2021 the rebels made the eighth best crime in the country. The shadow of caffeine in Oklahoma coming out of Levi’s Lane will help indicate how strong the goldsmiths in the 2023 class could be in the early stages of this crime.
7. Oregon
This fall in Oregon, Dan Lanning’s meteoric rise will be under the proverbial microscope. The Ducks transformed their entire four-year run from Mario Cristobal into Lanning, changing from an offensive-minded leader to a defensive-minded one. Former Florida State offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham (2020-21) has been replaced by Joe Moorehead. Could the old Florida relationship help bring Dillingham and Lanning out of South Florida? Oregon is a top program, but distance is a factor that takes players from all over the country. Coach Cristobal pulled seven out of the reach of the Pack-12 in 2021; Can Lanning have the same effect?