Elite 2025 LB Tavion Wallace down to five schools in his recruitment

Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace plans to commit this summer, as he told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this month. And on Tuesday he took the next step toward a decision by narrowing his previous list of 12 top schools.

With more than 30 offers in hand, Wallace will now focus his attention of Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and LSU.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder has locked in official visits to Arkansas on May 31, Georgia on June 7, Florida State on June 14 and Florida the weekend of June 21. From there, he’s looking to make a commitment at either the end of June or in July.

“It is about feeling like a family for me,” Wallace previously told Simmons. “When my brother went to Kentucky, he felt safe and my parents felt good about him being there. I am looking for that same thing. It is about clicking with the coaching staff, feeling like part of the family and being able to get along with everyone on and off the field.”

Florida State is at the top of the list

Heading into the summer visits, Florida State is the program others are chasing. Since last summer, the Seminoles have been at or near the top of Wallace’s list. That hasn’t changed.

“Florida State makes me feel special,” Wallace said. “When I visited there this spring, Coach Mike Norvell was outside waiting for me, then when I got inside, the whole staff was there. That was a good experience for me. The whole staff was waiting for me and that made an impact on me.

… They have always recruited me hard too. Florida State has that edge for me before these official visits. Florida and Georgia are up there, but Florida State is on top right now.”

Florida, meanwhile, is making a late push for Wallace, who grew up a fan of the Gators.

“I wasn’t too high on Florida at first, but I have given them a chance, and they are coming up,” Wallace said. “They are recruiting me harder now. Me and my family grew up following Florida, so getting to Gainesville, meeting the people and seeing everything has moved them up my list.”

Georgia is also working to keep Wallace home

The in-state Bulldogs have also turned up the heat on his recruitment, bringing him to Athens for a spring practice and multiple other times since last fall. His feelings for the Bulldogs have changed.

“Growing up as a Florida fan, I hated Georgia, but since becoming a recruit and getting to know Coach Glenn Schumann and Coach Kirby Smart, my feelings have changed,” Wallace said. “They have shown a lot of love and every time I go to Georgia, I love it.

… The players are great and they have a special bond. The coaches and players welcome me, they bond with me and that is important to me. Georgia has a great defense too and they produce players, so that is something else about Georgia that has them high on my list.”