New 5-stars in the final edition of the On300 for the class of 2022

On3 has released the final football prospect rankings for the 2022 recruiting cycle, and that list includes 15 new 5-stars.

The On300 is updated on a regular schedule over the course of the year to get to the final prospect rankings in the cycle. 

Our goal is to assess a prospect’s long-term potential in college football, as manifested by the NFL Draft. We initially rate 20 prospects as five-stars before extending out to 32 five-stars in every cycle. 

The junior season for the 2022 cycle was disjointed for many prospects. Some states had delayed starts to the season, some played an abbreviated spring schedule, and some didn’t play at all. As a result, we began this cycle with a fairly uneven junior season sample for a good chunk of the 2022 prospects. That made the senior season and all-star circuit even more important than ever before for a cycle of prospects. 

On300 new 5-stars 

Devin Brown, QB, Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon

New ranking: No. 1

Previous ranking: No. 28 (4-star)

The Ohio State signee vaults to the top of the 2022 prospect rankings. At a shade under 6-foot-3, Brown has the playmaking, reactive quick feet in the pocket, agility and overall athleticism to effectively translate to Power 5 football. All of the movements are quick and reactive from the feet, to the arm action. Brown generates zip on the ball without having to load up to stretch the field vertically, or in reset scenarios. Can easily make opposite field hash mark throws with a smooth stride and and balance. Backing off the gunslinger mentality a tad bit will be paramount at the next level. Put together a tremendous senior campaign for Corner Canyon. Completed 68 percent of passes for 4,881 yards and 57 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, and added over 400 rushing yards. 

Jihaad Campbell, EDGE, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

New ranking: No. 3

Previous ranking: No. 30 (4-star)

The Alabama early enrollee will be a three-down player for Nick Saban. A rare 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect that can cover tight ends and possession receivers, rush the passer off the edge and make physical downhill plays in the run game. One of the most versatile EDGE/LB prospects in recent years. Strong enough and aggressive enough to set the edge, and athletic enough to drop in coverage. Hyper competitive player that maximizes plays on the field, and always can be seen in the weight room. IMG Academy played Campbell snaps at corner in one game as a senior. Has the frame to carry 250 pounds perfectly proportioned. 

Luther Burden, WR, Saint Louis (Mo.) East St. Louis

New ranking: No. 9

Previous ranking: No. 73 (4-star)

The Missouri signee makes a huge jump after a stellar senior season and showing at the Under Armour All-America Game and practices. A natural wide receiver with ideal ankle flexion, hands and ball skills. Plucks the ball out of the air with arms extended. Very smooth route runner, and after the catch. Wins with initial burst, innate feel and instincts more than sheer athleticism. Quicker than vertical fast with the lower body strength to rip through arm tackles. Maximizes yards after the catch with strength and subtle change of direction moves. Displays the ability to set up blocks in the open field leading to chunk yardage after the catch. Will factor in the punt return game for the Tigers. 

James Pearce, EDGE, Charlotte (N.C.) Vance

New ranking: No. 11

Previous ranking: No. 57 (4-star)

Tennessee scored a huge recruiting win signing Pearce in December.  At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Pearce possesses excellent bend, initial quickness and agility. An extremely disruptive player with the speed to quickly close on the ball from the backside. Fast twitch arguably has the highest upside off the edge of any prospect in the class after totaling more than 30 sacks his last two years playing more on sheer athletic ability than advanced technique. More than a sack machine, Pearce uses his long arms and reactive quickness to disrupt passing lanes. Applies pressure to a quarterback and offense in a variety of ways. 

Tyler Booker, OT/IOL, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy 

New ranking: No. 14

Previous ranking: No. 48 (4-star)

The Alabama early enrollee put together a tremendous week at the Under Armour All-America Game. Worked at both tackle spots and left guard throughout the week. A technician with physicality, strong hands, length and a strong base. Despite not being the high-end testing athlete of some of his peers at the position in the cycle, displayed the body and reactive quickness needed to translate. A mauling blocker in the run game that looks to hit all the way through the whistle with playing strength on contact. Very well proportioned 6-foot-5, 325 pound frame with a 7-foot wingspan and 10-inch-plus hands. Intelligent player that will get on the field quickly in Tuscaloosa. 

Jordan Hudson, WR, Garland (Texas) Garland 

New ranking: No. 15

Previous ranking: No. 27 (4-star)

TCU’s first On300 signee was a huge recruiting hold for Sonny Dykes and assistant Ra’shaad Samples after making the move west from SMU. Hudson was dominant for Garland high as a junior at receiver and corner when called upon. Possesses as sure of hands and ball skills as anyone in the 20202 cycle regardless of position. Ideal ankle flexion to smoothly create separation out of routes. Strong, quick, fluid and physical after the catch. Route running, feel for the position and ball skills outweigh lack of vertical speed. Will begin his career in the slot for the Horned Frogs. 

Jacoby Mathews, S, Ponchatoula (La.)

New ranking: No. 19

Previous ranking: No. 31 (4-star)

One of the top remaining recruiting battles in the 2022 cycle is the Pelican State 5-star safety. The 6-foot-1, 195 pound safety was a rare four-year starter for Hank Tierney. Mathews’ playing speed and instincts make him the top safety in the cycle, along with a cornerback break on the ball from the safety position. Mathews’ eye discipline and reactive quickness make him an extremely fast closer on the ball. Covers ground easily from hash mark to boundary. The two-sport star at Ponchatoula showed his explosive vertical athleticism at the Under Armour All-America practices. 

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh School

New ranking: No. 20

Previous ranking: No. 38 (4-star)

Penn State went into Maryland and reeled in another big time prospect in new 5-star Dennis-Sutton. Sutton plays with a quick initial burst and movement skills at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds. That ability carried over to all-star game season with a very strong showing in San Antonio. Strong hands, physicality and quickness were easily evident at the All-American Bowl. The ability to bend at his size is among the best in the 2022 cycle. Flew under the 5-star radar due to junior season being cancelled due to COVID. 

Kenyatta Jackson Jr., EDGE, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna 

New ranking: No. 23

Previous ranking: No. 59 (4-star)

Jackson is the second Ohio State signee that ascended to 5-star status in the final On300 ranking. The 6-foot-5, 238-pounder took home the Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year after a stellar senior season that included 78 tackles and 18 sacks. Possesses impressive play speed and motor to shed blocks and pursue the ball. Welcomes physical play, and flashes quick hands with a feel for using his length to disengage. Jackson has the frame to carry 260 pounds or more very well proportioned. His high-ceiling and motor was validated at the Under Armour All-America Game and practices. 

Jaylen Sneed, LB, Hilton Head (S.C.) Hilton Head

New ranking: No. 26

Previous ranking: No. 28 (4-star)

Notre Dame went into the Low Country and signed one of the top linebacker prospects in the country. The 6-foot-1 Sneed is a fast twitch and reactive athlete at linebacker with the physicality to play with his hand in the dirt in high school. Highly intelligent football player that played snaps at end, linebacker, safety and quarterback through his high school career. Flashed the ability to play in space at the Under Armour All-America Game. Will be a three down linebacker in South Bend. High-end athleticism carries over to basketball and track. Naturally strong and explosive athlete that has thrown the shot put 50-feet. 

Amari Niblack, TE, Clearwater (Fla.) Lakewood

New ranking: No. 27

Previous ranking: No. 50 (4-star)

Alabama made a strong early evaluation on Niblack after a standout workout in June. The 6-foot-4, 220 pound playmaker at Lakewood High made a huge jump as a senior on the gridiron. The high school wide receiver that will play tight end in Tuscaloosa hauled in 60 passes for 939 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. Niblack’s ability to stretch the field from the tight end position, and win in the red zone are the best in the cycle. Niblack wins with initial quickness and movement skills, moves like a receiver after the catch and possesses very good timing leaving his feet to win in 50-50 scenarios. 

Lander Barton, LB, Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton

New ranking: No. 28

Previous ranking: No. 186 (4-star)

Barton is one of the most productive prospects in the 2022 cycle over a high school career, and that stellar play was backed up at the All-American Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 215 pound uber athletic linebacker recorded 341 tackles and six interceptions in 33 high school games. Along with adding 16 touchdowns on offense, he also flashes his high-end athleticism on the basketball court averaging 19 points per game. Barton flashed all of his ability at the All-American Bowl effectively dropping into coverage, and running with wide receivers in the intermediate passing game. Flashed the physicality to shed blocks, and the quickness to pursue and close. Barton has the frame to carry 240 pounds perfectly proportioned. 

Aamil Wagner, OT, Dayton (Ohio) Wayne

New ranking: No. 29

Previous ranking: No. 89 (4-star)

Notre Dame inked one of the most athletic offensive tackles with one of the highest ceilings in the 2022 cycle. Wagner makes the jump to 5-star after an impressive showing of an upside skill set at the All-American Bowl. Wagner stands 6-foot-6, weighs 260 pounds, along with 34-inch arms and large hands. He wins with natural athleticism at this point with high-end body and reactive quickness. The natural explosive ability shines in track as well with an over 55-foot shot put. His natural strength impresses, along with the physicality to finish defensive lineman with knockdowns. Wagner will make a big jump year one filling out his frame in South Bend.

Ty Simpson, QB, Martin (Tenn.) Westview

New ranking: No. 30

Previous ranking: No. 33 (4-star)

The Alabama early enrollee and son of Tennessee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson makes the three-spot jump in the final ranking after a standout senior campaign. The 6-foot-1.5, 195-pounder was a creative playmaker at the position in 2021 to the tune of 2,921 yards and 44 touchdowns passing, and over 1,200 yards rushing for state champion Westview. A predominately pocket passer with high-end foot and reactive quickness under duress. Extends plays, and is accurate on the move working left or right. Eyes stay downfield under duress. Possesses the feel for changes ball speeds, and accuracy in the short and intermediate game. Release is a little longer than ideal, but makes up for it with a very quick arm action. 

Will Johnson, CB, Grosse Pointe (Mi.) Gross Pointe South

New ranking: No. 31

Previous ranking: No. 42 (4-star)

Michigan kept one of the top cornerback prospects home in the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder. Johnson’s game has always centered around innate feel, patience and a slow-moving game. The ability to transition those feels to cornerback effectively in the Under Armour All-America Game and practices elevated Johnson’s ranking to 5 stars. Attacks the ball at corner like a wide receiver with excellent timing and ball skills. Combination of height and long arms make place pressure on a quarterback to deliver very accurate throws when testing Johnson in the intermediate game. Could play anywhere in the Michigan secondary early in his career.