Chad Simmons: Ohio State is favorite for five-star DL Matayo Uiagalelei

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, USC is in the lead for five-star defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco at 53.8 percent. However, On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons believes the team to beat for Uiagalelei’s commitment is currently Ohio State.

“If I had to pick a favorite right now to land Matayo, I would pick Ohio State because of (defensive line coach) Larry Johnson, the resume and just how they’ve connected with not just Matayo, but the people around him as well,” Simmons said.

Uiagalelei took an official visit to Columbus on June 10 before heading to USC and Oregon in the following two weeks. While he has only visited Ohio State twice, Uiagalelei told Simmons in May that he is very impressed by Johnson and his ability to prepare defensive linemen for the NFL.

“Larry Johnson, he’s definitely been one of the top defensive line and defensive ends guys in college football for like the last decade,” Uiagalelei said. “You can just see how many guys he has put in the league. And it makes me think, “Man, I might want to go there if I see that. … Ryan Day is a great coach, too. And we have a great relationship. Their consistency is big, too and their ability to always be a top program.”

Three other teams are in the hunt for Uiagalelei

In addition to Ohio State, Simmons said that the Ducks are the other team to watch in Uiagalelei’s recruitment. According to Simmons, the defensive lineman “loves” head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, as well as “what they’re doing there in Eugene.” He also mentioned that Uiagalelei wants to take an official visit to Alabama in the early or middle part of next season.

“I think he leaves the state,” Simmons said. “I think Ohio State and Oregon are the two schools trending. USC still very much in the picture. Oregon (is) very much in play.”

However, the RPM gives Oregon just a 20.3 percent chance to land Uiagalelei. Ohio State and the Crimson Tide have even lower odds at 13.3 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.

But things may change in the future since Uiagalelei seems to be in no rush to make a decision.

“I think he’s a guy that potentially could commit over the summer late, but right now I would lean towards him taking his recruitment into the season,” Simmons said.

Uiagalelei is the No. 19 overall prospect and the No. 3 defensive lineman in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also rated as the No. 3 player in California.