Nico Iamaleava, top prospects live up to billing in Polynesian Bowl

Dozens of blue-chip prospects from the 2023 cycle played in the sixth annual Polynesian Bowl over the weekend in Honolulu. The game, which was aired on NFL Network on Friday night, is the last time we will see the participants on the field as high school players.

The players were split into two teams – Team Mauka and Team Makai – with Mauka taking the 22-17 victory. Several five-stars and additional top prospects turned in strong showings over the course of the game, led by Tennessee quarterback signee and On3’s No. 1 prospect, Nico Iamaleava.

Iamaleava shows talent that makes him On3’s No. 1 prospect

The Polynesian Bowl marked the lone post-season all-star game for Nico Iamaleava. The recently-minted No. 1 prospect in the Final On300 walked away with the victory and offensive MVP honors. Iamaleava completed 13 of 20 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 65 yards on just five attempts.

Iamaleava was picked by Utah On300 cornerback signee CJ Blocker on a far hash throw into a stiff headwind on the first drive. He quickly settled in on the next drive, hitting five-star USC wide receiver signee Zachariah Branch on a slant for an electric 39-yard touchdown. Another passing highlight came in the second quarter, with Iamaleava delivering a beautiful deep ball to five-star tight end Duce Robinson.

Another 5-star connection in the Poly Bowl with Nico Iamaleava finding uncommitted No. 1 TE Duce Robinson on a deep ball https://t.co/FnRqMcWonuhttps://t.co/FzQ3SGPVGl pic.twitter.com/xB9I6edVnl

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) January 21, 2023

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound signal caller sat for much of the second half, but came back into the game in the fourth quarter and led what was ultimately the game-winning drive.

Overall, Iamaleava showed the immense physical tools that led to him finishing as On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle. He looks to clearly be the most physically-gifted 2023 quarterback at this stage and is one of the more talented prospects in the cycle, regardless of position. Iamaleava’s big arm showed up in the all-star setting. He easily drove the ball downfield. The arm pairs with a twitchy athleticism – rare for a quarterback of of his size. Iamaleava’s wheels were evident on an explosive 58-yard scramble where he showed considerable burst and a long, smooth stride in the open field. He also effortlessly evaded pressure on a number of occasions, flashing the high-level escapability that contributed to his rise to No. 1 overall.

While there is plenty of room for Iamaleava to add polish and consistency to his game, the big-time talent was easy to see in the Poly Bowl. As is the case with most quarterbacks – especially ones with high physical upsides – much of his success will hinge on development at the collegiate level. With that said, he looked like a talent worthy of No. 1 overall on Friday night.

5-star pass catchers live up to the hype

By now, it would be an upset if Zachariah Branch did not have a show-stealing performance in an all-star setting. The No. 5 overall prospect and On3’s top-ranked wide receiver in the cycle continues to showcase his game-breaking ability at every opportunity. Branch’s skill level and ability to harness his elite speed as a route-runner and after the catch makes for one of the more dangerous pass-catchers we’ve seen in recent cycles. He is as close to a sure thing in the cycle and we’d be surprised if he’s not a star and ultimately a high draft pick at USC.

Top-ranked tight end Duce Robinson (No. 21 overall) got more looks in the Polynesian Bowl than he did in the Under Armour All-America Game earlier in the month. The uncommitted pass catcher made the most of his opportunities and looked like a considerable mismatch when split out wide. Robinson made a number of nice grabs over the course of the game, highlighted by the long deep ball from Iamaleava. Robinson showed the skill set of a big wide receiver, with the ability to run past cornerbacks at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. Georgia currently leads USC in Robinson’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Blue-chip OL turn in standout performances

Several top offensive linemen played in the Polynesian Bowl, led by five-star Miami offensive tackle signee Francis Mauigoa. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder protected Iamaleava’s blindside for Team Mauka and pitched a clean sheet for the evening. Mauigoa showed his readymade skill set that makes him one of the highest-floor offensive linemen in what is a deep cycle at the position. He neutralized top 100 defensive lineman and Oregon signee Matayo Uiagaleli off the edge. We also saw Mauigoa play many snaps at defensive line. The Five-Star Plus+ and No. 19 overall prospect looked the part.

Utah signee Caleb Lomu manned the right tackle spot opposite Mauigoa and had several big blocks over the course of the game. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder showed his patented light feet in pass protection and flashed some pop and finishing ability. He had a big pancake block, paving the way for a Kedrick Reescano touchdown. Lomu finished as the No. 71 overall prospect in the On300.

Lomu’s fellow Utah signee Spencer Fano held down the right tackle spot for Team Makai and continued to show the skill set that led to his rise in the final On300 rankings following a standout performance at the All-American Bowl. Fano’s footwork and stout anchor could project along all five spots on the offensive line. Fano finished No. 77 overall in the On300.

Top 100 skill players make a statement

Nebraska wide receiver signee Malachi Coleman continued to show the surprisingly refined wide receiver skills that lead to his rankings rise after the All-American Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder’s elite top-end speed is well-known, but he’s impressed on the all-star circuit with crisp routes and plus ball skills. Coleman came down with a high-point grab between two defensive backs early in the Polynesian Bowl and later made a touchdown catch in traffic. The Nebraska native capped off his evening by tracking a pass over his shoulder for a 35-yard touchdown. Coleman was an obvious mismatch against the Team Mauka secondary. He ranks as the No. 72 overall prospect in the On300.

Ole Miss running back signee Kedrick Reescano was the top-ranked runner at the Polynesian Bowl and looked the part. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder showed outstanding contact balance, bouncing off of defenders and breaking a number of tackles. Along with Alabama signee Justice Haynes, Reescano looks like one of the better runners on contact in the 2023 cycle. We also saw the New Caney (Texas) High product flash some encouraging receiving skills throughout the game. Reescano ranks as the No. 97 overall prospect and No. 5 running back in the On300.

Pair of defenders have breakout games

Uncommitted linebacker Andrew Harris earned defensive MVP honors in the victory, tallying 3.5 tackles and two sacks. The 6-foot-0.5, 190-pounder showed excellent closing speed in making a number of impressive plays as a blitzer and in pursuit. Harris and his twin brother Michael Harris were one-time UCF commits and are now trending to Maryland per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Several Utah signees showed out in the Polynesian Bowl, including EDGE Hunter Clegg. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was all over the field, particularly in the fourth quarter. Clegg contributed several pressures seemed to live in the backfield. His effort level popped off the screen.