Counting down the top 20 prospects in the latest 2024 On300 rankings

Following a number of offseason camps, 7-on-7 events and the high school track season to this point, On3 has released its latest 2024 football recruiting rankings, the On300.

While this ranking is less of a dramatic overhaul than the previous update in late February, a number of prospects have seen their stock rise over the past few months. That includes a new five-star prospect and a handful more who have made their way into the top 20 nationally. With the update, there are now 11 five-stars in the cycle, which will ultimately end with 32 players receiving that status to match the number of first-round selections in the NFL Draft.

Ahead of the full rankings release, we are counting down the top prospects in the latest On300.

1. 5-star EDGE Dylan Stewart
School: Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy
Scouting Summary: “Disruptive pass rusher who looks to be one of the top EDGE prospects early on in the 2024 cycle. Shows a quick first step. Fires off the ball with the ability to quickly redirect with lateral agility. Dips and bends around the edge, showing some encouraging flexibility and curvilinear movement. Also plays low and gets underneath the pads of opposing offensive linemen. Has good size and stature checking in at 6-foot-4.5, 211 pounds with a 81-inch wing-span prior to his junior season. Will need to continue progressing from a strength and technical perspective as he continues through his high school career.”

2. 5-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri
School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
Scouting Summary: “The most physically-gifted defensive line prospect early on in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wing-span and an 11-inch hand. Moves very well for his size. Clocked a sub-5.0-second electronically-timed 40-yard dash prior to his junior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, showing the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Still developing in terms of technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front, but looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass.”

3. Five-Star Plus+ WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State commit
School: Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Scouting Summary: “Big, skilled receiver with fluidity and savvy for the position. Measured in at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds prior to his junior season. Had a breakout 2021 season, helping his Chaminade-Madonna team to a state championship. Turned in several strong performances, including a big state title game. Polished route-runner at this early stage. Smooth mover with some technical refinement that allows for separation. Shows good ball skills with his ability to track the football over his shoulder. Does not register as a top athlete in the combine setting at this stage. Can further take advantage of his size by continuing to improve his contested catch skills.”

4. 5-star CB Ellis Robinson IV – Georgia commit
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Scouting Summary: “Ball-hawking defensive back with elite length and ability to make plays on the ball as a high school underclassman. Dominated competition in New York’s Catholic league as a sophomore, bringing in eight interceptions. Made several impressive, acrobatic picks. Has advanced ball skills as a cornerback, which he pairs with outstanding length. Measured in at 5-foot-11.5, 169 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wing-span prior to his junior season. Also tests as a very good athlete, running a 4.56 second electronically-timed 40-yard dash. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season and should see an uptick in competition as a high school upperclassman.”

5. 5-star EDGE Colin Simmons
School: Duncanville (Texas)
Scouting Summary: “Long-limbed EDGE prospect who stars for one of the top high school programs in Texas. Measured at around 6-foot-2.5, 225 pounds with a 34-inch arm prior to his junior season. Grew around an inch as a sophomore. Primarily lines up at defensive end for Duncanville. Uses first-step quickness, play speed and dip to create issues for opposing offensive tackles. Shows good curvilinear movement with his ability to turn corners as a pass rusher. Length aids in disengaging from offensive linemen, finishing plays and disrupting passing lanes. Looks to play with a good effort level. Plays against top competition and made an impact on a defensive front that featured older, Power 5 prospects.”

6. 5-star WR Cam Coleman
School: Phenix City (Ala.) Central
Scouting Summary: “The “freak” label of the wide receiver group may go to Cam Coleman. He looks like one of the most physically-gifted skill players in the 2024 cycle. He is a twitchy, bouncy athlete at over 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. We saw Coleman easily separate from some top corners as a junior. He also has plus length with a 6-foot-9 wing-span. The athleticism carries over to the basketball court, where he throws down eye-popping dunks with regularity.”

7. Five-Star Plus+ QB Dylan Raiola
School: Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle
Scouting Summary: “Advanced arm talent with the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws as a high school underclassman. Looks like the top quarterback prospect and overall arm talent in the 2024 cycle early on. Physically developed at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Has a natural, loose throwing motion with unique arm dexterity to deliver off-platform and from multiple arm slots. Already has a deep catalog of throws as a rising junior in high school. Easily drives the ball to all levels of the field. Played both under center and in the shotgun as a sophomore. Ahead of the curve as a ball-handler and in the quick passing game. Shows good footwork and awareness in the pocket. Capable of creative plays in the face of pressure. Primarily a pass-first quarterback as a sophomore, not running for many yards. Turned in one of the more productive sophomore seasons among top 2024 quarterbacks. The son of 14-year NFL center Dominic Raiola. Also a standout baseball player as a pitcher and catcher.”

8. 5-star DL Justin Scott
School: Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius
Scouting Summary: “Naturally gifted defensive tackle with rare movement skills at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. One of the more unique jumbo athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. A twitchy, explosive athlete who runs like a much smaller player. Chases down plays from the back side and runs sideline-to-sideline with ease. A loose, fluid mover with natural flexibility. Shows his natural explosion as a finisher. New to football, playing his first season at the varsity level as a sophomore. Has a background as a soccer and basketball player. Will need to continue developing from a technical aspect, particularly with his hands. Rapid ascension and quick improvement point to a high ceiling.”

9. 5-star WR Micah Hudson
School: Temple (Texas) Lake Belton
Scouting Summary: “Dynamic playmaker that you can’t take your eyes off of when you turn on the tape. Can go up and high point the football with ease. Turns hitches, swings and screens into touchdowns. Will run over, through and around defenders with the ball in his hands. Has every tool in the bag when it comes to route running. Ran 11.54 in the 100m, 23.26 in the 200m and jumped a 21’01” long jump as a freshman. Advanced well beyond his years and is one of the best receivers in the nation, regardless of cycle.”

10. 5-star safety KJ Bolden
School: Buford (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “One of the top overall athletes in the 2024 cycle early on. Has a plus frame checking in at 6-foot, 185 pounds with a 6-foot-4 wing-span prior to his junior season. Has a personal best mark of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters, showing outstanding high-end speed early on in his high school career. Also tests well in the combine setting. Plays both ways for Georgia powerhouse Buford High as a receiver and defensive back. Projects as a defensive back and likely at safety long-term, where his combination of athleticism and length makes him one of the nation’s best. Will need to improve his ball skills to be a top receiver prospect, but has the coordination to be well above average as a defensive back in that regard.”

11. 5-star OT Jonathan Daniels
School: Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest
Scouting Summary: “Possesses a gorgeous frame and is the perfect piece of clay collegiate strength and conditioning coaches crave to mold in their programs. Shows quality burst and twitch in his movements. Plays with a terrific base in pass protection. Flashes some brute strength at the point of attack. Can play a little over his toes in the run game and get a bit out of control at times. High upside prospect if he is able to refine his movements.”

12. 4-star WR Mylan Graham – Ohio State commit
School: New Haven (Ind.)
Scouting Summary: “The definition of a technician at the wide receiver position. Has the ability to separate from defenders in a phone booth off the snap. Capable of winning off the line of scrimmage without being touched. Explosive and twitchy when coming off the line and out of his breaks. Loose hips who can sink at the top of his routes with ease. Rarely touched when has the ball in his hands in open space, extremely tough to bring down in the open field. Comfortable catching the football away from his frame, natural ball tracker downfield. Has the ability to high point and win 50-50 balls. Terrific in the return game as well. Leaner athletic build for the wide receiver position, will struggle to sniff 200 pounds at the next level. Has quality speed on film but need to confirm top-end speed in order to determine true ceiling. Has all the positional traits to become a special receiver. One of the most technically sound prospects at the position to come out in the last few recruiting cycles. Projects as a Z-type or X-receiver at the next level and beyond.”

13. 4-star CB Aaron Scott Jr.
School: Springfield (Ohio)
Scouting Summary: “Fluid corner prospect who is a master of staying in phase and contending at the catch point. Stands in at nearly 6-foot, 165 pounds with a 6-foot-5 wingspan. Ran an electronically-timed 4.67 40-yard dash and a 4.35 shuttle during the spring camp circuit prior to his junior season. Jumped a 5-foot-8 high jump during his sophomore track and field season. Does a phenomenal job of playing through receivers’ hands. Explosive hooper on the basketball court. Should fill out his frame with natural physical development. One of the younger prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle.”

14. 4-star DL Dominick McKinley
School: Lafayette (La.) Acadiana
Scouting Summary: “Imposing interior defensive line prospect who combines pure power with impressive explosiveness and hand usage at the point of attack. Stature immediately catches your eye on tape. Measures in at 6-foot-5, 280-plus pounds with tremendous length. Jumped an absurd 30-inch vertical and ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash during the summer camp circuit prior to his junior season. Threw 47-foot-11 in the shot put as well during his junior track and field campaign. Plays with incredible leverage for someone his size. Possesses the ability to anchor at the point of attack. Uses his length effectively in order to gain control of his opponent. Sheds blockers with ease in the run game. Can really dig in and unlock his hips in order to maintain control at the point. Disruptive player who can knife between opponents and live in the backfield. Excellent get off and ability to penetrate off the snap. Not very nuanced as a pass rusher but will come with time and reps. High upside prospect who has the potential to become a first-round draft selection.”

15. 4-star CB Charles Lester III
School: Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview
Scouting Summary: “Two-way monster who consistently makes plays on the football at wide receiver and cornerback. Hip fluidity and ball skills jump off the tape. Able to comfortably high point the football consistently and naturally catch the football away from his frame. Can flip his hips with ease when run up on in man and when breaking to the ball in zone coverage. High quality short area quickness and excellent trigger to the football. Willing tackler, solid physicality and ability to play in the box. Tough runner with the ball in his hands. Like the size and growth potential. Stands in around 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with excellent length. Overall top end speed is solid at best, could determine his true ceiling as a corner prospect. Can cover sideline to sideline as a center field safety so the speed is good enough but is it elite? Will create turnovers and will constantly meet receivers at the catch point at the next level.”

16. 4-star ATH Terry Bussey
School: Timpson (Texas)
Scouting Summary: “Ranked as an athlete but could project at corner long-term. Bussey was arguably the top high school football player in the state of Texas as a junior. He accounted for over 4,700 yards and 72 touchdowns on offense and picked off five passes as a defensive back. Bussey is also a top athlete, running 10.81 in the 100 meters as a sophomore.”

17. 4-star ATH Jaylen Mbakwe – Alabama commit
School: Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville
Scouting Summary: ​​”One of the more dynamic two-way athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Stars on both sides of the ball for one of the top high school programs in Alabama. Has outstanding play speed, backed up by a personal best of 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters mid-way through his sophomore track season. Pulls away in the open field, easily out-running defenders. Dynamic with the ball in his hands both as a receiver and return man. Also shows the ability to separate on vertical routes. Returned several kicks for touchdowns. Also doubles as a productive defensive back, with high level ball production, totaling 4 interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a sophomore. Should he end up at defensive back, will need to continue honing his technical skills. Projects as one of the more electric athletes in the 2024 cycle.”

18. 4-star QB Julian Sayin – Alabama commit
School: Carlsbad (Calif.)
Scouting Summary: “Potentially the most complete passer of the 2024 recruiting cycle. Checks nearly every box when it comes to positional traits as a quarterback. Throws with a tight, compact release. Beautiful deep ball thrower who consistently hits his receivers in stride. Very comfortable passer on the run, loses little to no velocity when throwing off-platform. Navigates the pocket with ease and with intention. Can drive the ball into tighter windows downfield but can also layer the ball into open space.

… Threw for over 2,700 yards and 27 touchdowns on 66-percent completions with only four interceptions during the 2022 season. Also ran for 154 yards and scored 3 touchdowns on the ground. Decisive passer who reads the field quickly and efficiently. Measures in at just over 6-foot-1, nearly 185 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand. Leaner athletic frame with decent growth potential. Lacks elite arm strength at this point but could develop as he grows into his frame and gets stronger. Arguably the safest quarterback prospect in the country and has every chance to become the first quarterback taken when he declares for the NFL draft.”

19. 4-star DL David Stone
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Scouting Summary: “Twitched up disruptor along the interior defensive line who has ridiculous short area quickness and burst. Tested extremely well during the summer camp circuit prior to his senior season. Jumped 28 inches in the vertical, ran a 5.00 40-yard dash and ran an impressive 4.41 shuttle. And did all of that at 6-foot-4, nearly 280 pounds with 11-inch hands. Violent off the snap, can split gaps with ease. Shoots his hands quickly and with precision off the line. Excellent hand usage and very slippery as a pass rusher. Makes it tough for offensive linemen to ever get a hand on him. Stout against the run, excellent ability to disengage from blockers. Not looking to stack and shed, wants to get off of blocks immediately. Can convert speed to power, strong bull rusher as well.”

20. 4-star QB DJ Lagway – Florida commit
School: Willis (Texas)
Scouting Summary: “Strong-armed quarterback prospect who possesses a thicker build with solid measurables for the position. Checked in at 6-foot-2.3 and 225 pounds during the camp circuit prior to his junior season. Has the arm strength to make throws at every level of the field, including ones from the far hash. Efficient with his movements in the pocket and comfortable working outside the pocket. Arm talent shines when forced to throw from multiple arm slots or off-platform. Will need to continue progressing with his accuracy as a passer – completed 55 percent of his passes as a sophomore at under 7 yards per attempt. A touted two-sport athlete who has also received multiple Power Five offers as a baseball player.”