Major risers in the updated On300 for the class of 2024

On3 imageby:Gerry Hamilton•05/16/22•

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There are a number of prospects that made big jumps in the updated On300 for the Class of 2024 that was released Monday. As is usually the case, the May rankings update following spring camp season and track and field season produced more than 20 prospects who ascended 30 or more spots in the rankings. On3 takes a look at the key risers in the On300. 

DL Williams Nwaneri

Lee’s Summit (Mo.) High
On300 Rank: No. 17
The Skinny: Williams Nwaneri has been one of the most impressive prospects in the class on the spring camp circuit. He made a bigtime move in the On300. The 6-foot-6, nearly 250 pounder turned in one of the most impressive camp performances of the spring. He ran a sub-5.0 laser 40-yard dash and a blazing 4.45 laser shuttle with a seven-foot wingspan. His movement skills were evident and drills and on sophomore tape. The initial movement skills quickness, ability to bend and pursue the ball jump out on tape. He has long arms that swallow ball carries and quarterbacks and provide the ability to be disruptive in passing lanes. The May offer list includes Alabama, Miami, USC and Texas A&M.

DL Jeremiah Beaman

Birmingham (Ala.) Terry Parker
On300 Rank: No. 39
The Skinny: Jeremiah Beaman makes a 129 spot jump to No. 39 overall in the On300. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive lineman is among the most explosive at the position in the cycle. He routinely wins with initial quickness against lesser competition but also displays the ability to win with physicality, strong hands, and long arms to shed. Beaman is another physical and disruptive defensive line prospect out of the state of Alabama. Beaman has seven offers, including Oklahoma and Tennessee. We believe that the offer list will explode this summer and early in the 2022 season.

LB Demarcus Riddick

Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County School
On300 Rank: No. 42
The Skinny: Demarcus Riddick makes the move to No. 42 overall from 102 in the On300. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker, running back and return man possesses high-end movement skills at his size, along with a 78-inch wingspan. He possesses quick reactions with the closing speed to eat up ground. Riddick flashes high-end change of direction and reactive quickness. His strike power is among the best at the position in the cycle. He’s also comfortable dropping in coverage for a young linebacker prospect. He’s also a playmaker and a play finisher. Spring offers include Auburn, Oregon, Tennessee and Notre Dame.

WR Elijah Baesa

Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite
On300 Rank: No. 48
The Skinny: Elijah Baesa is flying under the radar nationally, in part due to being on the same team with On3 Consensus four-star in 2023 Cordale Russell. Baesa is a natural receiver and route runner with terrific hands. He will snatch the back half of the football in traffic situations, and at the same time tracks the ball in the air very well. He possesses very good feet and creates separation out of cuts. He is an adept double move receiver that will add plenty of strength to his frame in the next couple of years. Baesa is closing in on 15 offers, including spring offers from Nebraska, Michigan State and Minnesota. Ole Miss and Texas Tech have his full attention early on.

ATH Terry Bussey

Timpson (Texas) High
On300 Rank: No. 101
The Skinny: Terry Bussey has not only grown more than an inch in the last year, but he has also added strength to his frame while getting quick and faster. Bussey is fresh off from competing in three events at the Texas state track and field meet. He took bronze in the 2A 100 meters with a time of 10.66 seconds. The 5-foot-10.5, 179-pounder took second in the 2A triple jump with a leap of 45-10.75. Bussey also ran the second leg of the Timpson High third place 4×100 relay team. Bussey impressed in the camp setting prior to track. He ripped off a 4.51 laser 40 at 179 pounds. He’s a jack-of-all-trades for East Texas small school Timpson. We like him as a nickel or slot receiver at the next level. Wherever he plays, he’s a playmaker with toughness, and ball skills.

WR Zion Kearney

Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
On300 Rank: No. 121
The Skinny: Zion Kearney was already one of the most physically imposing receivers in the 2024 cycle. He turned in a sensational testing performance at an Elite Underclassmen Camp in Houston in late April elevating his status as a prospect. Kearney posted a 4.45 laser 40, 4.3 laser shuttler and 7.3 laser L-cone at 6-foot-2 and 198-pounds. On tape, Kearney displays explosive initial movement skills, raw power pushing through the ground and the ability to run through multiple arm tackles. Kearney’s offer list of nearly 10 is expected to grow quickly this summer and early in the 2022 season. Among the early offers are Houston and Indiana.

RB Chauncey Bowens

Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) The Benjamin School
On300 Rank: No. 159
The Skinny: Chauncey Bowens possesses one of the best running back frames in the 2024 cycle and college programs have taken notice in May. The 6-foot, 210-pounder has also impressed on the track this spring running as low as 10.89 in the 100 meters. Bowens impressed us during the season at a stop at The Benjamin School. He has high-end initial quickness, feet in the hole, contact balance and maximizes runs consistently. The ability to catch the ball was also evident in person. Bowens has added offers from Miami, Louisville, West Virginia and Syracuse in the last month.

Other risers of note