For the 300-pound defensive lineman at IMG Academy, an offer from his dream school wasn’t just a win—it was the start of something big. But that dream? It was his 42nd offer. Now, with Ryan Day’s Ohio State and another CFP contender entering the ring, his list is blowing up. It’s at 47 and climbing. And just when OSU thought they had him, the rival powerhouse might steal the spotlight. The chase for this beast is on, and it’s only getting hotter.

The giant beast? None other than 4-star prospect Preston Carey from Bradenton’s IMG Academy. Last weekend, Ohio State’s recruiting staff was busy. Over 30 visitors flooded the campus, and five lucky players received offers. Among them? Preston Carey. He’s been on OSU’s radar since his 9th-grade visit when he first got the offer. Now, Ryan Day himself has made the trek to IMG Academy, checking in on this powerhouse.

And following that, Carey shared an X post with the caption, “It was great having @ryandaytime reigning National Champion Head Coach stop by to see me today at @IMGAcademy ! It is always nice seeing Coach Day! I always appreciate meeting with you Coach! @OhioStateFB.” But now, a CFP contender is stepping in, and the love for Ryan Day might be fading. The standout DL feels blessed by the offer, but the game is far from over. As the offers pile up, so does the intrigue. Carey’s future is wide open—and another powerhouse just might steal his heart.

That CFP powerhouse? None other than SMU. And when they extended an offer to Preston Carey, he couldn’t hold back the excitement. He fired off a tweet, full of gratitude and energy. Carey’s feeling the love, and that offer just turned up the heat. And he wrote on X, “After another great daily workout at @IMGAcademy and a great conversation with @CoachHun_SMU @CoachMoCrum @SMUFB @rhettlashlee I am blessed to receive my 47th Full Scholarship ⭕️ffer from Southern Methodist University! ”

Right now, it’s anyone’s game—whoever lands this DL will make waves. But let’s not forget, Carey’s dream school is still in the mix. So here’s the big question: did that dream school visit seal the deal, or did it leave him wanting more? The suspense is real, and the clock is ticking.

Is Ryan Day out of the race because of the DL’s dream school offer?

“I am very blessed and honored to receive my 42nd D1 Full Scholarship [O]ffer from The University of Alabama!!!” was the message the New York native posted on his X account to express his enthusiasm. It’s the school of his dreams! Why not? Take in the stadium, the spectators, the school’s academic aspects, and the coaching staff. “Alabama was an offer I was waiting for,” Carey replied, letting out a breath of relief.

But Carey has not yet revealed his top choices. He visited certain schools in the fall. He visited Florida and Indiana. And Georgia, OSU, Oregon, PSU, Vols, and Texas are among the schools aggressively pursuing him, he recently said. Ryan Day thus has a chance to sign this top talent.

On top of that, this 300-pound athlete hasn’t reached Alabama yet. He said that a visit would happen “as soon as possible.” From the 42 offers he has received, Carey intends to reduce the list of choices with formal visits in the coming months and a decision by the end of June.

If Ryan Day pulls out all the stops, OSU might still land this beast. It’s a waiting game—let’s see what happens next.