Prospects in the News
-Justin Scott, DL, Chicago, IL (St. Ignatius HS), #21 nationally, #4 DL, and #1 in Ill.
Illinois’ No. 1 player has made his latest move official, as five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott committed to Ohio State Sunday after receiving interest from the likes of Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama.
Scott has quickly made a name for himself as one of 2024’s best impact players. The last two seasons have not only been great for Scott but the Wolfpack as well. His 6-foot-4, 310-pound frame led him to have a memorable sophomore season. Not only did his team finish 9-2, but he was productive in almost every aspect of his position. He recovered two fumbles while also tailing five TFLs, 37 tackles, and two fumble recoveries.
Although Scott was productive as a sophomore, his junior season might have been even more impressive. He also showed his versatility on both sides of the ball, playing left guard while also maintaining his presence at the defensive line spot, as he helped lead his team to a 10-3 season and a playoff berth before losing in the IHSA state semifinals to Praire Ridge, 21-19.
For the Buckeyes and Ryan Day, the addition of Scott makes him the 17th pledge to the 2024 class, as they maintain the No. 2 recruiting class in the country.
— Justin Scott (@juustinscott) June 25, 2023
-Marquise Lightfoot, EDGE, Chicago, IL (Kenwood Academy), #128 nationally, #6 DL, and #3 in Ill.
Another top-tier Class of 2024 Illinois product finalized his decision Monday, as four-star Marquise Lightfoot pledged to the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes. Lightfoot is the state’s third-best prospect and is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound edge rusher from Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago. Lightfoot picked the Hurricanes over several Power Five contenders, including the in-state Fighting Illini, Ohio State, and USC.
More Sports News
Lightfoot told 247 Sports he chose the Hurricanes for various factors. Still, his most important reason was to play for a school that balanced football and academics. He also becomes part of a team in contention for national championships while seeking future NFL stardom and carrying on the Hurricane tradition each year.
Lightfoot had an impressive breakout junior season for the Broncos. Not only did the team earn a playoff appearance with an 8-4 mark, but Lightfoot helped anchor a defense that saw him finish with 122 tackles and nine sacks while also coming up on the receiving end of a forced fumble.
Adding Lightfoot gives the Hurricanes even more depth, as they now have 15 pledges in the 2024 class. Miami sits at No. 20 nationally with two summer verbals, and Lightfoot is Miami’s only Midwest prospect thus far.
https://twitter.com/marquisel01/status/1676294257680719909
-Elias Rudolph, EDGE, Deerfield Beach, FL (Deerfield Beach HS), #255 nationally, #20 EDGE, and #44 in Fla.
A future Big Ten rival of Scott, Elias Rudolph decided to take his talents to Ann Arbor and play for Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines.
Rudolph committed to Michigan Monday and is a four-star top-200 edge rusher who beat Miami, Pittsburgh, Arkansas, and Boston College.
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Rudolph is the 44th-best player in Florida and will attend Deerfield Beach High School for his senior season. During his time in Ohio, according to Yahoo Sports, Rudolph has quickly risen the ranks as a 2024 prospect to watch, posting 33.5 sacks while surpassing 200 tackles as a two-time All-Ohio Selection while at Taft.
Rudolph is Michigan’s 25th pledge in the 2024 class. The Wolverines still maintain the No. 4 national recruiting ranking, and the addition of Rudolph keeps them afloat as one of the nation’s best defenses.
BREAKING: 2024 4⭐️ Elias Rudolph (@EliasRudolph6) has committed to Michigan.
The No. 255 player overall prospect, No. 20 Edge for the 2024 class according to 247Sports rankings pic.twitter.com/LYvEpArLro
— BluePrintJay (@BluePrintJay) July 3, 2023
-Nicholas Rodriguez, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas HS), #524 nationally, #51 LB, and #75 in Fla.
Another Florida recruit came off the board Monday in the form of St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker and high three-star prospect Nicholas Rodriguez, who committed to the Missouri Tigers.
Rodriguez is a top-100 linebacker and chose the Tigers over schools such as Louisville and Ohio State. His 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame has served him well throughout his high school years thus far, as he is a multi-sport athlete balancing wrestling and football. On the field is where he shines, however. He was part of St. Thomas Aquinas’s undefeated season, as the team captured the 2022 3M state title. Rodriguez posted five sacks and 93 tackles on the year and was part of a defensive unit that only surrendered 182 points all season.
The addition of Rodriguez is Missouri’s 10th pledge of the 2024 class, as it ranks in the top 60 nationally in recruiting. Rodriguez is Missouri’s third pledge this week, joining wideout James Madison III and cornerback Cameron Keys.
I’m Home? #Mizzou #gotigers @CoachHarriott @CoachDjSmith @CoachBlakeBaker @CoachDrinkwitz @Rivals @On3sports @247Sports pic.twitter.com/2RGUcN3fGm
— Nicholas Rodriguez (@n_rodriguez5) July 3, 2023
College football recruiting keeps on rolling as the countdown continues to the 2023 college football season.
