Spring evaluations lead to 2025 On300 rankings update

On3 has updated its On300 football prospect rankings for the 2025 cycle. This update comes on the heels of the initial On300 release in March.

We’ve spent the last several weeks building out the On3 rankings for the 2025 cycle. This includes adding first-time ratings for dozens of prospects. Well over 500 2025 prospects have ratings from On3. Furthermore, 33 of those prospects debut in the updated On300.

The last month has also allowed for more information to be gathered on prospects who were previously ranked in the initial On300. For many, it’s as simple as verified heights and weights, testing results and track times. The flow of actionable information can be uneven and incomplete at this early stage. That’s why we’re constantly looking to update and tweak the rankings as we learn more about the prospects.

We’re around than 20 months away from the final rankings for the 2025 cycle. There’s a ton of football left to be played. Ages of top prospects in the 2025 cycle range from 15 to 17 years old. Some prospects are new to football. Many will look much different physically over the course of the next year. Hundreds of FBS prospects have yet to emerge. It’s likely there are future prospects who have yet to see varsity action or even started playing football at this time.

As noted during our initial release, this ranking is a long-term projection based on the relatively limited amount of information and sample size we have available. We’re ranking prospects off of their sophomore seasons and are looking to forecast several years down the line. It’s more about how we view these prospects turning out after two more years of high school football than who may be the best player as a 10th grader. With that said, we do give varsity contribution considerable weight at this juncture, with the understanding of varying circumstances around playing time for individual prospects.

It is critical to note that how these prospects develop and play as juniors and (most importantly) seniors will heavily outweigh these initial underclassman rankings.

Let’s take a look at some storylines within this updated 2025 On300.

DL Armondo Blount joins the group of five-star prospects

The initial release included five five-star prospects – Quarterback Bryce Underwood, Defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, Alabama wide receiver commit Ryan Williams, cornerback Naeem Offord and EDGE Zayden Walker. That group is joined by a new five-star, defensive lineman Armondo Blount, who now checks in at No. 5 overall.

Blount was on the cusp of five-star status in the initial release, as one of two prospects to hold a 97 rating – the highest possible four-star grade. The Miami Central standout has since turned in a stellar showing at the UC Report’s Miami camp. Blount backed up his status as one of the more physically gifted defenders in the cycle at this stage. He measured in at close to 6-foot-3.5, 250 pounds with a wing-span around 6-foot-9 and a 10-inch hand. He excelled in the testing portion, running an electronically-timed 4.78-second 40-yard dash, along with an impressive 30-inch vertical and 9’7″ broad jump. Blount was also stellar in the workout – flashing a dynamite first-step and quick hands as he made easy work of offensive linemen in 1-on-1’s.

The camp showing – both his measurables and overall performance – added key context to a prospect we already viewed as one of the best in the cycle at this early juncture. Blount had a dominant sophomore campaign at Miami Dillard, showing advanced pass rush skills as a stand up rusher. He’s also excelled in track and field as a top thrower, posting a personal best shot put toss of 55-6 feet this spring.

Blount’s ability to rush the passer from any spot on the defensive front makes him one of the more projectable defenders in the 2025 cycle. It remains to be seen where he’ll top out at from a size perspective and that could ultimately determine if he’s a defensive lineman or EDGE prospect. Regardless, we felt he was worthy of adding a fifth star. In-state programs Florida and Miami are out front early on per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Movement within the top 30

There were some additional movement within the top 30 of this release, ranging from small tweaks to big debuts.

We thought Houston North Shore’s Devin Sanchez had some of the best sophomore film among cornerback prospects we evaluated for the initial release. Sanchez is a technically skilled corner who fared well against top competition in the state of Texas’ highest classification. His ability to stay attached and make plays on the ball downfield stood out. Sanchez has bolstered his evaluation with some impressive track times this spring, highlighted by a 10.81 second 100 meters mark. The film backed up by the track results helped drive Sanchez’s jump into the top ten, with him now checking in at No. 9 overall. He is one of three prospects to hold a 97 rating along with offensive tackle David Sanders (No. 7) and safety DJ Pickett (No. 8). Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama are in the mix for Sanchez according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Harlem Berry makes the slight move up to No. 11 overall and now checks in as the top running back prospect, just a few spots ahead of Ousmane Kromah (No. 14). We love Berry’s sophomore film. His burst, play speed and ability to change directions on a dime are arguably the best in the cycle. He backed that up with a great track season, culminating in state titles in 100 meters (10.57 seconds) and 200 meters (21.43 seconds). Also of note, Berry is currently checking in at around 180 pounds up from around 160 as a freshman. His size is one of the primary areas we’re monitoring as he will likely need to continue adding good mass to hold on to the top spot in what looks to be a good running back group. In-state LSU is the early favorite for Berry according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, with the Tigers holding two expert predictions.

Safety JaDon Blair makes the biggest debut in this release, checking in at No. 26 overall. The Winston Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor product is one of the more physically-gifted 2025 prospects that has come across our radar. Blair has measured over 6-foot-4, 180 pounds with an arm length close to 34 inches. He pairs the big frame and elite length with very good combine athleticism – an electronic 4.65 second 40-yard dash, 4.29 second short shuttle, and 30+ inch vertical. The traits seamlessly transfer over to the field, where Blair flashed smooth movement skills, extensive range in coverage and overall playmaking ability as a sophomore. He’s younger for the cycle and could be a 2026 prospect, which could point to further room for growth with what already looks like a very high upside. Blair has added spring offers from Penn State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Wake Forest, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and West Virginia.

Weatherford (Okla.) High’s CJ Nickson moves up from just inside the top 100 up to No. 27. Nickson looks like one of the top jumbo athletes in the 2025 cycle at this juncture. He would check in among the top tight end or EDGE prospects if ranked at either position. Nickson made impressive plays on both sides of the ball as a sophomore, while lining up at wide receiver and linebacker. The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder caught 34 passes for 608 yards and eight touchdowns, showing the ability to come down with high-level catches in contested situations. He also flashed movement skills and coordination while playing in space at linebacker. Nickson also doubles as one of the top high school basketball players in Oklahoma. He led Weatherford to a 29-2 season and averaged over 21 points per game as a sophomore. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Baylor are in the mix according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Rising quarterbacks

A handful of quarterbacks made notable upward moves and debuts in the On300.

Deuce Knight has made a strong claim as the most athletic quarterback in the 2025 cycle and moves up around 35 spots to No. 28 overall. Knight checked in at 6-foot-4.5, 180-pounds at Elite 11’s Oxford regional and posted some eye-popping combine numbers. The Lucedale (Miss.) George County product ripped off a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, 4.39 second short shuttle and absolutely phenomenal 41.9-inch vertical. Those results are marked improvements over his prior testing numbers. The tall lefty has also made strides as a passer, displaying a strong arm and improved consistency. His upside looks to be as high as any quarterback in the cycle. Ole Miss and Tennessee are teams of note early on in Knight’s recruitment according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Ty Hawkins is coming off a big debut season at San Antonio Johnson High and looks like the top 2025 quarterback prospect in Texas at this juncture and checks in at No. 57. The 6-foot, 188-pounder is an athletic playmaker with good arm strength and plus mobility. Hawkins has the juice to make far has throws and rip off long runs when the play breaks down. He’s a bigger-framed quarterback despite his 6-foot height and has a 9.75-inch hand. Hawkins threw for 2,167 yards and 30 touchdowns and ran for 920 yards and eight more scores as a junior. He’s also registered as one of the more athletic 2025 passers on the camp circuit this spring, running a 4.69 second 40-yard dash, 4.26 second short shuttle and jumping 35.8 inches in the vertical. TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU, Houston and UTSA have offered.

Blake Hebert looks to be one of the toolsiest and most physically-developed quarterbacks thus far in the 2025 cycle and debuts at No. 66 overall. The Lawrence (Mass.) Central Catholic quarterback is a big, strong-armed passer with high-end athleticism and movement skills. Hebert is close to 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and recently posted an electronically-timed 4.64-second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s New Jersey regional – in a driving rain. The physical tools he flashes on his sophomore film are even more impressive. Hebert has a plus arm at this stage. The ball jumps out of his 10-inch hand. He easily pushes the ball downfield and throws with considerable zip over the middle of the field. Simply put, the arm and athleticism look to be highly translatable entering his junior season. Hebert threw for 24 touchdowns against just one interception as a sophomore. Nebraska, Iowa, Ole Miss, Rutgers and Virginia have offered thus far.

Husan Longstreet (No. 208), Bryce Baker (No. 212) and TJ Lateef (No. 223) are three more On300 quarterbacks who have turned in impressive showings on the camp circuit. Longstreet has flashed one of the strongest arms in the cycle. He will benefit from more live in-game reps as a junior. Baker is a talented multi-sport athlete with physical upside. Lateef has shown nice passing polish and had an encouraging sophomore season against top competition in Southern California.

Checking the early commits

23 prospects inside the On300 are currently committed, up from 12 since the prior ranking. Georgia’s No. 1-ranked class leads the way with five pledges, all ranked inside the top 100.

WR Ryan Williams (No. 3) – Alabama

TE Elyiss Williams (No. 32) – Georgia

S Jontae Gilbert (No. 44) – Ohio State

DL Justus Terry (No. 49) – Georgia

LB Jadon Perlotte (No. 54) – Georgia

OT Micah Debose (No. 77) – Georgia

OT Jaelyne Matthews (No. 78) – Penn State

RB Jabree Wallace-Coleman (No. 88) – Georgia

WR Winston Watkins Jr. (No. 90) – Colorado

WR Dallas Wilson (No. 100) – Oregon

S Anquon Fegans (No. 130) – USC

QB Austin Simmons (No. 137) – Florida

QB Kevin Sperry (No. 143) – Oklahoma

RB Caden Knighten (No. 153) – Vanderbilt

RB Taevion Swint (No. 161) – UCF

WR Gracen Harris (No. 162) – Oklahoma

IOL Brett Bordelon (No. 189) – LSU

IOL Dontrell Glover (No. 198) – Alabama

IOL Charlie Hoitink (No. 209) – Stanford

S Omari Gaines (No. 211) – Penn State

WR DL Hardison (No. 227) – Florida State

IOL Mason Short (No. 269) – Alabama

CB Shamar Arnoux (No. 300) – Tennessee