On3 2024 Top 10 Prospects Countdown

Following a busy five months of offseason camps and the first half of the junior season, On3 has updated its On300 football prospect rankings for the 2024 cycle.

These rankings, the first update since May, featured a significant amount of movement, as is expected early on in every recruiting cycle. 74 prospects moved into the On300, and a few new faces have made their case as one of the top prospects in junior class. That includes one new five-star (pushing the number up to three early on) and six new players in the On300 top 10.

Below are the top 10 prospects in the junior class:

1. 5-star QB Dylan Raiola
School: Chandler (Ariz.)
Status: Committed to Ohio State
On3 NIL Valuation: $266K

Scouting Summary: “Advanced arm talent with the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws as a high school underclassman. Looks like the top quarterback prospect and overall arm talent in the 2024 cycle early on. Physically developed at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Has a natural, loose throwing motion with unique arm dexterity to deliver off-platform and from multiple arm slots. Already has a deep catalog of throws as a rising junior in high school. Easily drives the ball to all levels of the field. Played both under center and in the shotgun as a sophomore. Ahead of the curve as a ball-handler and in the quick passing game. Shows good footwork and awareness in the pocket. Capable of creative plays in the face of pressure. Primarily a pass-first quarterback as a sophomore, not running for many yards. Turned in one of the more productive sophomore seasons among top 2024 quarterbacks. The son of 14-year NFL center Dominic Raiola. Also a standout baseball player as a pitcher and catcher.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

2. 5-star CB Desmond Ricks
School: Chesapeake (Va.) IMG Academy
Status: Uncommitted
On3 NIL Valuation: $159K
On3 RPM: Alabama 53.1%, North Carolina 15.7%, Florida 6.8%, LSU 5.7%, Miami 3.9%

Scouting Summary:  Big, athletic corner who stars on one of the most talented defenses in high school football. Has good stature for the position at over 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds heading into his junior season. Registers as a strong athlete in the combine setting. Was a key player on IMG Academy’s talented defense as a sophomore in addition to seeing significant time as a freshman. A smooth mover with advanced technical ability. Battle-tested against top wide receivers both in practice at IMG and in playing a national schedule throughout the fall. Older for the class, turning 18 years old in the middle of his junior season. — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

3. 5-star CB Ellis Robinson IV
School: New Haven (Conn.) IMG Academy
Status: Uncommitted
On3 NIL Valuation: $138K
On3 RPM: Alabama 62.4%, Georgia 32.9%, Miami 1.4%

Scouting Summary: “Ball-hawking defensive back with elite length and ability to make plays on the ball as a high school underclassman. Dominated competition in New York’s Catholic league as a sophomore, bringing in eight interceptions. Made several impressive, acrobatic picks. Has advanced ball skills as a cornerback, which he pairs with outstanding length. Measured in at 5-foot-11.5, 169 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wing-span prior to his junior season. Also tests as a very good athlete, running a 4.56 second electronically-timed 40-yard dash. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season and should see an uptick in competition as a high school upperclassman.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

4. EDGE Williams Nwaneri
School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
Status: Uncommitted
On3 NIL Valuation: $79K
On3 RPM: Kansas State 17.1%, Nebraska 15.0%, Iowa State 12.8%, Oklahoma 10.7%

Scouting Summary: “The most physically-gifted defensive line prospect early on in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wing-span and an 11-inch hand. Moves very well for his size. Clocked a sub-5.0-second electronically-timed 40-yard dash prior to his junior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, showing the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Still developing in terms of technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front, but looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

5. WR Jeremiah Smith
School: Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Status: Uncommitted
On3 NIL Valuation: $173K
On3 RPM: Ohio State 96.5%, Miami <1%, Florida <1%

Scouting Summary: “Big, skilled receiver with fluidity and savvy for the position. Measured in at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds prior to his junior season. Had a breakout 2021 season, helping his Chaminade-Madonna team to a state championship. Turned in several strong performances, including a big state title game. Polished route-runner at this early stage. Smooth mover with some technical refinement that allows for separation. Shows good ball skills with his ability to track the football over his shoulder. Does not register as a top athlete in the combine setting at this stage. Can further take advantage of his size by continuing to improve his contested catch skills.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

6. EDGE Dylan Stewart
School: Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy
Status: Uncommitted
On3 NIL Valuation: $94K
On3 RPM: Penn State 19.1%, Rutgers 16.7%, Ohio State 14.3%, South Carolina 11.9%

Scouting Summary: “Disruptive pass rusher who looks to be one of the top EDGE prospects early on in the 2024 cycle. Shows a quick first step. Fires off the ball with the ability to quickly redirect with lateral agility. Dips and bends around the edge, showing some encouraging flexibility and curvilinear movement. Also plays low and gets underneath the pads of opposing offensive linemen. Has good size and stature checking in at 6-foot-4.5, 211 pounds with a 81-inch wing-span prior to his junior season. Will need to continue progressing from a strength and technical perspective as he continues through his high school career.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

7. ATH Jaylen Mbakwe
School: Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville
On3 NIL Valuation: $139K
Status: Committed to Alabama

Scouting Summary: “One of the more dynamic two-way athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Stars on both sides of the ball for one of the top high school programs in Alabama. Has outstanding play speed, backed up by a personal best of 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters mid-way through his sophomore track season. Pulls away in the open field, easily out-running defenders. Dynamic with the ball in his hands both as a receiver and return man. Also shows the ability to separate on vertical routes. Returned several kicks for touchdowns. Also doubles as a productive defensive back, with high level ball production, totaling 4 interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a sophomore. Should he end up at defensive back, will need to continue honing his technical skills.”  — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

8. QB DJ Lagway
School: Willis (Texas)
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Texas A&M 65.3%, Florida 13.4%, LSU 7.4%, USC 4.1%
On3 NIL Valuation: $130K

Scouting Summary: “Strong-armed quarterback prospect who possesses a thicker build with solid measurables for the position. Checked in at 6-foot-2.3 and 225 pounds during the camp circuit prior to his junior season. Has the arm strength to make throws at every level of the field, including ones from the far hash. Efficient with his movements in the pocket and comfortable working outside the pocket. Arm talent shines when forced to throw from multiple arm slots or off-platform. Will need to continue progressing with his accuracy as a passer – completed 55 percent of his passes as a sophomore at under 7 yards per attempt. A touted two-sport athlete who has also received multiple Power Five offers as a baseball player.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

9. WR Mike Matthews
School: Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Clemson 30.8%, Georgia 18.2%, Alabama 15.6%, Tennessee 6.8%
On3 NIL Valuation: $129K

Scouting Summary: “Very promising skill set at receiver, highlighted by some downright dominant moments. Matthews may have had the best ball skills on hand at Overtime’s OT7 event, which is saying something considering the number of top pass catchers in Las Vegas bordered on ridiculous. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has noticeably long arms to go with vertical leaping ability and coordination. He’s also quick in confined spaces and has some upside as a route-runner.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

10. EDGE Elijah Rushing
School: Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic
Status: Uncommitted
On3 RPM: Arizona 24.8%, Oregon 14.7%, Notre Dame 12.6%, Florida 10.5%, USC 5.5%
On3 NIL Valuation: $102K

Scouting Summary: “Tall, rangy pass rusher with projectable tools. Has a big frame for a rising junior, checking in at 6-foot-5.8, 224 pounds prior to his junior season. Had a good sophomore year, tallying 7.5 sacks while primarily playing defensive end in a three-man front. Shows disruptive qualities both as a pass rusher and pursuit defender. Plays with good bend, particularly for a taller prospect. Posted encouraging athletic testing marks in the combine setting. Will need to continue to add functional strength as he fills out his frame and progresses as a player.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings