On3 Outliers: 2023 football recruits On3 ranks higher than industry

Monday saw the release of the updated On300 for the 2023 cycle. Though the release is not an exhaustive overhaul, we did see some significant movement and new entries with 20 prospects making their On300 debut.

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 across the recruiting industry. For a look at where top prospects rank throughout the industry, check out On3’s Industry Comparison rankings.

Updated 2023 On300

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

EDGE Adepoju Adebawore

On300 ranking: No. 20
Next highest ranking: No. 104 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Adepoju Adebawore has been in the top 60 of the On300 since last fall, but continues to rise. The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder looks like one of the more athletic and twitchy pass rushers in the nation on junior video. He validated that notion recently at Under Armour Next’s Kansas City camp. Adebawore checked in with a wing-span over 7-feet and turned in some very strong testing numbers. He was equally impressive in drills where he moved like a much smaller player. Combining that showing with the strong junior season (17.5 sacks) along with the fact he’s relatively new to football and young for the class makes Adebawore a stock up prospect despite the previous lofty ranking.

Adebawore has visited Kansas, Oklahoma, Northwestern — where his older brother plays — and Georgia this year.

CB Daniel Harris

On300 ranking: No. 39
Next highest ranking: No. 187 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Daniel Harris looks to be one of the more toolsy cornerbacks in the 2023 cycle at this stage. There are several top corners who may end up at safety long-term. That does not appear to be the case with Harris. The Miami Gulliver Prep cornerback has measured in at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds this off-season and has verified above-average length at the position. He combines that size with track speed (10.74 in the 100 meters), which he transfers over to the field. He’s a longer boundary corner with top-end speed, giving him two key traits hat stand out among his peers.

Georgia leads Ohio State in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

DL T.J. Searcy

On300 ranking: No. 49
Next highest ranking: No. 179 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

T.J. Searcy has highly functional movement skills at 6-foot-5.5 and 245 pounds. He primarily plays in a two-point stance for his high school, often dropping into coverage. It’s somewhat similar to what we saw from future top five pick Travon Walker when he was playing at the same school four years ago. Searcy is a fluid, flexible athlete who looks to be quite coordinated. He has a strong athletic profile, showing bounce on the basketball court along with strong throws in the shot put. He’ll need to continue developing, but the upside is readily apparent. Clemson currently leads, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

CB Dijon Johnson, Ohio State commit

On300 ranking: No. 59
Next highest ranking: No. 113 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Dijon Johnson was in our last installment of On3 Outliers, but it’s worth repeating, given his recent commitment to Ohio State. The Tampa Wharton product has been in the On300 since last fall and continued to rise after showing plus size and speed. Johnson has measured in at 6-foot-1, 187 pounds and ran well at Under Armour Next’s Miami camp back in February. He also moved well in positional drills and looks to be smooth in cover situations. Johnson committed to Ohio State on April 17.

EDGE Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama commit

On300 ranking: No. 60
Next highest ranking: No. 176 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Like several in this story, Yhonzae Pierre has been a mainstay of the On3 rankings since last fall. The Eufaula (Ala.) High standout pops off the video with his first-step quickness and closing speed. He shows disruptive qualities and has the ability to affect the quarterback in several different ways. Pierre is also a violent, physical finisher behind the line of scrimmage. He committed to Alabama on April 14.

LB S’Maje Burrell, Texas commit

On300 ranking: No. 70
Next highest ranking: No. 269 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

S’Maje Burrell is one of the more productive and instinctive linebackers in the 2023 cycle. He tallied, 104 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and an interception as a junior. Burrell is a natural read and react linebacker and shows the ability to make plays both downhill and in space. He’s not overly tall at 6-foot, 217 but does have some compensatory length with a 6-foot-5 wing-span. Burrell also recently put up some nice agility marks at Under Armour Next’s Dallas camp. He committed to Texas on April 2.

CB Robert Stafford

On300 ranking: No. 87
Next highest ranking: No. 187 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Robert Stafford plays on both sides of the ball at Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie, but looks to be settling in as a cornerback prospect. He recently worked out at ESPN’s Underclassman camp in Orlando and turned in an impressive performance. Stafford has grown over an inch since his last official measurement and now checks in at close to 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. He also ran an electronically-timed 4.54 second 40-yard dash, which is a very strong mark. Stafford looks to be polished in coverage as well, especially for a prospect who has spent so much time on offense. Also a good basketball player, Stafford just has the look of a natural athlete. He has taken visits to Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia this year.

OT Caleb Lomu

On300 ranking: No. 95
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (ESPN)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Caleb Lomu now ranks as the top offensive lineman out West in the 2023 cycle. It’s well-earned, too. Lomu has put in work this off-season on the heels of a good junior year at Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland. Lomu is one of the more natural movers among top offensive linemen nationally. He checks in at over 6-foot-5 and around 265 pounds with a wing-span close to 6-foot-10 and recently ripped off a shuttle time in the 4.5 second range. That athleticism carries over to the field, where he excels at blocking at the second level. We’ve also seen Lomu show some feisty and physical tendencies along with a strong anchor despite being lighter than many of his peers.

Lomu holds offers from Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Washington, Utah and Oregon State with the Wildcats leading in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

OT Sullivan Absher

On300 ranking: No. 99
Next highest ranking:  No. 197 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Sullivan Absher has some of the more dominant run-blocking video we’ve seen from an offensive tackle in the 2023 cycle thus far. He plays in a flexbone offense at Belmont (N.C.) South Point and is a weapon in the run game. Absher fires off the ball and mows opposing defenders at the point of attack. He does a nice job of playing low, despite being taller at 6-foot-6. Absher remains a projection as a pass blocker, but his physicality, quick burst and block finishing put him in the top 100 as things stand. He recently named a top three of Clemson, NC State and Notre Dame.

OT Tyree Adams

On300 ranking: No. 119
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Tyree Adams is a stock up prospect for On3 after showing improvement over the past year. Adams has continued to fill out and has checked in at 6-foot-5.5, and around 285 pounds this offseason. He’s a good athlete for the position. We see Adams show impressive movement skills and feet both on junior video and in the camp setting. He’s younger for the class and won’t turn 17 until July, so there’s likely more improvement to come, as well. Adams will need to continue getting stronger, but he’s flashed some intriguing upside early on this offseason.
LSU leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

S Vincent Holmes

On300 ranking: No. 129
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (ESPN)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Vincent Holmes is a two-way playmaker at San Jacinto (Calif.) High who projects at safety long-term. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder shows high-level play speed both at safety and receiver, validated by a 10.99 mark in the 100 meters this spring. He flies downhill to make plays against the run and the quick game. We also see Holmes get vertical on opposing defensive backs. He has some spring and shows plus ball skills with the ability to track and high-point. Holmes also looks to have strong instincts, quickly breaking on routes to make plays. The ball production (4 interceptions, 633 receiving yards) is there. Holmes is also very young for the class, not turning 17 years old until October. He’s close to a full year younger than most 2023 prospects. USC and UCLA lead in Holmes’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

S Randon Fontenette

On300 ranking: No. 136
Next highest ranking: 3-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Randon Fontenette is underrecruited right now, but we suspect that will change during the evaluation period. He’s a do-it-all athlete at Freeport (Texas) Brazosport, playing at quarterback and defensive back. Fontenette has some of the better length and stature among defensive back prospects we’ve evaluated in the 2023 cycle thus far. He’s measured at 6-foot-2, over 190 pounds with an arm length over 33 inches – that’s elite length for a defensive back. Fontenette had a strong junior season, accounting for over 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 33 touchdowns en route to being named District MVP. He shows athleticism and playmaking ability at quarterback and range and play speed at safety. A significant percentage of future NFL defensive backs (particularly safeties) tend to play quarterback in high school, so that’s a plus, as well. Fontenette is another who is younger for the class, not turning 17 years old until July. He currently holds offers from Utah, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, UTSA and ULM.

IOL Austin Siereveld

On300 ranking: No. 140
Next highest ranking: No. 245 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

The interior offensive line group is very deep nationally with prospects who have strong athletic profiles. Austin Siereveld is among the bigger prospects in that group, recently measuring around 6-foot-5 and over 320 pounds. The Cincinnati Lakota East product moves well at that size, ripping off an impressive 4.74 second short shuttle at Under Armour Next’s Columbus camp earlier this spring. Siereveld is a grinding run blocker who dominates opponents at the point of attack and works to finish blocks. He uses his basketball feet to get in good positions and move up to the second level. While he may not have the length of some other top interior linemen, we see Siereveld as a well-rounded, high floor prospect. Ohio State leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine

WR Joshua Manning

On300 ranking: No. 163
Next highest ranking: Unranked 4-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Joshua Manning checks several boxes as a receiver prospect. He’s a technically savvy pass-catcher with the ability to separate with his routes and pick up yards after the catch. We also see Manning make some plays on the ball in the red zone. He elevates and shows high-point ability in contested catch situations. Manning also has a good athletic profile. He’s clocked 11.15 seconds in the 100 meters this spring and is an all-state long jumper. He also has above-the-rim athleticism on the basketball court. Manning has taken visits to Kansas, Iowa, Kansas State, Iowa State and Nebraska this year.

CB Josiah Jackson, West Virginia commit

On300 ranking: No. 143
Next highest ranking: 3- star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Josiah Jackson supplemented his strong junior video with a very good showing at Under Armour Next’s Columbus camp. The Fairfield (Ohio) High defensive back checked in at over 6-feet, 177 pounds with a 6-foot-5 wing-span. He ran well in the testing portion and was a standout in 1-on-1’s, showing outstanding patience in coverage. Jackson is a long corner who can play on an island in man-press. He gave up few if any catches as a junior, helping Fairfield to a deep playoff run. The technical ability and coverage instincts look to be advanced. Jackson committed to West Virginia on March 11.

DL Daevin Hobbs

On300 ranking: No. 201
Next highest ranking: 3-star (Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Daevin Hobbs is a big, athletic two-way player at Concord (N.C.) Robinson. He could be a defensive lineman or perhaps even a tight end at the next level. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is a long, nimble athlete who produced on both sides of the ball as a junior. Hobbs registered 20.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks on defense and made several big plays as a tight end. He also helped his school to a state title in basketball this year. North Carolina leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

WR JeyQuan Smith

On300 ranking: No. 186
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

JeyQuan Smith is one of the faster prospects on the West Coast, if not the nation. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder cracked 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters last spring and has posted some very strong times so far this year, including a 21.14 second mark in the 200 meters. Most importantly, we see that speed carry over to the field at San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon. Smith runs with outstanding burst and pace with the ball in his hands and regularly obliterates defenders’ angles. He also shows the ability to make catches away from his body. Some view Smith as an athlete, but we see his long-term potential at receiver. Oregon has the early edge in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

QB Brady Drogosh

On300 ranking: No. 233
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Brady Drogosh is one of the more toolsy quarterbacks we’ve evaluated in the 2023 cycle thus far. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds with a 10 3/8 inch hand, Drogosh pairs plus size with high-end athleticism. The Warren (Mich.) De La Salle signal caller is one of, if not the best rusher among the 2023 quarterback group. He was dominant with the ball in his hands as a junior, rushing for 1,781 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to a state title. He also recently registered as one of the top athletes to test on the Elite 11 circuit this spring, running a 4.61 second 40-yard dash. Drogosh has also shown some encouraging signs as a passer. He’s not as polished or coached up as many others, but has a naturally strong arm with the ability to drive the ball downfield. There’s a bunch of talent and athleticism to work with here, in our opinion. Drogosh holds offers from Indiana, Kansas, Maryland and Minnesota.

ATH Jyaire Hill

On300 ranking: No. 242
Next highest ranking: 3-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Industry Comparison
On3 NIL Valuation

Jyaire Hill is a three-phase playmaker at Kankakee (Ill.) High, showing some game-breaking ability as an offensive skill player, defensive back and return man. He dominated the competition level as a junior. Hill is listed as an athlete but may be a defensive back long-term. He is a ball-hawk with plus ball skills and a high interception rate at safety. We also saw Hill recently work out at as a defensive back at Under Armour Next’s Kansas City camp. Hill will need to continue filling out but has good stature at over 6-foot-1 and runs well in the combine setting. Michigan leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.