What we like about each 2022 five-star football recruit
On3 unveiled our rankings earlier in the week, with 20 prospects from the 2022 cycle earning a five-star rating. On Monday, quarterback and initial No. 1 prospect Quinn Ewers announced he will skip his senior season and enroll at Ohio State this fall. Ewers’ departure left us with 19 five stars in the 2022 cycle.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what we like about each of On3’s 2022 five stars.
Read: The latest recruiting buzz on uncommitted five-stars here.
2021 On300 I 2022 On300 I 2023 Five-stars
1. EDGE Marvin Jones, uncommitted
Jones emerged as the top pass-rushing prospect in the nation as a junior at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage. He’s filled out his frame and now checks in at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds.
Jones shows first-step quickness and bend coming off the edge. He’s advanced technically with cat-quick hands. There are some instances where he’s literally untouched by opposing offensive tackles. We also love Jones’ closing speed in pursuit. He finds multiple ways to create havoc, as a pass rusher, backside run defender or affecting passing lanes.
Jones is younger for the class and is just coming into his own physically, adding about 30 pounds over the past year. That’s a scary thought, given how good he was as a junior.
He also has great pedigree as the son of former Florida State All-American and top-5 pick Marvin “Shade Tree” Jones. We expect the younger Jones to have a big senior season at American Heritage.
For more on Jones, check out this feature.
2. ATH Travis Hunter, Florida State commit
Hunter is among the more unique prospects we’ve seen in several years. He legitimately has the skills to be the nation’s top wide receiver or corner. Hunter was arguably the top high school player in the nation last fall at Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill. He was unguardable in Georgia’s largest classification, catching 137 passes for 1,746 and 24 scores. On defense, he tallied 51 tackles and eight interceptions. He had seven interceptions as a sophomore.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is equally as dominant on the 7-on-7 circuit, where he might go down as one of the best players in the last decade. The condensed setting of 7-on-7 plays perfectly into his ballhawk tendencies. Acrobatic contested catches are the norm for Hunter, regardless of the setting. We’ve seen him consistently get the better of some top prospects on both sides of the ball.
3. DL Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, uncommitted
Brownlow-Dindy is among the twitchiest defensive line prospects we’ve seen in a few years. He’s truly an elite athlete for the position. During the spring he ran an electronic 4.85-second time in the 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2.5 and 280-plus pounds. The Lakeland (Fla.) High standout also had one of the better vertical jumps at an Under Armour camp stop this year.
That athleticism transfers over to the field, where he turns in five-star production. Brownlow-Dindy finished 2020 with 29.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He’s an attacking presence along the defensive line and capable of creating disruption from multiple spots.
4. DL Walter Nolen, uncommitted
No prospect was more dominant on the camp circuit than the Powell (Tenn.) High product. Nolen made easy work of top offensive linemen at Under Armour’s Future 50 camp over the summer. The performance is one of the more impressive showings we’ve seen from a defensive lineman in that setting in some time.
Nolen checked in at 6-foot-4.5 and 340 pounds and completely manhandled whoever he faced. He won with a devastating bullrush, walking the opposing linemen back to the quarterback. He then kicked out to defensive end and beat offensive tackles with speed. Nolen owns a unique blend of size, quickness and power.
5. WR Evan Stewart, uncommitted
Evan Stewart checks the boxes of an elite receiver prospect. First, he’s a big-play threat on Friday nights at Frisco (Texas) Liberty. As a junior, Stewart averaged over 20 yards per catch for 906 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games. He blows by opposing corners and demands bracket coverage – which he often beats.
Stewart’s athleticism shows up on the track, as well. He owns times of 10.58 seconds and 21.08 seconds in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, respectively. The 5-foot-11.5, 170-pounder also has a 24-plus-foot long jump to his name.
It’s also encouraging to see Stewart’s technical progress as a route-runner over the offseason. He turned in a standout performance at Future 50 and has been uncoverable at multiple events. If we’re making a player comparison, the five-star’s athletic traits and play style remind us a bit of Odell Beckham Jr.
6. CB Daylen Everette, Clemson commit
Everette brings a top-notch combination of size, length and athleticism to the table at corner. He tested as the fasted player on IMG Academy’s roster in the offseason, running a 4.45 electronically-timed 40-yard dash.
The Norfolk, Va.. native is battle-tested facing a national schedule and practicing against some of the nation’s top receivers at IMG. He impressed as a junior despite not being tested often.
We also liked what we saw from Everette in some of IMG’s preseason scrimmages where he faced off with Alabama signee Ja’Corey Brooks and Florida State signee Malik McClain. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound corner also has shown some high-end ball production earlier in his career. He had an impressive 11 interceptions as a sophomore before transferring to IMG.
7. ATH Malaki Starks, Georgia commit
Were it not for Travis Hunter, Starks would likely be the pick as the best high school football player in the state of Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder is an option quarterback at Jefferson High and led his team to a state title appearance as a junior.
Starks is a game-breaking run threat from under center, rushing for over 1,500 yards in 2020. He’s capable of ripping off long chunk runs with regularity. We also see Starks flip over to the defense, as a safety.
In addition to the on-field bona fides, Starks is also an elite athlete. He had a very strong track season in the spring, running the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. The five-star athlete could project at a few different spots on defense. He runs like a corner but has the frame to potentially grow into a linebacker. We’re bullish on Starks’ ability, regardless of what position he plays.
8. LB Harold Perkins, uncommitted
We’ve seen speed increasingly prioritized at linebacker over the past few years, and Perkins has athleticism in spades. The 6-foot-2.5, 200-pounder is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball at Cypress (Texas) Cy Park. As a junior, Perkins scored 17 touchdowns on offense while rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and averaging over 10 yards per carry. He also recorded 14.5 tackles for loss from his linebacker spot.
The Houston area product flies around the field and is able to make plays at all levels. The athleticism more than checks out in the camp setting as well. He ran a 4.49-second electronic 40-yard dash on grass prior to his junior season. That’s one of the better times we’ve seen over the past year.
9. DL Mykel Williams, USC commit
Williams is a large-framed defensive lineman capable of creating disruption from multiple spots on the front. He had a big junior season at Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway with 17 sacks and 19 more tackles for loss.
Williams often lines up to rush from a two-point stance and shows the ability to dip and bend around the edge. The pass rush ability is particularly impressive given Williams’ frame. He’s 6-foot-4.5 and 265 pounds and has been measured with 35-inch arms and 10.25-inch hands.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Williams top out around 300 pounds once he’s in a college strength program. He’s also younger for the cycle with a June birthday. From a body type and athleticism standpoint, Williams reminds us a bit of former five-star and current Kansas City Chief, Chris Jones.
10. CB Domani Jackson, USC commit
Corner is often referred to as a “stopwatch position.” That is to say, long speed is a critical factor at the position, particularly as players matriculate from high school to college to the NFL. Domani Jackson brings elite speed with well above average size. He won a state title for Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei in the 100 meters this spring by running a blistering 10.25-second mark. That time tied the California state record. Jackson is a fluid mover and is able to erase separation with makeup speed. He plays with good technique but will need to continue improving his tracking and ball skills to reach his high ceiling.
11. DL Shemar Stewart, uncommitted
Stewart has long been considered among the best prospects in this cycle. He was even considered perhaps the No. 1 prospect early on after breaking out as a freshman. The 6-foot-5.5, 270-pounder has maintained that upward trajectory despite missing much of his junior season at Opa Locka (Fla.) Monsignor Pace. Stewart is a big, quick athlete and turned in some strong showings during the offseason on the camp circuit and spring football.
The five-star was highly productive as a sophomore and has the ability to turn in a big senior season.
12. CB Denver Harris, uncommitted
The 2022 cornerback cycle appears to be loaded and Harris has perhaps the best junior video of the group. He’s super smooth and technical in coverage with the ability to seamlessly transition within his backpedal. Harris has locked down his side of the field playing big-time Texas high school football at Houston (Texas) North Shore. He often looked like the best player on the field despite other teams often avoiding any throws in his direction. The 6-foot, 180-pounder also ran in the 4.4’s at college camps prior to his junior season.
13. DL Anthony Lucas, uncommitted
Lucas is a long, strong and quick athlete at 6-foot-4.5, 290 pounds. The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral product has some unique fluidity and movement skills for a defensive lineman of his size. He’s already shown some pass rush polish and tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior.
We’ve also seen Lucas play some offense as a running back and receiver and make some impressive plays. He was even flashing that athleticism in 7-on-7 play this offseason. Lucas is also among the youngest prospects in the class with an October birthday. He won’t turn 18 until mid-way through his freshman season in college.
14. WR Barion Brown, uncommitted
After Evan Stewart, we found Brown to be one of the toughest covers within the wide receiver group nationally. The Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl-Cohn speedster is a considerable deep threat. Brown easily blows past opposing cornerbacks on vertical routes and is capable of taking any quick touch to the house. He’s not just a straight-line athlete though. We like Brown’s ability to change direction within his routes. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder has also shown the ability to track and locate the ball while playing receiver and corner. That speed shows up on the track as well, where Brown was the Tennessee state champion in the 100 and 200 meters.
15. CB Terrance Brooks, Ohio State commit
Brooks is perhaps the only corner to see much success covering fellow five-star Evan Stewart this offseason. The Little Elm (Texas) High product is incredibly long for a 5-foot-11 corner with an 80-inch wingspan. He uses his length to compensate on the few occasions when he’s not in an ideal position. Brooks’ father, Chet, was a former safety at Texas A&M and played three seasons in the NFL. With that pedigree, it’s not surprising that Brooks is technically polished. He’s able to anticipate and change directions by reading receivers’ movements.
16. OT Kiyaunta Goodwin, Kentucky commit
Living up to the offensive line group from the 2021 cycle is a tough task. Six offensive tackles were five-stars in our 2021 rankings. The 2022 offensive linemen, particularly tackles, appear to be comparatively weaker at the top. With that said, we felt like Kiyaunta Goodwin has shown the most upside of any tackle thus far.
Goodwin’s story is fascinating. He received offers as a middle-schooler, but saw his weight pick up to 425 pounds. After moving in with his trainer, Goodwin completely reshaped his body, dropping well over 100 pounds while adding significant muscle mass. He’s also improved his movement skills and flexibility.
Nowadays, Goodwin checks in at 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds. He’s very long for the position with a 35-inch arm. We saw Goodwin start to put things together during his junior season at Charlestown (Ind.) High. He’s parlayed that progression into the offseason, where he turned in an impressive showing at a regional camp. Goodwin will need to continue improving his technique and ankle flexibility, but he’s shown considerable upside.
17. TE Jaleel Skinner, uncommitted
Skinner is among the biggest athletic freaks in the cycle. He combines 4.5 speed with power (315-pound power clean) and elite length (6-foot-11 wingspan). He’s long been an intriguing athlete given his measurables but we’ve seen him start to flip the switch over the last 12 months.
Skinner of IMG Academy is starting to understand his ability to physically dominate, and we’ve seen his confidence increase. We had a chance to see him work out at Clemson’s camp over the summer. Skinner’s speed and length are well established, but we also came away impressed with his fluidity and change of direction skills.
He’s shown reliable hands but is not yet a true ball-winner in contested situations. With that said, we do feel like Skinner certainly has the ability to develop into a threat in contested catch situations over time.
18. IOL Devon Campbell, uncommitted
Campbell is an athletic mauler. He has been mowing opposing defensive linemen and linebackers in the run game for a few seasons at Arlington (Texas) Bowie. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder gets to the second level with ease and is a nasty block finisher. He also has good length and movement skills as a pass protector. We saw this show up on the camp circuit, with Campbell faring well against pass rushers in one-on-one drills.
19. C.J. Hicks, Ohio State commit
Hicks is a versatile linebacker who makes plays on both sides of the ball. He initially began as a safety before growing into his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. Hicks is an explosive striker and tackler. We’ve also liked what we’ve seen from him in coverage.
The Dayton (Ohio) Archbishop Alter product was a smooth mover in space at The Opening Finals in July. He’s able to stick with running backs on vertical routes out of the backfield and has the skills and awareness to locate and make plays on the ball.