On3 moves Shelton Sampson up to a Top 20 prospect

With high school football teams inching closer to wrapping up the opening month of the season, On3 has released its latest rankings update for the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Following the most recent release in mid-July, prospects have attended camps and now put multiple games worth of performances on tape. After putting together all the notes from in-person and film evaluations, the shuffle to the Top 300 continues.

For LSU, that means a pair of five-stars still highlight the commitment list in Neville High offensive tackle Zalance Heard and Catholic High wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr.

A closer look at what LSU’s getting in Sampson

Shelton, a Baton Rouge native who committed to the Tigers in August, moved up one spot as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2023 class rankings, and he kept his five-star rankings.

“We’ve had Shelton Sampson as a five-star really since the initial rankings release around this time last year,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power told The Bengal Tiger. “A lot of that was due to his combination of size and game breaking ability. He’s one of the bigger top receivers in the class, measured over 6-3, 185 or 190 pounds. Has phenomenal play speed. You watch his ability to stretch the field as a vertical threat and then also with the ball in his hands. At that size, he’s able to out run defensive backs pretty consistently. He’s shown over the last couple years the ability to high point and win in a contested situation as well.

“I think the combination of the size, his athletic ability both in separating in his routes and after the catch along with the ability at the catch point stood out early on and continues to stack up pretty well amid the receiver group. He’s also younger for the class. It seems like a lot of our top receivers this cycle do tend to be a little younger. He turned 17 in April. He probably still has some physical development to go.”

2023 Stats and the On3 Evaluation

Sampson vs. Our Lady Good Counsel (3-point loss): 9 catches, 82 yards, 2 TD

Sampson vs. Warren Easton (8 point win): 2 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD

Sampson vs. University High (10 point win): 9 catches, 159 yards, 2 TD

Through three games: 20 catches, 279 yards, 5 TD

The On3 Evaluation: “Big-play wide receiver with one of the best combinations of vertical speed and catch radius in the 2023 cycle. Clocked a sub 4.4-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 prior to his junior season. Uses that speed to create separation on downfield routes with regularity. Pairs the long speed with advanced ball skills. Shows the ability to leap over defenders to high-point the ball in contested situations. Comes down with some fantastic one-handed and diving grabs. A younger prospect for the cycle who continues to show improvement over time”

NFL Comparison

On3 compares Sampson’s style of play to former Georgia Tech and former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

NFL Draft Results: Round 1, Pick 22

“Shelton Sampson reminds us of Demaryius Thomas with his size, vertical speed and ability to make contested catches on jump balls. Sampson is one of the bigger top wide receivers in the 2023 cycle at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds with 4.40 speed. Thomas was a touch heavier at 210 pounds as a recruit, but the explosive ability and ball skills are similar at the same stage.”

More shuffling still to come in the rankings

The latest edition of On3’s 2023 rankings features 23 players with a coveted five-star rating, up from 21 in the last release. Of the 23 five-stars, 15 are already committed to a college program.

The senior season is undoubtedly the most important part of the entire recruiting process. In addition to making final official visits and commitment decisions, prospects have the best chance to showcase what they will ultimately project as on the college level. Prospects will have the rest of their senior campaigns evaluated, along with performances at postseason all-star games, prior to On3’s final rankings release this winter.