B/R Recruiting: Top Remaining Battles for Uncommitted Prospects
Brad Shepard@@Brad_ShepardFeatured Columnist IVOctober 23, 2024B/R Recruiting: Top Remaining Battles for Uncommitted Prospects0 of 10
Andrew Babalola is the most coveted offensive lineman left on the board.Credit: 247Sports
The college football recruiting landscape has changed, and the topography of it extends throughout the year with the two transfer portal windows to go along with the ever-evolving, NIL-fueled world of high school recruiting.
For the latter, this time of year is vitally important, as prospects are taking potentially life-changing official (and unofficial) visits to their favorite schools, trying to decide where they’re going to start their collegiate careers.
As always in late October, there are important battles left to be waged.
Even with the early signing window dominating the sport with most kids escalating their commitment windows and already pledged to schools, there are multiple top-tier players yet to settle on a destination.
There’s even a “committed” quarterback whose flirtation with other schools is heavy enough that he made this list.
Here are some of the most important recruiting wars that have yet to be determined in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Andrew Babalola, Offensive Tackle1 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Every school in the nation can use a potential blindside protector in its recruiting class, and there’s no better one remaining on the board than Andrew Babalola.
The 6’6″, 280-pound Overland Park, Kansas, prospect is a former basketball star who sort of outgrew that sport and realized his long-term future and maximum potential came on the gridiron.
Since then, virtually every school in the country courted the nation’s No. 21-ranked player, a 5-star prospect who is the fourth-ranked offensive tackle in the country. In the recruiting “no-man’s-land” of Kansas, it’s a free-for-all for the prospect, who isn’t really in any powerhouse’s backyard.
Blessed with a tremendous size, strength and athleticism trifecta, Babalola is a gifted athlete. Right now, it looks like the Michigan Wolverines may hold the edge in ultimately getting his name on paper.
But others aren’t going away without a fight. Stanford, Missouri, Auburn and Oklahoma are the other trendy picks, and while the Cardinal’s education is a big deal to Babalola, Big Blue is big on the books, too. Recently, On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong put in a prediction for Babalola to end up in Ann Arbor.
With both sets of Tigers and the Sooners maybe falling off a bit, this one is the Wolverines’ to lose.
Isaiah Campbell, Defensive Lineman2 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
If you’re committed to Clemson, head coach Dabo Swinney isn’t real big on you taking official visits to other places. It’s one of those quirks that has kept the Tigers from being elite in recruiting the past few years.
When Isaiah Campbell decided to look around, he dropped his pledge to the Tigers. Now, it’s been a mad dash to get the incredibly athletic, 6’4″, 260-pound defensive lineman to commit to another school.
The nation’s No. 41-ranked overall player is the fourth-rated defensive lineman, and everybody wants a player of that ilk. With Clemson seemingly out of the picture, another shade of orange may have the upper hand.
Campbell visited Rocky Top to watch the Tennessee Vols’ upset of Alabama this past weekend and saw the field rushed and cigars smoked. While the North Carolina Tar Heels are trying to keep the Tar Heel State prospect at home, UT may be the team to beat right now.
It would be a massive coup for Tennessee D-line coach Rodney Garner, who has one of the nation’s deepest and best units on the field this year. Getting a player as talented as Campbell would go a long way toward keeping the Vols salty up front, and right now, he seems open to the idea.
It will be interesting to see if any other schools jump heavily into the mix.
Madden Faraimo, Linebacker3 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Difference-making linebackers are difficult to find, but Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has done a very good job recruiting those dudes in the past few years.
He may have another one on the hook in the 2025 class, and much like the Fighting Irish have done before, they’ve gone into the Golden State of California and are a threat to land an elite defender once again in Madden Faraimo.
The nation’s No. 61-ranked overall player and fourth-rated linebacker is definitely considering heading to South Bend, but there are plenty of other teams coming after him, too.
The San Juan Capistrano product has a top four of USC, Notre Dame, Texas and Washington, and any one of those could wind up with his signature. Right now, though, it looks like the Irish, Horns and maybe the Trojans are out front.
Faraimo is an interesting player who is extremely athletic for his 6’3″, 230-pound frame. It looked for a while like he was going to settle in on the back end of a defense as a safety, but he just kept growing.
Now, he is a big-framed, athletic linebacker who is talented enough to play any of the three spots on the second level. That versatility makes him California’s top uncommitted prospect, and it will be interesting to see which powerhouse program can land him.
Javion Hilson, EDGE4 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Maybe the next time Javion Hilson commits to a college football program will be the last time. He’s already decommitted from Alabama and Florida State, and he is nearing yet another decision.
While the indecisiveness is maddening, this is a player who is talented enough that every program in the country would be happy for him to settle on them.
The 6’3.5″, 235-pound athletic defender can straight-up get after quarterbacks, and he is casting a wide net when it comes to schools. The No. 38-ranked overall player and second-rated edge-rusher in the nation is one of the few impact players in a down year for the position.
He is set to take an official visit to Syracuse, where the elite combination of Fran Brown (head coach) and Elijah Robinson (defensive coordinator) resides. Are the Orange a legit threat? They may be with that duo.
The Seminoles are in the mix still for the Cocoa, Florida, prospect’s signature, as are Florida, Texas and UCF, and all those spots are places he’s officially visited. Where he winds up is anybody’s guess.
Is it difficult to see him leaving the Sunshine State? Yes. But with the Gators and Seminoles in turmoil, don’t count it out.
Julian Lewis, Quarterback5 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
If you want to get technical, Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis is still a USC Trojans commitment who has seemingly been a little more locked-in than originally thought the past few weeks.
But the Carrollton, Georgia, gunslinger isn’t done flirting with other programs, which means you have to use the word “committed” extremely loosely. He may very well wind up in Los Angeles as the next big-name quarterback to commit to Lincoln Riley.
It’s far from a done deal, though.
The 5-star signal-caller is the nation’s No. 28-ranked overall player and the fourth-rated player at the most important position on the field. You’d better believe everybody is going to be all over him.
After he flirted with Auburn, the Tigers wound up flipping Notre Dame’s quarterback pledge, Deuce Knight. But others are knocking at Lewis’ door.
The two biggest suitors right now appear to be Indiana and Colorado. Both programs are surging and making plenty of headlines. Everybody knows how Coach Prime’s Buffaloes are finding their way in his second season, and the Hoosiers are the surprise of the nation, unbeaten in Curt Cignetti’s first season in Bloomington.
Lewis is going to visit Colorado this weekend and is slated to head to Bloomington on November 9 when the Hoosiers play Michigan. According to On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong, who calls IU a “threat” to flip him.
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Linebacker6 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
It’s not every year that you’ve still got two definitive elite linebackers yet to come off the board this late in the cycle.
But not only is Madden Faraimo still remaining uncommitted, but star athlete and IMG Academy standout linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng also still hasn’t decided on a school of choice.
The 6’0.5″, 205-pound linebacker isn’t the biggest player at his position, but he is an absolute unit who is bouncy and runs downhill at quarterbacks. You can put him all over the field and watch him go, and that’s why everybody wants him.
He packs a punch in the run game and is fast enough to hand with slot receivers and tight ends in coverage, which is a big deal.
It’s a strong race to see who gets him to commit, too. Right now, the buzz is surrounding the Michigan Wolverines, where he will fit into the rich tradition of churning out NFL linebackers. But the Colorado Buffaloes are surging toward getting him interested, too.
“Just understanding the opportunity that is at play,” he told 247Sports’ Brian Dohn. “Knowing they are losing several linebackers after this year. Knowing that I have a chance to make a big impact and start something special at Colorado that they haven’t had in the past.”
Owusu-Boateng now will unofficially visit Notre Dame, where his brother, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, starred. He will also officially visit Texas, and while the Wolverines and Irish should be considered the favorites, the ‘Horns and Buffs are dark horses.
Jahkeem Stewart, Defensive Lineman7 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Jahkeem Stewart is one of the most exciting, intriguing prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, in part because he was supposed to be one of the most exciting, intriguing prospects in the 2026 class.
When the New Orleans prospect with all the potential in the world decided to reclassify, it was on every team’s radar. Now with a compressed recruiting schedule, Stewart has an important decision to make as teams scramble.
The good thing for him is the 6’6″, 270-pound Edna Carr High School prospect has been on everybody’s radar for a long time.
Normally, big, strong star defenders like Stewart don’t leave the state of Louisiana, as LSU has done a great job keeping those difference-makers home. Stewart indeed is considering playing his college football at home in Baton Rouge.
But there are many others who have his attention, too. Perhaps the biggest buzz right now surrounds the top-ranked Oregon Ducks, who are hot on the recruiting trail.
The No. 16-ranked overall player in the country is heavily considering USC, Ohio State and Alabama, as well. He was in Eugene when the Ducks beat the Buckeyes and stormed the field.
“I can definitely see myself playing in that type of environment,” Stewart told SI.com’s Arden Cravalho. “The Oregon fans showed me a ton of love.”
Will it be enough to pull him from the Bayou, though?
Justus Terry, Defensive Lineman8 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
The top uncommitted prospect in the nation is Manchester, Georgia, 6’5″, 275-pound defensive lineman Justus Terry, who is probably the most coveted player remaining on anybody’s board.
This just seems like a dude destined to play for coach Kirby Smart in Athens, which isn’t too far from where he’s from. Why wouldn’t any kid want to compete for national championships while playing for an elite defense close to home year after year?
Still, though, while it may be a shocker if Terry goes elsewhere, that isn’t keeping teams from trying. After all, if he were that dead-set on the Dawgs, wouldn’t he be committed by now?
Instead, Terry is enjoying the recruiting process. There’s a chance some other team will show the No. 7-ranked overall player and second-rated defensive lineman something he hasn’t seen elsewhere.
Georgia’s biggest competition to steal Terry away from them appears to be Texas, Alabama, Florida State and USC, where he was once committed. Like Javion Hilson, Terry also was committed to two schools (Georgia) but decommitted from both.
Recently, Terry officially visited Texas, which he told 247Sports’ Hank South made a “big jump” in his recruitment. But who did he watch them play? The Bulldogs, which won a heavyweight battle.
Georgia is positioned nicely to earn his commitment, but Terry’s recruitment isn’t over yet.
Michael Terry III, Athlete9 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Michael Terry III can play all over the football field on either side of the ball, and that has made him one of the most coveted remaining prospects in the country.
The 6’3″, 217-pound San Antonio, Texas, product has been listed as a linebacker, a safety and a wide receiver on several sites, but we’ll just refer to him as an athlete because he truly could be a star at a lot of different spots.
Right now, this feels like a two-team race between the home state Longhorns and coach Matt Rhule’s Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the excitement of this race is because it may boil down to where Terry’s heart is versus what position he wants to play.
The nation’s No. 35-ranked overall player is the top-rated athlete on 247Sports, and he can do it all. Terry is a unique talent who Texas is telling can play on the offensive side of the ball, much the way they did former defensive end/tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who is now in the NFL as a tight end.
The Huskers are trying to sell Terry that he’s an elite wide receiver, and then there’s Oregon lurking in the weeds and potentially being a force in the end for his commitment.
But coach Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns have the home advantage, and he was there again this past weekend for the loss to the Georgia Bulldogs.
This one will go down to the wire, but like the “other” Terry on this list, it’s just tough seeing anybody take them from the powerhouse close by.
Jordan Young, Athlete10 of 10
Credit: 247Sports
Jordan Young is a 6’0″, 184-pound prospect who seems like he’s going to stay in ACC country, which shouldn’t be a big surprise for a kid who is from Monroe, North Carolina.
While some see Young as a dynamo with the ball in his hands on offense, perhaps his highest ceiling is manning the back end of a defense as a ball-hawking safety. His ball skills would benefit him back there, and Young has the skills to be elite.
The nation’s No. 134-ranked overall prospect in the nation is the fifth-rated athlete, and his versatility makes him a hot commodity.
Coach Dave Doeren really wants him at North Carolina State, where the Wolfpack has consistently churned out terrific defenders heading to the NFL. But coach Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers have Young’s attention, too, as does Florida State.
In the end, though, the biggest power in the ACC may be tough to top. Rivals.com’s Sam Spiegelman said the Clemson Tigers are “trending” to land Young with his decision right around the corner.
Young told On3’s Chad Simmons before his latest visit to Clemson that he has seen the Tigers “9 or 10 times” now, and so the comfortability with them has to be a big deal. With his decision coming in early November, they’ll be tough to beat.
All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
