Florida Gators target Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, country’s No. 3 linebacker, loves ‘brotherhood’ in Gainesville
BRADENTON, FLORIDA — Florida Gators linebackers coach Jay Bateman, a Virginia native, has zeroed in on an elite 2025 target from his home state. That player is 4-star backer Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng. While Owusu-Boateng plays at IMG Academy, he’s from Manassas, Va.
According to the touted prospect, Bateman has reminded him “many times” they’re from the same state.
“Great guy, great coach,” Owusu-Boateng told Gators Online. “Since Aug. 1, he’s showing me that Florida is a school. And just letting me know I can come there and play the will position. I can blitz the quarterback, be out in coverage and just make plays.”
Owusu-Boateng, listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, is the No. 3 linebacker and No. 27 overall recruit nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
He said Friday the Gators have told him he’s a “top level” target for them.
And the respect appears to be mutual.
He has visited the Gators twice, most recently in June.
“Honestly, I just love the brotherhood there,” Owusu-Boateng said. “And what Coach (Billy) Napier is now building. Going there in June, just like stepping foot there — everybody shows you love. The trainers, the coaches. Everyone.”
The Gators are poised to sign an elite linebacker class for 2024. Owusu-Boateng said that won’t push him in another direction.
“Me personally, I love competition,” he said. “I thrive on competition.”
At this time, Owusu-Boateng claims to have no leaders.
“Right now, everybody is equal-based,” he said. “Since it’s early for me, I don’t really have any schools at the top of my list but I have some schools that are showing me more love.”
Florida is one of the schools recruiting Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng hardest
Is Florida one of them?
“Yes sir, they are,” Owusu-Boateng said.
He pointed out that Notre Dame, where his brother played, and Miami, also are recruiting him extremely hard.
For Owusu-Boateng, getting back to Gainesville for a game this fall is a priority, he said.
“I know we have three bye weeks (At IMG),” Owusu-Boateng said. “This year, I just want to see (the Gators) have like a dominant defense. Just them controlling their pace, doing the best they can on offense and defense.”
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