8 College Football Recruits Who Had an Explosive Week
Most of America is now underway with regular-season high school football action after a cluster of southern and western states kicked things off in late August. The nation's top college prospects have a chance to showcase their talent on a weekly basis, validating immense hype and long lists of scholarship offers in the process.
The first week of September annually revives community spirit in towns across the country, giving fans the opportunity to finally witness the phenomenal athletes they spent an entire offseason hearing about. It also puts the pressure on collegiate coaching staffs to reassess specific recruitments, potentially opening the door for late offers.
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Here's our weekly examination of some of the sensational performances that took place this past weekend, with an eye on top-tier defensive and offensive playmakers.
5-star DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, St. Peter's Prep High School (Jersey City, New Jersey)
The Alabama pledge put his athletic prowess on full display in a season-opening victory over Wise High School (Maryland). Minkah Fitzpatrick made the most of a weather-shortened contest, compiling 204 total offensive yards in a 35-9 win, per Braulio Perez of NJ.com.
The 6'1", 198-pound prospect sprinted 81 yards for a rushing touchdown and caught a pair of scoring passes from Penn State quarterback commit Brandon Wimbush. Those receptions came on distances of 17 and 49 yards. Fitzpatrick flashed game-changing skills that also stood out in the defensive secondary.
The contest didn't last three full quarters, but Fitzpatrick still managed to make a strong impression for one of the Northeast region's most respected programs. He is rated fifth nationally among cornerbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings.
"I have the length that a lot of teams look for at cornerback," Fitzpatrick said this summer. "I don't have a problem being asked to cover all kinds of receivers, and I can make things happen with the ball in my hands."
4-star RB Soso Jamabo, Plano West High School (Plano, Texas)
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more dominant rushing performance this fall than the one Soso Jamabo put together Friday evening during a shootout victory over Sachse High School. The 6'3", 210-pound playmaker erupted for 484 yards and six scores on 31 carries in a 49-31 win, per Michael Florek of The Dallas Morning News.
The most remarkable aspect of his effort isn't necessarily how Jamabo finished, but rather how he started the game. The uncommitted prospect gained just six yards on six first-quarter rushing attempts.
Jamabo took over the rest of the way, gaining 478 yards on his next 25 carries. He shifted momentum with a 92-yard scoring burst in the second quarter, as Texas A&M recruiting analyst Brice Jones pointed out:
His night changed once he started seeing the game move slower.
“[The difference was] just staying patient,” Jamabo told Florek. “My teammates kept preaching it to me. I was a little frustrated but I stayed patient and it finally came it to me. … After that it was just swagger for me.”
He continued an eventful weekend with an official visit to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are a top contender for his commitment, along with Oklahoma and Baylor.
4-star 2016 WR Ahmir Mitchell, Cedar Creek High School (Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)
The 6'2", 190-pound junior picked apart opposing defenses throughout the 2013 season and started this campaign off in similar fashion. Ahmir Mitchell, rated 10th nationally among athletes in 247Sports' composite rankings, caught five passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns in an opening win against Cedar Grove High School, per Phil Anastasia of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
He hauled in a 29-yard scoring pass in the first half and punctuated the Pirates' 41-0 romp with an 84-yard touchdown reception. Mitchell, the younger brother of Arkansas redshirt freshman Damon Mitchell, is predominately being recruited as a wide receiver, though defensive back remains a possibility at the next level.
"I feel as though I'm an all-around athlete, so I really don't mind playing any position on the field," Mitchell said in May.
His offer sheet includes Ole Miss, Florida State, Boston College, Rutgers and Michigan.
4-star RB Jacques Patrick, Timber Creek High School (Orlando, Florida)
The heavily recruited running back burst through defenders at every level during his second game of the season, surging ahead for 305 yards and five touchdowns, per Jake Lamb of the Orlando Sentinel. Jacques Patrick did his damage on just 22 carries and scored three times from at least 60 yards out.
The 6'1.5", 230-pound standout shredded Boone High School in a 50-20 victory, delivering his squad to its first win. Patrick, rated second nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, is now less than 150 yards shy of surpassing 6,000 career yards.
More than just a straight-line rusher, he also shows off capable receiving abilities.
"I want to be the kind of running back that can beat teams in different ways," Patrick said this summer.
His top collegiate options include Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and Florida State.
4-star 2016 QB KJ Costello, Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
The 6'4", 213-pound passer starred in a high-profile matchup against Santiago High School quarterback Blake Barnett, who is committed to Alabama. KJ Costello gained the upper hand early and led his team to a 56-27 win.
He completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 411 yards and four touchdowns, per Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times. Costello connected on every score before halftime, making an impressive opening statement.
"Tonight KJ Costello played about as good as a QB can play. Completed 75% and threw 4 TDs in 1st half alone. In total control. Outstanding.
— Brandon Petersen (@SMEaglesVideo) September 6, 2014"
His success was aided by a strong overall offensive attack.
"You can see our offensive line dominated the whole game," Costello told Sondheimer. "When you can run the ball, it opens the passing game."
It didn't take him long to emerge as a premier prospect after taking over starting duties at the Orange County powerhouse. Costello collected several offers this summer, including Alabama, Oregon State, Florida and Stanford.
3-star 2016 WR Michael Irvin Jr., Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
Michael Irvin Jr., the son of Dallas Cowboys legend and NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, is creating his own legacy in the Lone Star State. He reportedly tied a Texas single-game-receptions record with 22 catches, per MaxPreps.com.
Irvin accomplished the feat in a losing effort, as his team came up short in a 69-36 defeat to IMG Academy (Florida). His collection of grabs resulted in 229 yards and two touchdowns.
The 6'2", 200-pound junior holds an offer from Miami, his father's alma mater. He is rated 59th nationally among 2016 receivers in 247Sports' composite rankings.
5-star 2016 QB Shea Patterson, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, Louisiana)
Shea Patterson, the 6'2", 190-pound passer, continues to state his case for top quarterback honors in the 2016 class. He's rated third nationally among pro-style players at the position in 247Sports' composite rankings and showed off dual-threat capabilities Friday night in a 46-27 clobbering of Parkway High School.
He completed 14 of 20 attempts for 210 yards and four touchdowns, per Matt Vines of The Shreveport Times. His evening also included 95 rushing yards, setting the stage for crucial scores against a quality opponent.
Patterson, who decommitted from Arizona this summer, transferred in from Hidalgo High School (Texas) following his freshman year. He visited Notre Dame Saturday and is expected to spend time at USC and Oklahoma later this month.
LSU is considered a slight favorite in this recruitment. His older brother is a member of the Tigers staff.
4-star DT Joseph Wicker, Long Beach Poly High School (Long Beach, California)
The disruptive defender slid inside to tackle for his senior season, and the position switch has quickly paid off in a big way. A week after Joseph Wicker racked up six sacks, he compiled nine tackles, forced a pair of fumbles and took down the quarterback twice in a 34-21 win over Narbonne High School, per MaxPreps.com.
"Poly defensive tackle Joseph Wicker had two forced fumbles and a sack in the first half. He's in the Narbonne backfield on every play.
— Jeremy Balan (@jeremybalan) September 6, 2014"
The 6'4", 265-pound prospect made five tackles for loss. He anchors a defensive attack that also features top-ranked cornerback recruit Iman Marshall.
Wicker received an offer from UCLA and Texas Tech this past weekend. An official visit to Arizona State is planned.
Recruit ratings and offer information courtesy of 247Sports.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
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