Previewing the top prospects at 2022 Under Armour Future 50
Dozens of the nation’s top prospects will make their way to the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida this weekend for Under Armour’s Future 50. The event is the last big national showcase of the summer. Future 50 annually showcases top prospects who are set to play in the Under Armour All-America Game after the season.
The action spans two days with the on-field portion taking place on Saturday. The event includes individual position drills, 1-on-1’s and 7-on-7 games.
Complete Under Armour Future 50 Roster
A number of On300 prospects will be in the Sunshine State and On3 will be on location for full coverage. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the top names expected to attend.
Four top quarterbacks set to throw at Future 50
Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold (No. 56) and Iowa State pledge JJ Kohl (No. 207) are two of the hottest quarterbacks in the cycle, coming off strong showings at the Elite 11 Finals two weeks ago. Arnold was named Elite 11 MVP by the camp staff while Kohl walked away with On3 MVP honors as our top performer over the course of the week.
Future 50 should allow another setting for the pair to impress. Arnold showed one of the stronger arms we’ve seen in the cycle at the Elite 11 Finals. The Denton (Texas) Guyer signal caller has a quick release and drove the ball to all levels of the field with ease. Kohl likewise showed considerable arm talent on each day of the event and was spectacular in 7-on-7 play, completing 13 of 16 passes for six touchdowns. It would not be surprising to see repeat performances given how strong each looked in a similar setting just two weeks ago. With that said, Future 50 will feature more top prospects and more speed with pass catchers and defensive backs.
Future 50 will mark the third time we’ve seen Five-Star Plus+ USC commit Malachi Nelson (No. 2) at a major summer event along with Overtime’s OT7 7-on-7 tournament and the Elite 11 Finals. Nelson was up and down at OT7 and had a solid showing at the Elite 11 Finals. The Los Alamitos (Calif.) High star has been the No. 2 overall prospect since the initial On300 a year ago, but is receiving a push from several other top quarterbacks in what looks to be a deep cycle at the position. Future 50 will give Nelson another opportunity to make a statement.
Similar to Nelson, we’ve seen Miami pledge Jaden Rashada (No. 155) at both other major summer events. The Pittsburg (Calif.) High quarterback has flashed his notable arm talent at each stop but has also had some inconsistencies over both multi-day events. We’ll be looking to see if Rashada can improve on his prior performances.
Top corners on tap for Future 50
For our money, the defensive backs make up the deepest position group at Future 50. Both the corner and safety spots are loaded with top talent. The setting should prove highly informative on where things stand with this group given the nature of 1-on-1’s and 7-on-7 against top competition.
Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain (No. 4) will the highest-ranked defensive back on hand. The 6-foot-1.5 cover corner has top notch ball skills and is a playmaker on Friday nights. Even though we saw McClain at OT7 (where he had some up and down moments), this setting should shed even more of a light on his true cover skills and ability to stick with speedy receivers downfield. Florida leads in McClain’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Malik Muhammad (No. 26) and Alabama commit Jahlil Hurley (No. 32) were On3’s top two corners at OT7. Both were outstanding in coverage over the course of the event and made several plays on the ball. Muhammad is a smooth corner with plus instincts and ball skills. Hurley is one of the bigger corners in the cycle and looks to be a legitimate 6-foot-2. Their play speed should be put to the test at Future 50. Texas leads in Muhammad’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Loaded safety group set to perform
Three of On3’s top six ranked safeties are set to be at Future 50.
This will mark our first chance to see Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen (No. 37) in action this offseason. The 6-foot, 185-pounder had a breakout junior season at Denton (Texas) Guyer. Bowen made as many plays as any safety in the cycle, coming down with six interceptions and 12 pass break ups. He also registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. We’ll be looking to see how Bowen has progressed over the past year, but it would not be surprising for him to impress.
Similar can be said for safety Joenel Aguero (No. 41). The Massachusetts native is one of the hardest hitters in the 2023 cycle but is also a top combine athlete. Aguero does not have quite the coverage resume at the high school level of a prospect like Bowen, so how he fares at Future 50 could prove informative as to where things stand in that regard. Georgia has the edge in Agureo’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Javien Toviano (No. 44) is ranked as a safety by On3 but has the positional flexibility to play mutliple spots in the secondary. It would not be surprising to see the 6-foot, 185-pounder slide out to corner and challenge himself against some of the top receivers. Toviano is not the fastest in in terms of verified speed, but is a heady, polished player with technical proficiency. His On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine is split between Texas A&M, Texas and Michigan.
Zachariah Branch headlines top wide receivers
The headliner among the receiver group at Future 50 is USC commit Zachariah Branch (No. 9). The Las Vegas Bishop Gorman star ranks as the top wide receiver in both the On300 and On3 Consensus. This will mark Branch’s second Future 50 experience, as he was one of the better pass catchers on hand as a rising junior last year. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder pairs elite speed, change of direction and plus ball skills to result in the toughest cover of the 2023 cycle we’ve seen to this point. He should certainly provide a good test for the corners on hand.
Texas commit Johntay Cook II (No. 36) is another top receiver slated to be at Future 50. Cook is a technically refined receiver with strong routes and change of direction skills. We saw Cook at OT7 back in June. While he had a solid showing, it is safe to say he was overshadowed by a few other top receivers. Cook will have another opportunity to impress against the talented corners and safeties.
USC commit Makai Lemon (No. 89) had a rather quiet week at OT7 playing on a loaded South Florida Express team in addition to potentially dealing with an injury. Future 50 should provide another look at the talented top 100 prospect who has shown the ability to make plays on both sides of the ball on Friday nights.
Like Cook, Oregon commit Ashton Cozart (No. 97) is a polished and technical wideout from the metro Dallas area. Cozart typically fares well in the camp setting and it would not be surprising to see him impress with his combination of route-running and straight-line speed.
Ayden Williams (No. 146), Notre Dame commit Braylon James (No. 245) and Auburn pledge Karmello English (No. 293) are three more On300 receivers set to attend.
Top prospects facing off in the trenches
Future 50 is the first major national event of the summer to give the big men some shine. We’ll get to see top offensive linemen face off against EDGE and defensive line prospects.
Five-star Miami commit Francis Mauigoa (No. 14) is the big headliner on the offensive line. The IMG Academy standout is fresh off a commitment to the Hurricanes and will be looking to make a statement at the home confines of IMG. Mauigoa has already turned in a few strong showings this offseason but he should see more speed off the edge at Future 50.
Some of that speed will come by way of new Oklahoma EDGE commit Adepoju Adebawore (No. 20). The North Kansas City pass rusher is one of the more physically-gifted defenders in the cycle with eye-popping twitch in a 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to go with a 7-foot plus wing-span. Adebawore is relatively new to football and may not be as polished as some others, but the upside is substantial.
LSU EDGE commit Dashawn Womack (No. 58) is one of the more athletic defensive front prospects in the cycle. The Baltimore St. Frances Academy product ran an electronically-timed 4.76 second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds back in the spring.
Defensive lineman Jordan Renaud (No. 69) impressed on the camp circuit in the spring. The 6-foot-3.5, 245-pounder is a violent, physical run defender on Friday nights. We’ll be watching to see how he rushes the passer at Future 50. Alabama leads in Renaud’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
More top offensive and defensive linemen at Future 50
Tennessee EDGE commit Chandavian Bradley (No. 63) is another bouncy, athletic rusher set to attend Future 50. Bradley may not have quite the girth or frame of Adebawore or Womack, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against some of the bigger offensive linemen.
Florida State commit Lucas Simmons (No. 87) is the second-highest rated offensive tackle set to attend, per On3. The setting should be a test to the Sweden native who plays at Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida. Simmons has a prototypical offensive tackle frame at over 6-foot-7, 295 pounds along with smooth movement skills.
Clemson commit Harris Sewell (No. 123) and Olaus Alinen (No. 228) are two more strong offensive linemen set to attend. Sewell will man the interior, while Alinen has the positional versatility to line up at few different spots on the front. Miami has made a move with Alinen, jumping to the front of the Finland native’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Future 50 will also provide the opportunity for prospects like offensive lineman Miles McVay, Michigan EDGE commit Collins Acheampong and Texas pledge Sydir Mitchell to make a statement against top competition.
Talented off-ball linebackers expected
The linebacker group features several defenders who excel in space.
New Georgia commit Raylen Wilson (No. 136) has had a stellar offseason, showing continued improvement in spring ball in addition to posting a 10.91 second 100 meter time during track season. Future 50 will provide another chance for the athletic 6-foot-1, 215-pounder to put his athleticism and cover skills on display.
Future 50 will be our first chance to get a close look at Troy Bowles (No. 75) this offseason. We’ll be looking to see how the 6-foot, 205-pounder stacks up from a size and athleticism perspective. Bowles is a strong player on Friday nights, but Future 50 could prove informative to his physical gifts relative to other top prospects. Georgia has taken a commanding lead in Bowles’ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
The same can be said for Jaiden Ausberry (No. 171). Like Bowles, Ausberry is a smaller, off-ball linebacker. And similar to Wilson, he’s a younger prospect for the cycle, so we’ll be looking to see how he’s progressed. Notre Dame leads in Ausberry’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Miami commit Riley Williams headlines tight end group
The tight end group is headlined by Miami commit Riley Williams (No. 52). The Portland native recently made the transfer to IMG Academy. Williams has been highly-ranked for On3 since the initial On300, but this will provide our first chance to see the top 100 prospect in person. While Williams has always impressed on video, Future 50 will mark the stiffest competition he’s seen to date.
Jelani Thurman (No. 178) has one of the biggest catch radiuses among tight ends in the 2023 cycle. The NFL and WNBA legacy should prove to be a tough matchup for safeties. Ohio State leads in Thurman’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Arkansas commit Luke Hasz (No. 208) brings wide receiver skills in a H-Back/tight end body. The Oklahoma native is another who will test defensive backs down the seam.
Top 2024 prospects on hand at Future 50
A handful of top 2024 prospects from IMG Academy are also set to attend Future 50. Four rank inside the top 100 of the 2024 On300.
Desmond Ricks (No. 2) is the nation’s top-ranked corner in the 2024 cycle and is seasoned against top competition.
EDGE Jonathan Echols (No. 8) is fresh off a commitment to Tennessee. Echols was a do-it-all player at his prior high school in Georgia, so it will be interesting to see how he’s progressed with more position-specific focus.
Jerrick Gibson (No. 27) ranks as the top running back in the 2024 cycle. He is extremely twitch and a tough cover in camp settings. We expect Gibson to provide a big test for the linebackers in coverage.
Defensive lineman David Stone (No. 66) is another top IMG underclassman set to attend.
Stay tuned to On3 throughout the weekend for updates from Future 50.