Signing Day: 5 under-the-radar signings who could be college stars

You will probably not find any of these players in national headlines on signing day. However, each of these prospects chose programs or systems that could maximize their considerable upside at the next level. While their impact might not be in year one, their college careers could be more notable than their signing day press clippings.

2023 On3 Consensus Rankings

Four-star PG Dailyn Swain (Xavier)

Height/Weight: 6-7/185
High School: Columbus (OH) Africentric Early College
On3 Consensus: No. 86

Dailyn Swain is a unique player; I am fascinated by unique. At 6-foot-7, Swain is most comfortable on the ball, initiating the offense. The late-blooming Swain averaged 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals on Nike’s EYBL Circuit while shooting 76.6 percent from the free-throw line. Swain averaged 12.6 points during Peach Jam. The upside is very intriguing, and with a July 2005 birthday, Swain is a year younger than many in his class.

Four-star PG Elijah Gertrude (Virginia)

Height/Weight: 6-3/180
High School: Jersey City (NJ) Hudson Catholic
On3 Consensus: No. 70

Elijah Gertrude has big-time physical traits and is someone who progressively got better during the summer. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his 21 games this summer on Nike’s EYBL Circuit. He has a lengthy and explosive frame with a quick first step and the pop to get above the rim in traffic. Tony Bennett has a reputation for getting the most out of his guards. Given Gertrude’s late-blooming trajectory with continued development, there are a lot of possibilities.

Three-star SF Bobby Durkin (Davidson)

Height/Weight: 6-7/200
School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
On3 Consensus: No. 145

Bobby Durkin averaged 12.6 points and 3.3 assists for 36-1 Glen Ellyn (IL) Glenbard West last season. He followed that up by averaging over 18 points. 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while knocking down 2.6 threes per game on the UAA Next Circuit this summer. Durkin reportedly chose Davidson over Illinois. He is a wing forward with great size who can create, pass, and shoot in the half-court. Hyunjung Lee set an intriguing path for players who have Durkin’s archetype.

Four-star C Jacob McFarland (Houston)

Height/Weight: 6-10/210
School: Morento Valley (CA) Rancho Verde
On3 Consensus: No. 93

Jacob McFarland is a lengthy post player who moves in a way not many his size do. The late-blooming McFarland proved to be a high-level shot blocker on the UAA Next Circuit this summer. The long-armed 6-10 center averaged 2.8 blocks per game. He also showed upside on the boards, averaging 2.8 offensive rebounds and 6.3 total rebounds. It might not be a year one thing, but in time, McFarland has a lot of tools to work with, going to a program with a positive history of developing players.

*McFarland is set to sign on November 10.

Three-star SG Rodney Brown

Height/Weight: 6-6/170
High School: Temecula (CA) Rancho Christian
On3 Consensus: No. 125

Shooting can carry you a long way in basketball, and Rodney Brown was one of the premier shooters on this Summer’s UAA Next Circuit. Brown’s 0.944 points per possession for his West Coast Elite program ranked him in the 95th percentile among his peers. At 6-foot-6, he shot 42.1 percent from three on 2.0 makes per game. He will need to continue adding weight, but West Coast Elite Director likened Brown to Allen Crabbe at the same stage. The positional size and shooting are very real.