On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Previewing weekend 2023 commitments

High school football season officially kicks into high gear this weekend, with hundreds of elite prospects taking the field across the country. Typically, that means a slowdown from the wave of 2023 commitments during the summer.

That isn’t the case this weekend, though. Between Thursday and Sunday, six blue-chip prospects will come off the board, along with another coveted three-star prospect. With the help of the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), we’ll preview each of the expected announcements.

Thursday, August 25

4-star EDGE Cameron Lenhardt
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 305
On3 RPM: Nebraska (80.8%), Michigan State (17.4%)

Originally from Staten Island, New York, the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder is playing his final high school season this year at IMG Academy. After landing more than 20 offers, Lenhardt is down to a final three of Nebraska, Penn State and Michigan State, with the Huskers holding a big lead, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Friday, August 26

4-star S Makari Vickers
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 87
On3 RPM: Oklahoma (94.3%), Florida State (1.7%), Alabama (1.5%)

Vickers, one of the top safeties in a deep class at that position, initially planned to make his commitment earlier in the summer. But he held off, telling On3’s Chad Simmons: “I had another school on top a while back, but the school I am committing to just showed me they are my top school.”

The Sooners, who have been red-hot on the recruiting trail and currently hold the nation’s No. 7 class, are considered to be the strong favorites.

3-star S Jamaal Shaw
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 887
On3 RPM: Houston (97.7%)

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Shaw drew interest from programs across the state of Texas and the southwest before narrowing down to a final three of Baylor, Houston and UTSA. After an expert prediction from On3 Senior National Recruiting Analyst Gerry Hamilton, the Cougars are trending in a big way.

4-star WR Anthony Evans
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 371
On3 RPM: Georgia (95.6%), Oklahoma (1.9%)

Over the summer, Evans became one of the fastest risers up recruiting boards after showing elite track and field speed. Both Georgia and Oklahoma made him a made a major priority in the their wide receiver classes, but heading into the announcement, it’s the Bulldogs who are expected to land him.

4-star WR Daquayvious Sorey
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 265
On3 RPM: Auburn (98.5%)

After backing off an early commitment to Georgia in February 2021, Sorey led a quieter recruitment. But Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss and a handful of others jockeyed for his commitment over the past few months. Following an expert prediction from On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons last weekend, the Tigers took a big lead in the race to land him.

Monday, August 29

4-star EDGE Desmond Umeozulu
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 172
On3 RPM: South Carolina (90.5%), North Carolina (2.9%), Pittsburgh (1.7%)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer hasn’t been shy about recruiting in the Northeast this cycle, and it’s paying off in a big way. The Gamecocks already landed four-star Oluwatosin Babalade and three-star safety Zahbari Sandy out of Maryland, and they don’t appear to be done. While battling Pitt, Ohio State and a number of others, South Carolina has become the trending favorite for Umeozulu.

4-star LB Kaveion Keys
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 314 (On300 #180)
On3 RPM: North Carolina (96.3%), Penn State (2.1%)

Keys, who On3 rates significantly higher than the rest of the recruiting industry, has been trending toward North Carolina for some time following his official visit in June. He received a late offer from Texas A&M, but all signs point toward him landing in Chapel Hill with Carolina’s top-25 class.