Immanuel Iheanacho hasn’t committed yet, but his path is clearing up fast—and a heavyweight battle is breaking out behind the scenes. The five-star phenom from Baltimore has locked in five official visits for May and June, including stops at Georgia, Maryland, Alabama, Penn State, and Oregon. Dan Lanning‘s Ducks were recently anointed as the frontrunners after a strong visit in Eugene, but there’s a major player lurking in the shadows. One that wasn’t even a serious contender until recently. Now, it’s dead center in the mix.
And as the arms race for Immanuel Iheanacho heats up, one program’s $18 million NIL war chest may be the deciding edge in this high-stakes recruiting drama. Steve Wiltfong pulled back the curtain on The Wiltfong Whiparound, saying, “Number two player in the country, Immanuel Iheanacho from Baltimore, Maryland. This has been a very fluid recruitment. I talked to a source yesterday that thinks LSU is in the top two with Oregon. Now, he named Oregon his leader recently following a visit to Eugene, but he had a great visit to LSU—big needle mover.” This wasn’t some routine campus stop. It was a game-changer. LSU, under Brian Kelly’s watch, has built a full-court press around one of the nation’s most dominant trench prospects.
And Kelly’s pitch packs a punch. “If you look at Brian Kelly, and we’ve said this a lot, the track record of offensive development under his watch, it is such a priority,” Wiltfong explained. “Some of the best offensive linemen in the NFL have come from Brian Kelly-coached teams. Zack Martin’s probably been the best offensive lineman in the NFL over the last 15 years… Then you got Quenton Nelson in there. Ronnie Stanley’s an All-Pro. Joe Alt goes in the first round. And then you have guys like Will Campbell. He’s starting the next LSU wave, the number four pick in the latest draft.” Add in Kelly’s O-line coach Brad Davis, who’s become a genuine connector with top-tier recruits, and the Tigers are pushing every button they can.
At the center of the storm is a kid who’s much more than just a blue-chip. Iheanacho became the only underclassman to earn Maryland First-Team League honors in 2023, a testament to how early his dominance flashed. He’s a two-sport athlete, starring on the hardwood as well, and maintains a high academic standing. Checking every box is what a major program wants in a foundational piece. On3 scouts compare him to Amarius Mims, a 2024 first-round draft pick. But he’s carving his own mold—long, lean, and violent at the point of attack.
And this isn’t a two-horse race yet. Immanuel Iheanacho’s offer list reads like a who’s who of college football royalty. Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, USC, Miami, Tennessee—just a few of the brands already in his ear. Texas, Florida State, Oklahoma, Michigan, North Carolina, UCLA, and Indiana are also part of the growing crowd that knows just how rare a talent he is. Still, while some of those programs remain in the periphery, it’s clear that the decisive momentum belongs to two: Oregon, with its glitz, speed, and recent buzz; and LSU, with its trenches-built pedigree and a financial war chest that reportedly clocks in at $18 million in NIL budget.
So what does Immanuel do? The pull of tradition, player development, and real money are colliding in his recruitment. Oregon’s rise has been flashy and fast, but LSU is coming with cold, calculated force. “There is a lot to sell for LSU,” Wiltfong added. “Coach Davis does a phenomenal job of really connecting with their top targets at the position. I talked about the infrastructure with Austin Thomas and his staff that you’re going to have to have to get a guy like Immanuel Iheanacho—to get these five stars.”
600 reasons to fear Immanuel Iheanacho
If you’re wondering how five-star OT Immanuel Iheanacho is holding on to that elite status, look no further than the weight room. Earlier this month, the Georgetown Prep beast turned heads by squatting a jaw-dropping 530 pounds. But apparently, that was just a warm-up.
Because now? He’s officially hit the 600 club.
Yes, Iheanacho took to X to share video proof of him conquering a 600-pound squat. While he needed a little help re-racking the weight, the rep itself? All him. Pure, raw, leg-powered dominance. It’s the kind of display that screams five-star status—and it’s why he’s currently the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class per the On3 Industry Rankings. His 98.65 rating has him trailing only fellow OT Jackson Cantwell.
On3’s Charles Power didn’t mince words when evaluating the 6-foot-6 powerhouse: “Mountain of an offensive tackle prospect.” And honestly, that might be an understatement. Coaches and scouts already love his blend of size, strength, and movement, but this squat PR adds even more shine to an already glowing résumé.
The post 5-Star Immanuel Iheanacho’s College Football Future All but Confirmed as Brian Kelly’s $18M Advantage Forces Dilemma appeared first on EssentiallySports.