Takeaways from UA Future 50

Several of the nation’s top prospects were on hand at IMG Academy over the weekend for the UA Next Future 50. The on-field portion of the event kicked off on Saturday with position drills and 1-on-1s and culminated in a 7-on-7 battle.

Here are On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman’s major takeaways from the competition over the weekend.

Stock up for Clemson commit Noble Johnson, Ayden Williams

Zachariah Branch has been an offseason darling dominating from one event to the next, and Future 50 was no different. The five-star USC commitment was On3’s overall MVP in runaway fashion. He has straight-line speed, and is equally as quick and sudden and provides a major playmaker capable of taking the top off defenses and creating separation quickly. Branch is going to be prolific in Lincoln Riley’s offense.

Ayden Williams dominated the Under Armour regional camp and was among the top performers again in Bradenton. The Mississippi blue-chipper has size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and outstanding athleticism, showcasing his catch radius and ability to easily compete for contested passes. Williams showed off his big vertical jump with some celebratory dunks and also plucked a few passes from mid-air in the afternoon. The Rebels are currently trending on the Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Four-star Rockwall (Texas) Noble Johnson was another top performer and showcased his ability to make contested catches all over the field. The Clemson commitment checked in at 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds, and is not shy about making plays over the middle or after the catch. He’s extremely physically gifted and continues to tweak his game.

Ashton Cozart is a well-known speedster and continued to beat defensive backs downfield with immediate straight-line speed and smoothness to his style. Cozart showed up at Elite 11 with a more muscular build and ran sharp routes and flashed improved hands, and was really good on throws underneath. Johntay Cook II was arguably the top route-runner on hand and showed his knack for big passing plays on occasion, and beat some of the top defensive backs in attendance in the process. Cook has impressed throughout the offseason, and at his best he is an absolute difference-maker in the receiving corps.

Trimmed down Cayden Green leads OL group

With weather disrupting part of the OL-DL one-on-ones, a pair of offensive linemen stood out from Saturday’s working out, including newly minted Oklahoma commitment Cayden Green after the morning sessions. Green is built like a franchise left tackle at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, and showed up to Future 50 slimmed down — and it showed. Green was quick out of his stance with good feet, good arm extension and natural power in pass pro.

Five-star Francis Mauigoa stood tall after the shortened afternoon session, and taking reps at left tackle the recent Miami pledge he showcased the best feet for an offensive lineman in attendance and anticipated pass-rush moves well and countered accordingly. Much like his playing style, Mauigoa plays with aggression, which is always an encouraging attribute when evaluating offensive linemen. Whether he’s a tackle or shifts inside, Mauigoa is a prototype.

Jelani Thurman makes a compelling case

Jelani Thurman emerged as the top tight end from the event — and capped a speculator outing at Future 50 with a commitment to Ohio State. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder was an All-Lobby team selection for a reason, and he also plays the part. Thurman was dominant running routes down the seams and has size, hands and a huge catch radius. His background on the hardwood is glaring as he easily gets downfield and can win favorably in jump-ball situations. Thurman gives the Buckeyes another weapon in the middle of the field.

Four-star Miami pledge Riley Williams was able to get open and runs crisp routes in the middle of the field and outside the numbers. As he shores up his hands, he’ll be a bonafide mismatch down the seams and in certain matchups.

Texas DB Peyton Bowen, Javien Toviano highlight DB group

Notre Dame commitment Peyton Bowen was in mid-season form and On3’s top-performing defensive back. The prolific safety out of Denton (Texas) Guyer was superb defending receivers out of the nickel and even better back deep playing over the top during the 7-on-7 portion. Bowen showed well jamming at the line and running step for step with receivers, and continued to position himself well on the field to make plays. Bowen came away with an interception in the afternoon session and was constantly around the football.

Top-30 defensive back Javien Toviano, the Consensus’ No. 3-rated safety, thrived at cornerback over the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is a rangy big corner with a massive wingspan readily able to make plays on the ball and cloud up passing lanes. Toviano showed fantastic play speed and even better make-up speed on one rep against four-star Jalen Hale. The Arlington (Texas) Martin defensive back plays with excellent anticipation and practically ran routes for some receivers. His feel for the position is second to none and should be considered as the top cornerback in the cycle. Texas A&M holds the slight edge on the RPM.

Top-50 safety Joenel Aguero blends the traits of a defensive back in a linebacker’s build. The 6-foot, 200-pounder originally from Massachusetts has deceptive speed to cover back deep and patrolled the back end of the secondary well. Aguero closed on passes in a hurry and came away with multiple pass breaks showing off his range to the sideline. What position Augero plays might be up in the air, but he plays with enough speed and tenacity to carve out a role. Georgia leads the pack on the RPM.

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, the On3 Consensus’ No. 5-rated safety in the 2024 cycle, was superb playing in the slot and has a skill-set conducive to playing either cornerback or safety. He’s sticky in coverage and instinctual working in the middle of the field and able to inject himself into the passing lanes routinely. Johnson-Rubell is very quick and has great field awareness. The Longhorns are leading on the RPM for the Fort Worth native.

Penn state commitment Elliot Washington‘s track speed translates well on the field and even more impressive was his second gear. The four-star from Venice (Fla.) easily went stride for stride with receivers and flashed impressive closing speed on throws downfield. Top-30 cornerback Malik Muhammad shined in spurts and rarely makes the same mistake twice. The four-star from Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff gave receivers fits on the outside, a trend as he’s built out his frame in recent months. Texas leads the way on the RPM with a decision coming on Wednesday.

Five-star Desmond Ricks continued to shine as he has throughout the offseason. The long (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), rangy corner was at his best defending the perimeter and underneath. He effortless anticipates routes and is very quick to make plays on the ball.

Defensive ends leave their mark

Top-60 EDGE DaShawn Womack was an absloute force flying off the edge. The Baltimore (Md.) St. Francis product is filled out (6-foot-4.5, 245) and won with both force and speed. Womack plays with fast hands and beat tackles off both sides of the formation with moves inside and out. The LSU commitment was among the top performers overall in the trenches.

On300 defensive lineman Ernest Willor was a standout among the 2024 prospects on hand. Willor arrived at IMG at 6-foot-4 and north of 250 pounds and saw action on the inside, where his quickness off the ball and brute strength made for an easy mismatch. He moves well for his size. Oklahoma commitment Adepoju Adeboware was prolific off the edge and is one of the more physically imposing EDGE defenders in the country. His combination of length, explosiveness and closing speed is unreal.

Top-100 defensive lineman Jordan Renaud and On3 Consensus four-star Michigan pledge Collins Acheampong were two more players who raw upside throughout the event. Renaud is explosive off the ball and has the physical tools to be productive off the edge. Acheampong adds a whole new dimension of length to the EDGE position at 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, and is a natural athlete.

Strong QB play was a theme

Oklahoma commitment Jackson Arnold led the way again as a top performer at quarterback after capturing MVP honors at the Elite 11 Finals last month. The Denton (Texas) Guyer product impressed with decision-making and fantastic accuracy throughout the 7-on-7 portion. Arnold quickly went through his reads and hesitated on a handful of throws, but often was spot-on with his decision-making and delivered on-target throws. Arnold also utilized a pretty pump fake to his advantage, another tool in the arsenal for one of America’s best quarterbacks in the cycle.

Michael Van Buren was the UA Next Futurre 50 Accuracy Contest winner and was naturally on-point for much of the afternoon 7-on-7 session. He hit receivers in stride and threw some ropes downfield. Van Buren was also quick to get out the ball and threw a tight spiral. Iowa State commitment JJ Kohl absolutely dominated on the final day of the Elite 11 Finals and continued to shine in Florida. The On300 passer has one of the best deep-ball touch throws in the country.

Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson had some really bright moments at the Elite 11 Finals and a few more at Future 50. Nelson came threw up with a handful of highlight throws. The USC commitment has excellent touch on his deep balls and got the ball out quick, and has obvious chemistry with Branch. However, Nelson was off-target a little more than he was on.

Ausberry leads the linebackers

The 2023 cycle is shaping up to have a strong group of outside linebackers and while we’re still getting a feel for the off-the-ball linebackers, Jaiden Ausberry is a player that continued to make plays underneath and patrol sideline to sideline in coverage. Ausberry, whose dad played linebacker for LSU and older brother Austin will compete for playing time in Auburn’s secondary this season, blends athleticism and a safety’s skill-set in a linebacker’s frame. Ausberry checked in at Future 50 at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, moves naturally in coverage and flies to the football. He closed strong in the flats on a handful of passes thrown in his direction. Notre Dame leads the way for Ausberry on the RPM.

Edwards, Simpkins shine out of the backfield

Kansas State pledge Dylan Edwards captured UA Next Future 50’s Fastest Man with a record-setting 40 time of 4.38 seconds. Edwards plays equally as fast — and twitchty — breaking ankles on routes out of the backfield and instantly accelerating to get downfield. He has reliable hands and plenty of juice to make it a foot-race after the catch.

Four-star Miami (Fla.) Norland back Javin Simpkins showcased his speed as well. The Sunshine State product showed off the strong hands and vast catch radius, as well as some solid start-stop quickness and ability to accelerate after the catch. Simpkins has quick feet and a solid build at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. Louisville leads on the RPM.