On300 Safety Xavier Nwankpa narrows list to 3 schools
Four-star safety Xavier Nwankpa of Altoona, Iowa announced his top three on Saturday, narrowing his list to Iowa, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
The 6-foot-3, 200 pounder previously announced a top seven in May. This time around, Nwankpa cut Clemson, LSU, Texas A&M, and Arizona State from contention.
The No.3 safety in the On300 2022 rankings spoke more on each program.
Iowa
“Iowa has a top notch defense with some of the most respected coaches and players that I went to highschool with, and played against,” Nwankpa said. “It is a local school that is really starting to do something. Defensively, Coach (Phil) Parker and his scheme is one of the best in college football, and develops not even highly-ranked defensive backs into NFL talents.”
Notre Dame
“I have great relationships with the coaches and commits,” Nwankpa said. “A new defense of Coach (Marcus) Freeman’s from Cincinnati that is really insane and the possibilities are endless in what you can do there.”
“I’ll be able to get around some of the most genuine coaches that were one of my first offers, and have recruited me since my sophomore year,” Nwankpa said. “To top that off, Notre Dame offers a top notch education that can set me for life outside of football. Also, with Kyle Hamilton most likely leaving to go to the league, they have shoes to fill.”
Ohio State
“I would get to play alongside some of the guys I have the closest relationships with through recruiting, CJ Hicks and Kyion Grayes,” Nwankpa said. “I’d be able to maximize my coverage skills going against that WR room every day. A defense that’s only getting better with their new scheme, and a chance to do anything at the Bullet position.”
Nwankpa will play in the 2022 All-American Bowl.