The Colorado Buffaloes are in the running for yet another elite high school talent, thanks to Coach Prime and his remarkable ability to reel in recruits that would have never considered Boulder previously.
Nwaneri Williams (5-Star, 0.990 composite score, 2024’s No. 3 DL & No. 17 overall) is set to visit the Buffs for their spring game on the weekend of April 22nd, and upon walking through the door of the UCHealth Champions Center, he will become the third-highest-rated recruit that Coach Prime has brought into Colorado’s building for a visit — just narrowly trailing Ryan Wingo (5-Star, 0.992 composite score, 2024’s No. 3 WR & No. 14 overall) and Cormani McClain (5-Star, 0.992 composite score, 2023’s No. 3 CB & No. 13 overall).
Looking beyond composite rankings suggests he could be even better than it appears on first glance, as both On3 Recruiting and 247Sports have Nwaneri ranked as their third-best player overall and top defensive lineman. So, his composite scores should only continue to climb.
247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu gushes about his athletic profile, and his rare agility given his outstanding frame and the power he possesses.
“Was a good young prospect as a freshman and sophomore but showed big developmental strides on the field as a junior,” Trieu wrote, in his high school scouting report of Nwaneri. “Quickness off the ball and foot speed in pursuit were improved and those qualities of his are at a high national level. Used his hands better and when combined with his physical gifts, makes him very tough to block. Does not let offensive linemen get clean punches off on him and is able to turn himself and get skinny to help with that.”
Trieu also projects Nwaneri as a talent that can thrive either on the interior of the defensive line, or as an edge-rusher, which further bolsters his value.
Meanwhile, On 3 Recruiting dubbed Nwaneri ‘the most physically-gifted defensive line prospect early on in the 2024 cycle.’
Nwaneri also has already received offers from superpowers like Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and Miami, as well as his local school, the Missouri Tigers.
Coach Prime has already done an amazing job recruiting the skill positions for the Colorado Buffaloes, but the trenches, both on offense and defense, still require an upgrade moving forward. It’s clear Prime recognizes that, as much of his recruiting focus for 2024 and beyond has been focused there.
So far, Colorado’s 12th-ranked 2024 class boasts five players, and two of the three highest-rated are Omar White (4-Star, 0.948 composite score, 2024’s No. 13 DL & No. 108 overall) and Eric Brantley Jr. (3-Star, 0.884 composite score, 2024’s No. 38 DL & No. 402 overall). Adding the highly coveted Nwaneri to the crop would set up Coach Prime to have an elite defense in the near future, considering the quality defensive backs he’s already brought in.