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On3 5-star DL Daevin Hobbs is exploding onto the scene

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•10/11/22•

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Photo by Chad Simmons/On3

Coming into this summer, Concord (N.C.) Robinson defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs was undoubtedly a coveted recruit, holding offers from the likes of Auburn, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Missouri and more.

The in-state Tar Heels had developed a long-standing relationship with him and were in the driver’s seat through most of the summer months, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Hobbs himself said he was ready to commit on Aug. 1, with UNC being the strong favorite to land him. But his performances in a handful of college camps opened some eyes, including those of On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power.

In On3’s July rankings update, Hobbs jumped 117 spots from No. 200 overall to No. 83. His early-season senior film only cemented his meteoric rise, with On3 the first of the four major recruiting services to move him into five-star status.

“You can see him starting to tap into all of that as a senior,” Power said this week. “Of the 2023 prospects we’ve seen, few have made more of a positive impression as an upward mover. That’s one of the reasons we made him a five-star because you can just see the potential really starting to manifest. I think we’re going to look up in a couple years — after he’s in a college strength program and focusing on being a defensive lineman — and think he’s one of the best overall prospects in this class when it’s said and done.”

Daevin Hobbs’ athleticism jumps off the screen

At 6’4 and north of 270 pounds, Hobbs was clocked running multiple 4.7-second 40s at college camps this summer. He boasts an 80-inch wingspan and doubles as a jumbo wide receiver/tight on the offensive side of the ball. On tape, he regularly pulls away from chasing defensive backs as a pass-catcher and dominates offensive linemen as a pass-rusher.

“A 270-pounder that is pulling away from defensive backs, you just don’t really see that very often,” Power added. “And he is showing some really good progress as a technician as a defensive player. Probably more of a developmental prospect than some others, given that he has really not been a football-first athlete at any point in high school to date.

… But he has one of the higher upsides among defensive linemen, and perhaps overall defensive prospects, in the 2023 cycle. He’s just extremely athletic; maybe the best athlete among the defensive line group, which we think is a strong group nationally.”

That projectable skill set, combined with with the raw athleticism and ideal frame for top-end defensive line prospect, has made him into a budding star on the recruiting trail.

Recruitment is just getting started

Prior to postponing that August 1 commitment date, Hobbs hadn’t gained much interest from programs at the upper echelon of college football. But those camp performances, combined with what he has put together halfway through his senior season on the field, have made him one of the country’s most-wanted prospects.

Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee have quickly ascended to the top of his recruitment, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, with Ohio State and Michigan also involved.

“His recruitment has gone to a whole different level from the summer,” Simmons said. “Tennessee hung around, and they’ve become a major factor in this race. He’ll be back at Tennessee this weekend; he’s already taken his official visit there and been on campus a handful of times. And it’s not just him; his sister is a big-time basketball prospect in 2024, and she’s a major Tennessee target as well in basketball, and she has major interest in the Vols, too. So it’s not just him, but the family that likes Tennessee.”

Continued Simmons: “Alabama and Georgia have gone all in this fall. He’ll be back at both schools for official visits in the coming weeks, and we’ll see have to see how it plays. He took somewhat of a surprise trip to Ohio State and Michigan, and they’re still trying to get him to change his schedule around and maybe take an OV to their school. Right now, the plan is still the same for him to officially visit Alabama and Georgia and maybe try to get back to Ohio State and/or Michigan for a second visit.

As it stands now, a commitment is expected from Daevin Hobbs around Thanksgiving — right around the time of his mother’s birthday. The buzz, Simmons says, continues to be around the three SEC schools, as they each work to add him to their classes.