Elite 2024 Safety Peyton Woodyard names top 7

Four-star safety Peyton Woodyard of Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco is down to seven schools– Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, USC, Florida, and Notre Dame.

The 6-foot-2, 195 pounder will announce his college decision on January 7th.

He went in-depth on his finalists with On3:

USC

USC has reestablished themselves as a National Championship contender and they have been able to build a relationship with me and my family. They have been consistent in wanting to keep the top California talent at USC. Coach Grinch and Coach Riley have created an environment of competition and it has shown up on the field. 

Oregon

The Oregon staff, specifically Coach Powledge, Coach Wadood, Coach Lupoi and Coach Lanning have made me a priority. The defense that Oregon uses is the same that we have at St. John Bosco. Oregon has done a great job of changing the culture and they have a brand of football that reminds me of the SEC. Oregon has made a strong impression on my family and I can see myself playing there in the future. 

Georgia

Georgia is the reigning National Champions and their style of defense is fast, violent and suffocating, which is in line with my skill set. Coach Fran, Coach Metcalf and Coach Muschamp have been in consistent communication with me and that definitely makes my family feel good if they were selected as my school going forward. 

Ohio State 

Ohio State has a history of developing elite level defensive backs and Coach Eliano has a proven track record of developing players on and off the field. Coach Eliano and Coach Day have been in contact with me and my family consistently and they have made it easier for me and my family to see a future at Ohio State. They both make me and my family feel like a priority and treat me like family.  

Michigan

Michigan, especially Coach Jay Harbaugh has been able to develop a strong relationship with me and my family. They treated us like family during my visit with them and were able to highlight not only their excellence on the football field, but also the opportunities off the field. I was impressed with how they develop their players on and off the field. hey really prepare you for a future after football. Coach Jim Harbaugh is great to talk with and has a great sense of humor. 

Notre Dame

Notre Dame has remained consistent in their vision for me on the football field. There have been a number of professional football players that have played at Notre Dame and a lot of them play safety, which is my position. Coach O’Leary, Coach Golden, Coach Freeman and Chad Bowden have stayed consistent in my recruitment and I can see myself playing for them. 

Florida 

Florida just recently offered me a scholarship and my interest is high given that they run a defense that I am familiar with. Coach Patrick Toney and Coach Wilford are both from California, but more importantly they have shown a genuine interest in me as a person first and a football player secondarily. Coach Toney is committed to strengthening the defensive side of the ball and they believe that I could be a valuable part going forward. I am looking forward to visiting their campus once my season is finished. 

Overall, I would feel comfortable at any of these 7 schools. As I know many players at these schools, with some being Bosco alumni. 
Woodyard ranks as the No. 34 player in the On3 Consensus. He also tabs in as the No. 2 safety and the No. 2 player in the state of California.