Evaluating college football recruits requires patience. The process can begin when a potential is just 14 or 15 years old, but it is all about the development and upcoming evaluation periods as a prospect grows. Prospect ranking is a fluid, highly subjective process, and there is frequently little difference between the fifth-ranked player in a class and the 17th-ranked player in a class.
In each recruiting cycle, we rank the top 300 prospects, but with 2,800 prospects in a class, the further down the list you go, the more similar the prospects seem and the more difficult it is to differentiate and evaluate them.Why we rank Sayin higher: Improvisation. Sayin can create and easily extend plays with his feet and make off-platform and off-balance throws. He’s a slightly better athlete who can be used as a designated runner if needed. Sayin is a little more scheme-versatile as well. We noticed in the Georgia playoffs this year Raiola has some mobility challenges.Why we prefer Sayin: Improvisation. Sayin can create and quickly extend plays with his feet, as well as throw off-platform and off-balance. He’s a significantly stronger athlete who can serve as a designated runner if necessary. Sayin is also a little more scheme-friendly. Raiola has some mobility issues, as we saw in the Georgia playoffs this year.
Why we prefer Sayin: Improvisation. Sayin can create and quickly extend plays with his feet, as well as throw off-platform and off-balance. He’s a slightly better player. Sleeper with three stars: Dermaricus Davis (commitment to Washington)
Davis is a tall, athletic late bloomer whose finest football days are yet ahead of him. He’s a fluid passer with good arm strength, the ability to adjust ball speeds, and the ability to layer the ball. He has deceptive movement and precision while moving. We like his potential.Athlete who can act as a designated runner if necessary. Sayin is also a little more scheme-friendly. Raiola has some mobility issues, as we saw in the Georgia playoffs this year.
Trever Jackson (four stars) is the top uncommitted quarterback.
Jackson is a dynamic player with a powerful arm and a quick release. He possesses strong feet and pocket balance to be a dependable passer. Jackson is capable of making all of his throws. As a junior and senior, Jackson’s recruitment has heated up.
Gibson (ESPN 300 No. 34; Texas commit) is being scouted: This is one of the country’s most electrifying running backs. He ticks so many boxes that teams look for as a running back. He is really explosive and forceful. Gibson causes people to miss and deflects attempted tackles. He resembles a speedier version of Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.
Tatum (ESPN 300, No. 41; Oklahoma commit) is a real power back. He’s an upright runner who performs best while attacking the hole downhill. He pushes the hole really well and does an excellent job of seeking daylight and creeping through tiny creases. Tatum has the potential to be a solid short yardage back as well.
Gibson is ranked higher because he is more dynamic. Gibson has more make-you-miss potential and the ability to create more second-level explosive plays.
John Price (Kansas State commit) is a three-star sleeper.
When it comes to appraisal, you can always rely on K-State. Price, despite his build, is an elusive runner with the balance to make many cuts and the quickness to separate. He’s more suited to play on the perimeter, as he has the awareness to dodge defenders in the open field and possesses the ball skills needed to be an efficient receiver.
Burnette is a huge, towering, downhill power back who reminds us a little of Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II. He is a physically strong, straight-lined runner with good forward lean and contact balance. He may not dazzle you with unexpectedness, but he is effective and difficult to bring down.Scouting Coleman (ESPN 300 No. 6; Auburn commit): Coleman resembles A.J. Green. He’s large and nimble, but he’s also quite flexible for his 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. Coleman is one of the greatest contested and covered players we’ve seen. He has superb body control and coordination and can rise and stretch above his head.Smith (ESPN 300 No. 7; Ohio State commit) is being scouted: Smith, like Coleman, has excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. Given his size, he has excellent footwork and agility. Smith has excellent straight-line speed and can shift gears to pass anyone. He backs up on the open field. Smith has potential as a jump ball target as well.Although the two are nearly identical, we believe Coleman is somewhat more adaptable and agile overall. Coleman makes numerous spectacular plays on balls that should not be caught. Smith, on the other hand, may have slightly faster speed.
He’s fascinating to watch because he doesn’t appear to be as fast on camera as his certified track times. This season, he also looked much better as a route runner and wide field speed player. In the last two track seasons, he has run 10.46 and 10.15 100m marks, as well as a blistering 20.47 200m.Thomas (ESPN 300 No. 49; Florida State commit) is being scouted: Thomas is a quiet person off the field, but his game says volumes. He’s a capable receiver with a wide grab radius and quickness after the catch. During an in-person evaluation this fall, Thomas put forth an MVP-type performance, catching four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. He’s a willing blocker with space for improvement.
