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College football recruiting: Ranking the top 20 Greater Akron/Canton high school prospects

Brad Bournival and Peter Holland Jr., Akron Beacon Journal
·7 min read
Georgia and Ohio State know all about how good the area is in high school football. As the season nears, here's how the USA Today Network ranked the top 20 Greater Akron/Canton area stars in terms of recruiting.
Georgia and Ohio State know all about how good the area is in high school football. As the season nears, here's how the USA Today Network ranked the top 20 Greater Akron/Canton area stars in terms of recruiting.

As the saying goes, if you don’t like something just wait and it should change.

The USA Today Network came out with its final top 20 rankings in terms of Greater Akron/Canton recruiting and once again there’s significant change from the last list, which dropped on June 14.

Hoban’s William Satterwhite was the top choice on the initial list and he remained the top choice this time. That said, only four stars stayed in their previous spot.

With the start of the high school football season just over a month away, here’s how we see it:

1. William Satterwhite, Hoban

Class of 2024

Offensive lineman, 6-foot-5, 300 pounds

Previous ranking: 1

Hoban's William Satterwhite has been the top pick all the way through as his recruitment consisted of a solid portion of the top college football schools in the country.
Hoban's William Satterwhite has been the top pick all the way through as his recruitment consisted of a solid portion of the top college football schools in the country.

Satterwhite chose Tennessee over Clemson on Friday afternoon after having a final nine of Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State to go along with the Volunteers and Tigers. He’s a four-star recruit and is ranked 11th in the Ohio by 247Sports.com.

Dante McClellan of McKinley picks up yardage during their game at GlenOak on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Dante McClellan of McKinley picks up yardage during their game at GlenOak on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

2. Dante McLellan, Canton McKinley

Class of 2025

Athlete, 6-foot-3, 205

Previous ranking: 2

McClellan has plenty of time to consider his options as he remains with 13 FBS offers. Some of his offers include USC, Kentucky, Rutgers, Minnesota, Purdue and West Virginia. According to 247Sports.com, McClellan is rated a three-star prospect and ranked No. 18 in the Class of 2025.

OHSAA football schedules: Stark County-area team-by-team 2023 high school football schedules

3. Tommy Ricard, Hudson

Class of 2024

Offensive lineman, 6-4, 265

Previous ranking: 3

Ricard is a Virginia Tech commit and has offers from Bowling Green, Boston College, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ball State, Kent State, Akron, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Minnesota and Marshall. He is a four-star recruit and is ranked 27th in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

4. Brendan Zurbrugg, Alliance

Class of 2024

Quarterback, 6-foot-4, 185

Previous ranking: 9

At first, it was Syracuse for Zurbrugg, but then Northwestern kept knocking on the door. Eventually, he answered and committed to the Wildcats. Prior to his verbal commitment, Zurbrugg carried 15 offers. Zurbrugg is a versatile QB and rated as a three-star prospect and ranked No. 54 in the state, according to 247 Sports.com

East running back Ziaire Stevens is soaring up the recruiting rankings despite only being a sophomore.
East running back Ziaire Stevens is soaring up the recruiting rankings despite only being a sophomore.

5. Ziaire Stevens, Akron East

Class of 2025

Running back, 5-10, 170

Previous ranking: 4

Stevens has offers from Akron, Ball State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Indiana, Kent State, UMass, Pitt, Toledo, Miami (Ohio), Central Michigan, Purdue, Temple, UConn, Marshall and St. Francis. The three-star recruit is ranked 47th in the nation at running back by 247Sports.com.

6. Sam Greer, Hoban

Class of 2026

Offensive lineman, 6-8, 290

Previous ranking: 5

It didn't take long for Hoban offensive lineman Sam Greer, left, to make a name in the recruiting ranks. Ohio State coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have already offered the budding talent.
It didn't take long for Hoban offensive lineman Sam Greer, left, to make a name in the recruiting ranks. Ohio State coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have already offered the budding talent.

Greer is destined to be one of the top offensive linemen in the country given his recruitment by Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Dartmouth, Purdue, Central Michigan and Akron. 247Sports.com doesn’t rank sophomores, but he should skyrocket when the time comes.

7. Elbert Hill, Hoban

Class of 2026

Cornerback, 5-10, 150

Previous ranking: 6

Elbert Hill played 15 snaps on varsity as a freshman. Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame are among schools that have offered the budding star already.
Elbert Hill played 15 snaps on varsity as a freshman. Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame are among schools that have offered the budding star already.

Ohio State, Michigan, Pitt, Akron, Central Michigan, San Jose State, UNLV and Temple are all over the sophomore, who continues his hot recruitment. Tim Tyrrell said Hill, whose nickname is “Rock,” could be the best defensive back in the state by the time he’s a senior.

8. Tysen Campbell, Hoban

Class of 2024

Safety, 5-11, 177

Previous ranking: 7

Hoban's Tysen Campbell continues to impress Division I college football coaches and looks like a can't-miss in the 2024 recruiting class.
Hoban's Tysen Campbell continues to impress Division I college football coaches and looks like a can't-miss in the 2024 recruiting class.

Campbell has offers from Kentucky, Michigan, Kent State, Akron, Liberty, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Toledo, West Virginia, James Madison, Bowling Green, UMass, Central Michigan, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan. The three-star recruit is ranked 82nd in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

9. Chase Bond, Massillon

Class of 2024

Defensive lineman, 6-4, 255

Previous ranking: 8

Big Walnut quarterback Jake Nier throws a second half pass with pressure from Massillon's Chase Bond at Mansfield's Arlin Field in this Div. II playoff game Friday, November 11, 2022.
Big Walnut quarterback Jake Nier throws a second half pass with pressure from Massillon's Chase Bond at Mansfield's Arlin Field in this Div. II playoff game Friday, November 11, 2022.

Bond chose North Carolina State when he stepped on the campus and received an official offer. Prior to his commitment to the Wolfpacks, Bond received offers from Connecticut, Ohio, Marshall, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio).

10. Rickey Williams, Hoban

Class of 2024

Linebacker, 6-2, 215

Previous ranking: 11

Hoban linebacker Rickey Williams, left, recently committed to West Virginia where he could be a menace for Mountaineers opponents.
Hoban linebacker Rickey Williams, left, recently committed to West Virginia where he could be a menace for Mountaineers opponents.

Williams is a West Virginia commit, but also has offers from Kent State, Ohio, Miami (Ohio), Akron, Toledo, James Madison, Buffalo, Montana State, Bowling Green, Indiana, Furman, Marshall and UAB. The three-star senior is ranked 24th in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

11. Nolan Davenport, Massillon

Class of 2025

Tight end, 6-6, 240

Previous Ranking: 10

Davenport is expected to play tight end for the Tigers but could move to offensive line in college. Most schools recruiting him view him as an offensive lineman. Davenport has 11 offers, including Pittsburgh, Louisville and Kentucky.

East's Ibraheem Kamara has all the assets to succeed at the Division I college level, which is why schools are all over the Dragons star.
East's Ibraheem Kamara has all the assets to succeed at the Division I college level, which is why schools are all over the Dragons star.

12. Ibraheem Kamara, Akron East

Class of 2024

Athlete, 6-3, 185

Previous ranking: 12

Kamara is committed to Toledo but continues to see his recruitment hold strong. He also has offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Marshall, Miami, Central Michigan, Ohio, UMass, Liberty and Pitt. The three-star recruit is ranked 80th in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

Massillon linebacker Dorian Pringle pressures the quarterback at GlenOak, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Massillon linebacker Dorian Pringle pressures the quarterback at GlenOak, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.

13. Dorian Pringle, Massillon

Class of 2024

Linebacker, 6-0, 215

Previous ranking: 11

After making his official visit, Pringle is all set to play for Bowling Green next year. His other offers include Eastern Michigan, Kent State and Temple.

College football recruiting: How we ranked the top 20 Greater Akron/Canton high school prospects in June

14. Jordan Pritchard-Sewell, Hoban

Class of 2024

Linebacker/defensive end, 6-2, 265

Previous ranking: 13

Pritchard-Sewell committed to Holy Cross on June 29. He also has offers from Columbia, Akron, Navy, Army, Kent State, Air Force, Indiana State, UAB, Georgetown, Yale, Temple, UAB, Cornell and Fordham. He was second-team All-Ohio last season for the Knights.

Hoban wide receiver Payton Cook is already building quite a recruiting resume despite being only a sophomore.
Hoban wide receiver Payton Cook is already building quite a recruiting resume despite being only a sophomore.

15. Payton Cook, Hoban

Class of 2026

Wide receiver, 6-2, 180

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Cook could be one of the fastest rising stars when this list comes out next spring. The sophomore already has offers from Michigan, Miami (Fla.), Louisville, Pitt with Ohio State knocking on the door. Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh had a one-on-one conversation with him and Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline ran him through drills on campus.

16. Milan Parris, Walsh Jesuit

Class of 2026

Wide receiver, 6-4, 185

Previous ranking: 15

Parris has the size coaches drool over at the Division I level. They’ve already started to break down the doors. Wisconsin, Purdue, Kentucky, Ohio, Ball State and UMass have extended offers to the speedster, who should see an influx of more Power Five offers this fall.

Hoban's Eli Lee is starting to get some love in recruiting and we think it will only continue for the junior.
Hoban's Eli Lee is starting to get some love in recruiting and we think it will only continue for the junior.

17. Eli Lee Hoban

Class of 2025

Linebacker, 6-3, 215

Previous ranking: 19

Pitt, West Virginia, Iowa State, Akron and UMass have offered the junior. Lee also has visited Wisconsin and Penn State, and has been told by the Badgers that he’d be a great fit in their defensive scheme. He’s a three-star recruit and ranked 32nd in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

18. Jaezen Lewis, Massillon

Class of 2025

Offensive lineman, 6-6, 315

Previous rankings: 18

Alliance's Carter Bugara, left, and Jaezen Lewis (75) celebrate after Bugara's touchdown at Carrollton, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Alliance's Carter Bugara, left, and Jaezen Lewis (75) celebrate after Bugara's touchdown at Carrollton, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Lewis plans to play his remaining two years in Massillon after transferring from Alliance, boosting the Tigers' front five. Lewis has offers mainly from the Mid-America Conference (Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kent State and Bowling Green). He also has offers from UMass and Marshall.

19. Anthony Miller, Lake

Class of 2024

Offensive lineman, 6-5, 275

Previous ranking: 20

Matthew Sollberger of Lake looks for an opening as Anthony Miller (79) blocks during their game at McKinley on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.
Matthew Sollberger of Lake looks for an opening as Anthony Miller (79) blocks during their game at McKinley on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Miller committed to the Air Force Academy earlier this summer. A three-starter at left tackle, Miller also received offers from Pennsylvania and Toledo.

Warren Harding's Tariq Ivory, left is tackled by St. Vincent-St. Mary's SirCharles Gordon.
Warren Harding's Tariq Ivory, left is tackled by St. Vincent-St. Mary's SirCharles Gordon.

20. SirCharles Gordon, St. Vincent-St. Mary

Class of 2024

Linebacker, 6-4, 185

Previous ranking: 18

Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Lehigh, Army and Grand Valley State have offered Gordon. So has Boston College, which locked up an official visit from the senior. He’s a basketball standout as well and that should help with his recruitment.

On the Cusp: Daniel Ajose, 6-6, 210, WR/DE, STVM (2024); David Ajose, 6-5, 200, ATH, STVM (2024); Zach Baglia, 6-2, 170, WR, Green (2024); Devin Bell, 6-2, 240, LB/DE, Hoban (2024); Charlie Christopher, 6-1, 220, LB, Lake (2025); Jake Clapper, 6-3, 230, OL/DL, Hudson (2025); Luther Darisaw, 6-3, 185, WR, Akron East (2024); Armani Holloway, 6-2, 195, LB/DE, Akron East, (2025); JaMeir Gamble, 5-10, 180, ATH, Massillon (2025); Caleb Jones, 5-10, 185, DB, Hoban (2024); John Keough, 6-0,190, S, Walsh Jesuit (2024); Antonio Martin, 5-10, 185, WR/CB, Green (2025); Debo Mitchell, 6-0, 185, RB/FS, Akron East (2024); Israel Petite, 5-11, 165, WR/DB, Nordonia (2024); Aaron Ries, 6-2, 285, OL, Wadsworth (2024); Poochie Snyder, 6-0, 185, QB, Canton South (2024); Jonathan Stangl, 6-7, 305, OL, Canton Central Catholic (2025); Xavier Williams, 5-10, 160, DB, Hoban (2024).

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: College football recruiting | Top 20 Greater Akron/Canton players