August was a busy month for the Class of 2025 when it got here to varsity soccer recruiting, as a number of of the highest recruits within the nation got here off the board and dedicated to a program.
Eight recruits, 4 on offense and 4 on protection, ranked within the Prime 20 of a significant recruiting web site finally made their determination to commit, so let’s break down every scenario and what every participant brings to their subsequent staff.
Listed below are some notable skills on the defensive facet who dedicated this month:
5-star OLB Jonah Williams | Texas
One of the vital latest commitments was five-star outdoors linebacker Jonah Williams, who’s headed to Texas, marking a significant victory for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns.
With most of the prime prospects in Texas heading elsewhere, akin to five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez (Ohio State), five-star large receiver Dakorien Moore (Oregon), five-star tackles Michael Fasusi (Oklahoma) and Ty Haywood (Alabama), Williams presents a wanted in-state preserve for the Longhorns.
Williams, thought-about a freak athlete at 6’3”, 205 kilos, has the power to play security, offering some main positional versatility on the subsequent stage. As well as, the five-star is anticipated to play baseball at Texas as a two-sport athlete.
The five-star is now the headliner of a robust recruiting class for the Longhorns that additionally consists of five-star in-state receiver Kaliq Lockett, four-star in-state defensive finish Lance Jackson and four-star outdoors linebacker Elijah Barnes.
Williams is anticipated to begin at security for the Longhorns, given the staff’s depth on the place, with the choice to bulk up and transfer to linebacker if that finally proves to be one of the best match.
5-star DL Iose Epenesa | Iowa
5-star defensive lineman Iose Epenesa continued the household custom when he dedicated to the Iowa Hawkeyes, becoming a member of within the footsteps of older brother A.J. Epenesa.
A top-20 recruit within the 2025 class, Epenesa is a 6’3”, 265-pound lineman and is taken into account the highest defensive finish within the cycle. This marked a significant win for the Hawkeyes, who’ve a superb observe document producing NFL gamers like older brother A.J.
Earlier this summer season, the five-star took visits to Iowa, Miami, Missouri and Utah, finally committing to the Hawkeyes previous to the beginning of his highschool season.
Epenesa turns into Iowa’s greatest recruit within the Class of 2025, with four-star in-state tight finish Thomas Meyer rating subsequent as a top-250 participant.
Attending Edwardsville Excessive College this 12 months in Illinois, Epenesa has collected 122 tackles and 15 sacks throughout his first three years in highschool. Together with his school determination behind him, he’ll look to complete the 12 months sturdy and preserve his five-star standing.
5-star EDGE Jared Smith | Auburn
One of many prime edge rushers within the 2025 class, five-star Jared Smith dedicated to the Auburn Tigers at the start of the month, remaining within the state of Alabama.
Smith was an enormous victory that capped off an especially profitable week for head coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn following their main recruiting weekend again on July twenty seventh.
After quite a lot of high-level packages confirmed curiosity, Smith selected Auburn over different finalists South Carolina, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida State and USC.
Auburn’s sizzling hand on the recruiting path continues as 2025 5-star Thompson edge Jared Smith picks the Tigers over FSU, UGA, Ole Miss, South Carolina and USC.
Ranked the No. 2 edge within the nation and the No. 2 prospect within the state of Alabama. pic.twitter.com/SjhBCs40Yh
— Ainslie Lee (@ainslielee_) August 4, 2024
Standing 6’7”, 235 kilos, the five-star has elite size and good go off the sting, which is why Auburn coveted him as a pass-rusher of their 2025 class.
Auburn’s recruiting class is now seen as a top-five group within the nation, with 23 commits within the class and 15 of them being ranked not less than a four-star, with a superb portion of them seen as a top-100 recruit by one of many main recruiting companies.
At Auburn, Smith will pair up with highschool teammate Anquon Fegans, who’s ranked because the No. 36 prospect and the No. 2 within the nation by ESPN.
5-star S Trey McNutt | Oregon
The highest security within the 2025 class went off the board as properly this month, as five-star Trey McNutt dedicated to the Oregon Geese and head coach Dan Lanning.
McNutt, a top-20 recruit within the nation in accordance with Rivals, is an Ohio native, however narrowed his determination right down to Texas A&M and Oregon earlier than touchdown on the Geese this month.
Taking part in each methods in highschool, the five-star completed with 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, 12 go breakups and two compelled fumbles in 2023. He additionally collected 611 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns on the offensive facet.
Anticipated to play security on the subsequent stage, the 6-foot, 180-pound McNutt is seen because the No. 2 recruit in Oregon’s 2025 class behind five-star wideout Dakorien Moore, a top-five recruit within the cycle.
Throughout his recruitment, McNutt noticed curiosity from all throughout the nation, touchdown 37 provides, however selected to concentrate on a choose few faculties, finally deciding between Oregon and Texas A&M.
With McNutt within the fold, Oregon now has not less than 5 top-100 recruits of their 2025 class, whereas possessing 15 complete commits thus far.
