It’s official — Aramide Olaniyan is a marked man.
The Woodberry Forest senior and Duke verbal commitment was ranked No. 123 in ESPNU’s Top 150 recruits list. Olaniyan is one of just six players from schools in the state of Virginia ranked in the top 150 and he’s the only player from Central Virginia to make the list.
Ocean Lakes’ Justin Hunter was the highest-ranked player from the state, checking in at No. 29. The 6-foot-4, four-star wideout is currently committed to LSU. The No. 1 player on the list is Jackson Jeffcoat, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive end from Plano West High in Texas.
Olaniyan, listed on the Top 150 at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, was a first team All-Central Virginia selection by the Daily Progress in 2008 after piling up 13 sacks and 51 tackles as a junior. He projects as an outside linebacker at the next level, though he plays largely as a defensive end for the Tigers. Olaniyan is one of several key returners for Woodberry, including Wake commitment Duke Mosby and versatile kick returner and running back Ed Reynolds.
Woodberry, which finished last season ranked No.1 in Virginia in the Massey ratings, doesn’t start practice until August 23. They open the season on the road September 19 against Bishop Ireton, and return home the next week when they host the McDonough School.
