On3 Consensus 3-star recruits getting the 5-star treatment

With only around 15% of the nation’s top 300 players still unsigned or uncommitted, normally college coaches turn to fast-rising undecided three-star prospects during the final few weeks of the recruiting process. The Class of 2022 is no exception. There’s a solid group of quality three-star recruits that have suddenly become as heavily recruited as five stars. On3 looks at the most wanted three-star recruits with National Signing Day only eight days away.

DL Ahmad Moten

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons
On3 Consensus: No. 63 DL
The Skinny: You could make a solid argument that no recruit – regardless of ranking – is being more heavily pursued right now than Ahmad Moten. In the last two weeks, Moten has visited Tennessee, North Carolina and Oklahoma. All three schools want him badly. He’s now set to visit Miami this upcoming weekend, and the Canes have to feel good about their chances to reel in the local prospect. One thing that could make things interesting with Moten is where his teammate, R Mason Thomas, ends up at. Thomas is committed to Iowa State, but he was also in Norman this past weekend and is set to visit Coral Gables this weekend.

TE Danny Lewis

New Iberia (La.) Westgate
On3 Consensus: No. 52 TE
The Skinny: Danny Lewis is also right up there in the red-hot stock category. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder had been committed to Cincinnati since September. But after a slew of recent offers and an MVP performance in the state championship game, he had a change of heart. He took an official visit to Alabama this past weekend. Lewis is now set to visit in-state LSU on Wednesday and Thursday before heading out to Gainesville for a trip with the Gators. However, the push by the LSU staff is something to watch. The On3 RPM has Lewis trending heavily in the Tigers favor at 86.3%.

IOL Vega Ioane

Graham (Wash.) Graham-Kapowsin
On3 Consensus: No. 42 IOL
The Skinny: Vega Ioane has transformed his body over the past year into the frame that college coaches covet on the offensive line. On3 ranks him higher than others in the industry as a four-star. But he’s still ranked as a three in the On3 Consensus. His focus has paid off and major Pac-12 programs are battling it out for his commitment. He was once committed to Washington but backed off that because of the coaching change in Seattle. He then visited Minnesota, added a Penn State offer, visited UDub again this past weekend, probably will visit UCLA midweek, and is set to visit Penn State this weekend. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, though, has him trending heavily toward Washington with a 92.8% projection.

LB E.J. Lightsey

Fitzgerald, Georgia
On3 Consensus: No. 48 LB
The Skinny: Much like Moten, E.J. Lightsey’s recruitment has taken off to a national level in January. He is a former Florida Gator commitment, and he’s from South Georgia. So, yes, the Georgia Bulldogs have become a factor in his recruitment. He was on campus in Athens this past weekend. The Dawgs rolled out the black and red carpet and would take his commitment. But keep a close eye on South Carolina. He visits Columbia this weekend. Lightsey said he feels like a top priority for Shane Beamer.

RB Andrew Paul

Dallas Parish Episcopal School
On3 Consensus: No. 41 RB
The Skinny: One of the fastest-rising targets with college recruiters is Andrew Paul. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has added heavyweight offers from Michigan, Clemson, Notre Dame, Oregon, and others during the final few weeks of the recruiting process. He visited Clemson this past weekend and is hoping to take a visit to Notre Dame mid-week and then Oregon this upcoming weekend. “I plan on making a decision following these visits,” Paul told On3’s Scoop Duck on Monday.

WR Stephon Johnson

Lancaster (Texas) De Soto
On3 Consensus: No. 67 WR
The Skinny: Stephon Johnson is a former Oregon commitment that has seen his recruitment explode with teams that actively recruit in the Metroplex. He was at Oklahoma State this past weekend on an official visit. He’s scheduled to take an official visit to SMU on the final weekend before National Signing Day. He could be a monster addition for SMU if they can withstand a push from the Cowboys.

EDGE Jack Pyburn

Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School
On3 Consensus: No. 88 EDGE
The Skinny: Jack Pyburn has taken back-to-back visits to Auburn. Between his official visit and unofficial visit to Auburn, he took a visit to Miami and another visit to Florida State. “I’m not taking any more visits,” Pyburn told On3’s Auburn Live. “I’m just going to stay home and let the coaches visit, break everything down from there.” He is scheduled to announce his decision on Feb. 1. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine is trending heavily in Auburn’s favor with him projected at 97.1% to the Tigers.

ATH Arlis Boardingham

Van Nuys (Calif.) Birmingham
On3 Consensus: No. 20 ATH
The Skinny: Arlis Boardingham indicated on Monday he’s down to two schools – Florida and Oregon. Boardingham officially visited Texas earlier this summer, but the Ducks and Gators are the two teams still on his list. Boardingham officially visited the Gators on Jan. 14 and is set to journey out to Eugene this weekend. Both programs are expected to go in-home this week as well. Boardingham is being recruited to play H-back for the Gators and Ducks. During the 2021 season, Boardingham reeled in 43 receptions for 836 yards and 15 touchdowns for the 9-6 Patriots. He also threw a touchdown pass and chipped in with 171 rushing yards and five additional scores.