On3 standout recruits from week 10 of high school football
Week 10 of high school football boasted some best-on-best matchups with top prospects facing off in Texas and Louisiana. We also saw a record-setting performance from a 2022 wide receiver and a breakout showing on national television from an ascending 2023 tight end.
Please note that while extensive, this is not a comprehensive list of every top performer in high school football.
Clemson WR commit having big year
Clemson wide receiver commit Adam Randall had a huge game on Friday. The Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High standout hauled in 10 catches for a school record 255 yards and five touchdowns in a win over rival North Myrtle Beach.
Randall scored in a variety of ways. At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds with a sub-11 second 100 meter time, he is a considerable threat after the catch. Randall showed off the open-field ability on what looked to be a hook-and-ladder play. He kept the ball instead of pitching and broke some arm tackles while racing for a long score. We also saw the four-star prospect separate within his route and win downfield in addition to catching a short touchdown on an out-breaking route.
The game is the latest in what has been a very strong season for the Tiger pledge. To date, Randall has 50 catches for 1,035 yards (20.7 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 257 yards and five scores on 33 carries and has thrown for another touchdown. The stats are even more impressive with the knowledge that Randall has been pulled in the third quarter in four of eight games.
Randall is one of the more physically-developed wide receivers in what is a deep cycle at the position nationally. If Friday night was any indication, he may be in for a big postseason with Myrtle Beach expected to make a run in the playoffs.
Randall is the No. 143 overall prospect in the 2022 cycle according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also currently ranks as the No. 119 overall prospect in the On300. Randall is part of a Clemson class that ranks No. 4 in the 2022 Consensus Team Rankings.
5-star Buckeye pledge faces top team
Ohio State cornerback commit Terrance Brooks and his Little Elm (Texas) team faced Denton Guyer, one of the top teams in the Dallas Metroplex. Guyer features several top prospects including 2023 four-stars quarterback Jackson Arnold, safety Peyton Bowen and safety Ryan Yaites.
Guyer won the game handily by a score of 45-21.
Terrance Brooks primarily covered the slot, lining up at Nickel. Guyer often lined up with tight bunch formations, making Brooks a de facto linebacker for much of the game. The five-star looked good overall, making a number of plays as a tackler in space. While Brooks was not tested downfield, we were able to see his length and closing speed on display. He had a few tackles for loss, including a stop of Arnold and a near sack after screaming off the edge on a blitz. Brooks ranks as the No. 37 overall prospect in the 2022 cycle according to the On3 Consensus. He’s a five-star and the No. 15 overall prospect according to On3.
Jackson Arnold finished the game 11 of 20 for 135 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 87 yards and another score on 13 carries. The speed and rushing ability were on display in the first half, when Arnold took a quarterback draw up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown. We were most impressed with his tough, physical rushing and the ability to bounce off tacklers. As a passer, Arnold has a quick release, flipping the ball out to the boundary without strain.
Peyton Bowen continues to look like one of the better Lone Star State’s better defensive backs in the 2023 cycle. The 6-foot, 180-pounder came down with a game-sealing interception in the 4th quarter. Bowen secured the pick in the back of the end zone and looked like an offensive player on the return. He also flashed some high-end burst and movement skills in cutting back on a long kickoff return.
Ryan Yaites was not tested often that we saw, but had sticky coverage on a downfield route.
2024 cornerback Eli Bowen is a name to remember. The younger brother of Peyton is starting for Guyer as a true freshman and had a pick-six in the first quarter. Like his brother, he also had a long kickoff return, as well.
2023 TE breaks out on national TV
Tight end Riley Williams showed why he was a riser in the updated On300 for the 2023 cycle. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder had a big game with his Portland Central Catholic team facing off against Clackamas (Ore.) on ESPNU.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder finished with four catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-20 win. Both touchdowns were of the highlight variety and in the second quarter.
Williams showcased his ball skills and athleticism on the first touchdown, tracking the ball over his shoulder for a contested catch before racing down the sidelines for a 75-yard score. The second came right before the end of the first half. Williams came down with the high-point grab as the clock hit zero.
The big pass-catcher ranks as the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 7 tight end in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Consensus. He’s higher in On3’s rankings, checking in at No. 34 overall and as the No. 2 tight end. Based on what we saw Friday night, we feel good about his ranking with On3. Williams is in the midst of a very strong junior campaign and could push Duce Robinson as the top tight end in the cycle. The Portland product’s older brother Korbin Williams is a walk-on wide receiver at Oregon.
Baton Rouge Blue-Chips face off
The Baton Rouge area looks to be loaded with 2023 prospects, with several notable juniors starring at the high school level. Two of the top programs in Baton Rouge faced off on Friday with Woodlawn traveling to nationally-ranked Catholic. Woodlawn features two touted 2023 prospects in Purdue quarterback commit Rickie Collins and On300 cornerback Jordan Matthews. Catholic boasts 2023 five-star receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. and 2022 LSU offensive line commit, Emery Jones.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was in attendance for what turned out to be a great game and big upset. Woodlawn is much better than their 2-4 record would indicate, playing a very tough schedule. The Panthers shocked Catholic, pulling off a 35-28 win.
For a game that was quite exciting, the marquee matchup between Sampson and Matthews left a little to be desired. Matthews followed Sampson a good bit in the first quarter, but we didn’t see the five-star receiver targeted a ton. With that said, Sampson did get loose on a deep crossing route for a 23 yard gain in the first half. He also showed some electric speed in taking an end around for 39 yards. Sampson nearly came down with a Hail Mary to end the first half and drew a pass interference after out-running Matthews and a safety. We saw Sampson showcase some more big play ability a few weeks back.
Jordan Matthews didn’t solely stick to Sampson. The four-star junior had a touchdown-saving pass breakup defending a slant route in the end zone.
Emery Jones may have had the best overall individual performance of game’s top prospects. The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder led the way on at least three of Catholic’s touchdown runs. He got a consistent push all night and had his way with the Woodlawn defensive line. Jones is a wide-hipped, strong drive blocker. He’s not a top athlete, but is long and strong. Jones ranks as the No. 131 prospect in the 2022 cycle according to the On3 Consensus.
Rickie Collins played well in the win, going 14 of 20 for 198 yards and one touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder showed some feel and instincts in handling pressure. Collins made a number of chains-moving plays on 3rd and 4th down. His playmaking ability and improvisational skills helped Woodlawn come away with the win. Collins used his mobility to get outside of the pocket and create some conflicts at the second level. As linebackers would close, Collins would answer by finding an open receiver downfield.