College football recruiting is in the middle of a seismic shift. Revenue sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are playing a bigger role than ever before.
Carter Jones, a four-star offensive lineman, is making headlines in this changing landscape. He was going to make his official visits in June, but decided to move things up and now has just four schools on his list: Georgia, Penn State, Tennessee, and Clemson.
The standout from Poquoson (Va.) High will announce his decision at 5 p.m. on Monday on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube channel. Should be interesting to see how it shakes out.
The Carter Jones Decision
Jones’ decision-making process is a good example of a new trend in college football recruiting. As revenue sharing and NIL deals get more common, athletes seem to feel more pressure to commit earlier.
Jones said he just knew where he wanted to be, so he sped things up. Sometimes you just get that gut feeling, right?
The Finalists: Georgia, Penn State, Tennessee, and Clemson
Each of Jones’ final four schools brings something different to the table:
- Georgia: They’ve got a powerhouse football program and some fresh national championships. Plus, solid academics.
- Penn State: Tons of tradition and a loyal fan base. The environment there is hard to match.
- Tennessee: The Volunteers are rebuilding and see Jones as a big part of their future plans.
- Clemson: Clemson’s always in the mix for national titles and has a winning culture.
Whoever lands Jones could see their recruiting class get a serious boost for 2023. It’s a big moment for him—and for one of these programs.
The Opening’s Regional Tour Finale
The Opening’s seven-stop regional tour just wrapped up at The Star in Frisco, Texas. More than 100 prospects showed up from all over, each hoping for an invite to The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters next month.
Top Performers
The competition was wild. Players ran through testing, positional drills, and went head-to-head in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 matchups.
Johnson, ranked No. 12 among cornerbacks in the Top247, really stood out. He missed his entire junior season with a lower-body injury, but came back strong—snagging two interceptions and breaking up a pass in his first three 1-on-1 reps.
During the 7-on-7, he basically locked down his side of the field. Johnson earned his spot at The Opening Finals and cemented his place as one of California’s top prospects—and a big get for UCLA.
Gabriel Osborne Jr.: A Rising Star
Gabriel Osborne Jr., a 2027 Top247 cornerback, is another player worth watching. Osborne, who’s known for excelling in multiple sports, made an impression at the showcase.
He grabbed a tough interception deep and made a leaping pass breakup at the sideline—even after getting beat on a double move. Gutsy stuff.
High Ceiling and Potential
Osborne looked especially sharp during positional drills. He flashed a nasty jam at the line, which surprised some folks but definitely showed off his upside.
He’s ranked No. 4 among cornerbacks. While he’s still developing, Osborne’s skill set gives him a sky-high ceiling.
The Impact of Early Commitments
Early commitments, like Carter Jones’, are starting to reshape the recruiting world. Athletes want to lock things in sooner so they can focus on getting better and planning for what’s next.
Programs benefit too—they get a clearer picture of their future rosters and can plan around that. Makes sense for both sides, honestly.
Revenue Sharing and NIL
Revenue sharing and NIL deals are changing everything. These opportunities give athletes more to think about—sometimes a lot more.
Programs that use these tools well are going to have an edge in landing top talent. It’s a new era, and everyone’s trying to figure out how to play the game.
Looking Ahead
So, what’s next for college football? The choices athletes like Carter Jones make will keep changing the game in ways we can’t always predict.
Early commitments seem more common than ever. And let’s be honest, revenue sharing and NIL deals aren’t going anywhere soon.
Want more detail or to catch Carter Jones’ announcement? Head over to the 247Sports Network.
They cover recruiting from every angle, so you won’t miss the latest news or breakout performances.
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