On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Tight race for Raul Aguirre

Four-star linebacker Raul Aguirre of Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater is set to commit on July 12 to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Miami or Ohio State. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, it is a tight battle to land Aguirre with the Crimson Tide at 48.7% and the Hurricanes at 42.6%.

Aguirre took official visits to Alabama, Florida and Ohio State in June. However, he also visited Miami four times unofficially, most recently in April.

“I’m really just taking my time and thinking about what I can sacrifice not having,” Aguirre told On3’s Jeremy Johnson. “Every school is going to have this and that. What can you go without? It’s about looking at every little thing… I definitely want to get all of the coaches off me blowing me up. That’s a reason why I’m knocking that off.”

The linebacker expressed high praise for the Crimson Tide and the team environment in Tuscaloosa.

“That standard over there is high,” Aguirre told Johnson. “That’s me. I feel like I’ve got to be held to that high standard because of the type of player that I am. All I want to be is developed. There’s nobody doing it better than going to be with Nick Saban over there. That’s a school that was always going to be high on my list.”

Aguirre also spoke highly of how Miami is recruiting him.

“It’s their coaching staff, that school stood out to me from the jump,” Aguirre told Johnson. “They feel like I fit with them. I’m from Miami. They fit all the dots. That was a school that was definitely going to be there and everybody knew that.”

If he commits to Alabama, he would the fifth highest-ranked player in the Crimson Tide’s class, which currently ranks No. 5 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. He would also be the highest-ranked linebacker in Miami’s class if he commits to the Hurricanes. Miami’s class is currently ranked No. 7 in the Consensus Recruiting Rankings.

Raul Aguirre On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Raul Aguirre:

“Has one of the more complete linebacker skill sets in the country. Stands in right around 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with a 6-foot-5 wingspan. Strong build with even weight distribution throughout the frame. Has the positional flexibility to cover in the slot, rush the passer off the edge and stuff the run between the tackles. Helped lead his team to a state quarterfinals appearance during his junior campaign. Constantly around the football. Excellent instincts and ability to diagnose. Totaled 80 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception during his junior season. Striker as a tackler that explodes through ball carriers. Lacks ideal long speed to cover sideline to sideline but makes up for it with his ability to trigger. High floor defender who could be primed to make an early impact at the college level.”

Aguirre is the No. 131 overall prospect and the No. 10 linebacker in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 9 player in Georgia.