Ranking the 2023 Recruiting Class

Okay, as always, my ratings work like this: I break it down by star rating, and then within that group, I’ll rank them in order. So the second listed 3 star is my second favorite 3 star. Etc.

When I began going through this class, I thought Smith might have taken a quantum leap because every guy seemed to be ranked one star too low, but that changed around the Saez/Taylor range, and the class began to fade. But it’s still a really nice top heavy group who are probably ranked too low by the services.

Give me your thoughts on these guys. Put it in writing. Also let me know where you think I went wrong and why.

*****

Aidan Chiles – Smith did a great job addressing the QB problems in this class. Chiles is ranked as a 4-star, but that’s only because he signed with Oregon State. He’s a legit 5-star talent. Why? Well amazingly quick decision making, correct decision making, very good to excellent arm, viable runner, and great accuracy. Chiles had an amazing 73.4% completion percentage in high school, and a 38 to 5 TD to INT ratio his senior year. I’m the guy obsessed with QB efficiency, so of course I’m going to rank him a 5-star with those numbers. The guy is flat out legit.

Kelze Howard – Again, why only a 4-star? The OSU down bump. USC, Michigan, Oregon et al offers. Even better, on film he’s a complete monster. He looks like Lawrence Taylor just completely destroying the backfield. Sure, they are highlights, but you can see on film he has intensity and thrives off making those negative plays. Even the way he lines up. He is fidgeting just waiting to get to the QB. Total monster. Great in the run game on film, too. Complete player. Should play next year barring any setbacks or problems learning the defense, but physically, he is ready.

****

DJU – I only have him as a 4-star due to his performance vs some of the better defenses he’s faced, and maybe the mental aspect of his game isn’t completely refined yet. I think he might be a bit underrated as a runner. Really good runner and cutting ability for his size. Top 5 arm nationally. The Beavers should be able to have their QB throw the long ball and run on any given play, which is obviously huge. One yellow flag was his taunting on film, but given his comments on how he reached out to the staff, it quelled some of that. Shows maturity to be thinking about his future and best fit for his pro career. For me he’s a very high 4-star and possible dark horse Heisman candidate next year given that Smith is going to make him become mature (if he’s not already), and that Smith’s going to design the offense around his skill set rather than try to force the issue like Clemson seemed to do.

Montrel Hatten – Why is Hatten at 3-star at the recruiting sites? He’s at worst a 4-star, and maybe a 5-star. This is a clear NFL caliber player. He can get open with ease and make every catch, good speed, love how he cradles the ball into his body using hands. Looks like a taller Branden Cooks and even looks a bit like Jerry Rice. Come on. 3-star!?

***

Leonard Ah You – Mission guy who we might never see, but boy does he look very good. Fast, aggressive, finishes plays. I just can’t get excited because this guy playing at OSU is a long way’s off, if ever.

Tastean Reddicks – Solid all around player. He seems to make the plays he should and nothing more. I’d say he doesn’t stand out as excelling at any one skill but also doesn’t stand out as having any flaws in his game. I question the 6’1 height…he doesn’t look or play that tall (unless all the DBs he’s facing are tall).

Isaiah Chisom – To me he’s in between a linebacker and safety, but that opens some options to get creative. Could be used as a hybrid player. I like him most as a hard hitting safety (who clearly excels at the delayed blitz on film) if Smith is willing to make that conversion.

Cooper Jenson – Hard to find good film on him, and I don’t know where Smith will play him. TE would be best, but in his film he looks pretty good as a RB, too. Maybe he’ll be used as a Christian McCaffrey type player from the TE slot? Could be unique. His diverse skills make creativity an option here.

Jermod McCoy – This guy is underrated. He’s intense as a WR and has ball skills, and as a DB he’s a ball hawk with great awareness. I think his best chance to see the field is as a DB. Promising player. I think he’s equal to the guy below, Zack Card. Similar players, and that’s a good thing.

Zack Card – I really like this guy. Not the flashiest recruit, but I see a guy with a lot of heart. Someone who will make the tough catch or tackle (depending where he ultimately lands) and fire up the team. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, and it somehow shows on film. I love guys like this. They eventually become team captains and great leaders. He’s fairly rated as a mid-upper 3-star, but guys who play intense like this are always better than the sum of their parts and could outperform. The same goes for McCoy. Card reminds me of a faster Wayne Chrebet.

Zakaih Saez – Underrated. Really nice looking pass rusher. Pushes the defender into the backfield and collapses the pocket while maintaining an obsessive focus on the target – the QB. Great foundation to build on, and by his Sophomore or Junior year he should be in the rotation.

Nikko Taylor – I don’t know Smith’s plans for Taylor. Sticking at DE? Call me crazy, but I think Taylor would make a better safety than edge rusher. He doesn’t finish some of his plays, and he doesn’t seem to show the fire or intensity you want to see out of pass rushers. Meanwhile, he has a great frame and body type to be a physical safety. I see only productive depth here if he sticks at DE, not a starter or a game changer. Not bad to have productive depth, though, so he’ll be a useful player.

Andre Piper-Jordan Jr. – Looks like a depth player. I’m not saying he looks bad, but I’m not seeing anything elite that stands out. He does appear to like playing physical, so that’s a plus. I like him more as a CB than WR. That physicality could be nice in the secondary. At this point I see a guy who will provide depth most of his career and maybe start or play more key roles as an upperclassman. Solid depth, though. There’s nothing bad in his game just nothing special.

David Wells – There’s really nothing wrong with his game. All around solid looking player with good hands. Should be a very good special teams player at worst, but possibly work into the WR rotation. A guy like this is tough. Nothing stands out either way other than his solid hands, so maybe put him on punt returns/ST and let him work his way up.

Jacob Anderson – Needs to get a bit lower on blocks and use leverage. Seems like a good frame but a project.

Thomas Collins – Really hard to analyze Swedish football, but his frame, intensity, and form all look good. But when I see him dominating the line, it looks like the opponents are really small (and terrible) for O-linemen. Low 3-star but there’s a lot of variance with this guy.

**

Abraham Johnson – Seems a step slow, but I think he’s my favorite of the two stars guys. Might be able to beef up and be a slow, run stuffing DT who is in the rotation for depth.

Zander Esty – Not a huge fan of this guy. I hope I’m wrong. But he looks slow, un-athletic, and plays upright. He does serve a lot of pancakes, so there’s that…maybe he can grow into something, but right now I see a practice squad player.

Harlem Howard – Again, not seeing much here other than a practice squad player. Looks small and slings guys to the ground rather than tackles them. Poor form. Not a great frame to build upon. My hunch is he has a Champ Flemings type trajectory and wins up at a smaller, lower level school eventually.

Grant Starck – I’m not sure what the staff sees here. I don’t see it. I hope I’m wrong. I don’t even think this is a good depth/backup pick. There has to be a better use of this scholarship. But, if anyone can turn this guy into a player it’s coach M. My only hope is on that.