Arch Manning, Malachi Nelson top list of updated On3 Consensus 5-Stars

With the release of the latest On300 rankings this morning, six elite prospects in the Class of 2023 have ascended to five-star status in the updated On3 Consensus. Included among the country’s best prospects are an eye-popping four quarterbacks, as well as a trio of talented wide receivers. Not to be outdone, there are nine prospects from the defensive side of the ball, including three apiece from the EDGE and defensive lineman positions.

Below are the 20 best prospects in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

1. QB Arch Manning
School: New Orleans Isidore Newman
On3 Consensus grade: 98.650
On3 NIL Valuation: $1.6M
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Alabama 30.5%, Georgia 24.9%, Texas 19.6% Ole Miss 12.9%
“Possesses a pure throwing motion with one of the quickest releases we’ve seen from a high school quarterback prospect. Those mechanics pair with a strong arm to make Manning one of the more natural and accurate passers in the 2023 cycle. Has the ability to carve up opposing defenses from inside the pocket or outside of structure when things break down. Shows innate field vision for his age with the ability to find open receivers while making second-reaction plays. An above average athlete for the position with polished footwork and the capability of picking up yards in scramble situations. Has filled out a big frame over his high school career, entering his junior year as the most physically developed top quarterback in the 2023 cycle. Also carries a substantial mental load for a junior quarterback with the responsibility of setting protections.” – Charles Power

2. QB Malachi Nelson
School: Los Alamitos (Calif.)
On3 Consensus grade: 98.050
On3 NIL Valuation: $102K
Status: Committed to USC
“Quick-armed, accurate passer with strong functional movement skills. Considered one of the more talented quarterback prospects in high school football dating back to his early high school career. A natural, nuanced passer with a quick release. Shows some aggressive tendencies in throwing downfield. Has touch with the ability to layer his throws. Accurate with good ball placement dating back to his sophomore spring season which was shortened due to COVID-19. Good arm strength, which could improve with overall strength progression. Adept at running the quick game out of spread looks, flipping the ball out quick to the boundary. Loose and fluid in his movements. Plays with bouncy footwork and lower body twitch. Looks to pass first, but has good burst as a runner with the ability to run zone read or pick up yards when the play breaks down. Plays at a relaxed pace and typically seems unbothered in the pocket. Has a lean, streamline frame and will need to continue adding mass.” – Charles Power

3. CB Cormani McClain
School: Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson
On3 Consensus grade: 98.050
On3 NIL Valuation: $54K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Alabama 47.1%, Florida 24.5%, Miami 16.1%, Georgia 9.2%, 
“Has the best combination of stature, athleticism and ball skills among cornerback prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-1 prior to his junior season and has posted some of the best testing numbers in a combine setting we’ve seen from prospects in his cycle. A twitchy, bouncy athlete with explosive movement patterns. Pairs that athleticism with high end skill on the field. Has proven to be a ballhawk defender with nine interceptions as a sophomore and five picks midway through his junior season. Uses his quickness to stay in-phase with receivers off the line and long speed to turn and run downfield. Highly instinctual and plays fast. Breaks on the ball quickly. Comfortable playing off and press coverage. Doubles as a receiver, which aids in his ball skills and coordination. Would be a four-star type talent at receiver if he chose. Has a thinner frame at 165 pounds and will need to continue adding bulk. Older for the class.” – Charles Power

4. QB Nico Iamaleava
School: Downey (Calif.) Warren
On3 Consensus grade: 97.225
On3 NIL Valuation: $63K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Oregon 36.3%, Alabama 21.8%, Georgia 16.9%, Tennessee 12.1%, UCLA 7.3%
“High-upside signal caller who may have the best physical tools among quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle. Has one of the stronger arms in the cycle, generating considerable velocity on his throws in camp settings. Tall with a slender build with room to fill out. Boasts a quick, clean throwing motion despite his longer arms. A bouncy, fluid mover who doubles as a top volleyball player. Still developing in terms of some technical aspects of the game. Plays in a high school offense that is heavily skewed towards quick passes and screens. Can continue to improve his accuracy on downfield passes. Has done a very good job taking care of the football with just two interceptions in his first two varsity seasons.” – Charles Power

5. DL David Hicks
School: Allen (Texas)
On3 Consensus grade: 97.150
On3 NIL Valuation: $18.5K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Texas A&M 51.7%, Oklahoma 46.5%
“Physically-developed defensive lineman with advanced power along with length and quickness. Possesses a big frame with a muscled build and an 80-inch wingspan at 6-foot-4. Has brute strength which he pairs with initial quickness to create steady disruption along the line of scrimmage. Consistently shows quick and powerful hands at the point of attack with some advanced pass rush technique for a young defensive lineman. Very much a power player at this point in his development, but plays with some nuance and technical skill. Working at both defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior at a powerhouse program in Texas’ highest classification. A strong, but not elite athlete. Turned in dominant showings at college camps prior to his junior season.” – Charles Power

6. OT Kadyn Proctor
School: Des Moines (Iowa) Southeast Polk 
On3 Consensus grade: 97.00
On3 NIL Valuation: $20K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Iowa 64.4%, Notre Dame 14.6%, Michigan 7.6%, Penn State 5.8% 
“Wide, physically-developed offensive tackle who excels as a mauling run blocker. Dominant at the point of attack, using strong and quick hands to neutralize opposing defensive linemen. Plays with a nasty mentality as a block finisher, planting defensive linemen in the ground with regularity. Moves well and shows his athleticism as a defensive lineman. Does not appear to have high-end length for an offensive tackle and tends to lunge at times in his pass set.” – Charles Power

7. DL James Smith
School: Montgomery (Ala.) Carver
On3 Consensus grade: 96.725
On3 NIL Valuation: $17K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Alabama 52.9%, Georgia 46.6% 
“Possesses the best combination of first-step quickness and power among interior defensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle. Extremely quick off the ball, often beating opposing offensive linemen out of their stance. Follows up his first step with considerable upper body and hand strength. Stuns offensive linemen with his punch and gets off of blocks at a high rate. Has a wide-hipped frame without much bad weight. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy. Finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage with authority. Is able to yank down ball carriers with one hand. Also shows advanced pass rush ability for an interior defensive lineman.” – Charles Power

8. IOL Francis Mauigoa
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
On3 Consensus grade: 96.575
On3 NIL Valuation: $13.1K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: USC 53.5%, Miami 17.6%, Alabama 15.9%, Oregon 12.3%
“Wide-bodied, nimble mover who is excelling in his first season as a full-time offensive lineman. Works at right tackle for IMG, but likely projects on the interior due to his arm length and build. Played very well against a national schedule and some top pass rushers as a junior. Uses his natural strength to create a big push in the run game. Plays with a wide base and has considerable pop in his hands. Has mauling qualities as a drive blocker and is athletic enough to get to the second level with ease. Though he doesn’t project as an offensive tackle long-term, showed some very encouraging skills in pass protection.” – Charles Power

9. S Caleb Downs
School: Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek
On3 Consensus grade: 96.550
On3 NIL Valuation: $26K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Georgia 82.1%, Alabama 8.2%, Clemson 5.1%, Notre Dame 2.6%
“Extremely well-rounded safety who has been one of the top prospects in Georgia regardless of class for much of his high school career. Shows a complete skill set as a cover safety. Has the range to cover hash to boundary with ease. Also is fluid and natural in man coverage. Outstanding ball production with 14 interceptions over the first three seasons of his high school career. Instinctual both in coverage and as a cover down defender. Identifies run plays and underneath passes very quickly. Also an active tackler. Shows of his athleticism on offense where he sees snaps at multiple skill positions, including quarterback. Has starred while playing against top competition in the Peach State. Comes from strong bloodlines with a father who was an NFL Draft pick and brother who is one of the better receivers in college football.” – Charles Power

10. EDGE Keon Keeley
School: Tampa Berkeley Prep
On3 Consensus grade: 96.300
On3 NIL Valuation: $23K
Status: Committed to Notre Dame
“Long pass rusher with high-end flexibility and finishing ability behind the line of scrimmage. Has a big frame at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with outstanding length (7-foot wing-span). Plays with advanced bend and flexibility, sinking his hips and using his supreme length to create disruption off the edge. Already shows signs of some technical acuity with quick hands and pass rush moves. Displays strong closing speed and finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate. Among the more productive pass rushers in the nation as a junior. Also a bouncy athlete with a basketball background.” – Charles Power

11. EDGE Nyckoles Harbor
School: Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll 
On3 Consensus grade: 96.300
On3 NIL Valuation: $24K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Penn State 23.4%, Maryland 23.4%, Michigan 8.2%, Oklahoma 8.2%, South Carolina 8.2%, Alabama 8.2%, North Carolina 7.4%
“Has the best combination of size and speed we’ve seen from a young prospect as a national-level sprinter at 6-foot-5 and over 230 pounds. Runs under 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters with the size and length of a premier pass rushing prospect. Plays both tight end and defensive end for his high school, but has developed into more of an EDGE prospect as a junior. Shows his considerable athleticism as a pass rusher with high end closing speed. Is also able to locate and track the ball as a tight end. Still unrefined technically as a pass rusher. Productive against sub-par competition.” – Charles Power

12. WR Zachariah Branch
School: Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
On3 Consensus grade: 96.225
On3 NIL Valuation: $30K
Status: Committed to USC
“One of the more dynamic receiver prospects in the nation, regardless of class. Built like a traditional slot wide receiver at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. An elite track athlete with a 10.33 second 100 meter mark and a 24 foot long jump as a sophomore. Is able to harness that speed on the football field with his high-end change of direction. Creates big plays as a deep threat and after the catch. Very difficult for defenders to tackle in space. A fluid mover with route-running and true wide receiver skills in addition to the considerable athleticism. Shows good ball skills with the ability to track and make extended catches in traffic. Plays at powerhouse Bishop Gorman and was a standout performer in four games against national competition in addition to the state title game. Looks like one of the best sub 5-foot-11 wide receiver prospects in several cycles.” — Charles Power

13. WR Carnell Tate
School: Chicago (Ill.) IMG Academy
On3 Consensus grade: 96.050
On3 NIL Valuation: $29K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Ohio State 97.0%, Notre Dame 2.1%
“Well-rounded receiver with technical savvy and large catch radius. Has very long arms and big hands. Highly coordinated with the ability to track, adjust and high-point the football in contested situations. Has shown some encouraging route-running skills. Doubles as a dangerous return man due to his change of direction and open-field vision. A good athlete with play speed, though not quite as fast as some of his peers in a combine setting.” – Charles Power

14. LB Anthony Hill
School: Denton (Texas) Ryan
On3 Consensus grade: 96.00
On3 NIL Valuation: $27K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Texas 41.3%, Texas A&M 25.6%, USC 23.7%
“Downhill linebacker with good size and straight-line speed. Has starred for one of the top defenses in Texas high school football since his sophomore season. Combines his speed with a high effort level, resulting in a highly productive player at the high school level. At his best when he can use his closing speed as a blitzer or in pursuit sideline-to-sideline. Shows some physicality as a striker. Has one of the longer wing-spans of top linebackers in the 2023 cycle. Provides added value as a pass rusher and may eventually grow into an EDGE prospect down the line. Has a penchant for forcing turnovers and looks to strip the football often. Will need to continue improving his skills playing in space and in coverage.” – Charles Power

15. WR Shelton Sampson Jr.
School: Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic
On3 Consensus grade: 95.80
On3 NIL Valuation: $18.5K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: LSU 96.3%, Alabama 1.9%
“Big-play wide receiver with one of the best combinations of vertical speed and catch radius in the 2023 cycle. Clocked a sub 4.4-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 prior to his junior season. Uses that speed to create separation on downfield routes with regularity. Pairs the long speed with advanced ball skills. Shows the ability to leap over defenders to high-point the ball in contested situations. Comes down with some fantastic one-handed and diving grabs. A younger prospect for the cycle who continues to show improvement over time.” — Charles Power

16. TE Duce Robinson
School: Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle
On3 Consensus grade: 95.80
On3 NIL Valuation: $16.9K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 23.0%, Clemson 23.0%, 5 schools at 8.0%
“Jumbo athlete with a large catch radius who looks like one of the better tight end prospects over the last few recruiting cycles. Has outstanding statue and length at over 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. Plays and moves like a receiver at that size. A smooth, fluid mover who showed continued improvement in top-end play speed as a junior, running away from defensive backs. Has one of the largest catch radiuses in the 2023 cycle and consistently wins in contested situations. Was the top pass-catcher at the Opening Finals prior to his junior season and created a considerable mismatch over the middle of the field. Turned in a very productive junior season with close to 1,000 receiving yards. Has an outstanding multi-sport profile as one of the nation’s top baseball prospects and also plays basketball. Will need to continue getting stronger to aid in blocking, but has the look of an elite tight end prospect with five-star upside.” — Charles Power

17. DL Matayo Uiagalelei
School: Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
On3 Consensus grade: 95.80
On3 NIL Valuation: $32K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: USC 17.7%, Clemson 17.7%, LSU 17.7%, Texas 17.7%, Oregon 17.7%
“A big jumbo athlete who doubles as a tight end and defensive end for one of the nation’s top high school programs. Has unique movement skills and speed at 6-foot-5 and over 260 pounds. Is able to run with linebackers and some defensive backs at his size. Has shown some improvement as a pass catcher over the course of 2021. Likely has a higher long-term upside as a defensive lineman or even offensive tackle rather than tight end. Can continue to increase his physicality on a snap-to-snap basis.” – Charles Power

18. S Tony Mitchell
School: Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson
On3 Consensus grade: 95.725
On3 NIL Valuation: $31K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Alabama 97.1%
“Big defensive back with refined cover skills. Initially began his career as a cornerback, but has continued to add size. One of the bigger top safety prospects nationally at around 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Has maintained and continued to develop his coverage skills and is among the more technically refined cover safeties in the 2023 cycle. Comfortable covering receivers in man situations. Uses his fluidity and length to make plays on the ball. Has also showed some striking power as a cover down defender with the willingness to deliver some hits across the middle of the field. Stars for one of the top high school programs and more talented prep defenses in the Southeast. Does not have verified athletic markers via camp settings or in track.” — Charles Power

19. QB Dante Moore
School: Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King
On3 Consensus grade: 95.725
On3 NIL Valuation: $39K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Notre Dame 73.1%, Michigan 15.8%, Michigan State 5.9%
“Pocket passer who is one of the more accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle. Skilled as a touch passer with the ability to layer throws and deliver with accuracy and nuance. Has a quick, natural release that aids in the short passing and RPO game. Shows a good arm both on video and in camp settings. Capable of hitting on deep shots off of play action. Put together a highly efficient and productive junior season in leading Martin Luther King to a state title while completing 73 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns against three interceptions. Does not appear to be quite the athlete or run threat as some of the other top quarterbacks in the cycle at this time. Will need to continue improving his movement skills and foot quickness.” — Charles Power

20. EDGE Jaquavious Russaw
School: Montgomery (Ala.) Carver
On3 Consensus grade: 95.63
On3 NIL Valuation: $24K
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Georgia 63.2%, Alabama 33.1%
“Rugged, athletic EDGE defender who plays with high-level play strength and speed in pursuit. Has adequate size at around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. Highly active as a high school player on a snap to snap basis. Plays with one of the best effort levels that we’ve seen from a defender in the 2023 cycle. Excels as a pursuit defender, using his speed and motor to track down plays sideline to sideline. Very strong with the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen. Also sees some snaps as an off-ball linebacker. Highly productive as a junior with 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Wins primarily due to his athleticism, play strength and effort level. Will need to continue honing his pass rush moves.” — Charles Power