The Simmons Scoop: Miami neck and neck with Bama for Alinen; Georgia leads for Aguero
Windsor (Conn.) The Loomis Chaffee School four-star offensive tackle Olaus Alinen is making his college decision Friday.
But On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons said Wednesday on the Simmons Scoop that a decision has not yet been finalized. It remains likely a Miami and Alabama battle.
Alinen is the No. 120 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Hurricanes as the current favorite at 66.6%. Part of the reason for that lead is a prediction from Simmons.
“I made a pick for Miami on the On3 RPM last week,” Simmons said. “I’m still riding with the Hurricanes right now. Mario Cristobal, Alex Mirabal, the connection with that staff. But Alabama, I’ve heard some intel, made a big move over the weekend.
“This race is kind of too close to call right now,” Simmons said. “I’ve been told Alabama, Miami neck and neck and not to sleep on Ohio State. But right now, I still ride with Miami and we’ll see how this plays out in the coming days.”
Danvers (Mass.) St. John’s Prep four-star safety Joenel Aguero is committing this weekend.
Simmons first put in an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine prediction for Aguero last November. He hasn’t felt any need to change that prediction as the months passed despite speculation last week that Miami had surged into the race.
“A few days away, still hearing a lot about Miami’s involved, Florida’s trying to hang around,” Simmons said. “He’s close with Kamari Wilson of Florida. He loves the opportunity at the University of Miami but I like where Georgia sits for Aguero.”
Aguero is the No. 42 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The 2023 On300 ranking has him ranked slightly higher at No. 41.
Simmons also discussed another Miami target, Lakeland (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain.
“I’ve changed my pick from Florida to Alabama and really what that means is I feel Alabama is trending right now,” Simmons said. “I think they’re the team with the most momentum and the most buzz based on the intel I’ve gathered over the last couple of weeks.
“I think Florida very, very much is still in this. Corey Raymond’s doing a great job with Cormani and the mother, the family in general. Then you have Mario Cristobal, Demarcus Van Dyke. Miami doing a great job as well. They had him on for an official visit, gained some momentum there also.”
