On3 Outliers: 2023 football recruits On3 ranks higher than industry

Last week saw the release of updated On300 for the 2023 cycle. The release is one of the more extensive rankings overhauls over the course of the year. We also saw similar rankings updates across the recruiting industry. Now that these updates are in, let’s take a look at some top prospects that On3 has ranked significantly higher relative to other ranking sets.

Updated 2023 On300

Please note that this does not include every prospect in the On300 that On3 ranks higher than others.

DL Darron Reed

On300 ranking: No. 30
Next highest ranking: No. 277 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Darron Reed was a big riser in the On300 separated himself as we were combing through the defensive line group. The Columbus (Ga.) Carver standout is a big-framed, long lineman with the build and versatile skill set to project at multiple spots along the line. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder lines up inside and at defensive end for Carver and excels at both spots. Reed shows off an explosive first step along with the on-field athleticism to track down ball carriers as a pursuit defender. He pairs that athleticism with strong hands and the ability to shed blocks in run defense. Florida State currently leads Clemson in Reed’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

EDGE Joshua Mickens

On300 ranking: No. 34
Next highest ranking: No. 158 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Joshua Mickens looks like one of the more skilled pass rushers in what is a deep group at the position in the 2023 cycle. The Indianapolis Lawrence Central product shows an advanced first step along with the ability to dip and bend around the edge. Mickens is a fluid, functional mover. He’ll need to continue adding bulk and mass, but has some functional strength that belies his current size. Mickens totaled 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a junior. He has a strong multi-sport profile as a top basketball player to go with a shot put toss over 48 feet as a sophomore. Michigan State and Iowa currently lead in Mickens’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

WR Eugene Wilson III

On300 ranking: No. 47
Next highest ranking: No. 205 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Eugene Wilson III had an illuminating showing at the Under Armour Next Miami Camp a few weeks back, which comes on the heels of several big Power Five offers coming his way. Wilson looks line of the the quicker and more fluid receivers in the cycle. The Tampa native has the skills to consistently separate against top corners. He has elite change of direction and short area quickness, which shows up in his route-running, which is among the best in the cycle. Wilson also has verified top-end speed with an electronically-timed sub-4.5 40-yard dash. He’s a bit of a late-bloomer physically, having grown an inch over the last year. Wilson’s father Eugene Wilson starred at Illinois and won two Super Bowls as a safety for the New England Patriots. Florida, Alabama and Georgia are in the mix for Wilson according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

EDGE Derion Gullette

On300 ranking: No. 56
Next highest ranking: No. 219 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Derion Gullette looks like one of the more twitchy jumbo athletes nationally, in our opinion. He’s two-way standout on the small school level at Marlin (Texas) High, starring as a receiver and linebacker. The 6-foot-3.5, 230 pounder shows off the top-end speed at receiver, where he accumulated 1,458 yards as a junior. You can also see the movement skills and physicality on defense. Gullette is undeveloped technically. He will need to continue improving his tackling technique in addition to pass rush (considering we project him at EDGE). Gullette doubles as one of the more electric above-the-rim dunkers in the 2023 cycle. He adds to the strong multi-sport profile with a 45-plus foot shot put throw as a sophomore. Texas A&M currently leads Texas in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

WR Tyler Williams

On300 ranking: No. 57
Next highest ranking: No. 195 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Tyler Williams was a basketball-first athlete prior to transferring to powerhouse Lakeland (Fla.) High before his junior season. He turned in a strong season for the Dreadnaughts and has seen his stock rise considerably over the last few months. Williams shows off a natural, well-rounded skill set at receiver. He’s a big, fluid mover at around 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Williams can win at the catch point and also shows some after-catch ability. He doubles as a top basketball player, averaging over 15 points per game at last check. Florida State, Clemson, Miami an Stanford are among those in the mix per Williams’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

CB Dijon Johnson

On300 ranking: No. 62
Next highest ranking: No. 213 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

We were the first to rank Dijon Johnson in the initial On300 release back in the fall. The tall corner continues to rise with a good junior season and continued evaluation in the camp setting. Johnson has plus size at 6-foot-1, 187 pounds with a wing-span over 6-foot-4. He’s a smooth mover and coordinated in his back pedal and shows good speed in the camp setting. Alabama, Florida State and Georgia are in the mix per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

LB Jamal Anderson

On300 ranking: No. 101
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

The national linebacker class is a bit tough to parse at the top. It’s murky at best and debatably weak that this point. Some linebacker prospects who developed a bit later could be primed to make a move. One of those is Jamal Anderson. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder has seen his stock rise over the last few months, with good reason. Anderson is a fluid, coordinated athlete. He’s a natural mover in space and plays with range and a large sphere of influence. He’s a versatile linebacker who can play in space, cover and rush the passer. Anderson totaled 78 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions as junior. His father is former All-Pro Falcons running back, Jamal Anderson. Clemson, Michigan State, Utah (where his father played) and North Carolina are in the mix according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

OT Terrance Green

On300 ranking: No. 110
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Terrance Green is one of the more physically imposing prospects in the Lone Star State’s 2023 cycle. Green is 6-foot-5.5, 270 pounds with a wing-span over 6-foot-11. He plays along the defensive line for Cypress (Texas) Cy Woods, but has considerable long-term upside as an offensive tackle. Green is a plus athlete at his size and has outstanding feet and change of direction. He’s grown considerably over the past year and should easily be able to hold over 300 pounds. Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and USC are in the mix per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

WR Andy Jean – Miami

On300 ranking: No. 111
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Andy Jean had a strong junior season at Miami Northwestern, highlighted by a two-touchdown performance against IMG Academy. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is a crafty route-runner who uses double moves to win against top defensive backs. He also has long arms and the physical capabilities to present a large catch radius. Jean committed to Miami on January 29.

LB Nigel Glover

On300 ranking: No. 136
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Nigel Glover plays safety at Dayton (Ohio) Northmont, but looks like a future linebacker. He shows safety athleticism and ability in space at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Glover is a physical downhill defender with considerable pop on contact. He also shows impressive burst and effort level as a pursuit defender. Glover has offers from the likes of West Virginia, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Minnesota, Duke, Pitt and Washington. We would not be surprised to see his offer list continue to grow this spring.

CB Warren Roberson

On300 ranking: No. 138
Next highest ranking: 3-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Warren Roberson is one of the top two-way players in Texas, in our opinion. The Red Oak (Texas) High product has one of the better combinations of top-end speed and ball skills we’ve seen in the 2023 cycle. Roberson plays receiver and corner for Red Oak. He accounted for 686 yards and six touchdowns on offense, while also nabbing four interceptions. Roberson shows top-end play speed and ran an 11.0 second 100-meter dash as a sophomore. He has offers from Oklahoma State and Ole Miss.

IOL Riley Van Poppel

On300 ranking: No. 139
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Simllar to Terrance Green, Riley Van Poppel is a high school defensive lineman with considerable long-term upside along the offensive front. The son of former Major League pitcher Todd Van Poppel pairs a developmental frame at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds with good length (80-inch wing-span) along with plus athleticism and strength. We expect the Argyle (Texas) High standout to approach or eclipse a 50-foot shot put throw this spring. Van Poppel holds offers from the likes of Nebraska, Vandrbilt, TCU, Colorado, California, Houston, SMU and Washington.

WR Chris Culliver

On300 ranking: No. 155
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Chris Culliver may be the most underrated prospect in North Carolina according to the recruiting industry. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder had a great junior season at Maiden (N.C.) High, catching 62 passes for 1,310 yards and 26 touchdowns. Culliver is a smooth mover with coordinated ball skills. He also plays basketball and we expect him to run under 11.0 seconds in the 100-meter dash this spring. South Carolina currently leads Ohio State and North Carolina in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

TE Andrew Rappleyea – Michigan

On300 ranking: No. 167
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

We’ve been high on Andrew Rappleyea dating back to the the initial On300 release. The Millbrook (N.Y.) Milton Academy product is an easy, smooth mover who shows some advanced route-running ability. Rappleyea has the change of direction to break off defenders while working across the middle of the field. He runs well and shows the ability to pick up yards after the catch, averaging well over 20 yards per grab as a junior. He also sees time on defense as a 6-foot-4 safety. Rappleyea committed to Michigan on January 22.

EDGE Colton Vasek

On300 ranking: No. 172
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Colton Vasek has been on a steady rise dating back to last fall. He was the defensive MVP after a multi-sack performance in the state title game. Vasek starred for the top defense in high school football as a junior at Austin Westlake. He is an angular rusher at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds and creates issues for offensive tackles with his first-step quickness, ability to bend and technical hands. Texas is the heavy leader in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Vasek also holds offers from Oklahoma, Georgia, Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama, Oregon and USC, among others.

LB Kaveion Keys

On300 ranking: No. 175
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Kaveion Keys makes his debut in the On300 after turning in a huge junior season for Richmond (Va.) Varina. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder totaled 65 tackles, 15 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and five pass breakups, while also playing receiver for the state champions. Keys pairs that production with some of the better play speed we’ve seen among linebackers in the 2023 cycle. He’s an active, physical player who makes big plays on both sides of the ball. Keys has offers from in-state Virginia and Virginia Tech along with Penn State.

S MarJayvious Moss

On300 ranking: No. 185
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

MarJayvious Moss is among the better defenders in the state of Louisiana’s 2023 cycle. He’s a versatile defensive back at Shreveport (La.) Northwood. Moss had a big junior season with 58 tackles, six tackles for loss and eight interceptions. He also played on offense, scoring eight touchdowns. The north Louisiana product ran a personal best of 11.13 seconds in the 100 meters as a sophomore. He has offers from Baylor and Mississippi State in addition to several Group of Five tenders.

LB Arvell Reese

On300 ranking: No. 196
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Arvell Reese is one of the fastest-rising linebackers nationally. He burst on the scene as a junior at Euclid (Ohio) High, in what was his first year of varsity football. He’s since transferred to Cleveland Glenville. Reese has a good frame at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and shows the on-field athleticism to play sideline-to-sideline. He’s a naturally physical defender and sticks ball carriers with surprisingly good tackling form for a relatively inexperienced player. Ohio State leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine on the heels of a recent offer.

OT Caleb Lomu

On300 ranking: No. 222
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Caleb Lomu could end up pushing as the top 2023 offensive tackle out West. The Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland product is steadily rising due to a projectable frame and athleticism. Lomu checks in at over 6-foot-5 and around 265 pounds with a wing-span close to 6-foot-10. He’s a nimble, light-footed mover and recently ripped off a shuttle time in the 4.5 second range at the Under Armour Next Los Angeles camp stop. Lomu holds offers from Arizona, BYU, Washignton, Utah and Oregon State with the Wildcats leading in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

EDGE Adonijah Green – Louisville

On300 ranking: No. 265
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Adonijah Green has one of the more unique builds among EDGE prospects nationally. The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder is extremely long, with a 7-foot-1 wing-span. Green recently put that length on display at the Under Armour Next Atlanta camp. The Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove product was among the better pass rushers on hand and also turned in a good junior season. There’s no question he’ll need to continue bulking up at the next level, but Green’s athleticism, length and young age for the class make for a high upside prospect. Green committed to Louisville on Christmas Eve.