2023 prospects on cusp of Five-Star Plus+ status

Each recruiting cycle there is a small group of prospects who are rated as five-star recruits by all four major recruiting services. Those players earn  Five-Star Plus+ status. These recruits are considered the best of the best by the industry.

There are currently three Five-Star Plus+ prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. They are New Orleans Isidore Newman quarterback and Texas commit Arch Manning, Lakeland (Fla.) cornerback Cormani McClain and Los Alamitos (Calif.) quarterback and USC commit Malachi Nelson.

Eight other prospects are close to Five-Star Plus+ status because they are ranked as a five-star recruit by three of four recruiting services. Here is a look at those players.

QB Nico Iamaleava – Tennessee commit

On3: 5-stars, No. 2
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 3
ESPN: 4-stars, No. 13
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 8
On3 Scouting Summary: High-upside signal caller who may have the best physical tools among quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle. Has one of the stronger arms in the cycle, generating considerable velocity on his throws in camp settings. Tall with a slender build with room to fill out. Boasts a quick, clean throwing motion despite his longer arms. A bouncy, fluid mover who doubles as a top volleyball player. Still developing in terms of some technical aspects of the game. Plays in a high school offense that is heavily skewed towards quick passes and screens. Can continue to improve his accuracy on downfield passes. Has done a very good job taking care of the football with just two interceptions in his first two varsity seasons.

WR Zachariah Branch – USC commit

On3: 5-stars, No. 5
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 10
ESPN: 4-stars, No. 12
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 17
On3 Scouting Summary: One of the more dynamic receiver prospects in the nation, regardless of class. Built like a traditional slot wide receiver at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. An elite track athlete with a 10.33 second 100 meter mark and a 24 foot long jump as a sophomore. Is able to harness that speed on the football field with his high-end change of direction. Creates big plays as a deep threat and after the catch. Very difficult for defenders to tackle in space. A fluid mover with route-running and true wide receiver skills in addition to the considerable athleticism. Shows good ball skills with the ability to track and make extended catches in traffic. Plays at powerhouse Bishop Gorman and was a standout performer in four games against national competition in addition to the state title game. Looks like one of the best sub 5-foot-11 wide receiver prospects in several cycles.

OT Kadyn Proctor – Iowa commit

On3: 4-stars, No. 33
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 6
ESPN: 5-stars, No. 6
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 14
On3 Scouting Summary: Wide, physically-developed offensive tackle who excels as a mauling run blocker. Dominant at the point of attack, using strong and quick hands to neutralize opposing defensive linemen. Plays with a nasty mentality as a block finisher, planting defensive linemen in the ground with regularity. Moves well and shows his athleticism as a defensive lineman. Does not appear to have high-end length for an offensive tackle and tends to lunge at times in his pass set.

OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami commit

On3: 5-stars, No. 11
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 11
ESPN: 5-stars, No. 5
Rivals: 4-stars, No. 21
On3 Scouting Summary: Wide-bodied, nimble mover who is excelling in his first season as a full-time offensive lineman. Works at right tackle for IMG, but likely projects on the interior due to his arm length and build. Played very well against a national schedule and some top pass rushers as a junior. Uses his natural strength to create a big push in the run game. Plays with a wide base and has considerable pop in his hands. Has mauling qualities as a drive blocker and is athletic enough to get to the second level with ease. Though he doesn’t project as an offensive tackle long-term, showed some very encouraging skills in pass protection.

DL David Hicks

On3: 5-stars, No. 9
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 12
ESPN: 4-stars, No. 15
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 12
On3 Scouting Summary: Physically-developed defensive lineman with advanced power along with length and quickness. Possesses a big frame with a muscled build and an 80-inch wingspan at 6-foot-4. Has brute strength which he pairs with initial quickness to create steady disruption along the line of scrimmage. Consistently shows quick and powerful hands at the point of attack with some advanced pass rush technique for a young defensive lineman. Very much a power player at this point in his development, but plays with some nuance and technical skill. Working at both defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior at a powerhouse program in Texas’ highest classification. A strong, but not elite athlete. Turned in dominant showings at college camps prior to his junior season.

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ATH Nyckoles Harbor

On3: 5-stars, No. 16
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 9
ESPN: 4-stars, No. 24
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 7
On3 Scouting Summary: Has the best combination of size and speed we’ve seen from a young prospect as a national-level sprinter at 6-foot-5 and over 230 pounds. Runs under 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters with the size and length of a premier pass rushing prospect. Plays both tight end and defensive end for his high school, but has developed into more of an EDGE prospect as a junior. Shows his considerable athleticism as a pass rusher with high end closing speed. Is also able to locate and track the ball as a tight end. Still unrefined technically as a pass rusher. Productive against sub-par competition.

QB Dante Moore – Oregon commit

On3: 4-stars, No. 43
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 2
ESPN: 5-stars, No. 8
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 9
On3 Scouting Summary: Pocket passer who is one of the more accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle. Skilled as a touch passer with the ability to layer throws and deliver with accuracy and nuance. Has a quick, natural release that aids in the short passing and RPO game. Shows a good arm both on video and in camp settings. Capable of hitting on deep shots off of play action. Put together a highly efficient and productive junior season in leading Martin Luther King to a state title while completing 73 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns against three interceptions. Does not appear to be quite the athlete or run threat as some of the other top quarterbacks in the cycle at this time. Will need to continue improving his movement skills and foot quickness.

EDGE Keon Keeley – Notre Dame commit

On3: 5-stars, No. 3
247Sports: 5-stars, No. 7
ESPN: 4-stars, No. 23
Rivals: 5-stars, No. 18
Long pass rusher with high-end flexibility and finishing ability behind the line of scrimmage. Has a big frame at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with outstanding length (7-foot wing-span). Plays with advanced bend and flexibility, sinking his hips and using his supreme length to create disruption off the edge. Already shows signs of some technical acuity with quick hands and pass rush moves. Displays strong closing speed and finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate. Among the more productive pass rushers in the nation as a junior. Also a bouncy athlete with a basketball background.