On3 Outliers: 2023 Football recruits On3 ranks higher than industry
Every set of rankings has certain prospects that check-in higher relative to others across the industry. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the prospects within the 2023 On300 that we’re higher on relative to other ranking sets.
Expanding from 100 to 300 prospects is one of the more robust updates we have over the course of the recruiting cycle. It’s still relatively early in the evaluation process for college programs and us as well, so things are pretty fluid.
With that said, roughly one quarter to one-third of the prospects in the 2023 On300 are either three-stars or unranked elsewhere. We’d like to think we’re ahead of the curve on many of these prospects. On Wednesday, we covered significant risers in this update. We also have scoop on the 13 five-star prospects.
2021 On300 I 2022 On300 I 2023Five-stars I 2022 Quarterback Rankings I 2022 Running back rankings I 2022 Wide Receiver Rankings I 2022 Tight End Rankings I 2022 Interior Offensive Line Rankings I 2022 Offensive Tackle Rankings I 2022 Edge Rankings I 2022 Defensive Line Rankings I 2022 Linebacker Rankings I 2022 Cornerback Rankings I 2022 Safety Rankings I 2022 Athlete Rankings
OT Zalance Heard
On300 ranking: 15
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Heard is the highest-ranked prospect to make his debut in the On300. At 6-foot-5.5, 295 pounds with exceptional length (36-inch arms), Heard is one of the more physically imposing offensive tackles in the cycle. He’s in his first year at the position after transferring in to northeast Louisiana powerhouse Monroe (La.) Neville this season. Despite the inexperience, Heard has shown some dominant flashes. While Heard is ranked as a defensive lineman elsewhere, he’s playing offensive tackle exclusively as a juinor and looks to have considerable upside at the position. He pairs his considerable physical traits with a mean, aggressive play style. We’re already seeing some nasty block finishing. Heard currently holds offers from Michigan, Texas and Ole Miss.
EDGE Adepoju Adebawore
On300 ranking: 52
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
Adebawore is part of a defensive line at North Kansas City (Mo.) High that features three Power Five prospects. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound edge rusher is standing out on that talented front as a junior. Adebawore is a long, twitchy presence off the edge with the ability to win with speed and dip. He’s already a violent finisher in the backfield and shows the athleticism in tracking down plays in pursuit. Adebawore will need to continue adding mass, but the play strength and physical traits are there. Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota have offered and he took in a Hawkeyes game this fall. His older brother Adetomiwa Adebawore is a starting defensive lineman for Northwestern and among their better players.
WR Ryan Niblett
On300 ranking: 70
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
The Houston Aldine Eisenhower standout was among the more dynamic wide receivers we watched in putting together the On300. Niblett is a vapor trail with the ability to roast defenses after the catch. He’s a big play waiting to happen on vertical routes up the seam, in the quick game, on end arounds and as a return man. So far, Niblett has 19 total touchdowns in seven games. He ran a 11.1 second mark in the 100 meters last spring and is expected to crack well into the sub-11 figures as a junior. Texas, Texas Tech, Houston and Vanderbilt have offered this fall along with USC.
QB Christopher Vizzina
On300 ranking: 70
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Few if any 2023 quarterbacks have done more for their stock this fall than Vizzina. The Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian passer has been very strong as a junior, pairing a strong arm and mobility both within in the pocket and as a run threat. Vizzina has a whippy arm and plays with a strong base in his lower body. He’s turned in a very productive season thus far, completing 71 percent of his passes at 10.6 yards per attempt for 15 touchdowns against one interception. He’s also run for 11 more scores. Florida, Penn State, Auburn and Tennessee have offered this fall.
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WR Traylon Ray
On300 ranking: 98
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
It’s an absolutely loaded cycle at receiver in the state of Florida. Ray is having one of the best seasons among his talented cohort. The Tallahassee (Fla.) North Florida Christian standout is a smooth, fluid wideout with high level ball skills. He’s a dominant player on Friday nights with 960 yards and 16 touchdowns on 60 catches. He also has 52 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Ray doubles as a very talented basketball player. His uncle is Melvin Ray, who was a wide receiver on Auburn’s national championship team.
RB Kendrick Raphael
On300 ranking: 100
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
If the last few weeks are any indication, Kendrick Raphael’s recruitment is in rapid ascent. Iowa State, NC State and Vanderbilt have offered this month, and with good reason. Raphael is a well-built, explosive runner and is ripping off some high-level runs this fall. He runs with significant burst and explosion. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder has rushed for 836 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging nearly 12 yards per carry in seven games this fall.
CB Bravion Rogers
On300 ranking: 114
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
We gave Rogers strong consideration for On3’s initial Top 100 for the 2023 cycle and he just missed the cut. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder is a playmaker on both sides of the ball at La Grange (Texas) High, but projects as a defensive back long-term. He’s having a strong fall, rushing for 675 yards and eight touchdowns at 9.1 yard per carry, while turning six receptions into 222 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also playing defense and has an interception. Rogers is highly athletic with at 10.63 second mark in the 100 meters and a 6’4″ best in the high jump. Michigan, Baylor, TCU and SMU have offered.
TE Javonte Vereen
On300 ranking: 116
Next highest ranking: Unranked (247Sports, Rivals, ESPN)
Javonte Vereen had a strong sophomore season in the spring but has taken his game to another level this fall. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has been dominant for eastern North Carolina power Havelock. Vereen is a bouncy pass catcher with the ability to win in contested situations while also showing athleticism after the catch. So far, he has caught 22 balls for 765 yards (34.4 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns in seven games. He’s also playing outside linebacker and has 38 tackles, four tackles for loss and one interception. In-state programs NC State and East Carolina have offered this fall. It’s a safe bet that more are on the way.