The New ESPNU 150: Which Prospects Are Rising and Creating a Buzz?

Today was another significant day in recruiting, as the second phase and an updated ESPNU 150 list was released. The ESPNU 150 is one of the prime big boards that recruiting has to offer and is a must-follow by any recruiting fan.

With this being the second release of the list, obviously with updates, some prospects have been added. For this read, I'm going to give you the biggest prospects that are rising and creating a buzz.

These are prospects that are surging up the board and have the recruiting trail going crazy about them. 

7. Shane Morris, QB

Morris has always been a national level recruit, yet the knock on him has been being more consistent and improving his accuracy.

Well, per the new ESPNU 150, Morris has risen from 37th to 32nd. The Michigan commit has showed out at several throwing sessions and has impressed with arm strength but more so with better consistency in his accuracy.

6. Matt Rolin, LB

Rolin is really coming up, as he has moved from 104th to 79th in the new ESPNU 150. 

Rolin is a tall 6'4", 208-pound 'backer from Virginia that has good tape, showing a scheme versatile player. It's easy to project Rolin to play ILB in a 3-4 scheme or MLB/SLB/WLB in a 4-3 scheme.

With his length and range, playing DE is also not out of the question for the Virginia Tech pledge.

I think Rolin fits best as a ILB/MLB, and he actually factors well in space, showing good ball skills and instincts to jump passing lanes in the intermediate passing game. 

5. Shaq Wiggins, DB

Committed to Georgia, Wiggins has heard whispers questioning his size. He's just a hair under 5'10" and about 160-170-pounds on hoof and showed well this spring.

That's big enough for me, because this guy can ball. Wiggins has excellent foot quickness, speed and athleticism, showing great skills for DB.

He'll likely fit in as a corner, but he can play safety for in a "little-base" defense. Wiggins now sits at No. 35 in the new ESPNU 150, all the way from No. 86.

4. Derrick Green, RB

This spring has been awesome for Green, as he was recently named the No. 1 RB prospect in the country by Rivals.com.

Now, Green finds himself on the move in the new ESPNU 150, as he now has risen to No. 58 on the board from No. 83.

Green, from Virginia, goes in the 6'0", 220-pound range and has shown that he is not to be viewed as just a big-back. He has better foot quickness than first thought and has great burst upfield.

3. Alvin Kamara, RB

Kamara has gone from No. 79 to No. 56 in the new ESPNU 150. He looks to have just average size on paper at around 5'9", 190-pounds.

However, Kamara is just a nightmare in the passing game, as linebackers have fits with him in coverage. He also has flashed exceptional leg drive and strength to push piles with the ball.

Per 247Sports.com, watch out for Alabama, Georgia and Oregon for the Georgia native. 

2. Ryan Green, RB

I've compared Green to LeSean McCoy in the past, as the 5'11", 195-pounder is super explosive, shifty and quick.

Well, that isn't it for him, as the Florida native is a big time riser on the new ESPN 150. Green has gone from No. 48 to now No. 36, and I doubt that is where he tops out at before Signing Day.

Expect Green to have a big senior season, as he likes Auburn, Florida State and Clemson among several others right now, per 247Sports.com.

1. Jaylon Smith, OLB

Listen, Smith is in store for a long career in football.

I say that, because even if he busts at most skills needed to succeed as an OLB, he still has a rare trait already going for him:

His ability to play in space.

You see, at the very worst, Smith can just become a nickel/coverage 'backer and play on passing downs. However, it's unlikely the 6'3", 225-pounder and Hoosier State native's career transcends that way.

Committed to Notre Dame, Smith has risen from No. 46 all the way to No. 20 in the new ESPNU 150. 

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.