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4-star EDGE Marquise Lightfoot names top six schools, Ohio State trending after recent visit

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•06/12/23•

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Marquise Lightfoot
2024 EDGE Marquise Lightfoot. (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy four-star EDGE Marquise Lightfoot is down to six schools in his recruitment, he announced on Monday afternoon.

Among the remaining contenders to land him are Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Miami, Ohio State and USC.

Lightfoot is the No. 65 overall prospect and No. 5 EDGE 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. 3 player in Illinois.

On3 rates him higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 60 overall prospect in the country. 

After hosting Lightfoot for an official visit over the weekend, the Buckeyes are trending as the favorite to land him, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). It gives Ohio State an 84.8 percent chance of securing his commitment.

“This official visit solidified where Ohio State stands,” Lightfoot told On3’s Chad Simmons on Sunday. “I would say it showed me everything I needed to see cause Ohio State, from what I’ve seen on social media, on TV, watching them play, it always has been a dream to play for a big team. Ohio State has showed me exactly what I should be looking for and who I should be playing with.”

Larry Johnson is a key reason for Lightfoot’s interest in Ohio State

Lightfoot continued to feel like a top target to head coach Ryan Day and longtime defensive line coach Larry Johnson this weekend. The two broke down film together, including what he thinks Lightfoot can bring to the Buckeyes at the next level.

“That is my end goal, making it to the league, no matter how or what my path may consist of,” Lightfoot said. “He showed me how they pass their legacies at Ohio State, how Nick (Bosa) and Joey (Bosa) passed it to Chase (Young) and how he believes that Chase Young will be passing it to the next person and the next person will be passing it to the next person. Larry Johnson believes in his skill and all he wants is for his players to believe in him.”

Lightfoot has yet to set a commitment date and still has remaining visits this month scheduled at USC (June 18) and Miami (June 23).