5-Star Oluwole Betiku Talks Recruiting, Deciding Factors

A handful of schools are battling it out for the right to land 5-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku.

Among the schools that Betiku has visited recently include Florida State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and USC.

With the 6’3.5”, 240-pounder—who is rated as the nation’s top weak-side defensive end and the No. 10 prospect overall in the 2016 class—scheduled to enroll at the school of his choice in January, he knows that a decision will have to be made soon on where he continues his career.

For Betiku—who is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and is only in his second full season playing the sport of football—it’s a big step in a journey that has taken him from being a newcomer to one of the nation’s most coveted recruits in a short period of time.

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#GoIrish  pic.twitter.com/2ByiuxmFom

— Oluwole Betiku (@Kingwole47) November 14, 2015"

He admits that his decision will be tough to make.

“Feelings change every day. Sometimes, you wake up one morning and you feel a certain way about a school,” Betiku said. “That’s why I’m so careful about committing to a school.”

One thing that has been paramount in his mind has been the type of scheme he wants to play in at the college level. However, that’s something he’s changed his stance on recently, instead preferring to keep an open mind on potentially playing an outside linebacker position in a 3-4 defense.

“For a player like me who just began playing the game, I was so focused on playing and how I fit in a scheme and being a 4-3 defensive end and things like that,” Betiku explained. “But after this year and developing as a player and understanding the game more, I feel like I’m athletic enough to play outside linebacker or change positions in college.”

His last visit came on Nov. 14 when he made his way to check out the Fighting Irish program.

“What’s cool about Notre Dame to me is the tradition and the education,” he said. “I’ve known about Notre Dame since I was in Nigeria. Just getting a chance to see what the college and the program and game situation and talking with the coaches and the academic staff.”

One factor he paid close attention to on his recent visits was the campus setting at each school.

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#YESSIR ? pic.twitter.com/5Jpxcq4MUX

— Oluwole Betiku (@Kingwole47) November 25, 2015"

“You go to some schools on a visit, and you walk around the school and no one wants to talk to you or relate with you,” Betiku said. "If you are a people person, you can’t fit in a program like that. I want to enjoy my college stay and college career.”

Given that his journey has taken him from his home country to Maryland and to his current home of Los Angeles, distance will not play a factor in his decision. Instead, Betiku wants to find the best fit for his talents on the field and a place where he can also get it done in the classroom. 

“It’s going to come down to where I feel most comfortable and where I feel like I will have the best opportunities whether I play football or I don’t play football,” Betiku said. “I know I will play because I’m a hard worker. But I want to put myself in position to be the best person I can be and get the best degree. That’s what it comes down to.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani