On3 Outliers: 2023 football recruits On3 ranks higher than industry

A busy summer on resulted in considerable updates to prospect rankings for the 2023 cycle across the recruiting industry. On3 released an updated On300 shortly after Under Armour’s Future 50 event a few weeks ago.

Now that the dust has largely settled, let’s take a look at some top prospects that On3 has ranked significantly higher relative to other ranking sets across the recruiting industry. For a look at where top prospects rank throughout the industry, check out On3’s Industry Comparison rankings.

Updated 2023 On300

We won’t include any prospects who were prior On3 Outliers from March or April in this story – On3 remains the highest on most of those prospects.

DL Kamran James

On300 ranking: No. 23
Next highest ranking: No. 179 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

We view Kamran James as one of the top defensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle heading into the season. The Orlando Olympia product sticks out due to his combination of size, athleticism and disruptive pass rush ability. James checks in at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds with 34.5-inch arms and ran an electronically-timed 4.98 second 40-yard dash on the camp circuit. He’s a twitchy pass rusher at the high school level, often lining up as a big defensive end. James’ junior season production also stacks up well among the top defensive linemen with 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He also doubles as a basketball player and is one of the younger top defensive linemen, having turned 17 years-old in April.

Florida leads in James’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. He’s also taken an official visit to Georgia.

OT Monroe Freeling

On300 ranking: No. 35
Next highest ranking: No. 80 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Monroe Freeling has a prototypical combination of frame and athleticism at offensive tackle. The Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Oceanside Collegiate lineman is a lean 6-foot-7, 285 pounds with a wing-span over 7-feet and 11 inch hands. Freeling is a plus athlete at the position with quick feet, functional movement skills and some rare bounce for an offensive lineman. There’s continued room for growth as he continues to add strength and hones his pass set. While Freeling may not be quite as far along as some other top offensive linemen, the physical upside is among the highest in the 2023 cycle. He’s taken official visits to Notre Dame, Florida and Miami and visited Georgia and Alabama over the weekend.

CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt – Ohio State

On300 ranking: No. 42
Next highest ranking: No 156 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

The updated On300 saw considerable shakeup at the cornerback position. Calvin Simpson-Hunt has been a steady riser over the past few months. The one-time Texas Tech commit saw his recruitment blow up during the spring. Simpson-Hunt brings a strong combination of size and long speed the table. He checked in at around 5-foot-11.5, 190 pounds with 32-inch arms this off-season and posted a 10.67 second 100-meter time during track season. The Waxahachie (Texas) High standout’s physical profile pairs with some impressive reactive quickness and polish in man coverage. Similar to a few other relative late risers, Simpson-Hunt is young for the cycle, having turned 17 years-old in June.

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CB Jermaine Mathews – Ohio State

On300 ranking: No. 68
Next highest ranking: No. 244 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

On3 watched Jermaine Mathews up close at LSU’s elite camp back in June. The Cincinnati Winton Woods cornerback turned in a phenomenal performance, showing impressive fluidity and ability to stay attached in coverage. Mathews also posted a sub 4.5 second 40-yard dash at around 5-foot-11.5, 175 pounds with 32 inch arms. The showing at LSU was par for the course for Mathews over the summer. He posted 44 tackles and five interceptions as a junior and could be in line for a big senior season if his camp showings are any indication.

CB Chris Peal

On300 ranking: No. 70
Next highest ranking: No. 214 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Chris Peal is one of the more technically polished corners in the 2023 cycle and pairs 6-foot-1 190-pound size with plus athleticism. He’s been a top track athlete for several years and posted a 10.78 second mark in the 100 meters along with a 21.93 200 meter time this spring. The combination of size, speed and technical ability stacks up well among the cornerback group. Peal stars as a running back and corner for a talented Charlotte Providence Day School program that figures to have a strong 2022 season.

Georgia holds the edge according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

DL Stephiylan Green – Clemson

On300 ranking: No. 81
Next highest ranking: No. 190 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Stephiylan Green was a riser throughout the spring, building off a strong junior season that saw him rack up over 20 tackles for loss as a junior at Rome (Ga.) High. The 6-foot-2.5, 275-pounder is quick off the ball and highly physical, making for a disruptive interior pass rusher. Green’s violent finishing ability is among the best we’ve seen from the 2023 defensive line group. It wouldn’t be shocking if he were to end up as the top defensive lineman in Clemson’s class, which is saying something, considering the Tigers also hold pledges from top 100 prospects Peter Woods and Vic Burley.

IOL Jaydon Chatman – Texas

On300 ranking: No. 92
Next highest ranking: No. 172 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

On3 has been ahead of Consensus on Jaydon Chatman for some time. The 6-foot-4, 299-pounder has a high-end combination of length and athleticism along the interior. Chatman has measured with 33.5-inch arms and has posted an impressive 4.71 second short shuttle at Under Armour Next’s regional camp. The Harker Heights (Texas) High has also posted a 48-6.5 foot shot put throw this spring. Chatman is a wide-hipped run blocker who excels at working up to the second level. The combination of ready-made size, length and play strength has us higher than the industry on Chatman.

DL Edric Hill

On300 ranking: No. 103
Next highest ranking: No. 159 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Edric Hill is one of the more physically gifted defensive linemen in the 2023 cycle. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder has 34.5-inch arms and ran an electronically-timed 4.99 second 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Next camp series during the spring. The explosive athleticism and high-end length show up on the field. Hill is a disruptive interior pass rusher for Kansas City (Mo.) North Kansas City where he lines up alongside five-star Oklahoma EDGE commit Adepoju Adebawore. It’s often a race to the quarterback. There’s still considerable upside for Hill as he continues to develop from a technical standpoint.

Alabama holds the edge over LSU and USC in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

IOL Kelton Smith – Georgia

On300 ranking: No. 109
Next highest ranking: No. 170 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Kelton Smith is one of the top offensive line prospects in what is a solid cycle at the position in state of Georgia. The Georgia commit checks in at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds and has elite length with arms that have measured over 35 inches. Smith is a dominant drive blocker at the high school level for state finalists Columbus (Ga.) Carver. He flashed some dominance as a junior and has the physical upside to take another step as a senior. We’ve also seen Smith’s functional strength in track and field where he posted a 53-8 foot shot put throw as a junior – an outstanding mark for an offensive line prospect.

CB Ja’Keem Jackson – Florida

On300 ranking: No. 119
Next highest ranking: No. 177 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Ja’Keem Jackson has been in the On300 dating back to the spring and continues to rise. The 6-foot.5, 180-pounder picked up cornerback midseason at Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola and proved to be a natural, picking off three passes in four games. Jackson was a standout on the camp circuit, flashing fluid athleticism and wide receiver-level ball skills. He has plus length with a wing-span over 6-foot-5 and ran a 10.9 second time in the 100 meters this spring. Jackson is certainly less experienced at the position than most others, but has the look of an ascending prospect.

RB Dante Dowdell – Oregon

On300 ranking: No. 123
Next highest ranking: No. 183 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Dante Dowdell is one of the more productive rushers in the 2023 cycle, running for 2,406 yards and 26 touchdowns at Picayune (Miss.) Memorial. He’s also one of the bigger backs nationally, checking in at around 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds. Dowdell is a violent and physical downhill runner who runs through arm tackles at the second level. He also posted an electronically-timed 4.65 second 40-yard dash time this spring, a very solid mark for a running back, particularly at his size.

OT Evan Link – Michigan

On300 ranking: No. 125
Next highest ranking: Unranked four-star (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Similar to Jaydon Chatman, Evan Link is an offensive lineman that On3 has been higher than Consensus on for the majority of the cycle. The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder is a technically sound tackle who put together some strong junior video while playing top competition at Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga. Link is a functional mover and with advanced hand placement. He also has more than adequate length to stick at offensive tackle long-term.

LB Arvell Reese

On300 ranking: No. 128
Next highest ranking: No. 265 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

The linebacker cycle in 2023 lacks big frames and high-end length for the position. Arvell Reese has one of the bigger frames among the group, checking in at over 6-foot-3 and around 225 pounds with close to 33-inch arms. Reese pairs that size with good athleticism and posted a 4.59 second 40-yard dash at Ohio State’s camp this summer. He’s had a bit of an up and down high school career to date, but has flashed considerable physical upside and potential. Reese transferred to Cleveland Glenville prior to his senior season and could be in line for a big final campaign. He’s another who is younger for the cycle, and won’t turn 17 years-old until late August. Ohio State is the big leader in Reese’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

ATH Jelani McDonald – Oklahoma State

On300 ranking: No. 146
Next highest ranking: No. 202 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Jelani McDonald has one of the most impressive athletic profiles in the 2023 cycle. He’s a state champion long-jumper with a 48-2 foot leap along with a personal best of 6-6 in the high jump. McDonald also stars on the basketball court, where he was district MVP as a junior. That’s all in addition to his exploits in football, where he stars as a quarterback for Waco (Texas) Connally. The athleticism coincides with a unique frame. McDonald is over 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with a 6-foot-6 wing-span. He’ll need to hone in on a position at the next level and could end up as a safety or linebacker depending on how his frame fills out. Regardless, we view McDonald as a high upside type given his athleticism and size.

S Jayden Bonsu

On300 ranking: No. 152
Next highest ranking: Unranked four-star (ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Jayden Bonsu made his On300 debut back in the spring. The Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep product is a physical striker who excels working as a cover down defender from his safety spot. Bonsu has good size at around 6-foot-1, 205 pounds with arms over 32 inches. He excels as a run defender and tackler. Bonsu’s skill set allows him to line up at multiple spots including covering the slot and rolling into the box.

Miami holds the edge in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine

RB Michael Mitchell – Utah

On300 ranking: No. 157
Next highest ranking: No. 286 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Michael Mitchell was on the cusp of adding his fourth star from On3 dating back to the spring. We’ve liked the Middleburg (Fla.) High rusher’s junior video for months. Mitchell rushed for 1,378 yards and 18 touchdowns at nearly nine yards per carry as a junior. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder supplemented the video and production with a strong off-season. Mitchell posted a 10.81 second 100 meter time during track season and had an impressive showing at Under Armour Next’s regional camp. The validation of Mitchell’s top end speed to go with his physical running style and translatable size points to a projectable skill set at the position. He’s also flashed smooth pass-catching skills on the camp circuit, showing further versatility as an every down back.

OT Oluwatosin Babalade

On300 ranking: No. 167
Next highest ranking: No. 287 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Oluwatosin Babalade has ready-made size and play strength. He checked in at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wing-span and posted a solid 4.85 second short shuttle at Under Armour Next’s regional during the spring. The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic tackle flashed his considerable strength during 1-on-1’s, which jives with what he put on video as a junior. The combination of size, strength and movement skills along with being tested against top competition points to a high floor as a prospect. We could see a jump as a senior if Babalade continues to improve his pad level, as he tends to play high at times. South Carolina leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

IOL James Durand – Wisconsin

On300 ranking: No. 189
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

James Durand has been an On300 member since the initial release last year. He lines up at left tackle for Chandler (Ariz.) Basha but projects inside at Wisconsin. Durand has a 6-foot-10 wing-span with a big frame. He has advanced movement skills in pass protection, particularly for an interior prospect. Durand doubles a physical run blocker who excels at the second level. The athleticism checks out as well – Durand posted a 4.71 second short shuttle prior to his junior season and was a state finalist in the discus this spring.

WR Taeshaun Lyons

On300 ranking: No. 191
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Taeshaun Lyons was a new addition to the On300 in the summer update. The Bay Area standout had a big junior season at Hayward (Calif.) Tennyson, accounting for 955 yards and 16 scores on just 31 catches. Lyons is a lean 6-foot-2.5, 165 pounds and will need to continue getting stronger. He has displayed good speed on Friday nights and on the track, where he ran a 11.03 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior. We also saw Lyons show some advanced route-running skills and ability to separate in the camp setting this offseason. Washington has a big lead in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

S Conrad Hussey – Penn State

On300 ranking: No. 203
Next highest ranking: Unranked four-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Conrad Hussey moved into the On300 on the heels of a strong showing at Overtime’s OT7 7-on-7 tournament along with a good track season. The 6-foot, 180-pounder was an interception machine at OT7 while manning up on top receivers at cornerback. Hussey also posed several good track times during the spring, cracking the sub 11.0 second mark in the 100 meters. The strong off-season buoys a good junior season at powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas that saw Hussey pick off four passes for the state champions. He’s joined in Penn State’s class by high school teammate King Mack, who was one of the biggest upward movers in the On300 update.

EDGE Keviyan Huddleston – TCU

On300 ranking: No. 233
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Keviyan Huddleston showcased some unique length and athleticism on the college camp circuit. The Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill pass rusher checked in at around 6-foot-4, 235 pounds with arms over 34.5 inches. Huddleston was also clocked in the 4.7 range over the summer. You can see the athleticism on his junior video. The East Texas product is a twitchy athlete who makes some impressive plays as a pass rusher and pursuit defender. He played both ways for Chapel Hill as a junior, also working at offensive tackle. We could see a spike in his play once focusing on one side of the ball. With that said, the physical and athletic upside appears to be considerable and was deserving of a bump to four-star status, in our opinion.

IOL Layth Ghannam – Virginia Tech

On300 ranking: No. 239
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Layth Ghannam is the top prospect in West Virginia and dominates the competition to the degree you’d expect of a blue-chip prospect. The 6-foot-4.5, 285-pounder uses his massive 11.25 inch hands to stun opposing linemen while working on both sides of the ball. Ghannam is a bouncy, light-footed mover with an outstanding 4.54 second short shuttle time. He flashes explosive movements as a blocker at the second level and as a defensive lineman, tallying 11.5 tackles for loss as a junior. We also see some physicality where he’s a violent finisher on both sides of the ball.

OT Daniel Sill – Texas Tech

On300 ranking: No. 246
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Daniel Sill continues the theme of plus athletes with verified length along the offensive line. The College Station (Texas) A&M Consolidated blocker checks in at 6-foot-4.5, 290 pounds with a 34-inch arm and a 4.63 second shuttle time on the camp circuit. On3 views Sill as one of the gems of new head coach Joey McGuire’s first full class in Lubbock. The Red Raider pledge’s frame, length, athleticism and physical mentality could project well at all five spots on the offensive line.

LB Asa Newsom

On300 ranking: No. 247
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Asa Newsom has been a long-standing On3 Outlier dating back to last fall. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder looks to one of the better frames among blue-chip linebackers and is a versatile playmaker for Waverly (Iowa) Waverly Shell-Rock. Newsom flashes high-end range and play speed at linebacker. He further shows off the athleticism, ripping off touchdowns as a running back. Newsom is always the top athlete on the field at the high school level and plays to that standard. He’s taken official visits to Minnesota, Stanford and in-state Iowa.

LB Whit Weeks – LSU

On300 ranking: No. 251
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Whit Weeks was a new addition to the On300. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is a productive and instinctive linebacker, totaling over 130 tackles as a junior at Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County. We also see Weeks make plays on offense, both as a rusher and pass catcher. Weeks’ play speed and ability to consistently affect the game in a multitude of ways stood out as we were re-evaluating the linebacker group.

IOL Amos Talalele – USC

On300 ranking: No. 280
Next highest ranking: Three-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Amos Talalele has been a four-star projection as an offensive lineman for On3 dating back to the spring. The Santa Clara (Calif.) High two-way lineman initially committed to Cal as a defensive lineman, before flipping to USC as an offensive lineman. We view Talalele’s highest upside on offense. The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder has high-end body quickness and is a mauler at the point of attack. We often see Talelele explode into opposing linemen, creating a significant push. The functional movement skills check out on video, as well.