CFB Recruiting: All-American Recruits to Know Despite Canceled Games
There won't be any high school All-American games for the stars of tomorrow to showcase their talents on national television this year.
Thanks, COVID-19.
But, in this day and age, there are several prep games throughout the year, and with game video available of some of the top prospects, you get the opportunity to see some of their skill sets before they ever step onto the college gridiron.
While everybody who follows recruiting knows the top prospects in the country, there are a handful of All-Americans who are on the fringe of being household names, and B/R is here to highlight some of the players who will be starring on a TV set near you soon.
Some of the guys who would have been participating in these games have yet to make their college choices. Others may not be ranked in the top 20, but they have all the trappings to make an impact at the next level.
That's why they're All-Americans, after all.
Let's take a look at some of the names to know from the canceled All-American Bowl and Under Armour All-America Game.
Terrion Arnold, (Undecided) Safety
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One of the fastest, most explosive athletes in the recruiting class could have shown everybody what he can do in the All-American Bowl.
The nation's top programs already know.
Terrion Arnold is expected to play safety at the next level, but the 6'0", 180-pound playmaker could line up at cornerback, wide receiver or even running back. Somebody in the SEC is going to be happy to pluck the Tallahassee native from Florida State's backyard.
He has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M, and he is a priority candidate as one of the top players remaining in the 2021 class.
Arnold is ranked 106th nationally, according to the 247Sports composite, but his ability is better reflected in his No. 26 overall rating by 247Sports. He is physical, fast and has the type of sideline-to-sideline closing speed to make up for an issue if he slips or there are technique concerns.
It would have been fun to watch him go against the nation's best sooner rather than later, but all eyes are going to be on what he does in the late signing period. He could be the next Sunshine State superstar.
Dylan Brooks, Tennessee Outside Linebacker
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It's not often a rival SEC program dips into the state of Alabama and signs a player whom both the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers wanted, but that's one of the best things Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt did in an otherwise forgettable year.
The Vols landed much-needed elite pass-rusher Dylan Brooks, who announced last week he signed with UT despite not making it public last month in the early period, per GoVols247's Ryan Callahan.
The 6'5", 250-pound edge-rusher from Roanoke, Alabama, is the nation's No. 51 overall prospect and the highest-rated player in a solid UT class that saw a lot of turnover yet ranks 15th nationally. Getting him to ink on the dotted line was a major victory.
He will provide some pizzazz to a Tennessee defense that tied for eighth in the SEC in sacks and lost its two top quarterback-harassers. The team dismissed Kivon Bennett after he was arrested on gun and drug charges and saw Deandre Johnson enter the transfer portal.
Brooks can step in right away as a true freshman alongside Tyler Baron, Morven Joseph, Roman Harrison and others.
The Under Armour All-America Game selection is a versatile, jumbo 'backer who can play with his hand down or on the second level, and Charles Power of 247Sports compares him to former NC State great Bradley Chubb.
Ethan Calvert, Utah Linebacker
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After Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham closed the 2020 recruiting cycle with a flurry following a slow start, he put together a quality 2021 class with players on both sides of the ball who can help the team continue to be a Pac-12 contender.
The Utes are ranked 31st nationally, but quarterback Peter Costelli is an intriguing player who could be a leader for the next four years.
Defensively, that guy is 6'3", 230-pound linebacker Ethan Calvert, who has the size and physicality to start right away. He's the type of guy Utah isn't used to luring from the state of California, but he was a major recruiting win for Whittingham.
Calvert is the nation's No. 74-ranked player and played at powerhouse Oaks Christian, which produces top-level Division I talent every year. He's also got the football bloodlines. Brother Bo Calvert plays at UCLA, and Josh Calvert is at Washington.
Ethan bulked up to move to the second level, making him an exciting player to project. He was a safety and wide receiver in high school until adding weight, so he can run sideline to sideline and is comfortable in coverage.
He's one of the most underrated players in the class and has the potential to be elite; and that's why he was set to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.
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Raesjon Davis, (Undecided) Outside Linebacker
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For a long time, it appeared as though dynamic outside linebacker Raesjon Davis was going to follow in the footsteps of Elias Ricks and make the journey from California to play for head coach Ed Orgeron's LSU Tigers.
It no longer looks like that's going to happen.
According to 247Sports' Greg Biggins, USC and Ohio State are the main contenders for Davis, and Davis said "LSU is definitely still in it." But 247Sports' Crystal Ball lists the 6'1", 215-pound impact linebacker from Mater Dei High School with 100 percent odds to join the USC Trojans, which would be a major development for head coach Clay Helton.
With No. 1 overall player Korey Foreman announcing his commitment to USC on Saturday, the Trojans are the hottest team on the recruiting trail. They're ranked eighth nationally but could add more impact players.
Davis is a second-level force who can drop back in coverage and guard receivers, and he possesses the type of closing speed that makes him a highly coveted player.
The All-American Bowl selection isn't the biggest 'backer, but he's an elite tackler who plays like a safety and can do everything well on the defensive side of the ball. If Davis commits to USC, coordinator Todd Orlando is going to have fun moving him around over the next few years.
If he plays in the SEC or Big Ten, he'll be a star there too.
Donovan Edwards, Michigan Running Back
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With Michigan struggling badly throughout the abbreviated season, many of the top programs in college football smelled proverbial blood in the recruiting waters and tried to pluck the top talent away from the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh wasn't having any of it when it came to running back Donovan Edwards.
The 5'11", 190-pound running back from West Bloomfield chose Michigan, staying in-state to sign with the Wolverines over Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State and Oklahoma.
Inexplicably, a season ago, Michigan finished eighth in the Big Ten in rushing offense despite having Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet, neither of whom lived up to expectations.
The nation's No. 44 overall player and fourth-rated running back has the potential to change that. Edwards is explosive, has the ability to take any handoff to the house and is a big enough back to be an every-down runner.
He would have gotten to showcase those skills in the Under Armour All-America Game. When it comes to high school players who have the potential to become household names next year, you've got to remember his.
It's the perfect example of ability meets opportunity.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State Wide Receiver
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Ohio State has plenty of elite prospects on its 2021 commitment list, so it's easy for exceptional players to get lost in the shuffle. It's the same way at programs like Alabama and Clemson.
But one guy whose name will ring a bell is 4-star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who played high school ball at St. Joseph's Prep School in Philadelphia.
Yes, he's the son of the NFL Hall of Famer (and longtime top target of Peyton Manning) with the same name, and his play on the field is like that of his old man, who starred in college at Syracuse.
The younger Harrison hopes to make a similar impact.
The All-American Bowl recipient is going to have to find a way to stand out among a super-talented group of receivers recently brought in by head coach Ryan Day. Last season's class included Julian Fleming, Gee Scott Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Buckeyes recently added 5-star Emeka Egbuka to their second-ranked class in 2021 too.
The elder Harrison never showed elite physical traits. He just got the job done. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a 6'3", 190-pound pass-catcher who is the nation's No. 91 overall player. He's on the skinny side and needs to add weight, but he has the frame to be much bigger than his father.
He's also a silky smooth route-runner. He has the potential to carry on the family name on college football's biggest stage.
Wynden Ho'ohuli, Nebraska Linebacker
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One of the more intriguing prospects in this year's class is Mililani, Hawaii, linebacker Wynden Ho'ohuli, who is about 20 miles northwest of Saint Louis School in Honolulu, where most of the elite-level prospects from the islands hail from.
He is a versatile, exciting defender who committed to play for head coach Scott Frost's Nebraska Cornhuskers over Kansas State, Washington and Utah on Jan. 2. He signifies a major recruiting victory for a program that needs a major spark. According to the Omaha World's Evan Bland, he's the first Nebraska commit from Hawai'i in more than two decades.
At 6'3", 220 pounds, it wouldn't be surprising for him to step right in and make an impact. He could play safety or inside or outside linebacker, but he almost certainly will stick on the second level.
"When we needed a pick, a turnover, he'd get the pick," Mililani coach Rod York told Bland. "When we needed a stop, he'd be the guy to get the tackle for loss. He just made plays at the right time, key times, that allowed us to win games. We didn't have much of an offense (in 2019), but because of his leadership, our defense kept us in a lot of games."
It makes Ho'ohuli a fun prospect to watch. It would have been a big showcase for the 4-star player to strut his stuff in San Antonio at the All-American Bowl, considering he didn't play his senior year of high school.
Frost has proved to be an elite recruiter despite the lack of on-field results, and this is one of his biggest recruiting victories of the cycle.
Jake Garcia, Miami Quarterback
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One of the most interesting journeys in the 2021 recruiting class was that of Jake Garcia, who traveled from California to play his senior year of high school football in the state of Georgia.
Then, he traveled across the Peach State when he wasn't eligible at Valdosta and led Grayson High School to the 7A state title. Meanwhile, Garcia decommitted from USC and signed with the Miami Hurricanes over Florida State.
Got all that?
Well, remember Garcia's name. With D'Eriq King tearing his ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl, it's not certain the electrifying Hurricanes signal-caller will be available at the beginning of the 2021 season.
N'Kosi Perry stepped in and performed well against Oklahoma State in the 37-34 bowl-game loss, but Garcia could be a factor right away as a freshman. The 6'2½", 195-pound Under Armour All-American has an explosive arm and can make all of the throws. Though he isn't the most athletic quarterback, he's far from a statue.
His 247Sports profile compares him to former Auburn (and Baylor) quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is now a member of the New England Patriots. Stidham has a big arm and is a pretty good athlete.
The Trojans are going to be just fine without Garcia after they signed Miller Moss and Jaxson Dart, but the Canes needed him. Even if King can return quickly, this looks like Garcia's program in the future.
It's going to be fun to watch him develop.
LJ Johnson, (Undecided) Running Back
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Now that Camar Wheaton has come off the recruiting board and stunningly picked Alabama despite being projected as a long-time Oklahoma lean, the biggest running back prize left in this recruiting cycle is fellow Texan LJ Johnson.
While the Sooners are firmly in the mix to get Johnson's signature, this feels like it will ultimately become a good, old-fashioned Lone Star State battle between Texas A&M and Texas. It's also going to be interesting to see if Bijan Robinson's breakout party in the bowl game will affect the Horns at all.
No matter who gets Johnson, they'll be landing a big and explosive playmaker. He's a 5'10", 204-pounder who is big enough to run between the tackles but registered a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at The Opening, according to his 247Sports profile.
That's going to make the Longhorns, Aggies, Sooners or LSU Tigers very happy. Those are finalists, and it's anybody's guess where he'll wind up.
"I was getting close before the season but right now I'm still thinking on what I want to do," Johnson told 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong. "Really after the season, I've been so focused on that. After that I'm going to evaluate how everyone's season went and see where I fit best as a running back, for my education and with football."
Johnson is the No. 40 overall player in the country and has one of the highest ceilings of any offensive player in the class. He can block, can do everything in the run game and will be a major and immediate contributor wherever he lands.
Drake Maye, North Carolina Quarterback
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It's got to be intriguing to be from the Tar Heel State and watch head coach Mack Brown's North Carolina program taking huge steps toward the ACC title conversation in just two years with Sam Howell slinging the football all over the field.
Especially if you're a quarterback prospect, the lure to Chapel Hill is strong right now.
That was the case with 4-star quarterback Drake Maye, who flipped from Alabama to North Carolina early in his recruiting process to be the guy who takes over once Howell leaves for the NFL. The Under Armour All-American is a prototypical drop-back passer.
According to his 247Sports profile, Mayes' older brothers are at least 6'7", so he could get even bigger. His father, Mark, was a Parade All-American quarterback and all-state athlete in three sports, as well as the starting quarterback at UNC in the 1980s. His brother, Luke, was a two-time All-ACC power forward with the Heels.
So he bleeds Carolina Blue.
If you like big, strong-armed quarterbacks, Maye is the player for you. Even though a lot of schools are going to dual-threat quarterbacks to run their offense, he's an ideal choice if you want a guy to step back in the pocket and hum that tater.
At 6'5", 210 pounds, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native who played at Myers Park High School was rated the nation's No. 57 overall player and the No. 6 pro-style passer. He's even more highly regarded on 247Sports as the second-rated pro-style passer.
Maye should come in and develop under Brown and offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
Ty Thompson, Oregon Quarterback
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A few quarterbacks are more highly ranked and several are certainly discussed more, but Oregon signee Ty Thompson was last week's recipient of the All-American Bowl's Offensive Player of the Year, and he has one of the highest ceilings of any signal-caller in the country.
The 6'4", 215-pound quarterback from Gilbert, Arizona, is the nation's No. 39 player and the fourth-rated pro-style quarterback, according to the 247Sports composite. When you've got those numbers beside your name, people expect big things.
He may wind up the top signal-caller in the class before his college days are done.
As a senior, he led Mesquite High School to a state championship, throwing for 3,431 yards and 34 touchdowns and running for 410 more yards and eight scores. He led a last-minute, comeback 39-38 win over Cactus (Glendale) High School in the state championship game.
"We always felt he was the best one in the country, hands down," Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal said during a signing-day news conference.
The Ducks have signed several quality quarterback prospects in the past few classes, and while Tyler Shough looked good at times in the abbreviated season, he doesn't have such a lock on the position that somebody couldn't beat him out.
It's going to be a crowded room, but Thompson's skill set will get him a look. Watch out for him because he may wind up being one of the best players in the class once he develops.
Jeremiah Williams, Florida Weak-Side Defensive End
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Much like Dylan Brooks, Jeremiah "Scooby" Williams grew up with Alabama and Auburn on his mind and both schools breathing down his neck for his commitment.
Also like Brooks, the 6'3", 224-pound Birmingham, Alabama, native is blazing his own path out of state. If anything, the Crimson Tide and Tigers may have coveted Williams' signature more than Brooks', though both are talented top-100 players.
Williams decided Florida was the best program for him, and his signing gives the Gators the type of edge-rusher they need. It's going to be interesting to see if he fits into Todd Grantham's scheme (or the one implemented by whoever takes over as the next coordinator in Gainesville).
It's clear the Gators need difference-makers on all three levels of the defense.
"Florida is getting a dog and a winner," Williams told AL.com's Bill Lumpkin III. "I love the family atmosphere. I love the coaching staff. I love the environment. But, academics is the biggest thing. That's what it's all about with me.
"Still, it's also a place where I feel like I can go in and compete for a spot early. I like the way they are planning to us me where I can drop in coverage, but also rush the passer. It was just a win-win situation for me."
Williams is the nation's No. 73 player and a strong, athletic outside linebacker/defensive end who has the type of frame that can probably pack on another 30-40 pounds at the next level. He also played on the same defense at Ramsay High School as Alabama defensive tackle signee Tim Keenan.
The duo could wreak havoc on opposite sides of the SEC in the future.
Mario Williams, Oklahoma Wide Receiver
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The last time Oklahoma dipped into the Sunshine State and plucked a highly regarded wide receiver, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown turned into a superstar.
Get ready for Mario Williams to do the same.
Like Brown, Williams is smallish. He's 5'11", 178 pounds and played at Plant City High School, where he was a multisport star for the Tampa Bay-area program that won a state baseball title as a sophomore. Unlike Brown, he can get a bit bigger in college.
He isn't a blazing-fast player like Brown was, but he is shifty, runs terrific routes and can be a game-breaking standout in Lincoln Riley's offense.
He's the No. 42 overall player in the class, according to the 247Sports composite, and the fourth-rated wide receiver, but Riley just has a way of turning such recruits into players who lead everyone to question why they weren't ranked even higher.
The Tampa Bay Times' Scott Purks wrote a great story about Williams being so grounded that when some of the nation's top coaches showed up to watch him show out, it didn't change him at all. Georgia's Kirby Smart once visited in a helicopter to watch him play.
It didn't faze Williams at all.
"Some people looked at him and said, 'He's too short and small and not strong enough to be great,'" Williams' mother, Ashley Turner, told Purks. "I told Mario, 'Don't ever give anybody any reason to doubt you.' I told him, 'If you score then nobody can doubt you.'"
He's going to do a lot of that in Norman, so remember the name.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
