Top prospects turn in standout performances in national showcase high school football games

The weekend saw high school football kickoff in several states, with a bevy of top programs and touted recruits facing off in marquee games. Five games were nationally televised as part of ESPN’s High School Football Kickoff, with a number of top 25 programs within the On3 Massey Ratings taking the field. A number of prospects turned in standout performances over the course of the weekend.

WR Jerome Myles

Jerome Myles was the most dominant player on the field in Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon‘s upset win over powerhouse IMG Academy. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder showed an elite blend of size, speed and power en route to finding the end zone three times in the 35-34 win. Myles – who broke the Utah state record in the 100 meters (10.36 seconds) in the spring – is one of the fastest prospects in the 2025 cycle and looked like it on Thursday night. He split the defense on an in-breaking route for a touchdown in the first half. Myles delivered some heroics late in the game, coming down with a one-handed touchdown grab in the end zone to tie the game. A drive later, he got behind the defense for the go-ahead score – a walk in touchdown.

Two games into his senior season, Myles looks like one of the most talented wide receivers in the cycle. He has a rare combination of size and burst to go with good ball skills. The On300 prospect is also a physical presence after the catch and is an outstanding blocker on the perimeter. Myles, who is a full year younger than most of his peers in the 2025 cycle, has seen rapid physical improvement over the course of the past year and looks primed for a big senior season at Corner Canyon after playing in just six games as a junior due to an injury. A one time Ole Miss commit, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projects him as a lean to Utah with Ohio State, Texas A&M and Georgia giving chase.

EDGE Jared Smith – Auburn

Jared Smith was a defensive standout for Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson High in a close loss to Loganville (Ga.) Grayson. The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder was highly active over the course of the game, finishing with nine solo tackles, six assists, five tackles for loss and three sacks. He showed the ability to convert speed to power. We also saw Smith’s coordination and change of direction create some confusion among the Grayson offensive line. The Auburn commit’s plus length was also on display as a run defender and at the point of attack. He implemented a nice long-arm to set the edge on massive Texas offensive line commit Nick Brooks. Smith’s effort level and overall play led to a very strong start to his senior year. He had a bit of a disjointed junior season after transferring into Thompson mid-season. Now that Smith is settled in, he could be in line for a big fall if his play on Thursday night was any indication.

IOL Michael Carroll – Alabama

Michael Carroll is On3’s top-ranked prospect at IMG Academy and looked the part in his debut for the Ascenders. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder lined up at right guard and was a weapon in the run game. Carroll showed off his fluid movement skills in working to the second level as a puller where he was able to body linebackers on contact. The Alabama pledge also plays with a physical edge and is highly competitive. Carroll, who ranks as a five-star prospect for On3, looked at home working on the interior and has several more big tests as IMG plays a tough schedule this season.

QB Helaman Casuga

Helaman Casuga is off to a great start to his junior season at Corner Canyon after transferring in from Provo (Utah) Timpview. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder led his new program to a massive 35-34 win over IMG Academy, who entered as the favorite and with a roster stacked with sought-after prospects. Casuga completed 22 of 31 passes for 330 yards for four touchdowns against zero interceptions. He played with a calm demeanor and natural internal clock in the face of IMG’s pass rush. Casuga got things going in the first quarter, sliding up in the pocket and delivering a beautiful long touchdown pass to tie the game. He was aggressive in pushing the ball downfield, drawing multiple pass interference calls against IMG’s secondary. Casuga played his best when the game was on the line and was able to find soft spots in the IMG defense over the middle of the field. He connected with Jerome Myles for three touchdowns. Corner Canyon employs a high octane offense and has produced Zach Wilson (BYU/NFL), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Devin Brown (Ohio State) and Isaac Wilson (Utah). Casuga is next in line and is off to a roaring start to his junior season. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently points to Texas A&M as the favorite in his recruitment.

LB Tyler Atkinson (2026)

Tyler Atkinson was all over the field in Loganville (Ga.) Grayson‘s close win over Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder flashed outstanding closing speed and effort level over the course of the game. Atkinson, who was credited with seven solo tackles and six assists, showed a well-rounded skill set at linebacker. He tracked down ball carriers from sideline to sideline, was able to make plays against the run inside the box, tallied a 13-yard sack and was a physical finisher on contact, driving through ball carriers. The No. 21 overall prospect in the 2026 On300, Atkinson visited Georgia, Auburn, Ohio State and Clemson during the offseason.

RB Shekai Mills-Knight – Ole Miss

Shekai Mills-Knight was the star of Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School‘s win over Rabun (Ga.) Rabun Gap-Nacoochee on Sunday afternoon. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Ole Miss commit’s blend of size, play speed and contact balance was on display, particularly during the second half. Mills-Knight finished the game with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown. He got things going in the third quarter with a 57-yard scamper, running through multiple tackle attempts and bouncing off defenders at the second level, after appearing to be hemmed up at the line of scrimmage. His best play of the day came later on in the second half. Mills-Knight took a carry to the left and after being bottled up, cut back right before outrunning the opposing secondary from 62 yards out. Mills-Knight’s combination of power, burst and field vision in his senior season debut should be taken as an encouraging start for the On300 prospect.

QB Luke Nickel – Miami

Luke Nickel led Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton to its second big win in as many weeks, beating Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, 37-28. The Miami commit played well in South Florida, completing 17 of 25 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. With four-star Florida State wide receiver commit having an uncharacteristically quiet night, Nickel was forced to make some high-level throws over the middle of the field. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pounder showed his accuracy, timing and consistent mechanics over the course of the evening. We also saw some encouraging mobility in avoiding the pass rush. Nickel also had a 16 yard scramble and even caught pass on a throwback play. The Miami pledge ranks as the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 11 quarterback in the On300.

TE Ethan Barbour – Georgia

Ethan Barbour had his breakout game for Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton. The 6-foot-2.5, 240-pounder’s versatility was on display, as he lined up as an H-back, in-line tight end, wide receiver and short yardage rusher. Barbour finished with six catches for 172 yards and had two critical touchdowns in the second half. In the third quarter, Barbour took a direct snap and was able to make a defender miss on the edge before scoring from two yards out. He sealed the game late in the fourth quarter with a 72-yard catch-and-run, taking a short dump pass and outrunning the American Heritage secondary. The On300 prospects’ varied skill set was readily apparent over the course of the big win in Fort Lauderdale.

RB Byron Louis

Byron Louis was one of the stars for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage in the loss to Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton on Friday night. The four-star back rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Louis ran hard against a physical defensive front and showed a promising combination of contact balance and burst. His biggest play of the day came in the third quarter – running outside zone to the right, before making a cut and racing to the end zone from 68 yards out. Louis also made a few plays as a pass catcher. The 5-foot-10.5, 205-pounder is set to commit on September 21 with Georgia, Florida State, Miami and Wisconsin as the finalists.

EDGE Epi Sitanieli – UCLA

Epi Sitanieli was an active defender off the edge in Bellfower (Calif.) St. John Bosco‘s win over Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder showed good first-step quickness as a stand up pass rusher. He made several plays behind the line of scrimmage early in the game and played with a noticeable effort level throughout the contest. Sitanieli has always been viewed as a physically-gifted prospect. He had a strong off-season on the camp circuit and could be primed for a big senior season at St. John Bosco.

More positive performances

+ 2027 wide receiver Julius Jones was the leading receiver for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, beating man coverage for a 54-yard touchdown. He finished with 11 catches for 110 yards and showed an encouraging skill level.

+ Tennessee wide receiver commit Joakim Dodson came up big in his debut for Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School, taking a tunnel screen to the house from 57-yards out for the game-winning score. The passing game was not humming for Baylor School, but Dodson still found a way to make a big play at a critical time.

+ 2026 Miami wide receiver commit Malachi Toney caught a pair of touchdown passes from 2026 Texas commit Dia Bell. Toney is a shifty slot wide receiver who is capable of making plays after the catch. Bell showed some encouraging mobility.

+ Tennessee cornerback commit Tyler Redmond showed very good physicality as a tackler and striker for Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton.

+ Penn State wide receiver pledge Koby Howard totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage as a receiver and ball carrier for Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna. Howard showed his versatility with the ball in his hands and made two great catches – one for a score on a slot fade and elevated for a tough grab over the middle of the field.

+ Auburn On300 safety commit Anquon Fegans had a scoop and score for Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson.

+ Washington On300 wide receiver pledge Raiden Vines-Bright was able to pick up some tough yards after the catch in his debut at IMG Academy.

+ 2026 wide receiver Madden Williams looks like a potential high volume target for Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, working both outside and in the slot.