Unveiling the initial 2024 On300

On3 has released its initial On300 football prospect rankings for the 2024 cycle. The On300 builds upon the initial Top 100 Watchlist which was released during the fall.

We’ve spent the past month combing through hundreds of rising juniors in order to formulate these early rankings. With that said, this ranking is very much a long-term projection.

We’re a little less than two years out from the final rankings for the 2024 cycle. There’s a ton of football left to be played. Ages of top prospects in the 2024 cycle range from 15 to 17 years old. Some prospects will invariably look quite different physically over the course of the next year. Hundreds of FBS prospects have yet to emerge. It’s likely there are future top-100 type prospects who have yet to see varsity action or even start playing football all together.

Initial 2024 On300

While the ranking is a long-term projection, we also heavily weighed varsity contribution, with the understanding that some may get opportunities later than others. Certain positions like running back and wide receiver tend to develop a little earlier than spots that require physical development, like the offensive line. As a result, this early ranking tends to have a higher incidence of skill players as opposed to rankings later in the process.

Let’s take a look at some storylines surrounding this initial release.

Three initial 5-stars

The top three prospects debut with five-star ratings in the initial On300.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola debuts as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle. We came away viewing the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was the top quarterback prospect in the cycle at this point in time. Raiola looks like the top arm talent in the 2024 cycle at this stage, in our opinion. As a sophomore, he showed the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws. Raiola has a loose, pliable arm with the ability to deliver off-platform from multiple arm slots. We see him make high level, reactive and creative plays at a high clip. Raiola also turned in one of the more productive sophomore seasons among top 2024 quarterbacks. The son of former Nebraska All-American and 14-year NFL veteran Dominic Raiola has since transferred from Burleson (Texas) High to Chandler (Ariz.) High.

Raiola has offers from most of the nation’s top programs. He’s recently visited Georgia, Clemson and Oregon. The Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns are currently in front in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Cornerback Desmond Ricks debuts at No. 2 overall. The 6-foot-1.5, 175-pounder has been a standout on IMG Academy’s defense for the better part of two years. Ricks pairs good stature with high-end athleticism at corner. He’s smooth in his movements and advanced technically. The Chesapeake, Virginia native is battle-tested and regularly holds his own against some of the nation’s best wide receivers. Alabama and North Carolina are currently pacing as the top two in Ricks’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Defensive lineman Justin Scott rounds out the initial five-stars, checking in at No. 3 overall. The 6-foot-5, 310 pounder burst on the scene this fall while playing his first season of varsity football at St. Ignatius in Chicago. Though new to football, Scott’s easily identifiable natural talent currently separates him among the defensive line group. His explosive and fluid movement skills are readily apparent. Scott runs like a much smaller player and makes high-level athletic plays in pursuit. There’s no question he’ll need to continue developing like most other top prospects, but we view Scott’s ceiling high enough to merit the early five-star rating. Scott has early offers from Iowa, Illinois, Iowa State, Tennessee and Cincinnati among others.

Strong defensive backs group

In addition to Desmond Ricks, several defensive backs check in among the top 15 prospects.

Jaylen Mbakwe (No. 4) is ranked as an athlete, but could project as a cornerback long-term. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder from Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville is one of the more dynamic two-way prospects in the cycle. Mbakwe carries over his 10.76 100-meter track speed onto the field. He’s an explosive player with the ball in his hands and recently impressed in coverage as a corner at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp. Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Oklahoma are in the mix per his On3 Recruiting Prediction machine.

Cornerback Bryce West (No. 7) is the highest-rated prospect from famed Cleveland Glenville in many years. The program has produced a number of NFL players, with most playing their college football at Ohio State. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound West pairs high-end speed (10.91 second 100-meter time as a freshman) with plus ball-skills. We saw West make a number of high-level plays on the ball as a sophomore. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ohio State is the big favorite in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Ellis Robinson IV (No. 9) checks in as the No. 3 corner after Ricks and West. The 5-foot-11.5, 175-pounder played his sophomore season at Iona Prep in suburban New York before transferring to IMG Academy, where he’ll team with Ricks. Robinson was a versatile two-way player as a sophomore, making big plays on both sides of the ball. His ball skills appear to be advanced at this stage. Robinson also tests as a strong athlete in the combine setting. Alabama leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

KJ Bolden (No. 11) debuts as the top prospect in what looks to be a loaded cycle in the state of Georgia. Bolden was initially ranked as an athlete, but is now listed as a safety. The Buford High standout has one of the best combinations of size and athleticism among defensive back prospects in the cycle. He posted a 10.76 second 100-meter time as a freshman at 6-foot, 180 pounds. Bolden plays both wide receiver and safety at Buford, but after seeing him up close early this off-season, we view his best long-term fit on defense at this point in time. In-state Georgia leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Top pass-catchers

Several pass-catchers also check in inside the top 15.

Micah Hudson (No. 6) ranks as the top receiver in the cycle. The Temple (Texas) Lake Belton standout showed a well-rounded skill set as a sophomore. Hudson’s ability to track and high-point the ball in contested situations separates him among his peers. He’s also explosive after the catch. Hudson has offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and Notre Dame among others.

Joshisa Trader (No. 13) checks in as the second receiver after Hudson. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder had a breakout sophomore season at Miami Central, all while playing some of the nation’s best competition. Trader is a smooth operator with advanced change of direction and route-running savvy. He wins off the line and has the on-field play speed to win vertically. Trader has offers from Florida State, Florida, Miami, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC, among others. The Seminoles and Trojans currently lead in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Tight end Trey’Dez Green (No. 15) presents one of the biggest passing game mismatches we’ve seen in the 2024 cycle. The 6-foot-7, 230-pounder doubles as a basketball prospect – and it’s easy to see why. Green has the body and movement skills of an explosive power forward on the gridiron. He uses his considerable size advantage to out-jump and box out defensive backs. We also see Green’s athleticism on display in catch-and-run situations. In-state LSU leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Checking the early commits

Eight prospects within the On300 are currently committed:

RB Kameron Davis (No. 37) – Florida State
WR Aeryn Hampton  (No. 38) – Texas
CB Aaron Butler (No. 92) – USC
IOL Cody Fox (No. 93) – Iowa
S Jordan Pride (No. 142) – Florida State
IOL Cooper Cousins (No. 159) – Penn State
ATH Lorenzo Johnson (No. 280) Texas Tech
WR Jason Robinson (No. 283) – USC