On3 updates 2023 Junior College football prospect rankings

On3 has updated its Junior College football prospect rankings for the 2023 cycle. The ranking now includes 138 prospects who are committed or hold offers from FBS programs.

This updated ranking sees a number of newly-minted blue-chip prospects. We’re now up to 14 four-stars with wide receiver Malik Benson adding his fifth star.

On3 Junior College Football Prospect Rankings

While the high school ranks and transfer portal draw much of the attention nowadays, there’s still significant talent to be found at the junior college level. A quick look at the NFL and recent drafts support this view. Seven former JUCO prospects were taken in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, with two going in the first round.

Let’s take a look at some of the top talent from the junior college ranks in the 2023 cycle.

Benson, Jefferson headline On3 JUCO rankings

A pair of Alabama commits, wide receiver Malik Benson and linebacker Justin Jefferson continue to hold down the top two spots. Benson adds his fifth star in this update, after putting together another strong season against top competition to go with his elite athletic profile.

Jefferson sees a ratings bump up to a 94 grade. The Memphis native is a highly athletic and explosive linebacker with some eye-popping plays while playing off-ball this season at Pearl River C.C. in Mississippi. Jefferson will need to add some mass in Tuscaloosa but has a big frame with 33-inch arms and a 9.75 inch hands.

Elijah Davis holds No. 3 spot

Defensive lineman Elijah Davis has been a known name in junior college recruiting since arriving at East Mississippi C.C. a few years ago. The Wagener, S.C. native is a disruptive defensive lineman with the ability to line up at various spots along the front.

Davis ranks as the No. 3 JUCO prospect for On3. He’s taken official visits to South Carolina and Tennessee with the in-state Gamecocks holding the edge according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Corner and offensive line groups stand out

The corner and offensive line groups stood out as particularly strong, with a few prospects at each spot earning their fourth stars from On3.

Two Big 12 programs are set to add top JUCO corners to their roster. Recent TCU commit Channing Canada saw his stock explode after a breakout redshirt freshman season at Trinity Valley C.C. in Texas. The Boutte (La.) Hahnville product gave up very few receptions on the season and showcased natural cover ability, physicality and play speed. Canada ranks as On3’s No. 4 junior college prospect.

Similar can be said for Oklahoma corner commit Kendel Dolby. The Springfield, Ohio native is a silky smooth and instinctual cover man with the capability of playing multiple spots in the secondary. Dolby ranks as On3’s No. 6 JUCO prospect.

The offensive line group is headlined by Kilgore (Texas) College offensive tackle Leon Bell, Fullerton (Calif) College tackle and Oregon commit George Silva and Tennessee interior offensive line pledge Larry Johnson from Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas. Bell, who is uncommitted has a combination of size, length and movement skills that border on freakish. He’s new to the position but has immense upside. Silva has shown an intriguing combination of length and play strength. Johnson is a massive individual at around 6-foot-7, 360 pounds with good reactive quickness.