2025 DL Xavier Ukponu being recruited by national championship contenders

Denton (Texas) Guyer defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu currently holds 10 offers. His recruitment is likely to continue rising in the coming weeks.

Some of the schools that have offered Ukponu include Miami, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M. Ohio State, Michigan State and Houston are some other programs he is hoping to land offers from.

“It’s a dream come true,” Ukponu told On3. “I’m excited for everything the future holds. I can’t let the recruiting process distract me from my goals for the team and as a football player. I gotta keep staying focused.”

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound recruit visited the Hurricanes on March 4 and Baylor on March 18. He is set to see the Sooners on March 25. Texas A&M will host him on April 1. He visits Texas on April 15 and then returns to Baylor again on April 22.

Ukponu previously went to College Station in January. He also saw the Longhorns that month on Jan. 21.

So far, Ukponu has received positive feedback from coaches, who praise his hand placement and ability to stop the run.

“All of them are easy to talk to,” Ukponu said. “I have good relationships with all the coaches.”

Right now, Ukponu knows two factors that matter a lot in his decision. They are player development and a school’s academics.

Ukponu felt ‘at home’ on Miami visit

Ukponu’s first offer came from Miami. When the Lone Star State received it, he was “through the roof” in excitement.

Multiple schools followed the Hurricanes in offering Ukponu. On his visit to Coral Gables, Miami made a strong first impression because he felt like “I was at home.”

“It was pretty good and Miami felt good,” Ukponu said. “It’s a good feeling down there. The campus is beautiful. Practice was really intense, but it showed they’re putting in work down there. I like the way they practice, the coaches, everything they preached or did down there. It’s a really nice place.”

Defensive line coach Joe Salave’a and Ukponu previously built a relationship before the Hurricanes’ Junior Day. But when they met in person, it “cemented everything.”

“He was just a really good guy,” said Ukponu, who speaks with Salave’a twice a week. “He cares about you. He talked to my dad and made sure me and my dad were good… I like the way he teaches the d-line. He believes in versatility on the defensive line.”

Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma are also pushing for Ukponu

Ukponu is “for sure” trying to return to the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, he is looking forward to his return to Texas A&M and catching up with defensive line coach Terry Price.

“He cares about the players, about the recruits, everything,” Ukponu said. “… He’s a pretty great guy. I’m planning on going there April 1 and maybe again April 15 for the spring game. A&M, it’s really nice down there. They have a beautiful campus and nice coaches.”

According to Ukponu, his visits to Texas and Texas A&M were similar. The Longhorns staff treated him “real good” while in Austin.

“It’s a nice place to be in college at,” Ukponu said. “Talking to coach Bo (Davis), I like the way he teaches the d-line. He’s a traditional d-line coach. He believes in playing the ball first, stay in your gaps, be in the gap, your traditional stuff. I really like what he preaches as a d-line coach. He got to talk to me, my mom, my dad, my sister after the Junior Day and that’s when he offered me. It was just a really great experience down there.”

Regarding Oklahoma, Ukponu is maintaining good communication with the Sooners. He likes how multiple members of Oklahoma’s coaching staff have previously mentioned top defensive linemen.

“They’re also on the verge of being a powerhouse,” Ukponu said.

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