Standout performances week two of high school football

Last weekend saw some standout performances among top prospects as the high school football season kicked off in Texas and continued in most other states. On3 was able to watch several games live and on film throughout the holiday weekend.

Please note that this is in no way an exhaustive list of every great performance from the weekend. With that said, here are some prospects who caught our eye.

Bryce Underwood flashes revelatory rushing ability

LSU quarterback commit Bryce Underwood made his senior season debut on Friday afternoon and showcased a degree of athleticism and rushing ability we had yet to see. On3’s long-time No. 1 prospect is well known as a top arm talent, but it was his legs that took center stage on Friday.

The 6-foot-4, 214-pounder was unstoppable on designed runs and showed outstanding vision along with improved burst and top-end speed as he consistently pulled away from the defense. Underwood finished with 177 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries as his Belleville (Mich.) High team edged out a tight win. That doesn’t include a 48-yard touchdown run that was called back due to a needless block in the back.

While we’ve known Underwood to be a gifted athlete, this is the most designed runs we’ve seen from him in a game and the best he’s looked running the ball to this point. For perspective, his 177 yards on Friday nearly eclipsed his season rushing total from the 2023 season. The combination of Underwood’s arm talent and athleticism makes him one of the more physically-gifted quarterbacks to come through the high school ranks in recent cycles.

Here’s LSU QB commit Bryce Underwood’s rush attempts from his senior season debut.

Rushed for 177 yards and 2 TD & had a 48 yard TD called back. @On3Recruits’ No. 1 2025 prospect is a top arm talent who doubles as a lethal rush threat when called upon https://t.co/YbZBKG5lSu pic.twitter.com/aMgWIjjrul

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) August 31, 2024

Texas commits impress in season debuts

A pair of Texas defensive commits had stellar starts to their respective senior seasons on Thursday.

Safety Jonah Williams (No. 16 in the On300) made big plays in all three phases in his team’s 54-26 win over an overmatched Manvel (Texas) High squad. Williams showed his elite athleticism at 6-foot-3.5, 205 pounds, running back the opening kick. He then blocked a PAT and scored four touchdowns on offense – working as a receiver and wildcat quarterback. Williams’ combination of size, athleticism and playmaking ability makes him one of the more versatile and unique prospects in the 2025 cycle.

Not be outdone, linebacker Elijah Barnes (No. 61) had a sensational first game. Barnes made a number of flash plays from his inside linebacker spot, showing impressive closing speed, the physicality to fight through blocks and a high effort level. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder ripped off a sub 11.0 second time in the 100 meters in the spring and showed that type of play speed on Thursday.

Standout receivers from the weekend of high school football

Several wide receivers caught our eye with their play over the weekend.

Texas commit Kaliq Lockett (No. 21) made a handful of tough grabs while facing a tough Coppell (Texas) High team. The his biggest play came on a one-handed catch-and-run, scoring from 60 yards out.

Florida commit Joshua Moore (No. 57) caught two touchdowns and drew the unenviable task of covering Georgia tight end Elyiss Williams, rarely coming off the field. Moore made an outstanding high point grab in traffic, showed good breaks in and out of his routes and was a tough blocker on the perimeter.

Tennessee pledge Travis Smith (No. 59) is off to a hot start to his senior season, averaging 125 yards per game to this point. Smith continued his productive play against a top team in Gainesville (Ga.) High, catching seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has shown nice route-running to go with his plus ball skills and ability to win at the catch point.

The buzz that Texas Tech commit Michael Dever generated during the offseason looked merited on Friday. The Lubbock (Texas) Cooper pass-catcher had a breakout game in a 46-43 win over a top program in Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy. Dever caught eight passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns and also returned a kick 93 yards for another touchdown. The smooth-striding Red Raider pledge showed the ability to get behind corners and outrace the defense in the open field.

Odds and ends

+ Alabama offensive tackle commit Jackson Lloyd (No. 26) had a strong outing in his season debut. The 6-foot-6.5, 280-pounder showed some improvements in his pass set. Lloyd was smooth and quick in his kick slide, showing the plus coordination we see from him as a three-sport standout. We also liked his physicality and effort to finish blocks in the run game.

+ Several tight ends continue to have strong senior campaigns. Georgia commit Elyiss Williams (No. 35) is a high volume target for his high school’s new spread offense, catching 11 passes for 159 yards on Friday. Michigan commit Andrew Olesh (No. 67) continues to show his ability as a mismatch in the passing game. Olesh has outstanding play speed, making him dangerous as a deep threat and with the ball in his hands. He caught five passes for 176 yards on Friday and is currently averaging close to 41 yards per catch through two games. Texas commit Nick Townsend (No. 88) showed his sub 11.0 second speed, taking a short pass to the house, in addition to making plays as a pass rusher on defense.

+ Oregon cornerback commit Brandon Finney (No. 70) showed why he’s considered to be one of the more athletic players at the position in the 2025 cycle, catching three passes for 163 yards and three scores. Finney showed impressive long speed once in the open field.

+ Auburn safety commit Anquon Fegans (No. 78) ran back a kickoff for a touchdown and had multiple pass breakups when targeted in a win over Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy.

+ USC safety commit Kendarius Reddick (No. 127) had a 100 yard pick-six and ran back a punt for a touchdown. He also returned a field goal for a touchdown, but the play didn’t count due to rules in the state of Georgia.

+ South Carolina commit Jaquavious Dodd (No. 140) continues to stand out at the EDGE position. The 6-foot-5.5, 235-pounder showed first-step quickness and impressive twitch en route to two sacks. His high-end traits and athleticism are readily apparent through a few games.

+ Iowa State quarterback commit Alex Manske (No. 165) had an impressive senior debut in a close win. Manske accounted for close to 300 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns (two passing, three rushing). He showed a live arm and plus athleticism as a nimble, fluid athlete. We also saw Manske get reps as a linebacker and deliver some big hits defense.

+ TCU quarterback commit Adam Schobel (No. 219) completed 13 of 16 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions and added a touchdown on the ground against a solid week one opponent.

+ Minnesota running back commit Shane Marshall is a potential riser to watch out of the state of Georgia. Marshall is a top combine athlete at the position, but missed much of his junior year. He’s off to a strong start this fall and rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns against Schley County and Georgia commit Zayden Walker on Friday. Marshall’s burst, balance and field vision have stood out thus far.