2023 On3 Consensus 5-Star Countdown

Following recent rankings updates across recruiting sites that make up the 2023 On3 Consensus, a number of prospects have shifted up and down. In total, 25 prospects have earned coveted five-star status as we ramp up June. With a little more than six months until the Early Signing Period and eight until the final rankings, things are sure to change as prospects finish the summer camp circuit and play out their senior seasons.

The On3 Consensus is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. Created by the authors of the Composite, the On3 Consensus is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry. 

We begin the On3 Consensus 5-Star Countdown now.

25. RB Richard Young

Scouting Summary: Richard Young is a physically-developed running back who emerged as a national name as a high school underclassman. Has a good combination of play speed and power. Has a muscular upper body with room to add mass in his lower half. Uses his leg drive to run through tackles at the second level. Shows well above average speed, which is validated by his track times (around 11.1 seconds in the 100 meters). Productive as a junior, rushing for 1,755 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging nine yards per carry. Will need to considerably improve his ball skills as a receiver out of the backfield, as he has a tendency to fight the ball. Most of his best track times came as a high school underclassman. Older for the class, turning 18 years old in the spring of his junior year.

24. DL Peter Woods

Scouting Summary: Peter Woods is a compact defensive lineman creates disruption with first-step quickness and speed in pursuit. Smaller than most of his fellow top defensive line prospects at around 6-foot-2, 280 pounds. Highly productive and disruptive while starring for one of the more talented high school teams in the Southeast. Lines up inside and at end for Thompson High. Has some of the best play speed we’ve seen from a defensive lineman nationally. Runs like a linebacker in pursuit. Makes plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip. Elevated his play as a junior. Likely projects as a three-technique long-term. Lacks prototypical length for top prospects at the position.

23. EDGE Qua Russaw

Scouting Summary: Qua Russaw is a rugged, athletic EDGE defender who plays with high-level play strength and speed in pursuit. Has adequate size at around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. Highly active as a high school player on a snap to snap basis. Plays with one of the best effort levels that we’ve seen from a defender in the 2023 cycle. Excels as a pursuit defender, using his speed and motor to track down plays sideline to sideline. Very strong with the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen. Also sees some snaps as an off-ball linebacker. Highly productive as a junior with 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Wins primarily due to his athleticism, play strength and effort level. Will need to continue honing his pass rush moves.

22. WR Brandon Inniss

Scouting Summary: Brandon Inniss is a developed wide receiver who has been on the national radar dating back to middle school. Emerged as a college prospect while playing on varsity as an eighth grader. Has a technically advanced skill set. Has high-level quickness both in his releases and at the top of his routes. Can break off defensive backs with his change of direction. Competitive and embraces matchups with other top prospects. A standout on the camp and 7-on-7 circuit. Tests as a good athlete in the combine setting. Not as productive as some other top receivers as a junior in part due to being forced to play quarterback for part of the season. Has a tendency to let the ball get into his body at times, but has shown more high-point ability as a junior. Fights for yardage after the catch. Has the look of a high-floor prospect who should be set up to contribute early in his college career.

21. CB Jahlil Hurley — Alabama commit

Scouting Summary: Alabama verbal Jahlil Hurley is a taller cornerback with high-end coordination and ball skills. Does not have verified measurements, but looks to be well over 6-feet tall with a lean build and length for the position. Primarily played at corner as a sophomore prior to moving around much more as a junior. Advanced as a ball tracker at corner with the ability to turn and locate the ball in coverage. An instinctual defender who sees things quickly. Also lined up at safety, receiver and even took some direct snaps as a junior. Does not give up many catches in coverage over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons. Will need to continue adding size. Does not have verified athletic markers as he enters his senior season. Looks to have adequate to good play speed but can continue improving his top end speed. Will also need to continue adding strength and size.

20. S Tony Mitchell

Scouting Summary: Tony Mitchell is a big defensive back with refined cover skills. Initially began his career as a cornerback, but has continued to add size. One of the bigger top safety prospects nationally at around 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Has maintained and continued to develop his coverage skills and is among the more technically refined cover safeties in the 2023 cycle. Comfortable covering receivers in man situations. Uses his fluidity and length to make plays on the ball. Has also showed some striking power as a cover down defender with the willingness to deliver some hits across the middle of the field. Stars for one of the top high school programs and more talented prep defenses in the Southeast. Does not have verified athletic markers via camp settings or in track.

19. DL Matayo Uiagalelei

Scouting Summary: Matayo Uiagalelei is a big jumbo athlete who doubles as a tight end and defensive end for one of the nation’s top high school programs. Has unique movement skills and speed at 6-foot-5 and over 260 pounds. Is able to run with linebackers and some defensive backs at his size. Has shown some improvement as a pass catcher over the course of 2021. Likely has a higher long-term upside as a defensive lineman or even offensive tackle rather than tight end. Can continue to increase his physicality on a snap-to-snap basis.

18. WR Jalen Brown

Scouting Summary: Jalen Brown is a big play wide receiver who is one of the top deep threats in the 2023 cycle. Shows the ability to consistently separate and win on vertical routes. Transfers his sub 10.7 second speed in the 100 meters over to the football field. A smooth, fluid mover who shows signs of changing speeds mid-route. Also shows the ability to track and locate the ball over his shoulder. Makes some grabs with his arms extended. Productive as a junior with over 1,000 yards, 11 touchdowns while averaging over 18 yards per catch. Needs to continue adding to his route tree as he mainly wins on vertical routes to this point.

17. TE Duce Robinson

Scouting Summary: Duce Robinson is a jumbo athlete with a large catch radius who looks like one of the better tight end prospects over the last few recruiting cycles. Has outstanding statue and length at over 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. Plays and moves like a receiver at that size. A smooth, fluid mover who showed continued improvement in top-end play speed as a junior, running away from defensive backs. Has one of the largest catch radiuses in the 2023 cycle and consistently wins in contested situations. Was the top pass-catcher at the Opening Finals prior to his junior season and created a considerable mismatch over the middle of the field. Turned in a very productive junior season with close to 1,000 receiving yards. Has an outstanding multi-sport profile as one of the nation’s top baseball prospects and also plays basketball. Will need to continue getting stronger to aid in blocking, but has the look of an elite tight end prospect with five-star upside.

16. OT Samson Okunlola

Scouting Summary: Samson Okunlola is an aggressive offensive lineman with nimble movement skills and a positive athletic profile. Has plus length for the position at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds with a 6-foot-10.5 wing-span. Has shown good short area quickness in the camp setting. Also spends time as a wrestler and thrower in the shot put. Plays both ways at his high school as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Has some dominant flashes, particularly as a run blocker. Moves well to the second level, locating and blowing up linebackers on contact. Finishes blocks at a high rate and works to plant defenders into the turf. Shows similar emphatic finishing ability on defense, where he suplexes ball carriers at times. Plays low and understands leverage. Will need to continue developing his pass set technique. Could also stand to improve his ankle flexion a bit. Faces subpar competition and may need some time to adjust to the uptick in talent level once in college.

15. WR Carnell Tate

Scouting Summary: Carnell Tate is a well-rounded receiver with technical savvy and large catch radius. Has very long arms and big hands. Highly coordinated with the ability to track, adjust and high-point the football in contested situations. Has shown some encouraging route-running skills. Doubles as a dangerous return man due to his change of direction and open-field vision. A good athlete with play speed, though not quite as fast as some of his peers in a combine setting.

14. LB Anthony Hill

Scouting Summary: Anthony Hill is a downhill linebacker with good size and straight-line speed. Has starred for one of the top defenses in Texas high school football since his sophomore season. Combines his speed with a high effort level, resulting in a highly productive player at the high school level. At his best when he can use his closing speed as a blitzer or in pursuit sideline-to-sideline. Shows some physicality as a striker. Has one of the longer wing-spans of top linebackers in the 2023 cycle. Provides added value as a pass rusher and may eventually grow into an EDGE prospect down the line. Has a penchant for forcing turnovers and looks to strip the football often. Will need to continue improving his skills playing in space and in coverage.

13. S Caleb Downs

Scouting Summary: Caleb Downs is an extremely well-rounded safety who has been one of the top prospects in Georgia regardless of class for much of his high school career. Shows a complete skill set as a cover safety. Has the range to cover hash to boundary with ease. Also is fluid and natural in man coverage. Outstanding ball production with 14 interceptions over the first three seasons of his high school career. Instinctual both in coverage and as a cover down defender. Identifies run plays and underneath passes very quickly. Also an active tackler. Shows of his athleticism on offense where he sees snaps at multiple skill positions, including quarterback. Has starred while playing against top competition in the Peach State. Comes from strong bloodlines with a father who was an NFL Draft pick and brother who is one of the better receivers in college football.

12. EDGE Nyckoles Harbor

Scouting Summary: Nyckoles Harbor 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.

11. EDGE Keon Keeley — Notre Dame commit

Scouting Summary: Notre Dame verbal Keon Keeley is a 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.

10. OT Francis Mauigoa

Scouting Summary: Francis Mauigoa is a 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.

9. WR Zachariah Branch — USC commit

Scouting Summary: USC commit Zachariah Branch is 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.

8. QB Dante Moore

Scouting Summary: Dante Moore is a 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.

7. DL David Hicks

Scouting Summary: David Hicks is a 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.

6. DL James Smith

Scouting Summary: James Smith possesses the best combination of first-step quickness and power among interior defensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle. Extremely quick off the ball, often beating opposing offensive linemen out of their stance. Follows up his first step with considerable upper body and hand strength. Stuns offensive linemen with his punch and gets off of blocks at a high rate. Has a wide-hipped frame without much bad weight. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy. Finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage with authority. Is able to yank down ball carriers with one hand. Also shows advanced pass rush ability for an interior defensive lineman.

5. OT Kadyn Proctor

Scouting Summary: Kadyn Proctor is a 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.

4. QB Nico Iamaleava — Tennessee commit

Scouting Summary: Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava is a 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.

3. QB Malachi Nelson — USC commit

Scouting Summary: USC commit Malachi Nelson is a quick-armed, accurate passer with strong functional movement skills. Considered one of the more talented quarterback prospects in high school football dating back to his early high school career. A natural, nuanced passer with a quick release. Shows some aggressive tendencies in throwing downfield. Has touch with the ability to layer his throws. Accurate with good ball placement dating back to his sophomore spring season which was shortened due to COVID-19. Good arm strength, which could improve with overall strength progression. Adept at running the quick game out of spread looks, flipping the ball out quick to the boundary. Loose and fluid in his movements. Plays with bouncy footwork and lower body twitch. Looks to pass first, but has good burst as a runner with the ability to run zone read or pick up yards when the play breaks down. Plays at a relaxed pace and typically seems unbothered in the pocket. Has a lean, streamline frame and will need to continue adding mass.

2. CB Cormani McClain

Scouting Summary: Cormani McClain has the best combination of stature, athleticism and ball skills among cornerback prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-1 prior to his junior season and has posted some of the best testing numbers in a combine setting we’ve seen from prospects in his cycle. A twitchy, bouncy athlete with explosive movement patterns. Pairs that athleticism with high end skill on the field. Has proven to be a ballhawk defender with nine interceptions as a sophomore and five picks midway through his junior season. Uses his quickness to stay in-phase with receivers off the line and long speed to turn and run downfield. Highly instinctual and plays fast. Breaks on the ball quickly. Comfortable playing off and press coverage. Doubles as a receiver, which aids in his ball skills and coordination. Would be a four-star type talent at receiver if he chose. Has a thinner frame at 165 pounds and will need to continue adding bulk. Older for the class.

1. QB Arch Manning

Scouting Summary: Arch Manning possesses a pure throwing motion with one of the quickest releases we’ve seen from a high school quarterback prospect. Those mechanics pair with a strong arm to make Manning one of the more natural and accurate passers in the 2023 cycle. Has the ability to carve up opposing defenses from inside the pocket or outside of structure when things break down. Shows innate field vision for his age with the ability to find open receivers while making second-reaction plays. An above average athlete for the position with polished footwork and the capability of picking up yards in scramble situations. Has filled out a big frame over his high school career, entering his junior year as the most physically developed top quarterback in the 2023 cycle. Also carries a substantial mental load for a junior quarterback with the responsibility of setting protections.