One program trending for 4-star DL Trent Wilson after latest expert prediction

Upper Marlboro (Md.) Henry Wise four-star defensive lineman Trent Wilson dropped his top four schools on Monday, with Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas A&M making the cut.

The No. 94 prospect and No. 9 defensive lineman in the On300 has locked in official visits with the Buckeyes, Sooners, Nittany Lions and Aggies. Wilson will be in Columbus on May 31, Happy Valley on June 7, Norman on June 14 and College State on June 21.

Heading into those trips though, one team has taken the lead in his recruitment, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons. On Tuesday, Simmons made an expert prediction in favor of the Sooners in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

“Oklahoma has done a great job recruiting him and building that relationship,” Simmons said. “He really likes Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates, and the same can be said about Brent Venables. Ultimately, it is about the culture and the fit for Wilson, and after his first visit to Norman in March, the Sooners have had a lot of buzz around it on my end.

… He was just at Ohio State and he has visited Penn State over half a dozen times, so those two Big Ten powers are in this too, along with A&M, but there is some buzz around Oklahoma as we head into the spring.”

Wilson shares his thoughts on Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas A&M

The quartet of schools made the cut for Trent Wilson for multiple reasons. Relationships factored in. Player development was key. Life after football was something Wilson listed. The history of each program was key too. Wilson broke down each of the top schools with Simmons on Monday.

Ohio State: “They have Larry Johnson. Not only is he there, but they have two more defensive line coaches with great experience. All of them develop players and that is what stands out more about Ohio State.”

Oklahoma: “Todd Bates has done a great job catching up with me. Coach Brent Venables has too. Coach Venables is the only head coach I really talk to, so that means something. I like that he is a defensive-minded head coach and he and Coach Bates did a great job at Clemson with defensive linemen.”

Penn State: “The people stand out. The people at Penn State are genuine. I always feel at home at Penn State, so I know if I went there, I would feel comfortable.”

Texas A&M: “The new staff has done a great job recruiting me. Coach Sean Spencer has done a great job developing players wherever he has been too. Coach Mike Elko is a great head coach who knows how to put defensive linemen in position to make plays too.”