The A five-star rival returns subsequent week in Jacksonville, and a few of the nation’s prime linebackers within the 2025 and 2026 courses will probably be figuring out.
Listed here are 5 storylines we’re watching forward of the summer season’s foremost occasion.
1. Can any program catch Ohio State for Justin Hill?
Getting into the official go to season in June, the Buckeyes held a commanding lead within the four-star exterior linebacker. Cincinnati (OH) standout Winton Woods additionally took official visits to USC, Alabama and Oregon.
His consolation degree in Columbus is excessive, and Ohio State has been after him closely by way of recruiting. All three USC, Alabama and Oregon provide one thing distinctive to him and run good applications.
However it’s laborious to think about any program from exterior the area getting previous the Buckeyes within the state.
*****
2. Will the 2025 linebacker get a fifth star?
We at the moment shouldn’t have a five-star quarterback within the 2025 Rivals250. Large factor about A five-star rival it is that the occasion will characteristic each the No. 1 inside and out of doors linebackers, they usually’ll each have an opportunity to show they deserve a fifth star.
Inside linebacker Riley Pattijon comes from McKinney, Texas. He took official visits to Ohio State, Texas, USC and Texas A&M. He has the ability set and construction that can permit him to thrive in a lot of schemes.
Exterior midfielder Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng is a sensation on the IMG Academy. He took official visits to Ohio State, Michigan, USC and Notre Dame. His brother performed for the Irish earlier than his NFL profession.
Each prospects could have loads of alternatives to showcase their abilities in Jacksonville.
*****
3. Will Christian Jones keep dwelling?
Omaha (Neb.) Westside four-star linebacker Christian Jones is as in-demand as any linebacker prospect within the nation. Nevertheless, it was troublesome for applications to interrupt into its prime group. Notre Dame was regarded as Nebraska’s prime menace, after which the Irish had been eradicated earlier than an official go to may happen.
Auburn and Oklahoma have taken official visits. It feels just like the Sooners have Jones’ consideration greater than every other program within the state.
Nebraska has been a relentless a part of his recruiting. There’s a relationship and familiarity between Jones and Nebraska. Matt Ruhl and his workers ought to be capable of shut the deal if they will persuade him that victories are coming to Lincoln quickly.
*****
4. Will somebody declare prime canine in 2026?
One fascinating wrinkle in Jacksonville’s linebacker group is that we’ll get a terrific have a look at a few of the prime 2026 gamers on the place, comparable to Jordan Campbell, Anthony Davis, Kossi Okpala and Tony Williams.
All of those prospects are rated as 4 stars with wonderful provide sheets, however none of them are thought of the perfect prospect at their place. This will probably be a terrific alternative to match them in opposition to one another and doubtlessly discover out who deserves a shot.
*****
5. Will we see Simeon Caldwell at linebacker?
Each cycle, there appear to be just a few prospects who proceed to develop from the protection place and ultimately turn out to be hybrid linebackers. These gamers are extremely coveted by faculties due to the distinctive ability set they bring about with wonderful mixtures of measurement and pace.
There may be lots of buzz in Florida about four-star Simeon Caldwell from Jacksonville (Fla.) growing right into a hybrid linebacker. He was a security in his highschool profession, however now colleges are providing him as a linebacker. If we get an opportunity to see him round different midfielders in coaching, how will he fare?
Miami, Georgia State, Ohio State, Florida State and lots of others who’ve provided him could also be paying shut consideration.
