Senior Risers: 5 offensive prospects pushing for 4th star

As On3 continues to closely evaluate the 2022 cycle, we’ve seen a number of prospects show progression midway through their senior years.

Last week, we mentioned two quarterbacks who are making a four-star push as seniors – Brady Allen (Purdue) and Noah Fifita (Arizona). Today, we look at five more offensive prospects in the 2022 cycle who have caught our eye as seniors.

OT Nikolas Hall, Kentucky

Hall combines read-made size and length with functional athleticism. At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, he is a nimble, fluid mover with the ability to bend and sink his hips. Hall’s length (7-foot wings-an) and athleticism are on the high end for offensive tackle prospects. Those traits are crossing over to the field as a senior, where Hall has put together strong play for Austin (Texas) Akins. He gets depth on his pass sets quickly and is showing some increased power as a run blocker. Hall is a Kentucky legacy. His father, Antonio, was an All-SEC offensive lineman in Lexington.

IOL Drew Bobo, Auburn

Drew Bobo is now playing at Auburn High after spending his junior year at Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder has put together some strong video as a senior with some moments. The jump in competition from Hammond to playing 7A football at Auburn High is significant. We’ve seen Bobo make that transition seamlessly. He’s moving well at the second level and finishing blocks at a high rate. The flexibility, movement skills and technique stand out. Bobo has played left tackle and center for Auburn High. We would not be surprised to see him eventually land at center in college given his physical skill set and football acumen. Bobo committed to Auburn on Sunday, where his father, Mike, is the offensive coordinator.

WR Wesley Grimes, Wake Forest

Grimes may have flown under the radar a bit due to North Carolina’s shortened spring season due to COVID-19. The 6-foot-2.5, 175 pounder had a strong truncated season at Raleigh Millbrook, with 691 yards and 11 touchdowns on 37 receptions in just seven games. Grimes continued to impress on the camp circuit. That’s continued in eight games as a senior. He is a highly coordinated and smooth wideout with the ability to effortlessly pluck the ball at its highest point with late hands. Grimes committed to Wake Forest on September 7, but Clemson is one team who remains in the picture.

OT Jacob Sexton, Oklahoma

Sexton’s physical traits have never been in question. At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, the Edmond (Okla.) Deer Creek product has length with a 7-foot wingspan combined with high-end athleticism. We wanted to see some progression as a senior. So far, his technical skills and on-field play is moving to match the physical ability. Sexton has flipped the switch a bit as a senior. He’s playing fast. Sexton is blowing opposing defensive linemen off the ball as a drive blocker and showing progression in his pass set.

WR/TE Tommy McIntosh, Wisconsin

McIntosh is primarily big receiver for his Dewitt (Mich.) High team and is putting up significant production as a senior. In seven games, McIntosh has caught 29 passes for 627 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder is a natural pass-catcher and plus athlete. He has a large catch radius and is a hands-catcher. We also see McIntosh show the ability to get clean releases off the line and separate with change of direction as a route-runner. The Badger pledge is particularly interesting as a potential long-term tight end prospect. He lines up in-line at times for Dewitt. With his receiving ability, McIntosh would present a matchup problem in the passing game at the next level. The ultimate question is where does he end up from a size perspective?