On3 4-star TE Eric Karner announces top 5 schools

On3 imageby:Joe Spears05/11/23

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Itasca (Ill.) Immaculate Conception three-star tight end Eric Karner has narrowed his list of top schools down to five. That list includes Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Michigan State and Texas A&M.

A former Purdue pledge, Karner decommitted from the Boilermakers on April 13.

Karner is the No. 485 overall prospect and No. 29 tight end in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 11 player in Illinois.

While he’s not currently ranked in the 2024 On300, On3 does rank Karner as a four-star prospect, the No. 18 tight end and No. 7 player in Illinois

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), Iowa holds a narrow lead over Michigan State and Florida to land a commitment from Karner.

“It was my first visit,” Karner told On3 following his April visit to Iowa. “I was extremely impressed with the coaching and style they play in along with their outstanding facilities.”

Karner has three official visits set

Iowa is one of the three schools Karner has set an official visit to. He’ll be back on campus June 23 following visits to Michigan State (June 2) and Florida (June 9).

“What caught my attention about Florida is their ability to produce loads of NFL talent each year,” Karner said of the Gators. “They are also in the SEC, which gives me a chance to compete at the highest level while also getting a great education. I could see myself becoming more attracted towards Florida if me and coach Callaway build up our relationship.

“Their message to me was how they liked my versatility and my athleticism. They have a lot of emotion coming into this season, and I can tell just by speaking with the coaches.”

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $28K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.