Here are my annual rankings. As always, there is the star rating but the order the guys are listed matters as well (e.g. the first three star guy on my list is the best. The last 3-star the worst. Etc). Let me know your thoughts and/or who I got wrong and why.
*****
Charles Moore — I’m not sure if he’s a psycho, but he looks to be a legit game-changer. Check out the film. He was the 69th recruit in the nation in 2019. He sounds like a bit of a prima donna, so that’s a concern. “Auburn wasn’t the place initially that I wanted to go to because it’s in a secluded, country area. I wanted to live a flamboyant lifestyle. But actually, going to college isn’t about that life. When you go to college, that 3-4 years is to set you up for the rest of your life…” Let’s hope that’s behind him, and he can live up to his talent.
****
Chance Nolan — I really like this guy, and he should give Gebbia a run for his money. I see a guy with legit wheels, a strong arm, and a fluid throwing motion. He had offers from Oklahoma State, UCLA, and Utah. Big get.
Jake Overman — Nice blocker and pass catcher. Very fluid and a motor. I can see this guy being a captain one day. That type of heart somehow shows on film. Hope he stays at TE because he looks elite there.
Shane Kady — Legit. What am I missing? Not sure why he’s only a 3-star, and his offer sheet isn’t great. Extremely explosive pass rush and finishes plays. Probably the most under the radar guy in the class.
Sione Lolohea — Mean pass rusher with range and agility. Future game changer on defense.
***
Isaiah Newell — Surprisingly difficult to rate since we don’t know his position for sure, and there isn’t a lot of film on him (strange given his prestigious offer sheet). I’d put him low 4-star/high 3-star. If I had a 3.5 rating I’d put him there. So I’ll just make him my #1 3-star prospect. Rare combination of size, agility, and nimble feet (looks like Fred Astaire out there!). Speed looks good. Maybe not breakaway, but good speed.
Alton Julian — Big, rangy…good ball skills and pretty good coverage skills. Lacks top end speed and agility. Looks a lot like Jordan Poyer with a similar skill set. Seems to have a fiestiness and a lot of heart to his play. Winning personality, too.
Ben Gulbranson — Really long windup where he drops the ball down low before throwing. That said, it works for him. Pretty good wheels and elusiveness. He should be a productive QB in a few years.
Zeriah Beason — With his offer sheet I was expecting to see greatness on film, but he doesn’t have breakaway speed and goes down pretty easily. Still a nice looking player. Not sure he’s a “game changer” as his offer sheet suggests.
Taliese Fuaga — Big body but needs to work on his technique and form. Bumps and pushes opponents to the ground, which isn’t going to work in the PAC.
Silas Bolden — Runs exactly like Victor. Very strange. Nice looking complimentary player.
Junior Walling — He’s intriguing on film. Pretty decent speed and takes good angles tackling. Offer sheet of Utah and then mostly Ivy League schools.
Rejzohn Wright — His film is old, so it’s hard to say, but in the first few clips we see (a) a guy celebrating a pick six around the 20 yard line and (b) a guy targeting. He has a good offer sheet, so maybe I’m missing something or he matured at JC. Can’t know these things from watching 2017 film, though. Coach him up, Smith.
Ron Hardge III — My lowest 3-star. Early in his film he seems to have good awareness and ball skills, but as it goes on you see some PI and other problems. Overall looks okay. Might contribute early on if he can learn PAC level play early in camp. Very low 3-star ability, but I’m hoping he can be coached up with some of the issues. Hiding him at safety would be smart, and his future would be a bit brighter there.
**
Cooper Darling — Fringe 3-star. Has serious strength, but he’s slow and not the most agile blocker. I’d say he’s a project who could go either way depending on coaching and desire.
Tavis Shippen — Really weird film. He seems to just bang guys with his shoulder. Not sure that plays well in the PAC-12. Technique flat out sucks. Looks to have a good body. I’m not sure you can teach a JC guy technique. At least he has good physical gifts to work with if they can teach him some form. I don’t understand the high rating, but maybe it’s a me issue.
John Miller — Very stiff athlete. Hard hitter. Looks like a special teams type of guy who can maybe work into the rotation as he matures. He looks to have taken big strides between Sophomore and Junior year. I couldn’t find Senior film. Possible late bloomer? Possible 3-star just having a hard time being fair on how productive he might be and how long into his career to do so given how stiff he looks. Intriguing.
Trevor Pope — Doesn’t look like a PAC-12 athlete. Think he projects best in the secondary and as a backup player.
Tommy Spencer — Slow moving TE. Looks to be the 2nd guy in two TE sets and maybe a blocking TE.
Jacob Ferenczi — Not seeing a ton of talent here. He’s super smart, so maybe with that talent and some development by senior year he’ll be a contributor.
Johnathan Riley — Not much film on him. All I’m finding are clips from a Spring practice or scrimmage. Hard to say. He looks alright in the video. 5-star name, though!
Korbin Sorensen — I can’t find any video on him, and I’m skeptical a PSU player can come in and contribute.
*
Joe Quillen — No video. He’s not necessarily a 1-star, but given his lack of offers and lack of video that’s where he’s going.