5-star DE Williams Nwaneri Commits To Missouri Over Tennessee, Others

2024 five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri (St. Louis, Mo.) has committed to Missouri over the Tennessee Volunteers and others.

Tennessee has pursued 2024 five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri for months. The Vols offered him in October and ensured that he knew he was their top defensive priority in the cycle. The consensus No. 1 defender in America had a length list of suitors but gravitated toward Tennessee early.

Unfortunately for the Vols, several other schools also made an impression. Georgia, Missouri Oklahoma, and Tennessee were all thought to be his leader at one point or another, but the in-state Tigers made a strong final push at the end. On Monday, Nwaneri committed to Mizzou over those three schools and Florida State. 

The state of Missouri recently passed a law allowing high school athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness during their prep careers if they commit to an in-state school. Nwaneri is now the first case study for Mizzou on this, and the rule change made a major impact on their recruiting.

Tennessee is still without a premier defensive line commit in the 2024 class. They are chasing after five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross and five-star defensive end Kamarion Franklin, who are both rumored to make decisions soon.

5-star DE Williams Nwaneri during his unofficial visit to Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, on January 15, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Williams Nwaneri)

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class

• Jake Merklinger, QB
• Peyton Lewis, RB
• Mike Matthews, WR
• Braylon Staley, WR
• Jonathan Echols, TE
• Bennett Warren, OT
• Jesse Perry, OT
• Gage Ginther, OT
• William Satterwhite, OG
• Max Anderson, OG
• Kellen Lindstrom, DE
• Carson Gentle, DE
• Jeremias Heard, DL
• Edwin Spillman, ILB
• Jordan Burns, ILB
• Marcus Goree, DB
• Kaleb Beasley, CB
• Boo Carter, S
• Edrees Farooq, S

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