2019 Recruiting Rankings

As always, these are ranked in order, so the highest 3 star on my list is the one I think is the best in that grouping. If you’d like to donate to AB please click here.

*****

Tristan Gebbia — Possibly the only 5-star I’ve ever handed out. He could be the best QB in OSU history. His film is that good. Not a single flaw. Perfect mechanics, touch, etc, and I watched an interview with him to see if he has leadership qualities, and he does.

****

Luke Musgrave — This guy has a bit of Gronk in him. How is he not a universal 4-star? Game changer who is going to make our QBs look good. Under recruited with the only other good offers coming from Cal and Oregon.

Addison Gumbs — His high school film shows a 5-star talent. Incredible speed and rushing ability. But, his ACL injury knocks him down a peg. He likely will never be that player, but he should be very good. Let’s hope his surgery holds up.

Tyjon Lindsey — He has 4.5 speed and makes some very difficult catches.

***

Avery Roberts — Has four star talent, but seems to lack heart. Looks like a guy to whom the game came easy, and so he never learned the nuances. If they can coach him up on the mental side could be a game changer. If not, he’s still a plug and play starter, but will just be serviceable.

Omar Speights — Very good awareness. Athletic. Disruptive and seems to force turnovers on film. Plays a little high at times.

Nathan Eldridge — Pretty huge to land a plug and play center. He had a major injury a few years ago, but I’ll take an AZ center with experience. Should be an anchor if he holds up.

Evan Bennett — Matre Dei pedigree, so you know he’ll be well coached in fundamentals. Nothing stands out on film either way and just looks like a solid football player. With a little bit of weight he can play DT and be disruptive there. Mid to high 3-star grade is warranted, and there’s upside.

Akili Arnold — Nice looking player on both sides of the ball. I think he can play RB if he gains 10lbs of muscle. Hits the hole quickly and decisively. Very good speed, though not elite. Probably breaks 40 and 50 yard runs, but might get chased down from behind at this level. On defense he doesn’t look as instinctual, but can be coached up to be serviceable there.

Jojo Forest — Good frame, adequate speed. Pretty good technique for a HS player. I think he’s ranked fairly. A mid-tier 3-star is about right.

Taron Madison – He’s our highest ranked recruit on most sites, but I’m not seeing anything special. 3-star is correct, but some downside here. I’m not sure where he ultimately plays, but to me his skill set looks best suited to CB or somewhere in the secondary. He can be better there than on offense.

James Rawls — Looks legit and disruptive. Power, speed, sheds opponents, makes plays. Why only a 2-star? Underrated prospect.

Kelsen Hennessy — Super weird film. He’s hurdling guys and guys bouncing off him, and he’s making tackles with both arms being held. Never saw anything like it. Weirdly intriguing player who kind of looks like the Ryan Nall of defense.

Jordan Whittley — Plays violently with aggression. A big high and upright. Very raw looking despite playing at a C.C. Needs coaching and technique to add to the brute force he got away with at lower levels. Some upside here.

Cory Stover — No strong feelings after watching his film. Pretty fast, not the most fluid guy. Could be a nice blocking TE who can occasionally catch passes. Could effectively sub on defense. Not a terrible signing. Not a game changer. The lowest three star possible seems about right, or a high 2 star.

**

Alex Austin — High 2 star. Reason being he’s a day late and dollar shot in his coverage and tackling. That could be poor coaching or poor instincts because he looks to have the tangibles. Needs coaching. Probably two years away from sniffing the field, and might be a nickle CB at best.

Ryan Franke — Has good speed. Could play DE and have some success.

Wynston Russell — Nothing stands out either way. Looks a bit thick to be playing in the secondary. Probably a practice squad player.

Simon Sandberg — No way this guy should be a 3-star. He’s slow and maladroit. We beat out football powerhouse Incarnate Word for him. The lone positive I see is he does have a motor and no give up. Smith probably saw some of himself in the guy and made an emotional offer here. Not Krebs, Pankey, or Cowdin level awful, but not too far off. Low 2-star. Rivals has him as our 6th best recruit. If that turns out to be true we’re hosed this class.

Anthony Gould — Small frame. Decent speed but not breakaway. There’s some ability here, but I’m thinking a move to CB might be better for him.

Rob Vanderlaan — Has a Pac-12 frame at age 17. I don’t see him ever starting, but he has something going for him. Needs to improve footwork and technique to get into the rotation. Could be a serviceable backup by year 3.

Jacob Ferenczi — Looks to play with heart and passion, but limited by his genetics. Doesn’t do anything especially well. A worse version of a Kevin Frahmn.

Michael Erhart — Clearly a very smart player given his offer sheet, but not much athletic ability. I can see him being a ST captain down the road and making some plays there. That has some value.

*

Thomas Sio — Huge, slow, bowling ball. Zero talent.

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Put your opinions in writing — let me know why I’m wrong.

Nice class thanks to the transfers. Go Beavs.