Richard Wesley made the varsity at Sierra Canyon High when he was a 15-year-old freshman.
He had six sacks in his first two games, turning 15 the week of his third one. Oaks Christian coach Charlie Collins told the L.A. Times, “I thought he was a great athlete and can really run.”
A year later in 2024, he reclassified to the recruiting class of 2026, ranked the No. 9 prospect in the country and No. 1 defensive end at 6-5, 250.
He visited Oregon for the Spring Game, and on Monday recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports issued a crystal ball, indicating that he's likely to pick the Ducks.
There's something about a defensive lineman wearing 99. The guy is almost always a monster, like Aaron Donald.
— Dale Bliss (@AutzenZoo_Bliss) April 28, 2025
https://t.co/wqMTlbsA1L #hudl
Wesley is physically advanced and dominant, a wrecking ball on a football field. Some notes on his highlight film:
Speed rusher with long arms and a powerful hammer as he closes on a quarterback and looks to swat the ball loose. Just devours quarterbacks out of a four-point stance, too quick even for top offensive tackles in a competitive league in Southern California. Relentless pursuit down the line with great lateral quickness.
Reads a zone-read play, stays home and then slides down to crush the running back-- throws him backward with authority. STRONG. Advanced physically, a man among boys. Disruptive. Blows up plays, difficult to block. Has a Burch/Matayo U./Derrick Harmon physicality.
Ignores the window dressing and smashes the QB. Elevates a knocks down a quick throw. Plays smart-- a 4.0 student who is well-coached and seems to love football. Not all talented players fit in that category. Gets downhill quickly, recovers and adjusts. Misses a tackle and pursues to make the tackle.
Wraps up like a grizzly. Great agility for a big body, moves his feet. Pursues on a rollout under control, gets in the quarterback's face and cuts off the throwing lane. Woe unto passers that pat the ball or hold onto it too long: He's coming for you. Slides down the line to make a play, rarely overruns one.
Rushes with his eyes up and leaps to make a knockdown at the line of scrimmage on an out route. Violent hitter but disciplined. Pulls up when the throw is made, taps a guy when he takes a seat.