Prep football: 2024 recruits Elias Rudolph, Jay'Quan Bostic announce college commitments
Two coveted high school football recruits from the Class of 2024 have announced their college commitment.
Defensive end Elias Rudolph and wide receiver/defensive back Jay'Quan Bostic each announced their collegiate plans Monday night during a ceremony at Taft High School with Rudolph committing to the University of Michigan and Bostic to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
More: Withrow 4-star defensive back Terhyon Nichols commits to University of Kentucky
Rudolph, a four-star recruit, had a lengthy offer sheet of over two dozen programs before trimming his list of suitors to three in June with Michigan, Pittsburgh and Miami.
Rudolph said Monday that the Miami Hurricanes made a late push to win him over, but ultimately, he choice the Wolverines and head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"It was a tough choice, tough decision," Rudolph said. "Miami jumped in the picture late. I just like the way Michigan runs things in football, how their program works. It was the best fit for me. I love (Harbaugh's) energy, the type of person he is, the things he has done in the past."
Rudolph is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 19 overall edge rusher in the country for the Class of 2024.
Rudolph, a two-time first-team All-Ohio selection and the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, racked up 87 tackles and 17.5 sacks last season. Rudolph helped lead Taft to the Division IV, Region 16 championship game. He had a sack, two tackles for a loss and blocked a punt which he returned for a 24-yard touchdown in Taft's 44-14 win over McNicholas in the regional semifinals.
For his prep career, Rudolph has over 200 tackles and 33.5 sacks.
Bostic, tabbed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports, was a first-team All-Ohio selection as a defensive back last season. For Taft, Bostic had 16 catches for 332 yards and six touchdowns last season and was a lockdown corner with six interceptions.
Bostic's offer sheet included nearly 30 Division I programs. His top 6 schools were Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Miami and West Virginia.
Bostic said WVU coaches like his speed and long arms, and told him he would likely start out at free safety but could play a little receiver as well.
He said Taft is capable of winning a state championship this fall and he's looking forward to his college career after.
"It felt like a brotherhood," he said. "On my official visit, it was a great environment: Packed stadium, 68,000 people. Sold out. You catch a pick, it's like a touchdown. I’m ready to be a part of that, build a legacy there. I can’t wait to get there with my brothers and play in the Big 12 Conference. We’ll be locked in."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati high school football: Taft's Rudolph, Bostic commit
