Three-star defensive end Andrew Leota commits to Northwestern

Three-star defensive end Andrew Leota from North Carolina has committed to Northwestern, he announced on Twitter Friday morning.

Leota, who 247’s composite ranks as the 32nd-best weak-side defensive end in the country, chose the Wildcats over offers from Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Tennessee. He attended Asheville high school in Asheville, NC.

Northwestern was Leota’s only offer outside of the southeastern region of the country, but as his tweet says, his grandfather is an alum.

This is a solid get for Pat Fitzgerald. Leota becomes the eight commit of the 2018 class that still sits in the top-10 nationally (for now), but just the second defensive player, joining top commit and strong-side DE Devin O’Rourke, and the third from outside the state of Illinois. Leota ranks as the fourth-best player in the class so far, per 247.

A quick glance at Leota’s highlight reel shows a guy with entirely too much edge quickness for high school tackles to compete with, as well as solid strength and instincts.