On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: New leader for 4-star DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye

Some of the top programs in college football are recruiting Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge four-star defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye. Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M are just a few of the schools looking to land him.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Sooners have a commanding lead for Jonah-Ajonye commitment at 90.7%. Oklahoma’s odds for the 6-foot-3.5, 255-pound defender rose exponentially following an expert prediction from On3’s Sam Spiegelman.

“Oklahoma has been recruiting Jonah-Ajonye harder than any school in the country and the sense is that the Sooners are the team to beat in a tight race that also includes Texas Tech, Texas and Texas A&M,” Spiegelman said. “Oregon and Florida State remain in the mix, but the Sooners have hosted Jonah-Ajonye multiple times this spring and are expecting him again for the spring game. He’s already locked in for a June official visit, and if a decision were to be made today, it feels like Oklahoma would be the choice.”

One of Jonah-Ajonye’s spring visits to Norman came on March 4. He communicates often with co-defensive coordinator/defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

The four-star has also spoken with multiple players about their experiences with the Sooners.

“Coach Bates texts me every single day,” Jonah-Ajonye told Spiegelman on April 13. “Every single morning he sends motivational quotes to start my day. “Whether it’s Bible passages or acronyms, he tells me not to get comfortable, to strive for higher, not to dwell in comfort and come for your place at the table. That sat right with me and made a lot of sense.”

“He’s easy to talk to,” he added. “We talk about life. I’ve talked to some of the players there about why they chose Oklahoma. I spent time with Adepoju Adebawore, one of the five-stars last year. He had almost every offer in the country, but said Oklahoma was the right fit, that it felt like home and coach (Brent) Venables is doing something with the program. He wanted to be a part of it and eventually win a national championship.”

Jonah-Ajonye would be a big addition to Oklahoma’s 2024 class

If Oklahoma is able to land Jonah-Ajonye, it would mark another massive recruiting win for Venables and his staff. Even though the Sooners are off to a slow start this cycle, they finished with the No. 7 class in the 2023 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

So far, the Sooners have three commits: Queen Creek (Ariz.) Casteel four-star cornerback Jeremiah Newcombe, McKinney (Texas) Frisco Emerson four-star quarterback Michael Hawkins and Franklinton (La.) three-star wide receiver Kelly Daniels. Oklahoma’s 2024 recruiting class ranks No. 26 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 11 in the SEC.

Jonah-Ajonye is the No. 130 overall prospect and No. 15 defensive lineman 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. 26 player in Texas.

On3 rates Jonah-Ajonye higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 38 overall prospect, No. 6 defensive lineman and No. 9 player in Texas.