Latest news with #Wiltfong
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia Gets Bad News on Highly Coveted Star Playmaker
The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to land the top tight end of the 2026 recruiting class. But it won't come without some very strong competition. Five-star tight end Mark Bowman visited Ole Miss over this past weekend. On3's Steve Wiltfong reported the visit went very well. Advertisement 'The OV was a blast,' said Bowman. 'I would say the biggest takeaway was the family like feel. It didn't really feel like I was on a recruiting trip it was more just having a good time with the coaches.' Ole Miss' involvement in Bowman's recruitment isn't completely out of left field. After all, the tight end had a scheduled official visit with the Rebels. But it sounds as though the Rebels could be gaining on Georgia. Georgia Bulldogs football head coach Kirby Smart© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Bowman's visit to Oxford, Mississippi, came days after Wiltfong and On3's Chad Simmons wrote that the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans present a challenge to the Bulldogs for the five-star tight end as well. Advertisement 'I like the Bulldogs for Bowman, but Texas and USC are ones to keep an eye on for the reclassified tight end," Wiltfong wrote. "UGA remains in the mix for multiple top targets at the position this cycle.' Simmons argued that Texas is the biggest challenger to Georgia with Bowman. 'Texas was his childhood favorite school and the visit he had to Austin this spring pushed the Longhorns to the top of his list," Simmons wrote. "He visited Georgia again after that visit and the Bulldogs have the momentum going into the official visits." In addition to holding the No. 1 tight end ranking, Bowman is the No. 4 California recruit and No. 16 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Related: Georgia in Danger of Losing Highly Touted Playmaker to Texas
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohio State Predicted to Lose Star Running Back to Georgia
The Ohio State Buckeyes have yet to land a running back for their 2026 recruiting class. The Buckeyes have several running back targets in the class. But on Tuesday, On3's Steve Wiltfong predicted four-star back Derrek Cooper won't pick Ohio State. Advertisement Instead, Wiltfong projected Cooper to give a verbal commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs. 'I'll say Georgia right now. The Bulldogs have long been one of the favorites for Cooper," wrote Wiltfong. "Ohio State is right there, though, I like the Buckeyes to land four-star RB Favour Akih, then a combination of Hiter, Carsyn Baker or Cooper. Miami will also continue to pop up in this battle for the blue-chipper.' Ohio State Buckeyes football head coach Ryan Day© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images On3's Chad Simmons sees the Miami Hurricanes doing more than simply popping up in Cooper's recruitment. On Tuesday, Simmons predicted Cooper to commit to the Hurricanes. Similar to Wiltfong, Simmons sees the Buckeyes as close in Cooper's recruitment, but he didn't project the Buckeyes to close the deal. Advertisement 'Miami is the local school. Georgia and Ohio State look to be Miami's biggest threats to the Hurricanes, and either of those could land his commitment when that comes," Simmons wrote. "Miami is going to push hard until the end and work the staying home angle. "He has real relationships at these schools, which will factor in along with NIL.' According to the On3 industry rankings and the 247 Sports rankings, Cooper is a four-star recruit. However, the 247 Sports composite rankings rate the Hollywood, Florida native a five-star prospect. Based on those composite rankings, Cooper is also the No. 2 Florida recruit and a top 30 prospect for 2026. Related: Surprising News Emerges on Ohio State's Starting Quarterback Battle
