Elite LB Tavion Wallace sets July commitment date

Collin-headshotby:Collin Ginnan05/03/24

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One of the nation’s top linebackers will come off the board later this summer.

Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace tells On3’s Chad Simmons that he will announce his commitment at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on July 15.

Earlier this week, Wallace announced the five schools to make his final list. He will choose from one of these programs on July 15: ArkansasFloridaFlorida StateGeorgia and LSU.

Wallace has also scheduled four official visits: Arkansas (May 31), Georgia (June 7), Florida (June 14) and Florida State (June 21).

“It is about feeling like a family for me,” Wallace previously told On3. “When my brother went to Kentucky, he felt safe and my parents felt good about him being there. I am looking for that same thing. It is about clicking with the coaching staff, feeling like part of the family and being able to get along with everyone on and off the field.”

Wallace is the nation’s No. 41 overall prospect, No. 3 linebacker and No. 9 recruit from Georgia in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Florida State is at the top of the list

Heading into the summer visits, Florida State is the program others are chasing. Since last summer, the Seminoles have been at or near the top of Wallace’s list. That hasn’t changed.

“Florida State makes me feel special,” Wallace said. “When I visited there this spring, Coach Mike Norvell was outside waiting for me, then when I got inside, the whole staff was there. That was a good experience for me. The whole staff was waiting for me and that made an impact on me.

… They have always recruited me hard too — Florida State has that edge for me before these official visits. Florida and Georgia are up there, but Florida State is on top right now.”

Florida, meanwhile, is making a late push for Wallace, who grew up a fan of the Gators.

“I wasn’t too high on Florida at first, but I have given them a chance, and they are coming up,” Wallace said. “They are recruiting me harder now. Me and my family grew up following Florida, so getting to Gainesville, meeting the people and seeing everything has moved them up my list.”

Georgia is also working to keep Wallace home

The in-state Bulldogs have also turned up the heat on his recruitment, bringing him to Athens for a spring practice and multiple other times since last fall. His feelings for the Bulldogs have changed.

“Growing up as a Florida fan, I hated Georgia, but since becoming a recruit and getting to know Coach Glenn Schumann and Coach Kirby Smart, my feelings have changed,” Wallace said. “They have shown a lot of love and every time I go to Georgia, I love it.

… The players are great and they have a special bond. The coaches and players welcome me, they bond with me and that is important to me. Georgia has a great defense too and they produce players, so that is something else about Georgia that has them high on my list.”