Lehigh five-star running back includes Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State in top seven

On Apr 10, 2022

From 60 down to seven.

Lehigh five-star running back Richard Young trimmed down his list of potential suitors significantly Sunday morning, revealing a top seven on Instagram and Twitter.

Young rushed for 1,755 yards with 20 total touchdowns last season, leading the Lightning to a regional semifinal appearance in Class 7A. Young is a two-time News-Press All-Area First Team selection and has rushed for 3,591 yards in three varsity seasons.

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Here is Young’s top seven:

Alabama

The Crimson Tide have long been considered Young’s dream school, and Alabama making the cut is no surprise. The Tide don’t have a commitment yet from a running back in the 2023 class, but Young will be taking a visit to Tuscaloosa on April 16 to watch the annual A-Day game, otherwise known as Alabama’s spring game.

Florida

The Gators were the lone in-state school to make the cut, beating out Florida State and Miami, where Young has taken unofficial visits. Billy Napier will try and take the next step of getting the five-star running back to Gainesville, joining former Naples defensive back Devin Moore and former Dunbar defensive tackle Chris Thomas.

WATCH: Lehigh running back Richard Young, No. 1 on The Big 15, discusses recruitment, 2021 season

Georgia

News flash: If you land a Sikorsky helicopter on Lehigh’s campus, you’re bound to make the list. The Bulldogs are firmly in the running for Young’s commitment, and winning last year’s National Championship over Alabama only helps their chances. Young visited Athens last month after Kirby Smart touched down in Lehigh in January.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes could be looking to continue the “Lehigh to Big Ten” pipeline, with Quan Martin (Illinois), Jake Chaney (Wisconsin), and Aidan Gousby (Minnesota) all in the midwest. Ohio State will have to work hard for his commitment but appear to have American Heritage four-star Mark Fletcher’s commitment coming on Tuesday.

More:Big 15 Update: Where are Southwest Florida’s best being recruited to play college football?

More:Lehigh’s Richard Young, Palmetto Ridge’s Jaden Booker to battle for Class 7A-District 12 title

Oklahoma

Young called Oklahoma “impressive” and “different” in an interview in Immokalee last month while working with youth on football skills, a good sign for Brent Venables and Co, who are looking to build future recruiting classes. The Sooners don’t have much of a history recruiting Southwest Florida but can change that here.

Oregon

The Ducks and new head coach Dan Lanning are already making inroads with the nation’s top back, as Young is slated to trek out to Eugene this summer. Lanning has demonstrated his ability to recruit, stealing Josh Conerly Jr., the No. 2 offensive lineman in the 2022 class, from USC in the final stretch.

Texas A&M

This one could be considered the most surprising of the seven, with the Aggies in and Clemson out, given the Tigers did send running backs coach C.J. Spiller to a rain-shortened game against Fort Myers and flew in Dabo Swinney for a visit with coach James Chaney in January. A&M may not make the next round of cuts, but keep an eye on the Aggies.