Spring Risers: 10 ascending 2023 prospects
Over a month has passed since the last update to the On300 for the 2023 cycle. Much of that update was driven by performances spring camp season. With that said, we’ve since had a few more camps an end to the track season and spring football in many states.
With a hectic June looms with on-campus college camps and official visits. Before things get too crazy, let’s take a look at ten prospects who caught our eye over the past month.
LB Raylen Wilson, Michigan commit
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Raylen Wilson has shown considerable physical growth over the course of the off-season. The Michigan pledge measured at 6-foot-1.5 and over 215 pounds this spring. Wilson has added at least one inch and added over 10 pounds to his growing frame. He’s gotten faster, as well. Wilson posted a 10.91 second mark in the 100 meters this spring (cutting a few tenths off his prior best time) and later won his district meet. The gains showed up on the field this spring at Tallahassee Lincoln, with Wilson making some highly impressive athletic plays in pursuit. He’s also adding play strength, evident in his ability to take on blocks as a run defender. If the spring was any indication, the NFL legacy looks like one of the more athletic and ascending prospects at the position nationally. The growth makes sense as well, when you consider Wilson is much younger than most 2023 prospects and doesn’t turn 17-years-old until July. Wilson committed to Michigan in December. He’s set to take official visits to Georgia, Michigan and Florida over the next three weekends.
DL Jordan Hall
We’ve been high on Jordan Hall at since the initial 2023 rankings last year. With that said, the Jacksonville Westside product continues to flash one of the best first steps among all defensive linemen in the 2023 cycle. Hall lived in the backfield during his team’s spring game, turning in a sack and several tackles for loss. He’s also worked at offensive tackle. Hall has visited Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, LSU, Alabama and Auburn in 2022. The Seminoles lead the Gators in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Texas Tech commit
Calvin Simpson-Hunt was a big riser in our last On300 update for the 2023 cycle back in April. He’s since landed offers from Florida, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and USC. Simpson-Hunt stacks up well with many of his fellow highly-rated cornerbacks, both from a measurables and skill perspective. He checks in at 5-foot-11.5, 187 pounds with a 32-inch arm. This spring, he ran a 10.67 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.77 seconds in the 200 meters. The ability to mirror receivers in man coverage has created a buzz, as well.
DL Stephiylan Green
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Stephiylan Green had a strong junior season, racking up over 20 tackles for loss and around 10 sacks. He’s parlayed that level of play into the spring. The Rome (Ga.) High standout has generated considerable buzz with his play in practices pairing quickness and violent finishing ability behind the line of scrimmage. He’s a physical, disruptive presence on the interior. Clemson currently holds the edge over Georgia and Alabama in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
IOL DJ Chester
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DJ Chester was a standout at the Georgia state track finals, finishing second in both the shot put and discus. The interior offensive line cycle in 2023 is loaded with top multi-sport athletes and Chester looks to fit in with that group. His 52-9 foot shot put throw stacks up with many of his fellow highly-rated peers. Auburn, South Carolina, Florida State and Ole Miss are in the the mix for the Conyers (Ga.) Eagles Landing Christian lineman according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
EDGE Braylan Shelby
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Braylan Shelby has continued to fill out and add good weight, now checking in around 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. The Friendswood (Texas) High product is one of the more physically imposing EDGE prospects in the 2023 cycle. Shelby is a fluid, explosive athlete at that size and is growing into more of a pass rush role for Friendswood after previously spending time as an off-ball linebacker. He was highly efficient in his pass rush attempts as a junior (8 sacks in limited opportunities) and looks primed to take off as a senior. Like others in this story, Shelby is young for the class, not turning 17 until August. He has upcoming official visits to USC and Texas.
ATH Rodrick Pleasant
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Rodrick Pleasant cemented his status as the fastest prospect in the 2023 cycle a few weeks back. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder won the California state meet in the 100 meters with a blistering 10.14 second wind-legal mark. The time also broke the overall state record. The Gardena (Calif.) Juniperro Serra speedster also won the 200 meters crown, with a 20.56 second time. USC leads in Pleasant’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
WR Carmelo Taylor
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Carmelo Taylor‘s junior highlights were recently uploaded, prompting a number of offers to roll in for the Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry pass catcher. Taylor has landed offers from Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Penn State and West Virginia over the past few weeks. The attention comes with good reason. Taylor is an explosive vertical threat who blows by opposing cornerbacks. His speed was validated on the track this spring. Taylor consistently posted sub-11.0 second times in the 100 meters with a personal best of 10.59 seconds.
QB Avery Johnson
Industry Comparison
Avery Johnson has been viewed as one of, if not the most athletic quarterback prospect in the cycle for some time. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is an explosive athlete who stacks up well with top wide receiver and defensive back prospects in that regard. He lands in this group due to strides he showed as a passer at the Elite 11’s Nashville regional last month. Johnson’s performance was the best we’ve seen him throw in similar settings over the past few years. The ball came out of his hand cleanly and he looks to have added some velocity, as well. Johnson has upcoming official visits to Washington, Kansas State and Oregon. Kansas State currently leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
RB Cole Cabana, Michigan commit
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Cole Cabana has had a nice offseason. He’s posted several sub-11.0 second marks in the 100 meters and posted a 10.55 second time last weekend. Cabana has also showed off some versatility and pass-catching skills in 7-on-7 settings. The Dexter (Mich.) High star currently checks as the highest-ranked three-star running back prospect in On3’s rankings. If the spring is any indication, he could ultimately push for a fourth star. Cabana committed to Michigan in February.
ATH Kenyon Sadiq
Industry Comparison
Kenyon Sadiq had a very strong showing at Under Armour’s NorCal camp last month. The Idaho Falls (Idaho) Skyline pass catcher checked in at 6-foot-3, 222 pounds. He tested well, with an electronically-timed 4.74 second 40-yard dash, 4.37 second shuttle and 31.6 inch vertical. Sadiq had a big junior season as a receiver, caching 78 passes for 1,162 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has plus ball skills with the ability to come down with acrobatic high-point grabs in contested situations. It remains to be seen where he ends up in terms of position – he may grow into a tight end given his current size. Sadiq has landed recent offers from Washington, Oklahoma State and Texas. Iowa State leads Michigan in is On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.