Buckeyes trending for elite 2025 cornerback Devin Sanchez

Confidence growing for Ohio State in the race for elite 2025 cornerback Devin Sanchez

One of the top players in the country for the class of 2025 has a decision date in mind. Four-star Houston (Texas) North Shore cornerback Devin Sanchez told 247Sports that he will make his announcement on January 6 at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The lanky prospect stands 6-foot-2, 170 pounds and is ranked as the No. 2 cornerback in the nation and No. 2 prospect in Texas, according to 247Sports.

Sanchez will choose from over 30 offers from schools such as Ohio State, Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, USC, Oklahoma and Georgia. With a commitment date set, schools will continue to jockey for position and win him over. With that in mind, it’s time to enter my 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction.

Sanchez has talked throughout his recruitment about a trio of schools standing out at the top consisting of Ohio State, Alabama and Texas A&M. The Buckeyes already have the crystal ball lead with two predictions in for Ohio State.

Who we watched: Weekend scouting notes on nearly 50 prospects nationwide

A Texas-sized batch of scouting intel from the Lone Star State headlines the latest “Who We Watched” feature from the 247Sports national recruiting and scouting teams.

247Sports’ national scouting and recruiting teams provide scouting notes on about four dozen prospects from high school football action this past weekend, as well as the ever-present ongoing film study across multiple classes. The state of Texas headlines this week’s edition of “Who We Watched,” along with notes on players from the South, West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast.

We start in the Lone Star State, which wrapped regular-season play with eyes on the TXHSFB postseason, which starts Thursday. From Texas Tech four-star commits Peyton Morgan and Will Hammond, to Florida five-star pledge DJ Lagway, to Oklahoma four-star commit Nigel Smith II, we present this week’s rundown of weekend scouting intel.

Peyton Morgan, 2024 Top247 four-star S, Texas Tech commit (online stream): Morgan played a key role in Pflugerville (Texas) Weiss’ 52-29 regular season-closing victory against Hutto (Texas) High’s high-power offense. Morgan delivered a big hit on a short dig route to force a third-down incompletion in the first quarter, then put himself on the scene on the next play for a deep shot along the sideline that fell incomplete for a turnover on downs. In the second quarter, Morgan intercepted fellow Texas Tech four-star commit Will Hammond on a red-zone wheel route that saw Morgan fly over the top and toe-tap inside the boundary just beyond the front-right pylon. That marked Morgan’s seventh interception of the season. He nearly got his eighth in the third quarter on on an intermediate our route to the boundary that he jumped, diving to knock it down. Morgan enters the postseason with 17 INTs in his past 32 games dating to 2021. — Gabe Brooks, 247Sports national scouting analyst

Adrian Wilson, 2025 Top247 four-star WR, Oregon commit (online stream): Wilson bounced back from the previous week — his lowest output of 2023 in Weiss’ only regular-season loss — with a seven-catch, 120-yards, one-TD performance to fuel the 52-29 win against Hutto. Thursday’s game marked his fifth 100-yard performance in 10 contests as he enters the playoffs with 46 catches for 811 yards and 13 touchdowns. He made a couple of big drive-extending conversion catches in the first half, such as a 1-on-1, fourth-down shot play into the red zone. Wilson nearly brought in a one-handed highlight reel catch when stretching along the back of the end zone for what would have been a high-difficulty 18-yard TD snag. Wilson seems to be improving his position-specific nuance — route-running acumen, finding open space when the play breaks down, etc. — while continuing to provide serious big-play punch. — Brooks

Jax Brown, 2025 QB (online stream): Brown, soon to be rated on 247Sports, displayed active feet in the pocket without being panicky in Pflugerville (Texas) Weiss’ 23-point win against Hutto (Texas). While he’s not a big-play threat as a runner, he’s capable of extending outside the pocket, and he also climbed the pocket well a few reps to buy time and keep his eyes downfield. Brown had his hits and misses — the latter including an underthrown timing shot from the +18 to an open Adrian Wilson in the end zone that was intercepted — but the former featuring a 26-yard zone-beater to Wilson on an on-the-move scramble drill throw, as well as a close-range wheel TD for a 21-0 lead before half. Brown made a 28-yard TD throw look easy for a 28-7 third-quarter lead as he dropped the ball behind the defense in the back of the end zone. — Brooks

Will Hammond, 2024 Top247 four-star QB, Texas Tech commit (online stream): Hammond faced constant pressure from a talented Weiss front that includes multiple FBS prospects. One of his better throws came in the second quarter, but was negated by penalty: a 45-yard deep shot (about 40 air yards) while escaping pressure rolling right off balance. When the window was clean, he put the ball in spots that allowed his targets to get RAC yardage. Hammond threw a perfect red-zone wheel for a would-be 11-yard TD but his running back, matched up on an edge in coverage, dropped it in the end zone just inside the goal line. Hammond & Co. went right back to it on the next play, which resulted in blitz pressure, a rushed throw, and Peyton Morgan flying over the top for an INT. Trailing 14-0, Hammond strung consecutive runs of 6, 21, and 6 to get the ball beyond midfield, but the drive ended on a fourth-down INT as Hammond underthrew a 1-on-1 deep shot under blitz pressure again. Hammond fought back in the second half with a 42-yard TD strike to an uncovered H-back who ran unencumbered up the seam — plus a 10-yard read keeper for a TD, followed by easy two-point throw — but the deficit was too great to overcome. Pressure was an issue all night and Hammond forced some throws. He finished 16-for-37 for 212 yards, two TDs, and four interceptions, along with 21 carries for 164 yards and two TDs. — Brooks

Lowote Jurkin, 2024 edge (online stream): Recently debuting in the 247Sports rankings (three-star 86 rating), Jurkin played his usual very active role from Pflugerville Weiss’ edge in the three-score win against Hutto. A productive night of pass-rushing saw Jurkin use his quick first step and closing juice to record two different strip sacks, the second of which a teammate returned 49 yards to the 1-yard line to set up Weiss’ 35-7 advantage in the third. He also registered a second-quarter TFL on a designed QB run. Still developing physically and technically, but Jurkin plays hard and has some promising chase-down juice. Jurkin’s recruitment has taken off in recent weeks. — Brooks

Louis Hickman, 2026 WR (online stream): Only a sophomore, Hickman could be a name to watch. He’s gotten limited offensive touches this fall, but flashed plenty of times in the return game, including a couple of opportunities in Pflugerville Weiss’ 52-29 win against Hutto. Hickman had a second-quarter 77-yard punt return touchdown negated by a roughing penalty, but bounced back in the third quarter with a 35-yard kickoff return to midfield. Weiss has no shortage of weapons, but given his big-play juice on special teams, Hickman should get significantly more offensive opportunities in the next couple of years. — Brooks

Braydon Nelson, 2024 IOL (online stream): Kilgore (Texas) hammered Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill on Friday to claim the District 9-4A D-I crown and a ninth consecutive win. Nelson, a senior two-way lineman, played a key role, as he has all season. Owner of a 171-foot discus throw and a 48-foot shot put best, Nelson could play guard or defensive tackle at the next level. He displays above average movement ability coupled with ample close-quarters strength and power, likely derived at least in part from his excellent shot and disc experience. Nelson debuted over the weekend with a three-star 83 rating on 247Sports. He’s close to double-digit Division I offers, including FBS programs such as North Texas and Texas State. He’d be a sneaky good addition for such a program. — Brooks

TyAnthony Smith, 2024 LB, Texas A&M commit (online stream): One of the top linebackers in the Lone Star State, Smith made his fair share of stops and also intercepted a pass, but made an even bigger impact as a high-volume Wildcat running threat in Jasper’s heartbreaking 21-20 overtime loss at Silsbee. Jasper came close to pulling off the upset in a regular-season finale between talented teams headed to the Texas 4A Division II playoffs, and Smith’s 200-plus rushing yards were the primary reason for Jasper’s chances. Smith ran with impressive early burst that showed in his acceleration in the 10- to 20-yard range. But he made the most damage running through contact and finishing runs, which reflected in Jasper’s 5-for-6 fourth-down conversion rate. — Brooks

Drelon Miller, 2024 Top247 four-star WR (online stream): Silsbee makes sure to get Miller the ball in a variety of ways and Friday’s one-point OT win against Jasper was no different. Miller provided a highlight on a three-yard quick-hitter that he turned into a 37-yard gain with his well-established run-after-catch mastery, this time making the first couple of defenders miss before whirling his way through two more tacklers across midfield. Miller set up a game-tying, half-yard QB sneak in the second half with a fourth-and-4 slant grab in traffic from the Jasper 8-yard line on a play that ended with him appearing to fall into the end zone, but was spotted down just outside the goal line. Miller, also playing defense, made a key fourth-quarter open-field tackle on Britain Simmons and forced Smith out of bounds in the final minute regulation as the last line of defense to prevent Smith from giving Jasper a would-be go-ahead 53-yard TD. Instead, Miller forced Smith out after 29 yards, setting up a Jasper field-goal miss that sent the game to OT. — Brooks

Demetris Dean, 2025 Top247 four-star OT (online stream): Jasper’s Wildcat-heavy ground attack meant Dean and fellow 2025 four-star Kiotti Armstrong — a top 40 overall prospect in the junior Top247 — were asked to run block, run block, and run block some more. Dean has sneaky frame length that will help his pass-pro development. He did get a couple of traditional pass reps and looked the part, even flashing some punch on one occasion. Armstrong, who had a 22-yard fourth-quarter catch and run negated by penalty, is still developing his hand-to-hand explosiveness, but possesses rare frame potential at 6-6, 248. — Brooks

DJ Lagway, 2024 Top247 five-star QB, Florida commit (online stream): Give Lagway and Willis (Texas) High’s coaching staff credit for a game plan that yielded 49 points against a loaded Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge defense. Lagway operated the quick passing game in a “death by a thousand cuts” manner, completing 30 of 42 throws for 303 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also provided a key big-play moment with his legs on a 54-yard TD run, finishing with seven carries for 88 yards. Lagway throws fireballs but also has improved his ball placement in general and downfield touch on shot plays. Willis has scored no fewer than 45 points in any of its 10 games (10-0) as Lagway enters the Texas 6A D-II playoffs with 3,218 passing yards, a 45-5 TD-INT ratio, 609 rushing yards, and nine TD runs. — Brooks

Justin Williams, 2024 Top247 five-star LB, Georgia commit (online stream): To no surprise, the Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge star flashed turbo-charged closing speed on a number of occasions, including as a pass rusher from the inside and the edge in certain situations. He had a couple of QB hits on the big-bodied Lagway that serve as evidence of Williams’ need to add mass and get stronger, but again, the closing juice really impressed. Williams has good body language and plays hard. Moments exist where he could be more aggressive — or perhaps, just cut loose and go and not overthink it — but overall, his combination of physical tools and wildly explosive athleticism make him an elite prospect. — Brooks

Jermaine Bishop, 2026 ATH (online stream): Bishop assembled one of the most complete two-way performances I’ve seen in some time to help Willis to its 49-35 win against visiting Conroe Oak Ridge. Only a sophomore, Bishop caught seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown — a highlight-reel, one-handed grab over the middle — ran four times for 46 yards; and recorded seven tackles, one for loss, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Bishop is a wiry strong athlete with exceptional ball skills and instincts. — Brooks

Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, 2024 Top247 four-star DL, Georgia commit (online stream): Friday’s 14-point Oak Ridge loss at Willis revealed a frustrating contest for Jonah-Ajonye, who is undoubtedly one of the most physically gifted defenders in the senior class. The quick passing game likely influenced JJA and the Oak Ridge defensive front’s demeanor; after all, pass rushers hate the quick release over and over. But Jonah-Ajonye showed several lackluster reps against the run as well, and will need to play with a more consistent motor at the next level. We have seen him dominate in flashes, but he has also had some curiously impact-lacking stretches, which is what happened Friday. Jonah-Ajonye has first-round upside over the next few years, but will need to expand his move set and create a secondary rush plan. — Brooks

Daylan McCutcheon, 2025 Top247 four-star WR (in-person coverage): On a night when he had to shoulder a heavy load due to a banged up receiver corps, McCutcheon shined. He opened the game with a 40-yard reception and provided a huge moment with a 53-yard touchdown in the second half of Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy’s 28-7 win at previously unbeaten Melissa (Texas). McCutcheon was smooth in his release and created separation easily in the intermediate and deep game. McCutcheon showed off some impressive ball skills and tracked passes well in flight. — Mike Roach, 247Sports national recruiting analyst

Owen Hollenbeck, 2025 IOL (in-person coverage): Hollenbeck did his best work in the run game for Melissa, using his size and strength to drive defenders off the ball. He was up and down in pass protection as he struggled with quicker rushers in front of him. Hollenbeck looks like he could develop into a punishing run blocker with a future at guard or center, but he will need to improve his feet and overall technique to become a complete player at the college level. — Roach

Jackson Ford, 2024 TE (in-person coverage): The former Oregon commit was noticeable in Melissa’s loss to Lovejoy thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame. Ford moved the chains on offense as a receiver and caught a short touchdown pass in the first half. He was strong as a blocker both in the run game and staying in to max protect in the pass game. Ford looks like he could possibly bulk up and play offensive tackle at the next level depending on how he physically develops. — Roach

Payton Pierce, 2024 Top247 four-star LB, Ohio State commit (in-person coverage): Pierce set the tone early in Lovejoy’s win at Melissa with a few physical hits and a first-quarter sack. A former state champion wrestler, Pierce definitely shows great take-down skills on the field as he caused chaos on the interior for Melissa’s running game. Pierce is adequate playing in space and dropping into coverage, but he’s at his best as a downhill defender playing between the hashes. — Roach

Nigel Smith II, 2024 Top247 four-star DL, Oklahoma commit (in-person coverage): Melissa’s front-line defensive stalwart was a problem for Lovejoy as he used his size and strength to physically overwhelm offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage and shut down running lanes. Smith looks like he’s set to move to the interior at the next level. He uses his hands extremely well and sheds blocks easily. Smith played with a strong motor and was a nuisance up front. He should be able to provide some versatility for Oklahoma, but time in a college strength program should push him north of 270 pounds. — Roach

Gunnar Wilson, 2024 LB, Oklahoma State (in-person coverage): Wilson played on both sides of the ball for Melissa, lining up at receiver and linebacker. On defense, Wilson played both off the ball and on the edge, but he looked at his best playing in space. Wilson showed instinctive ability and tackled well. He also stood out in coverage, highlighted by a perfect play to undercut a speed out and grab an interception. Wilson will need to add size at the next level, but his athleticism shined on Friday night. — Roach

Kam Robinson, 2024 WR, Tulsa commit (in-person coverage): On a night when Lancaster (Texas) struggled to throw the ball, Robinson didn’t do much on the offensive side. However, his contributions on the defensive side of the ball made him one of the best players on the field as Lancaster beat Lufkin (Texas) to secure a playoff spot in the Class 5A Division I bracket. Robinson played nearly every defensive snap at safety and logged an interception to go along with a handful of tackles and pass break-ups. Robinson looks like he could be a legitimate fit on the defensive side of the ball once he gets to Tulsa, if he’s open to it. — Roach

Kewan Lacy, 2024 RB (in-person coverage): Lacy started slow, but he got going in the second half, helping Lancaster to its one-point, playoff-clinching victory over Lufkin. Lacy finished the evening with 28 carries for 135 yards and one touchdown, and he had a few chunk plays that helped move the Lancaster offense down the field. He runs high with a slight forward lean, but he showed good balance and generated plenty of yards after contact. Lacy also spent time playing at safety, but his size and verified sub-11.00-second 100-meter speed should help him succeed on offense at the college level. — Roach

Kedren Young, 2024 Top247 four-star RB, Notre Dame commit (in-person coverage): Young entered the game 88 yards shy of 4,000 career yards, but he wouldn’t reach it. In his final high school game, the Notre Dame commit was bottled up running behind an undersized offensive line. Young finished with 17 carries for 26 yards and one touchdown. He also caught two passes and threw for a touchdown on a halfback pass. Young, Lufkin’s all-time leading rusher with 3,938 career yards, showed some first-step explosiveness, and he’s built lake a tank who can carry a heavy workload at the next level. He didn’t have much room to operate on the night and came away frustrated with the performance. — Roach

Zion Williams, 2025 DL (in-person coverage): Williams, listed at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, was disruptive at times for Lufkin, using his strength to push opposing offensive linemen into the backfield, and he showed a decent motor as well. Williams is still refining his technique and played with inconsistent pad level and hand placement. He has the size to be successful at the next level, and he looks like he could play on the offensive line as well. — Roach

Emmanuel Choice, 2025 WR (in-person coverage): Choice stood out immediately in warm-ups for Lancaster with a long frame and soft hands. The Tigers struggled to put together a strong passing game, but Choice’s only catch of the night was a nine-yard touchdown reception as he went up over two defenders to haul it in. Choice has a great frame for an X receiver who can move the chains on the outside and be a red-zone threat. His leaping ability was on display during the touchdown catch, and he showed strong hands to haul it in. — Roach

SOUTH

Carde Smith, 2025 OT (film study): Expect Smith to soon debut in the 247Sports rankings. Smith assembled some solid tape this fall for Mobile (Ala.) Williamson, which got competent efforts from him on the ground and in pass pro. Smith played with encouraging hand placement consistency, and while he’s still working on keeping his feet active upon contact, he flashed drive-blocking conviction and block-finishing ability. Smith’s size has not been verified, but he’s listed in the 6-5 to 6-6, 300-pound range and appears to wear his mass very well. Smith has reported early offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and several other schools. — Brooks

Gregory Xavier Thomas, 2025 CB (film study): Thomas looks the part in-person. Large, reactionary corner from the DB factory that is Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage. Had his moments against Chaminade-Madonna Prep, which features Jeremiah Smith and Jojo Trader. Comfortable at this stage in press-man. Might be best suited for a bump-and-run scheme or in a man-to-man boundary role. Gets to the football. Physical in the open field as a tackler. Might lack that true top gear, but checks off a lot of the other boxes and moves well. — Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting

Travis Smith Jr., 2025 WR (film study): Big outside receiver at Atlanta Westlake with a wide catch radius, some bounce, and a knack for winning contested catches. Doesn’t appear to have the desired top-end gear on tape, but more of a throwback X receiver who wins with physical gifts. — Hudson Standish, 247Sports national scouting analyst

Tyler Lockhart, 2025 LB (film study): Love the profile and he’s put together some good tape this fall for Winona (Miss.) High School. Explosive off-ball linebacker projection. Nothing verified when it comes to the size, but looks long and lean. Can over-pursue here and there, but gets off blocks and finds the football. A bit rigid in coverage, but that seems to be more so about his comfort level at times in what he’s doing. Excellent in backside pursuit. Tyler’s brother is TJ Lockhart, who’s a 6-6, 365-pound offensive lineman committed to Mississippi State in the 2024 cycle. — Ivins

Donovan Starr, 2025 CB (film study): The Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood prospect owns a strong track and field profile and plays varsity hoops. He puts that athletic background to use on the gridiron, where he’s sticky in coverage, displays encouraging ball skills, and also provides some big-play punch in the return game. More of an opportunistic striker, plenty of willingness but dives at ankles at times. Starr is a good football player with a great athletic profile. — Standish

Dallas Golden, 2025 ATH (film study): Not a ton of information, but the film pops. Three-phase playmaker getting snaps at S, WR, RB, and QB for Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep. Obvious juice with superb lateral quickness. Strings cuts together and quickly finds top gear on offense. Instinctive on defense and can go get the football even though he might be on the smaller side. Not afraid to drop the shoulder and deliver a blow while running the alley. We may soon change the projection label from ATH to safety. — Ivins

Emile Picarella, 2025 QB (film study): In his first season at Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab, Picarella has led the Cubs to a 9-1 regular-season mark entering what could be a lengthy postseason run. Picarella has thrown for 1,789 yards, 27 TDs, and three interceptions on 101-for-136 passing (74.3 percent). Picarella throws with a snappy release that fosters above average short-to-intermediate velocity, as well as requisite vertical arm strength. He’s flashed some off-platform playmaking ability and encouraging ball placement nuance when forced outside the pocket by pressure. Verified in the offseason at 6-foot-1 1/2, 206 pounds, Picarella is a stoutly-assembled QB who’s shown he can even make improvisational throws through arriving contact. Expect Picarella to debut in the 247Sports rankings for the 2025 class soon. He’s reported offers from programs such as Kentucky, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Pitt. — Brooks

WEST COAST

Jackson Lloyd, 2025 OT (film study): I like to say for every 10 high school linemen who say they are 6-foot-6, maybe one or two actually is 6-foot-6. Well, Lloyd is, and he’s pushing 290 pounds and plays mad. The Carmel (Calif.) High junior displays consistent get-off quickness to initiate engagement and finish blocks regularly. He wears his mass well and should possess a high ceiling as a pass protector. “Lloyd didn’t do the spring camp circuit because he played basketball and baseball, but he blew up during the college summer camp circuit,” said Brandon Huffman, 247Sports national recruiting editor. “I’ve seen him live in practice. Great frame and a strong multi-sport profile.” — Brooks

Kayo Patu, 2024 ATH, Arizona commit (in-person coverage): Patu moved in to the top ten in the state of Washington last month after he moved back to Washington from Sacramento (Calif.) Capital Christian. He was a key player for Seattle Roosevelt’s resurgence this year and in their play-in game against Bishop Blanchet. Against Blanchet, he had an athletic grab on the sideline, where he went up and showed good hands and body control to contort for the ball and keep his feet in bounds to keep the chains moving. He also had a touchdown catch where he took a short pass and showed some burst and acceleration in getting upfield and in to the end zone. He locked up his side of the field and was rarely even tested in the second half. Patu is rated as an athlete and while he’ll likely play cornerback in college, he flashed a ton this year as a pass-catcher. — Brandon Huffman, 247Sports national recruiting editor

Jake Schakel, 2024 QB, Eastern Washington commit (in-person coverage): Schakel is the No. 2 quarterback in the state of Washington and he’ll head to perennially strong Big Sky program Eastern Washington. He’s had a stellar senior season and set just about every school passing record. In a game that moved Puyallup (Wash.) Emerald Ridge on to the 4A state playoffs, Schakel was at his sharpest, looking efficient, showing his accuracy and touch, and not forcing anything, having a workman-like game. Schakel finished 15-for-18 for 218 yards and threw three touchdown passes and he also rushed for a TD in the win. — Huffman

Tony Harste, 2024 WR, Idaho commit (in-person coverage): Harste and Schakel have been teammates since youth ball and in a game in which they trailed early, it was the Schakel-to-Harste connection that kept Emerald Ridge from getting in too big a hole and eventually come up with the win. Harste catches everything thrown to him and he was the safety valve for Schakel, catching six passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Harste, who is headed to the No. 2 FCS team in the country, was at his most consistent and dependable best in the win-or-go-home game. — Huffman

Samu Moala, 2026 edge (in-person coverage): Moala is a 247Sports Top 100 player in the ’26 class and showed why with a dominant effort over the weekend. He plays inside ‘backer for Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger but we think he’ll grow in to an edge rusher at the college level. He’s already 6-4, 235 pounds and has plenty of room to grow and add good weight. He’s a high-level athlete who clocked a 19.03 MPH on the Catapult GPS system this season. He’s able to make plays all over the field and is a sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s physical at the point of attack and can take on blockers in the box, but really excels running down plays from behind. We love the motor he plays with and his upside is as high as any player in the state of California in the sophomore class. — Greg Biggins, 247Sports national recruiting analyst

Jordan Ross, 2024 WR, Colorado State commit (in-person coverage): It has been a heck of a bounce-back season for Ross. He was a 247Sports Top247 player for us following his freshman and sophomore seasons, but struggled with injuries and missed much of his junior season. This year, he has shined on both sides of the ball and been arguably the best receiver in the state. In a first-round playoff win Friday, Ross had a pair of long touchdown catches of 63 and 49 yards that showed off his run-after-catch ability. Ross is an explosive kid and shows a lot of wiggle and ability to make multiple defenders miss in the open field. He has 20 touchdowns on the season and looks noticeably faster than a year ago. He was timed at 20.62 MPH on the Catapult system earlier and we expect him to make an immediate impact for the Rams next season. — Biggins

Madden Iamaleava, 2025 Top247 four-star QB (in-person coverage): Iamaleava has had a strong junior season and shown he’s deserving of all the attention and early scholarships he received this offseason. Iamaleava didn’t start a game until this year after backing up his older brother Nico Iamaleava, the former five-star who’s a freshman at Tennessee. Like his older brother, Madden is a two-sport standout and a talented volleyball player, but his future is definitely at quarterback. He has always had a strong arm but has made a nice jump in poise, accuracy, and maturity. He shows dual-threat ability and though he doesn’t run a ton, he has very good pocket mobility and can extend plays. He’s a tough kid, highly competitive, and as the game continues to slow down for him, he’ll make another big jump. In Downey (Calif.) Warren’s exciting 34-33 win over an undefeated Tustin (Calif.) team, Iamaleava threw for 441 yards and five touchdowns. His game is definitely trending in the right direction. — Biggins

Noah Carter, 2024 Top247 four-star edge, Washington commit (online stream): Washington edge rushers Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui are likely NFL-bound after this season, which should offer a chance at immediate playing time for Peoria (Ariz.) Centennial’s Noah Carter. Carter, the No. 95 player in the country per the Top247, continued his two-way excellence at wide receiver and edge this past weekend against nationally ranked Peoria (Ariz.) Liberty in a 36-17 loss. Carter added another receiving touchdown to his season total and was a force on the defensive side of the ball with multiple sacks. The strong our-star prospect is remarkably bendy and should become more consistent off the edge once he builds a full pass-rushing plan and expands his bag of moves. The redeeming qualities and traits from Carter’s experience as a wide receiver are a great example of why the 247Sports scouting staff loves two-way players so much. Carter plays with lower-body coordination uncommon for somebody listed at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, and is elite at redirecting as the quarterback attempts to escape the pocket. — Standish

MIDWEST

Jim Harris, 2025 OT (in-person coverage): Harris is a physical 6-foot-5+, 295-pound mauler who cleared the way for several of his Muskegon (Mich.) team’s big runs in a 42-28 win against Norton Shores (Mich.) Mona Shores. He doesn’t do a ton of pass setting but he is a strong run blocker who some schools could look at as a guard. A three-star prospect, Harris has offers from Cincinnati and Central Michigan. — Allen Trieu, 247Sports national recruiting analyst

Miguel Botello, 2024 IOL (in-person coverage): Botello is a lunchpail-type guard who is extremely dependable and plays rugged. He’s considering several MAC offers right now. — Trieu

N’Kye Wynn, 2025 IOL (in-person coverage): Wynn is a little leaner than his counterparts but a good athlete with the frame to fill in. He moves well in general and gets to the second level well. He has some MAC offers but could be a guy some Power Fives take a look at. — Trieu

Adrian Rankin, 2025 LB (in-person coverage): Rankin does not have any offers yet, but schools should take a look. He plays fast and physical and made a couple of big stops for Muskegon in the 14-point win. — Trieu

Destin Piggee, 2024 ATH (in-person coverage): Piggee is a 10.6-second 100-meter guy and is electric on the football field. Size is what is keeping FBS schools from offering, but they may want to take a second look at Piggee as a slot/return man. — Trieu

EAST COAST

Braswell Thomas, 2025 ATH (in-person coverage): Thomas, who plays at the southern tip of New Jersey at Lower Cape May Regional, influenced the game more as a safety than receiver. He was physical and filled run gaps playing downhill in a 34-26 loss to Delran (N.J.) High. He hit hard and was involved against the run, although a few times he went for the big hit instead of wrapping up. He showed the ability to run and track plays across the field. As a receiver, he got off the line easily and was open on many occasions down the field, but the quarterback could not deliver an accurate throw to even allow Thomas to make a play on the ball. — Brian Dohn, 247Sports national recruiting analyst

Kenny Jones, 2024 OL, Rutgers commit (in-person coverage): Jones, who plays for Delran, is long and has the size the Scarlet Knights want for a guard. He played on both sides of the ball and he was able to bend and fire up and into the defender at the snap. He stayed engaged but he was not overly physical when it came to finishing blocks. The athleticism exists to play in the Big Ten, but adding plenty of strength throughout his frame is needed before he can get on a college field. — Dohn

— 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins, Hudson Standish, Mike Roach, Allen Trieu, Brandon Huffman, Greg Biggins, and Brian Dohn contributed to this report.

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