Highly-touted defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri from Lee’s Summit North High School is on the verge of announcing his college commitment, and his recruitment journey has been filled with twists and turns.
His final five schools in consideration are Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon, Missouri, and Georgia. Over the past six months, these contenders have seen varying degrees of buzz. During the spring, the spotlight was on Tennessee and Georgia, according to insights from On3’s Chad Simmons. However, this narrative has shifted notably during the summer months.
During a recent appearance on On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show, Nwaneri stated, “At that time, I felt very confident those were the top two schools.” He continued, “Now he put some unofficial visits in there this spring, some official visits in June, and we have a whole new ballgame with Williams Nwaneri. And now, I think the three schools to watch are Georgia, Missouri, and Oklahoma.”
Nwaneri embarked on official visits to each of these universities in June. He also returned to Georgia for a second visit at the end of the month.
All three schools – Georgia, Missouri, and Oklahoma – believe they have a strong chance of landing Nwaneri. Simmons emphasized the high level of confidence each program has in securing his commitment.
Simmons elaborated on the situation, stating, “The most confidence throughout this process has been in the Norman area, obviously the University of Oklahoma.” He further noted the multiple connections Nwaneri has with the program, including his high school coach, teammate, and fellow recruits.
While Nwaneri’s interactions with Oklahoma have been extensive, the University of Missouri has mounted a compelling push to secure his commitment. Simmons also highlighted the momentum surrounding the Tigers’ program. Additionally, Georgia managed to make a significant impression on Nwaneri during both the initial and closing weekends of June.
Apart from being in proximity to his family in the Kansas City area, Nwaneri has a strong inclination towards playing within his home state.
Missouri, recognizing the importance of retaining in-state talent, has stepped up its efforts to recruit Nwaneri. This focus aligns with new legislation passed in May that enables in-state recruits to access NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities upon signing with a local institution, rather than having to wait until they arrive on campus.
Kansas City-based sports attorney Mit Winter weighed in on the significance of this development, emphasizing, “Missouri obviously has a lot of talented high school athletes that in the past have gone to other schools. So, Missouri would obviously like to do what they can to keep those athletes in the state of Missouri.”
In the event that Nwaneri commits to Missouri, it would signify a significant achievement for the program. The Tigers have previously secured commitments from several five-star prospects, such as wide receivers Luther Burden III (2022) and Dorial Green-Beckham (2014). However, the possibility of landing both Nwaneri and fellow five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo would mark an unprecedented accomplishment for Missouri football, solidifying its upward trajectory on the recruiting trail.
