Four new five-stars in updated 2023 On300

On3 is set to release an updated overhaul of the On300 for the 2023 cycle next week. Four prospects are set to add their fifth star in this rankings update.

This overhaul is annually one of the most comprehensive updates over the life of a recruiting cycle. With signing day and the 2022 cycle in the books, we’re now able to devote full attention to the class of 2023, with an emphasis on the pivotal junior season. This update also dovetails with a period on the recruiting calendar that sees dozens if not hundreds of new prospects emerge on FBS radars.

The four new five-stars are presented below, in alphabetical order. The numerical order will be revealed next week.

WR Zachariah Branch – USC

Zachariah Branch has been trending towards five-star status for some time. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder was arguably the most electric player in high school football during his junior season at powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.

Branch has shown a complete skill set at receiver. For starters, he is one of the best track athletes in the country. As a sophomore he set the Nevada state record with a wind-legal 10.33 second 100-meter time last spring. He also has personal bests of 21.01 seconds in the 200 meters and 24 feet in the long jump. That elite athleticism seamlessly transfers over to the field, where Branch is dynamic as a deep threat and in the open field. He’s not just a straight-line speedster – Branch’s change of direction and ability to create separation with his route-running is among the best in the cycle. He’s also shown plus ball skills. Branch finished his junior season at Bishop Gorman with 1,094 yards (22.7 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns on 48 receptions. He went for over 100 yards in Bishop Gorman’s four games against national opponents. It’s a lofty comparison, but we see a lot of Jaylen Waddle in Branch’s game.

The new five-star committed to USC on Christmas Eve, joining his brother Zion, an On300 safety who signed with USC as a member of the 2022 cycle. The younger Branch is a headliner in USC’s 2023 class, which currently ranks No. 1 in the On3Team Recruiting Rankings.

Read more about Zachariah Branch’s skill set here.

OT Charles Jagusah

The offensive line cycle in 2023 appears to be strong at the top after a weak year at position in 2022. In assessing the offensive tackles, we give the current edge to Charles Jagusah as the top prospect at the position. We’ve been high on the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder since the initial rankings release back in the fall. He was primarily recruited as a defensive tackle at the time, but the upside as a potential top offensive tackle prospect was apparent. Over the past six months, Jagusah has developed into that big-time offensive tackle prospect.

Jagusah is a highly fluid and functional athlete, showing flexibility, coordination and balance. He stars on both sides of the ball for Rock Island (Ill.) Alleman and consistently flashes light-footed movement skills and top notch play strength both as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Jagusah hits high-end measurement thresholds at offensive tackle when it comes to length and frame. He also doubles as a top wrestler, where is one of the best heavyweights in the Midwest. Jagusah recently wrapped up a 41-0 season on the mat, culminating in a state championship.

Notre Dame currently leads in Jagusah’s On3 RPM.

EDGE Jaquavious Russaw

The state of Alabama’s 2023 cycle looks to be a historic one when it comes to the number of in-state blue-chip prospects. Jaquavious Russaw is in contention for the top prospect in the state and one of the top EDGE prospects in the nation. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder was a big riser in our last rankings update as a result of a breakout junior season.

Russaw is a rugged, athletic defender at one of Alabama’s top talent-producing high school programs, Montgomery Carver. He immediately jumps off the screen due to the considerable take-on strength, effort level and speed in pursuit. We watched a few of Russaw’s games during the season and he was among the most impactful defenders we saw on a snap-to-snap basis throughout the fall. The eye test bears out on the stat sheet as well. Russaw finished his senior season with 27.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 11 games. He joins fellow Carver teammate defensive lineman James Smith as the second five-star in Alabama’s absolutely loaded cycle.

The new five-star holds offers from virtually all of college football’s blue bloods. He attended games at Alabama and Georgia in the fall and returned to each campus for a junior day in January.

IOL Jven Williams – Penn State

Jven Williams continues his rapid ascent up the On300 rankings due in large part to his considerable upside. The interior offensive line group is among the strongest positions at the top in the cycle. There are several interior offensive linemen we view as top 50 prospects. We ultimately landed on Williams as the current top prospect of the bunch.

The Reading (Pa.) Wyomissing standout is an easy, athletic mover as a run blocker. He excels at the second level and is a hellacious puller in the run game due to the combination of athleticism and heavy hands. Williams also has the length and natural reactive quickness to develop into a standout in pass protection. He plays in a run-heavy offense and will need to continue honing his pass set technique. With that said, it’s not out of the cards he could blossom into an ideal zone scheme offensive tackle.

Williams is easily identifiable as an ascending prospect. He doubles as a defensive tackle for Wyomissing and is a top thrower in track with an outstanding 57 foot shot put toss. Williams was also a state champion in the discus as a sophomore. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also very young for the class and won’t turn 18 years old until late August of his freshman year. Williams is younger than many top 2024 prospects.