5-star DL Williams Nwaneri visiting Tennessee

Lee’s Summit (Mo.) Lee’s Summit North five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri is spending this weekend on an unofficial visit to Tennessee. He last saw the Volunteers on Jan. 14.

Nwaneri is the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Missouri. 

On3 rates Nwaneri higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, Nwaneri is the No. 2 overall prospect in the country.

“It was a really good season they had and I feel like they’ve made a statement with the season,” Nwaneri told On3’s Chad Simmons on Jan. 12 about Tennessee. “I really just need to get down there and get a feel for it for myself, see how I like it, see how I feel meeting everybody in person.”

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Oklahoma has a commanding lead for Nwaneri’s commitment at 76.3. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound recruit visited the Sooners on the weekend of March 4.

At the moment, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma are in line for official visits from Nwaneri, he told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 20.

Nwaneri is in a very busy phase of his recruitment 

Nwaneri visited Nebraska last weekend. He also saw Georgia on the weekend of March 18.

“It definitely exceeded what I thought it was going to be,” Nwaneri said to Simmons. “It was just amazing all around.”

“They definitely looked like a national championship team,” he added. “They win for a reason. Everybody’s big. They’re stacked at almost every position. It was something I’ve never seen before.”

Numerous schools are currently involved in the chase for Nwaneri’s pledge. There is a chance that some favorites start to emerge soon. 

“I’m thinking about cutting the list down here soon,” Nwaneri told Simmons. “It wouldn’t be a terrible idea for me to commit before my senior season, but I’m not in a rush. I’ll play my senior season uncommitted and maybe commit during (it) or wait all the way up to signing day.”

“I feel like I’m in a good place right now,” he added. “I’m starting to really figure it out, but I think I’m not ready to commit right now, but I’m starting to get an idea of where that place might be or exactly what I’m looking for in a place.”