Making the Case: RB Jamarion Wilcox
Jamarion Wilcox has become one of the best running backs in the Class of 2023 and over the past few months his recruiting has also taken off.
The four-star Douglassville (Ga.) South Paulding has rocketed up the position rankings and finds himself not just a four-star prospect, but the ninth-best running back in the nation and comfortably inside the Rivals250.
The eight running backs ranked ahead of him are all committed but Wilcox, who now has nearly 20 offers, narrowed his list to four schools: Auburn, Clemson, Kentucky and Ohio State.
In today’s Making the Case, experts from the Rivals Network make the case for a particular school, then the National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney delivers his verdict as to where he sees Wilcox end up.
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AFTER: Tuesdays with Gorney on the Latest Headlines and Big Rumors
TRANSFER PORTAL: Recent news | bulletin board | Transfer Ranking | Transfer Tracker
RANKING OF THE CLASS OF 2023: Rivals250 | Crew | Position | State
RANKING OF THE CLASS OF 2024: Rivals250 | Crew | Position | State
RANKING OF THE CLASS OF 2025: Rivals100
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AUBURN
Auburn didn’t make an offer to Wilcox until recently, but even with a late offer, the Tigers still made his top four. It shows Auburn has immediate credibility with Wilcox, but the Tigers’ running room is already tight enough. With Auburn already holding a commitment of Jeremiah Cobb and a pair of returning fullbacks, it looks like Wilcox wouldn’t have much of a chance to see the pitch early. -Caleb Jones, AuburnSports.com
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CLEMSON
Clemson pulled the trigger on an offer in late September after bringing him in for a game visit. His official visit to Kentucky came soon after, and the Tigers never got traction after that. That’s why Clemson offered two more running backs, both of whom the Tigers should land. -Paul Strelow TigerIllustrated.com
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KENTUCKY
Kentucky made Wilcox a priority for a very long time, and although its position with other schools may have been questioned, it was not with regard to the UK. Kentucky has a pretty open running back situation for next year and they know the school very well. -Justin Rowland, CatsIllustrated.com
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OHIO STATE
Wilcox, a Cincinnati native, has established a relationship with the assistant head coach and running game coordinator Tony Alford and ohio state since last spring and the Buckeyes view him as a JK Dobbins type of halfback. With Mark Fletcher opted out, the Buckeyes are left with no running backs in their top-five class and Wilcox – should he choose to make an official visit to Columbus – would find himself in a position to make an impact in the one of the country’s elite programs. – Jeremy Birmingham DottingTheEyes.com
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THE VERDICT
I feel like Auburn are happy with their situation in signing Cobb and Clemson’s attention has turned to green jarvis and Jamarius Haynes. And while Ohio State is incredibly intriguing and could become the team to beat if Wilcox waits even longer to make up his mind, it looks like Kentucky is the favorite among his final four. Wilcox has been recruited the longest by this staff, he is clearly a high priority for the Wildcats and with the success of Christopher Rodriguez and others, it looks like Kentucky would be the choice if Wilcox had to choose today. – Adam Gorney, Rivals National Scouting Director
