Five-Star Countdown: Top 2024 recruits in the latest On300 rankings

Following the end of the 2022 high school football season and the culmination of the 2023 class, all attention has turned toward the 2024 cycle.

As the page turns to the rising senior class, On3 is releasing its latest On300 rankings, highlighted by a new No. 1 overall prospect and eight new five-star designations. With the update, there are now 10 five-stars in the cycle, which will ultimately end with 32 players receiving that status to match the number of first-round selections in the NFL Draft.

To kick off the latest rankings release, On3 is counting down the top 10 prospects in the 2024 cycle.

1. EDGE Dylan Stewart
School: Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy
On3 RPM: South Carolina 29.9%, Maryland 10.8%, Penn State 9.2%, Rutgers 7.7%, Ohio State 7.7%
On3 NIL Valuation: $115K

Scouting Summary: Disruptive pass rusher who looks to be one of the top EDGE prospects early on in the 2024 cycle. Shows a quick first step. Fires off the ball with the ability to quickly redirect with lateral agility. Dips and bends around the edge, showing some encouraging flexibility and curvilinear movement. Also plays low and gets underneath the pads of opposing offensive linemen. Has good size and stature checking in at 6-foot-4.5, 211 pounds with a 81-inch wing-span prior to his junior season. Will need to continue progressing from a strength and technical perspective as he continues through his high school career.

2. EDGE Williams Nwaneri
School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
On3 RPM: Missouri 24.1%, Kansas 12.8%, Nebraska 11.0%, Oklahoma 9.1%
On3 NIL Valuation: $160K

Scouting Summary: The most physically-gifted defensive line prospect early on in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wing-span and an 11-inch hand. Moves very well for his size. Clocked a sub-5.0-second electronically-timed 40-yard dash prior to his junior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, showing the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Still developing in terms of technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front, but looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass.

3. WR Jeremiah Smith
School: Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Status: Committed to Ohio State
On3 NIL Valuation: $262K

Scouting Summary: Big, skilled receiver with fluidity and savvy for the position. Measured in at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds prior to his junior season. Had a breakout 2021 season, helping his Chaminade-Madonna team to a state championship. Turned in several strong performances, including a big state title game. Polished route-runner at this early stage. Smooth mover with some technical refinement that allows for separation. Shows good ball skills with his ability to track the football over his shoulder. Does not register as a top athlete in the combine setting at this stage. Can further take advantage of his size by continuing to improve his contested catch skills.

4. CB Ellis Robinson IV
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Status: Committed to Georgia
On3 NIL Valuation: $244K

Scouting Summary: Ball-hawking defensive back with elite length and ability to make plays on the ball as a high school underclassman. Dominated competition in New York’s Catholic league as a sophomore, bringing in eight interceptions. Made several impressive, acrobatic picks. Has advanced ball skills as a cornerback, which he pairs with outstanding length. Measured in at 5-foot-11.5, 169 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wing-span prior to his junior season. Also tests as a very good athlete, running a 4.56 second electronically-timed 40-yard dash. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season and should see an uptick in competition as a high school upperclassman.

5. EDGE Colin Simmons
School: Duncanville (Texas)
On3 RPM: LSU 88.4%, Texas 2.8%, TCU 1.8%, Oklahoma 1.0%
On3 NIL Valuation: $203K

Scouting Summary: Long-limbed EDGE prospect who stars for one of the top high school programs in Texas. Measured at around 6-foot-2.5, 225 pounds with a 34-inch arm prior to his junior season. Grew around an inch as a sophomore. Primarily lines up at defensive end for Duncanville. Uses first-step quickness, play speed and dip to create issues for opposing offensive tackles. Shows good curvilinear movement with his ability to turn corners as a pass rusher. Length aids in disengaging from offensive linemen, finishing plays and disrupting passing lanes. Looks to play with a good effort level. Plays against top competition and made an impact on a defensive front that featured older, Power 5 prospects.

6. QB Dylan Raiola
School: Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle
On3 RPM: Georgia 32.4%, Nebraska 27.8%, USC 23.7%
On3 NIL Valuation: $417K

Scouting Summary: Advanced arm talent with the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws as a high school underclassman. Looks like the top quarterback prospect and overall arm talent in the 2024 cycle early on. Physically developed at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Has a natural, loose throwing motion with unique arm dexterity to deliver off-platform and from multiple arm slots. Already has a deep catalog of throws as a rising junior in high school. Easily drives the ball to all levels of the field. Played both under center and in the shotgun as a sophomore. Ahead of the curve as a ball-handler and in the quick passing game. Shows good footwork and awareness in the pocket. Capable of creative plays in the face of pressure. Primarily a pass-first quarterback as a sophomore, not running for many yards. Turned in one of the more productive sophomore seasons among top 2024 quarterbacks. The son of 14-year NFL center Dominic Raiola. Also a standout baseball player as a pitcher and catcher.

7. DL Justin Scott
School: Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius
On3 RPM: Notre Dame 84.7%, Iowa 6.7%, Illinois 3.2%, Georgia 1.3%
On3 NIL Valuation: $124K

Scouting Summary: Naturally-gifted defensive tackle with rare movement skills at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. One of the more unique jumbo athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. A twitchy, explosive athlete who runs like a much smaller player. Chases down plays from the back side and runs sideline-to-sideline with ease. A loose, fluid mover with natural flexibility. Shows his natural explosion as a finisher. New to football, playing his first season at the varsity level as a sophomore. Has a background as a soccer and basketball player. Will need to continue developing from a technical aspect, particularly with his hands. Rapid ascension and quick improvement point to a high ceiling.

8. WR Micah Hudson
School: Temple (Texas) Lake Belton
On3 RPM: Texas 30.4%, Texas Tech 23.7%, Ohio State 15.3%, Texas A&M 12.8%
On3 NIL Valuation: $176K

Scouting Summary: Dynamic playmaker that you can’t take your eyes off of when you turn on the tape. Can go up and high point the football with ease. Turns hitches, swings and screens into touchdowns. Will run over, through and around defenders with the ball in his hands. Has every tool in the bag when it comes to route running. Ran 11.54 in the 100m, 23.26 in the 200m and jumped a 21’01” long jump as a freshman. Advanced well beyond his years and is one of the best receivers in the nation, regardless of cycle.

9. OT Jonathan Daniels
School: Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest
On3 RPM: Florida State 21.8%, Auburn 19.1%, Georgia 16.3%, others at 7.1%
On3 NIL Valuation: $47K

Scouting Summary: Possesses a gorgeous frame and is the perfect piece of clay collegiate strength and conditioning coaches crave to mold in their programs. Shows quality burst and twitch in his movements. Plays with a terrific base in pass protection. Flashes some brute strength at the point of attack. Can play a little over his toes in the run game and get a bit out of control at times. High upside prospect if he is able to refine his movements.

10. S KJ Bolden
School: Buford (Ga.)
On3 RPM: Georgia 27.8%, Ohio State 17.9%, Clemson 13.9%, Alabama 9.3%
On3 NIL Valuation: $234K

Scouting Summary: One of the top overall athletes in the 2024 cycle early on. Has a plus frame checking in at 6-foot, 185 pounds with a 6-foot-4 wing-span prior to his junior season. Has a personal best mark of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters, showing outstanding high-end speed early on in his high school career. Also tests well in the combine setting. Plays both ways for Georgia powerhouse Buford High as a receiver and defensive back. Projects as a defensive back and likely at safety long-term, where his combination of athleticism and length makes him one of the nation’s best. Will need to improve his ball skills to be a top receiver prospect, but has the coordination to be well above average as a defensive back in that regard.