A 6’6” five-star offensive tackle just sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, and the trenches may never be the same. This kid ain’t just another top prospect—he’s a full-blown freak of nature. Coaches have been sweating over his recruitment for months, but now? Now they got even more reason to panic. Why? Because this man just casually ripped a 700-pound deadlift like it was warmup weight, threw it on IG, and had O-line coaches picking their jaws up off the floor. Oh, and by the way? He just dropped his top schools list, and some of the biggest names like Dan Lanning and James Franklin made the cut.

On February 14th, Immanuel Iheanacho got down to business. He didn’t waste any time on Valentine’s Day celebrations, instead heading straight to the gym. No knee sleeves, no elbow wraps—just a small belt around his waist. He stepped up to the bar, loaded with a formidable 700 pounds of pure iron, and ripped it off the ground as if it owed him money. No hesitation. No struggle. Just peak testosterone, raw power, and straight-up dominance. And to cap it off? “LET’S F—ING GO!!” The man flexed on us all, posted it to IG, and had every O-line coach in America in absolute awe.

And it’s not just the weight room where he’s flexing. The No. 2 prospect in the 2026 cycle just narrowed his college choices down to 11, and let’s just say, it’s a who’s who of powerhouse programs. Oregon, Georgia, Penn State, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Maryland, Florida, Miami, Auburn, and Tennessee—these are the lucky ones still in the race. Over 30 schools sent offers, but these are the ones that made the cut. The recruiting battle for this dude is about to get real.

Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Iheanacho is already deep in the recruiting trenches; after all, the man calls himself ‘Trench Leader’, and a few schools have positioned themselves at the front of the pack. Schools like Georgia, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, and Maryland have locked in official visits, while LSU, Miami, and Texas A&M are clawing for the last remaining spot. And let’s be real—wherever he lands, that O-line room is instantly upgrading to God-tier protection.

So what’s the man himself looking for? Simple. He told On3, “I’d probably say how all the players fit. A bigger student feeling. I don’t talk to all the players a lot, so being able to see how the players really feel, obviously certain situations are different. Seeing how certain coaches are genuinely.” Translation? He’s not just looking for a program—he’s looking for a culture, a squad, a family. No fake vibes. No recruiter talk. Just real ones.

And if we’re keeping it a buck, Oregon is sitting pretty at the top right now. Iheanacho straight-up called them his No. 1 school, with Georgia trailing at No. 2. “I just love the whole dynamic, the whole campus at Oregon, the practice fields, how the weight room is set up,” he told On3. “I love the strength and conditioning coach down there, it was straight love when I got down there. The gear is amazing, that’s not the most important part, but the gear is amazing.” You hear that? Nike’s influence is real, but it ain’t just about the drip—he’s feeling the whole vibe in Eugene.

James Franklin and Kirby Smart are on the hunt

Don’t count out James Franklin and Penn State just yet. The Nittany Lions have been on him heavily, making sure he feels the love with constant communication and visits. He hit up their spring game last season and came away impressed. Word is, he’s vibing with O-line coach Phil Trautwein, and Penn State’s facilities are keeping them in the convo. Don’t sleep on James Franklin—the man knows how to recruit, and he’s not letting this one slip easy.

Georgia is still in the mix too, and for good reason. Iheanacho visited Athens a couple of times and spent time in Athens last spring, watching Kirby Smart and O-line coach Stacy Searels do their thing. UGA’s O-line legacy speaks for itself—just check the NFL Draft receipts. If he’s about that pro-pipeline, Athens could make a late push.

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Bottom line? This recruitment is far from over. Official visits will play a massive role in locking things in, and programs like LSU, Miami, and Texas A&M are fighting tooth and nail for that final OV spot. Oregon may have the edge for now, but in recruiting, momentum shifts quickly. And with a freak athlete like Iheanacho, every major program is about to turn up the pressure.

This freak of nature is a walking cheat code. And wherever he lands, one thing is guaranteed—somebody’s QB is about to sleep very, very comfortably for the next few years.