Top 10 highest-rated prospects across the last five recruiting cycles

The last five high school football recruiting cycles have produced elite crops of talent at the high school level — with some already making an impact in the NFL, too.

From the 2021 cycle to 2025, a total of 20 prospects have graduated to the college ranks with a grade of 99.00 or higher in the On3 Industry Ranking. The 2025 cycle saw each of the two highest-rated prospects of the last five years in Michigan quarterback signee Bryce Underwood (99.87) and Alabama QB signee Keelon Russell (99.62). The 2023 cycle finished with six recruits graded above 99.00.

Below are the top 10 highest-rated prospects since the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. 

1. QB Bryce Underwood — 99.87

School: Belleville (Mich.)
Cycle: 2025
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
Signed With: Michigan

Bryce Underwood heads to Ann Arbor as one of, if not the most highly-touted quarterback prospect of all time. At 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds, the Belleville, Mich. standout threw for over 2,300 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior en route to his second Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year award. He threw for over 10,708 passing yards and 143 passing touchdowns at around 11 yards per passing attempt in his prep career and broke multiple Michigan high school football records.

Underwood was committed to LSU for more than 10 months, but flipped his pledge to Michigan on Nov. 21 in a landmark recruiting win for Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines. Underwood headlines an incoming class that ranks No. 6 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Scout’s Take: “Underwood is undoubtedly one of the top arm talents in the cycle. He has an explosive arm that is capable of attacking all areas of the field. There has been a legitimate ‘wow factor’ to watching him throw the ball on Friday nights, dating all the way back to his freshman season as a 14-year-old at Belleville (Mich.) High. The ball jumps out of his hand in a way that immediately catches your eye … We view Underwood in the same vein as former top prospects like Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams – two No. 1 prospects out of high school who ended up being top NFL Draft picks …. In a sport where true top talents at the position are worth their weight in gold, Underwood presents the type of upside and a high floor worthy of franchise designation.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

T2. QB Keelon Russell — 99.62

School: Duncanville (Texas)
Cycle: 2025
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 2 NATL
Signed With: Alabama

Not far behind Underwood is Keelon Russell, who’s coming off an uber-impressive senior campaign at Duncanville High, one of the nation’s top high school football programs. He threw for over 4,000 yards, had 58 total touchdowns and just four interceptions, leading the Panthers to the Texas state semifinals. D’Ville made the state title game in both 2022 and 2023.

Russell’s stock continued to soar as he racked up multiple elite awards, including Gatorade National Player of the Year. He heads to Tuscaloosa as one of the most decorated Texas high school football recruits in recent memory. He flipped his commitment to Alabama from in-state SMU on June 4 and is the jewel of Kalen DeBoer’s class that ranked No. 3 in the nation.

Scout’s Take: “A surgical passer who was the most productive quarterback in the cycle as a senior, Keelon Russell looks to be an ideal fit in Kalen DeBoer’s scheme. Russell has shown elite accuracy, with the ability to dot receivers at all levels of the field. The 6-foot-3.25, 182-pounder is lethal from the pocket. He showed some of the best pocket feel and reaction to pressure among the quarterback group nationally. Russell led his Duncanville (Texas) High team to a near-undefeated season and No. 6 spot in the On3 Massey Rankings. DeBoer’s full scheme should be accessible with a player like Russell behind center for the Crimson Tide.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

T2. QB Quinn Ewers — 99.62

School: Southlake Carroll (Texas)
Cycle: 2021
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
Signed With: Ohio State

Quinn Ewers emerged as the top overall prospect in the 2021 cycle, throwing for over 6,400 yards and more than 80 total touchdowns across his sophomore and junior years at Southlake Carroll. He opted to skip his senior season and enroll early, with Ohio State landing his pledge.

He transferred to Texas after one season in Columbus and has proceeded to throw for over 9,000 yards and 68 TDs across three seasons as a Longhorn. After leading Texas to a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in 2024, Ewers is now headed to the NFL Draft. Various mock drafts tab the 6-foot-3 signal-caller as a second-round pick.

High School Scouting Summary: “Touted as one of the best underclassman quarterback prospects in a few cycles early on his high school career. Skipped his senior season in order to graduate and enroll at Ohio State. Has elite accuracy with the ability to consistently place the football in small windows. Plays with advanced timing, often throwing the ball before receivers show themselves to be open. Sees the field naturally. Willing to stand in the pocket in the face of pressure and deliver downfield. Throws with a three-quarters to sidearm release.

…Has a strong arm with considerable zip on intermediate passes. Showed above average mobility as a sophomore before being hampered with a hernia as a junior. Played very well against top competition in the state of Texas as a sophomore and junior. Older for his initial cycle (2022) and may have been closer to his physical ceiling than others at that early stage.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

4. WR Jeremiah Smith — 99.61

School: Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Cycle: 2024
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
Signed With: Ohio State

The clear top prospect in the 2024 cycle, Jeremiah Smith wowed with his pass-catching ability at Chaminade-Madonna Prep. He caught 90 passes as a senior, totaling 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading Chaminade-Madonna to their third straight state title. He had similar production as a junior, hauling in 63 catches for 1,098 yards and 20 TDs.

He committed to Ohio State early in his process and remained pledged to the Buckeyes for a year, despite fervent pushes from the in-state trio of Miami, Florida and Florida State. Smith wasted no time bursting onto the scene as a true freshman in Columbus, catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 scores. He was a key cog for the Buckeyes as they finally got over the hump and won the 2024 College Football Playoff.

High School Scouting Summary: “Smith has a level of technical acuity and functional movement skills that we haven’t seen from a big wide receiver prospect in recent memory. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Smith would not look out of place on an NFL field right now. He is the most physically developed top wide receiver prospect in the cycle. Remarkably, he also looks to be the most advanced route-runner in the cycle with the movement skills of a much smaller player. Smith has an elite release package, stacking cornerbacks off the line at will over the past two years. He gets to top speed in the blink of an eye and is able to seamlessly toggle speeds within the route.

…The ability to drop his weight and get in and out of breaks is as good as we’ve seen in recent cycles, let alone for such a big wideout. Smith’s functional athleticism and ability to quickly accelerate also shows up after the catch, with his burst and size making him a tough proposition to bring down in the open field. The elite functional athleticism and route-running pairs with strong ball skills.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

5. DL Walter Nolen — 99.59

School: Powell (Tenn.)
Cycle: 2022
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
Signed With: Texas A&M

The top high school prospect to come out of Tennessee in recent memory, Walter Nolen was an unstoppable force at the high school level. In his senior season at Powell, he acquired 93 tackles, 27 quarterback hurries, 17 sacks, six forced fumbles, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries, leading his team to a state championship.

Texas A&M landed Nolen, who headlined the Aggies’ No. 1 recruiting class that cycle. He played two seasons in College Station before transferring to Ole Miss last season. Across those three years in the SEC, Nolen managed 114 total tackles and 11.5 sacks. He’s now projected as a first-round pick by various outlets in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

High School Scouting Summary: “Large-framed interior defensive lineman with rare movement skills and athleticism at over 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds. Has continued to add size, growing over an inch and adding 40 pounds from his junior to senior years. Among the more athletic nose tackle prospects in several cycles. A truly dominant prospect in camp settings. Proved unblockable against top offensive linemen at Under Armour’s Future 50 camp prior to his senior season. Has top notch first-step quickness with the ability to translate speed to power as an interior pass rusher. Pairs his considerable quickness with violent hands and upper body strength at the point of attack.

…Already has some pass rush moves in his repertoire aside from a bull rush. Closes quickly and is capable of tracking offensive skill players in pursuit. Putting together a strong senior campaign after transferring to Powell High School in east Tennessee. Projects as a nose tackle with the ability to push the pocket in addition to rushing the passer.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

6. DL Elijah Griffin — 99.57

School: Pooler (Ga.) Savannah Christian Prep
Cycle: 2025
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 3 NATL.
Signed With: Georgia

Elijah Griffin began racking up offers while he was still in middle school. After four years of dominating his competition at the high school level, Griffin heads to Athens as one of the best Peach State prospects in some time. He tallied over 300 total tackles and more than 40 sacks during his prep career and was repeatedly honored as one of the top recruits in the nation.

Georgia was long considered the favorite for the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder, who announced his commitment to the in-state school on Oct. 18. The top-ranked member of Kirby Smart’s No. 2-ranked 2025 recruiting class, Griffin is poised to make an immediate impact for the SEC juggernaut.

Scout’s Take: “Elijah Griffin is arguably the most talented defensive prospect in the 2025 class. His combination of size, power, and get-off is simply special. At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Griffin looks like the top defensive line prospect to come through high school football in recent years. With multiple interior defenders heading to the NFL Draft, Georgia could turn to Griffin to play key snaps up front. While he could start as a rotational player, we ultimately see the Five-Star Plus+ prospect locking down a starting role and making a big impact during his time in Athens. Another signee for the Bulldogs who could have a similar experience is wide receiver Talyn Taylor – an advanced route-runner with the skills to come in and earn early targets. 

…Has continued adding mass and strength. Flies off the snap and darts into the backfield to create disruption with regularity. A very loose and fluid athlete, particularly at his size. Plays with outstanding leverage and body lean. Shows advanced hands at the point of attack and quickly neutralizes offensive linemen. Darts into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip. Consistently wins in a phone booth with his combination of length, strength and first-step quickness.” — On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire

7. ATH Travis Hunter — 99.56

School: Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill
Cycle: 2022
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 2 NATL.
Signed With: Jackson State

Many top prospects are able to make an impact on both sides of the ball at the high school level, but it was evident early that Travis Hunter was going to be able to excel as a receiver and a defensive back at the next level, too. Across his touted career at Collins Hill, he caught more than 250 passes for over 3,700 yards and more than 40 touchdowns while also intercepting 19 passes.

He then made an unprecedented and shocking college decision, flipping his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State in December of 2021 to go play for Deion Sanders. That decision of course paid off, as Hunter transferred to Colorado to stay under Sanders in 2023. He then took college football by storm, racking up 1,979 receiving yards and 20 TDs, as well as 66 tackles and seven INTs across his two years in Boulder. His 2024 season culminated with multiple awards, none greater than the Heisman Trophy. Hunter is now expected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

High School Scouting Summary: “The rare prospect with five-star ability on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and wide receiver. The most impactful non-quarterback in high school football as a junior and senior. Also among the best players we’ve ever seen on the 7-on-7 circuit. Possesses transcendent ball skills with the ability to high-point and make catches in traffic at an alarmingly high rate. A highly instinctual ballhawk at cornerback with the ability to read quarterbacks and receivers and jump routes. A high volume target at receiver who is capable of winning at all levels with route-running quickness and savvy to go with the elite ball skills. Also a fierce competitor who elevates the play of teammates. Led his team to its first state title as a senior. Will go down as one of the best high school football players in Georgia history.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

8. QB Arch Manning — 99.53

School: New Orleans Isidore Newman
Cycle: 2023
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
Signed With: Texas

Arch Manning’s ability on the football field backed up the hype that came along with his family name. Finishing the 2023 cycle as the top-ranked prospect, Manning was an impressive four-year starter at the prep level. He finished with over 8,500 passing yards, 115 touchdowns through the air and an additional 19 scores on the feet.

The ballyhooed signal-caller committed to Texas in the summer of 2022 and locked in with the Longhorns. After a very limited cameo in 2023, Manning filled in for Ewers at times in 2024 and was occasionally featured in Steve Sarkisian’s plans, completing 61 passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns to just a pair of INTs. He also rushed for four TDs and is now line to run the show for UT in 2025.

High School Scouting Summary: “Arch Manning Possesses a pure throwing motion with one of the quickest releases we’ve seen from a high school quarterback prospect in recent cycles. Those mechanics pair with a strong arm to make Manning one of the more natural and accurate passers in the 2023 cycle. Has the ability to carve up opposing defenses when kept clean inside the pocket. Has good field vision with the ability to find open receivers downfield. Touts polished footwork and the capability of picking up yards in scramble situations. Has filled out a big frame over his high school career, entering his senior year as the most physically developed top quarterback in the 2023 cycle. Also carries a substantial mental load for a high school quarterback with the responsibility of setting protections.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

9. EDGE Korey Foreman — 99.39

School: Corona (Calif.) Centennial
Cycle: 2021
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 2 NATL.
Signed With: USC

The highest-ranked prospect to come out of the Golden State across the last five cycles, Korey Foreman’s talent was cleared as he excelled during his time at Centennial, one of California’s top high school football programs. A multi-time high school All-American, Foreman had 55 tackles and 11 sacks across his sophomore and junior campaigns.

A former Clemson commit, Foreman eventually opted to stay in-state and ink with the USC Trojans, but things never came to fruition in SoCal. Battling through injuries and struggling to find a home on the USC defense, Foreman had 25 total tackles and an interception across three seasons with the Trojans. He took a redshirt in 2023 and then transferred to Fresno State, where he tallied 24 tackles in 2024 as an r-junior.

High School Scouting Summary: “Landing Korey Foreman in the 2021 class was the biggest recruiting win of the (Clay) Helton era, at least on paper. The one-time Clemson commit was the top-ranked prospect in the state of California and chose the Trojans over a number of national powers. We’ve seen top college football programs poach talent from the top SoCal high school programs at an increasing rate in recent years. Keeping the Corona (Calif.) Centennial product in Los Angeles was a huge win for Helton and his staff. A naturally powerful edge rusher, Foreman would be a key defensive piece for the new Trojans staff. At 6-foot-4, 265-pounds, Foreman is both physically and technically advanced.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

10. OT JC Latham — 99.35

School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Cycle: 2021
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 3 NATL.
Signed With: Alabama

The highest-rated offensive line prospect to come out of the high school ranks since 2021, JC Latham is also one of the top players to ever come out of IMG Academy, one of the most illustrious high school football powers in the nation.

He chose Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide and was eventually a two-year starter in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s coaches graded him with 41 knockdown blocks in 813 snaps in the 2023 season – 3.2 per game. After a standout junior year, Latham entered the NFL Draft early was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 7 overall pick. He started all 17 games of his rookie season. Latham was one of three Five-Star Plus+ recruits to sign with Alabama in the 2021 cycle. The Tide’s class ranked No. 1 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Summary: “JC Latham originally envisioned himself as a defensive lineman during his high school days. In fact, Latham had not even played much offense until a slew of injuries forced him to move to offensive tackle when he was at IMG Academy. “Things work out for a reason, don’t they,” Latham told ESPN ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. They certainly did. Latham – who was a Five-Star Plus+ recruit and the No. 2 overall prospect in the country in the Class of 2021 – was a two-year starter for Alabama at right tackle. He even played guard some and believes he can play anywhere on the offensive line, even left tackle. Alabama’s coaches graded him with 41 knockdown blocks in 813 snaps in the 2023 season – 3.2 per game.” — On3