5-star DE Richard Wesley to reclassify to 2026 class

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th March, 13:53 2025

Nov 11, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of field goal post at Folsom Field during the game between the Arizona Wildcats against the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Defensive end prospect Richard Wesley, ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2027 class by the 247Sports composite, is reclassifying to 2026, he told ESPN on Friday.

He recently completed his sophomore season at Sierra Canyon High School in Southern California. He is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound prospect with 99 tackles and 19 sacks in his first two seasons of high school ball.

The composite lists him just a tick behind its No. 1 2027 player, defensive end LaDamion Guyton, who already has committed to Georgia.

The top 2026 defensive end is Zion Elee of Baltimore, who is committed to Maryland. Wesley has yet to be ranked in the 2026 class by the composite.

Wesley holds offers from numerous power programs, and he told ESPN he planned to make unofficial visits at schools that include Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Southern California and Ole Miss before setting official visits.

"I really can't say what the future holds for me," Wesley told ESPN. "I'm excited for more opportunities to go talk with these coaches and see what they're about. I'm really open to everyone that's offered me and who really wants me in their program."

--Field Level Media