Biggest risers in the 2023 On300 rankings

The most recent update of the 2023 On300 features numerous players who moved up in the rankings. When taking a deep dive into prospects that have impressed this summer, EDGE rushers, defensive linemen and cornerbacks made the biggest jump. More than half of the biggest risers, including Orlando (Fla.) Olympia four-star defensive lineman Kamran James and Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln four-star linebacker Raylen Wilson, play these positions. A list of the biggest risers in the On300 can be found below.

Kamran James, DL, Orlando (Fla.) Olympia: James made a massive jump of nearly 130 spots in the On300 from No. 152 to No. 23 overall. The 6-foot-5, 265 pound pass rusher impressed at the Under Armour Camp in Miami this spring by ripping off a sub-five-second 40-yard dash time and finishing the shuttle in 4.45 seconds. He checked off a pair of important boxes in terms of measurables as well, recording 34-inch arms and nine-and-a-half inch hands. On the field, James is a twitchy mover with the ability to effect the game behind the line of scrimmage. He knows how to win on Friday nights with his athleticism, agility and speed. James also has the ability to pick up ground while in pursuit of opposing players and consistently shows a good first and second step off the line of scrimmage. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida holds a commanding lead for James’ commitment, but Georgia is still in contention.

Raylen Wilson, LB, Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln: Like James, the recent Georgia commitment made a big move up the list. He is currently No. 25 after ranking No. 136 on the previous list. Wilson, who turned 17 on July 7, made major gains in his strength and speed throughout the spring. At 215 pounds, Wilson recorded a personal best of 10.91 seconds in the 100-meter-dash. That quickness will carry over to the field. Wilson has high-end burst, acceleration and closing speed and can make plays sideline-to-sideline. He does so with smooth movement skills. However, Wilson is more than a player with excellent speed. He can strike opponents in the open field and take on blockers.

J.J. Kohl, QB, Ankeny (Iowa) High: No quarterback in the 2023 cycle made a bigger move up the rankings than the Iowa State commitment. Currently ranked No. 36, the son of kicking guru Jamie Kohl shined at the Elite 11 and the Under Armour Future 50. Kohl is the tallest quarterback in the cycle at 6-foot-7 and weighs 230 pounds. He also has 10-inch hands and tremendous feet and agility for his size. This spring, he finished the shuttle run in 4.25 seconds. On the field, Kohl has a short and compact release, which isn’t easy for a signal-caller with an 81-inch wingspan. His ability to process different coverages quickly, change ball speeds and make accurate throws in the seven-on-seven setting stands out. He can often make the correct read and deliver catchable passes regularly.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt, CB, Waxahachie (Tex.) High: Simpson-Hunt, who is committed to Ohio State, rose to No. 42 from No. 107 in the On300. On3 ranks the Dallas-Fort Worth area prospect higher than others in the industry for good reason. The long-armed cornerback consistently makes plays on the ball and flashes quick recovery speed when initially beaten. Simpson Hunt’s ability to stay attached to quick receivers in a talented school district and metropolitan area stands out. The 5-foot-11.5, 187 pound defensive back is also more than willing to be physical to stop running backs. He’s quick as well, running the 100-meter-dash in 10.65 seconds this spring.

Hykeem Williams, WR, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan: Williams moved up 82 spots to No. 71 in the updated On300 ranking. His ability to catch the ball in tight coverage is among the best in the 2023 class. Williams possesses long arms, strong hands, a physical mindset and excellent timing. The Sunshine State prospect also can run through multiple tackles after the catch. However, the 6-foot-2.5, 215 pound pass catcher is still developing as a route-runner and learning the nuances of the position. Williams’ playing speed is above average for his size, but there are no official testing numbers to marry with his tape. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas A&M is the favorite for Williams’ commitment with Georgia and Miami heavily trailing.

Suntarine Perkins, LB, Raleigh (Miss.) High: The Ole Miss commit rose to No. 74 from No. 267 in the On300. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Perkins possesses high-end playing speed and movement skills. He can win battles with his quickness, acceleration and physicality. Perkins can also end plays and cut off angles with his speed and length. As a three-down linebacker, he has shown the ability to be a knock-down tackler, as well as a smooth player in coverage. Perkins also rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and played safety when he was younger. Overall, he possesses a lot of upside as a 2023 recruit.

Christian Gray, CB, Saint Louis (Mo.) DeSmet: The Notre Dame commitment climbed to No. 79 from No. 150 in the On300. Gray is a very instinctive cover corner with the ability to stay attached, despite not being a blazer. The 6-foot-0.5, 175 pound prospect is rarely out of position. His reactive quickness and feel creates a high number of pass break-ups and plays on the ball. Gray also displays excellent timing on pass-break-ups and working into the vision of wide receivers. He jumps routes with instinct, eye discipline and a feel for timing. On3 projects Gray as a boundary corner at the next level, as well as a playmaker in the run and pass game.

Daevin Hobbs, DL, Concord (N.C.) Jay M. Robinson: The North Carolina native jumped from No. 200 to 83 overall in the On300. He is one of the more athletic and high-end jumbo athletes in the 2023 cycle. Hobbs excels above the rim on the hardwood and took home team MVP honors on a state championship hoops squad. The 6-foot-4, 257 pounder makes uber-athletic plays at defensive end and tight end on Friday nights. He possesses an 80-inch wingspan and big hands. He’s also a quick initial mover with the agility to get small when needed and pursue from the backside. His ability to close in on the football stands out. Hobbs was a productive player in 2021 with 20 tackles for loss. His best football is way out in front of him. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, North Carolina holds a considerable edge for his commitment.

Braylan Shelby, EDGE, Friendswood (Texas) High: The Houston-area prospect is getting bigger, stronger and faster with rapid development. An impressive spring and summer has resulted in a leap to No. 101 from No. 254 in the prior ranking. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder has ideal length and twitch and improved his physicality on tape as a junior. He will take on more of an edge rush role as a senior. His athletic ability carried over to the track as well. He was a regional qualifier in the triple jump in the spring at over 45 feet. Shelby released a top two of Texas and USC last week and is expected to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. 

Kelton Smith, IOL, Columbus (Ga.) Carver: The Peach State offensive lineman made a major move in the On300 to No. 109, up over 150 spots. The 6-foot-5, 310 pound lineman possesses a unique combination of arm length, playing strength and physical mindset. He reminds us of Texas commit Neto Umeozulu from the 2022 cycle as a devastating drive blocker. The initial explosion on contact and his ability to accelerate through defensive linemen shows up on the track with a shot put of nearly 54 feet. However, he has to be cognizant of bending at the waist at times. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Georgia holds a big lead for the in state prospect.

Other risers of note

No. 70 Chris Peal, CB, Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School

No. 81 Stephiylan Green, DL, Rome (Ga.) High- Clemson commitment

No. 102 Jamarious Brown, DL, Moss Point (Miss.) High

No. 114 Jelani Thurman, TE, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes – Ohio State commitment 

No. 118 D.J. Chester, IOL, Conyers (Ga.) Eagle’s Landing Christian

No. 119 Ja’Keem Jackson, CB, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola

No. 123 Dante Dowdell, RB, Picayune (Miss.) Memorial – Oregon commitment

No. 128 Arvell Reese, LB, Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville

No. 148 Daylen Austin, CB, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly – LSU commitment 

No. 161 Kaleb Jackson, RB,  Baton rouge (La.) Liberty Magnet High – LSU commitment 

No. 189 James Durand, IOL, Chandler (Az.) Basha – Wisconsin commitment 

No. 197 Jordan Sanford, CB, Mansfield (Texas) Timberview

No. 232 Martel Hight, CB, Rome (Ga.) High- Vanderbilt commitment 

No. 250 Cayden Green, OT, Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North – Oklahoma commitment