Miami official locked, Florida three-star OL Joseph Ionata updates recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Versatility mixed with skill and productivity has Joseph Ionata on a lot of college football recruiting boards. Viewed as a “swing guy”, someone capable of playing all five positions, there are some who also like him as an interior offensive lineman. Already putting the work in at center, the three-star Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) will beef up some lucky college football roster in 2024. Teams have laid down 22 offers with one official set for Ionata.
Pushing his collegiate potential harder in the offseason, Ionata (6-4, 293) has already added 15 pounds to his frame.
“I am working a lot on getting stronger and bigger, and I have gained about 15 pounds since the end of last season,” Ionata said. “The focus has been a lot on getting stronger and locking in my technique, especially with my hand placement.”
College coaches like Ionata’s skill and athleticism enough they see him up and down the line.
“The term they use is “swing guy”, Ionata shared. “They see me with the ability to play all five positions. When we try to break it down to one, most of the time is at center.”
Asked his thoughts about playing center at the next level, Ionata replied, “I have been training since the end of the season doing all center stuff. I do a lot of work with California Power, o-line and d-line one on ones, playing center.”
Put Ionata anywhere, he’s just ready to play.
“I’m cool with playing anywhere, it doesn’t matter to me,” Ionata said. “I want the opportunity to go smash some dudes.”
With the offers over 20, a few more could be added to the list soon.
“I talk just about every day to coach (Eric) Wolford (OL) from Alabama,” Ionata shared. “I also talk a lot with Georgia, South Carolina, and a bunch of others.”
Programs in the Southeast are working to keep the three-star lineman close to home for college.
“Miami, their entire staff is texting me almost every day, Georgia Tech is texting and sending me stuff, Ole Miss and UCF are talking to me a lot too,” Ionata stated.
The offers and communication have led Ionata to a lot of campuses this spring.
“Jeez, we were at Texas, Texas A&M, USC, UCLA, Florida, Miami, UCF, and Ole Miss,” Ionata said.
The Bulldogs impressed up in Athens.
“That was really awesome,” Ionata shared. “My dad, in the 90’s, was a GA (graduate assistant) at Georgia. He was there for three years. Growing up I heard a lot about the glory days of Georgia. I know a lot about their program. Their facilities are probably the best I have seen. Their weight room and indoor facilities are insane. They check every box for me.”
The trip to South Florida did not disappoint.
“UM is a really special place,” Ionata shared. “The vibes there are unlike any other. The way they connect with their players and develop their offensive linemen is something special.”
The time in Oxford gave Ionata a lot to think about as well.
“That was a really cool visit,” Ionata stated. “That was my first time up there; I went there this past weekend. One of their players played for my school two years ago; he took me under his wing as a sophomore. They showed me around their campus; the Grove was insane. They were holding a Junior Day for academics, it was packed. It was so lively. There were sorority girls getting sworn in; the campus feel there is really important.”
Visits are on hold for now with spring ball getting going at Calvary Christian. Don’t worry, Ionata will still get to mingle with college coaches regularly.
“There are a lot of coaches that my coach was talking about who will come by, but they haven’t told me,” Ionata said. “I know UCF, UM, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and some of the other offering schools are coming. Coach (Stacy) Searels (OL) from Georgia and coach Wolford are trying to come down. My coach told me there will be a lot of other guys coming down.”
When Ionata starts getting back out there, one trip is in the books just needing a date.
“We did talk to coach (Mario) Cristobal about an official,” Ionata shared. “We are working on a date. That is the only one I have talked to a coach about.”