A new class of freshmen is ready to fill the void left behind by departing seniors. This conveyor belt of talent and carousel of players hopping on and off is perpetual in CFB. By design, coaches, and programs always need to have a farsighted view beyond the upcoming season. Think of a damsel in distress, with Deion Sanders, Billy Napier, and Mario Cristobal looking to save her from each other. Except it’s a 308-pound freak of nature.

For the longest time, the Alabama Crimson Tide had a monopoly on in-state recruits. A few talented individuals seeped through the cracks and got through to Auburn. However, the house that Nick Saban built was founded on players wanting to play for the program. It would’ve been rare for a 4-star recruit from Birmingham, AL, not to be in Tuscaloosa. But for them to decommit after explicitly saying, “I love Alabama…I don’t plan on changing my commitment.” would be unfathomable. Yet, that’s what’s transpired. Naturally, the vultures are circling to pick up the pieces.

After decommitting from Alabama in December, defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland is back on the free market. A top 5 D-tackle in his class, Cleveland finds himself at the epicenter of a multi-way battle. Some sides have the higher ground, and some are deploying the biggest weapons in their arsenal to neutralize that advantage. Let’s look at Billy Napier and his Florida Gators for instance. Vodney Cleveland was in Gainesville over the weekend, and posted about his visit over on X. This wasn’t his first visit either. Perhaps strategically, Mario Cristobal and his Miami Canes tried undercutting this imminent visit with a power move of their own just days prior.

Miami D-line coach Jason Taylor hit the road and went down to Birmingham to visit Vodney Cleveland in person. Taylor is a former NFL DPOY, 6x Pro Bowler, and 3x First-team All-Pro vet. His visit projects a certain level of eagerness that will go down well in Cleveland’s camp. It’ll have weighed on his mind through his proceeding visit to the Swamp. Cristobal and the Canes are playing chess. As for Deion Sanders and Colorado, they, too, made sure they’re not falling behind the 8-ball.

CU director of player personnel Corey Phillips also visited Vodney Cleveland earlier in the week. On a surface level, this may not come across as having the same potency to it as Jason Taylor. But Phillips has proven his prowess at recruiting high-rated linemen. He was instrumental in Colorado bringing in 5-star O-lineman Jordan Seaton a year ago. Plus, the radiance of Coach Prime projects far enough that he doesn’t necessarily need to be present physically. Vodney Cleveland knows what he’s in for with Deion. With all three programs making strides, the competition is heating up. But there are other schools throwing a spanner in the works too. Plot twist: this isn’t a 3-horse race. 

It’d have been naive to think a player in the jurisdiction of the SEC would be allowed to leave for the Big 12 or the ACC so easily. Plus, the greatest defensive mind in football history is also in the fray. Vodney Cleveland is picking between the creme de la creme to help him ascend to the next level.

Vodney Cleveland’s list of suitors keeps ramping up right to the very top of the food chain

Florida have an advantage with proximity, but so do a multitude of other big-time programs. Rubbing salt into Alabama’s wounds doesn’t need second invitations among the southeast faction. Especially when the byproduct is a player of Vodney Cleveland’s ilk. Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator, Todd Bates, also made the relatively short trip to Birmingham. Now, to what was definitely a very long trip to come see Cleveland in the flesh.

USC’s Eric Henderson also pulled up all the way from the Pacific coast. The Trojans’ Co-DC previously coached the defensive line for the LA Rams and was a contributor to the Super Bowl win in 2021. He was even accompanied by USC’s new assistant coach Rob Ryan, who coached defense in the NFL for over 2 decades and is a 2x Super Bowl winner himself. Head coach Lincoln Riley definitely unloaded the artillery for this one, since he’s got additional help now. However, all of these coaches and assistants must also contend with the final boss.

These visits coincided with a week when Bill Belichick’s UNC extended an offer to Vodney Cleveland. He posted a picture of himself wearing the iconic blue strip to X. Learning the ropes under the proverbial GOAT Belichick has got to be an enticing prospect. Vodney Cleveland has more options than a restaurant menu, and each of them can be career-altering. A huge decision rests on his very strong but very young shoulders.