It is decision day for Tennessee football target Williams Nwaneri. The five-star defensive lineman is set to choose from Oklahoma, Missouri, Oregon, Georgia and Tennessee.
There are currently three predictions in 247Sports for Nwaneri, with two projecting him to go to Missouri and one prediction to Oklahoma. Nwaneri attends Lee’s Summit North High School in Lees Summit, Missouri.
Nwaneri ranks as the No. 3 prospect in the 2024 class and the No. 1 defensive lineman by 247Sports Composite. He also ranks as the No. 1 prospect out of Missouri.
He took an official visit to Tennessee in June, and has been high on the Vols since.
“I like the way their system is ran,” he told On3. “I like coach Heupel, and I feel like the program there is in a very good position.”
The 6-foot-5 and 250-pound defensive lineman took official visits to Oregon, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia. He visited Oregon unofficially last week.
Nwaneri has visited Knoxville three times in 2023. In addition to his official visit to Tennessee football, Nwaneri attended a junior day in January and a spring practice in April.
The Vols could use Nwaneri in the hybrid LEO position. His speed and size make him a perfect fit for the position.
247Sports scout Allen Trieu project that Nwaneri could be a future NFL first-round draft pick.
“Has verified size, length and testing data that is impressive for a player of his build and age. Rare change of direction and agility numbers at his size. Was a good young prospect as a freshman and sophomore but showed big developmental strides on the field as a junior.
“Quickness off the ball and foot speed in pursuit were improved and those qualities of his are at a high national level. Used his hands better and when combined with his physical gifts, makes him very tough to block. Does not let offensive linemen get clean punches off on him and is able to turn himself and get skinny to help with that.
“Can shade inside or play on the EDGE and is going to be able to project to any defensive scheme. Based on his size, strongside end or 3-4 defensive end are where we project him although he is rare enough athlete that he can be edge pass-rusher at his size. If the development we saw between sophomore and junior year continues, he is an elite national prospect who will be an impact college player and early draft choice.”
