4-star IOL Jason Zandamela announces top five schools

Clearwater (Fla.) Clearwater Academy International four-star interior offensive lineman Jason Zandamela announced his top five schools on Sunday night. They are Miami, Florida State, Oklahoma, USC and Georgia.

Zandamela is the No. 129 overall prospect and No. 7 interior offensive 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. 20 player in Florida.

On3 rates Zandamela higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the country and the No. 19 player in Florida.

Since arriving in the US in 2020, I have had the opportunity to build relationships with many incredible programs from across the country. However, to ensure I’m making the right decision for my future, these are the schools I’ll be communicating with moving forward. Thank you.🙏 pic.twitter.com/FMmoMLC0n4

— Jason Zandamela🇲🇿 (@JasonZandamela) May 22, 2023

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Seminoles have a commanding lead for Zandamela at 95.7%. In March, the 6-foot-3, 286-pound recruit shared with On3’s Chad Simmons that he has visited Tallahassee around five times.

“The coaching staff, I love what they’re all about,” Zandamela said. “I love their culture and I really like what they’re doing with the team. The coaching, Mike Norvell getting the extension, I just really think they’re gonna be a highly ranked team and I really like what they’re all about.”

A key reason for Zandamela’s interest in Florida State is offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins. He told Simmons that Atkins is “extremely humble” and a “very real coach.”

“I really love how he recruits,” Zandamela said. “He definitely cares about the athletic side of the player. He genuinely cares about you as a person and I appreciate that. He’ll make sure you’re successful in football and out of football too.”

Zandamela also revealed two months ago that he is “very interested” in the Seminoles and has “a very good feeling about how they’re recruiting me and how things are going with them.” Last cycle, Florida State signed his high school teammate, four-star offensive tackle Lucas Simmons.

This spring, the four-star also visited USC (April 8) and Miami (April 1). He is taking an official visit to the Sooners on June 9, the Trojans on June 16 and the Seminoles on June 23.

Zandamela discusses his other finalists

Georgia: “It was incredible,” Zandamela told Jake Reuse of DawgsHQ on April 20 about being offered by Georgia. “To have a school like Georgia offer me left me speechless.”

Miami: “The combination of (Alex) Mirabal and (Mario) Cristobal, there’s not really many programs that have a head coach that works with the o-line like Miami. They’ve been showing a lot of interest. They’ve been sending me graphics and I talk to Mirabal and Cristobal twice a week. I have a great feeling about Miami.”

Oklahoma: “(Bill Bedenbaugh is) a very laid-back coach, but he’s very serious about what he does. I think he can develop o-linemen better than most of the o-line coaches and I really like that about him.”

USC: “(I like) their culture and I’m a big fan of their current center. I watched his tape a lot because I almost revolve my game around how he plays it. I really like how coach (Josh) Henson coaches.”