2021 Stock Risers: February Update

This week, we’ve released our 2021 Recruiting Class Update, which is available to all of our subscribers. This update in itself has a ton of content to digest. Not only was there a ton of shake up in the rankings due to prospect’s who’s stock fell, but there was also a ton of change due to players that elevated their level of play, and climbed the ladder. Below, we listed a few of our favorite players who saw their stock rise in our rankings following a strong 2020 football season. [player_tooltip player_id="33661" first="Barrett" last="Carter"] (2021 LB)- North Gwinnett While we still had Carter within the top 15 of our last rankings, we can also honestly say that he blew us away this past season. Not only did he perform far beyond expectation, but he proved to be one of the best prospects in the entire class. Clemson is definitely getting a stud next season. Carter moved his way up our rankings from being 11th in the class, to 3rd. Talk about a jump. Carter has all you want in a LB. He has the size, frame, and quickness to play the position. Not only does he move well sideline to sideline, but he has a nose for the football as well. He climbed the rankings due to the fact that he further displayed that his ball skills are also top notch, and his ability to move well as one of the most athletic players on the field certainly helps him stand out, and only further solidifies his spot on this list. [player_tooltip player_id="33668" first="Dylan" last="Fairchild"] (2021 OL)- West Forsyth Perhaps we overlooked Fairchild a bit due to the heavy volume of skilled, and defensive players in the top 25 of this list Regardless of this, during his 2020 season, he only further proved that he deserved to be ranked even higher than his previous slot of 18th overall. This time around, Fairchild can be seen to be listed at number 7 in the class. In Fairchild, UGA is getting a 6’5, 300 pound prospect that can absolutely move anyone in his way. His length, wide frame, and explosive lower body make him a force on the offensive line. He not only engages defenders well, but he finishes blocks just as well as he stays on them. This season he proved that he is very good at moving around athletically as well, which will help him a large amount at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="33678" first="Phil" last="Mafah"] (2021 RB)- Grayson We won’t lie, even though Mafah had a high level of talent entering into this season, we did not feel he was as good of a RB as plenty made him out to be. Due to this, he was a little bit lower on our list the first time around, and found himself listed at 28. This time around, we have him ranked 17th, especially due to his strong performance this season, which helped contribute to his team’s state championship win. Not only is Mafah a Clemson commit for the RB position, but he certainly played like it this past season. During the 2020 season, we felt he further developed as an explosive runner, with strong legs. He not only displayed that he can run through contact well, but he developed in his ability to utilize his lateral movement skills, which will also be key in making him a play maker at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="33683" first="Jaquez" last="Smith"] (2021 WR)- Westlake Smith, who we previously had ranked as 34th overall in the class, sees himself at 23rd this time around. While the Hoosiers commit saw himself with less yards this season, he still proved to be everything you want in a WR prospect. Not only does he have a solid frame and build for a WR, but he found ways to better utilize this to his ability this season, further justifying his jump in the rankings. Smith also has solid hands, and fluidity in his movements. He runs crisp routes, with good short area quickness, and long speed, and shows that he has devolved in how he stacks defenders as well. [player_tooltip player_id="33684" first="Carlos" last="Del Rio"] (2021 QB)- Cartersville We were a bit skeptical of Del Rio’s true arm talent and strength going into this season, thus justifying our previous ranking of him at 35th in the class. Despite this, after he transferred to Cartersville this season, he proved to be worthy of a higher ranking. Following this, we bumped him up to 30th in the class, and we would like to walk through the reasons why. This past season, not only did he find himself a Florida commit, but he improved in his ball placement in intermediate passes, as well as his ability to drive the football with velocity. He made more efficient throws under pressure, and managed to maneuver that pocket more effectively. With this, his mechanics improved as well, allowing for cleaner delivery of the ball. While we are not sure he will handle the next level of play as a QB prospect, we still feel his stock rose due to the strides he took this past season. [player_tooltip player_id="33704" first="Joshua" last="Moore"] (2021 DB)- Marist [player_tooltip player_id="33704" first="Joshua" last="Moore"] took perhaps the biggest jump in the rankings out of each of the players on this list. Specifically, he was ranked 55th in the class last time around, and can now be seen to be in the top 25, as 21st overall. At Marist this past season, he proved to be one of the best DB’s in the entire class as he further developed in his ability to be effective as a 6’2 200 pound safety. He showed that he is just as good at understanding the game, as he is playing it. Not only is Moore unafraid of contact, but his ability to use his quickness and speed to get around the field well is what sets him apart. He pairs this with his ball skills and burst to become a game changing play maker. Along with this, he showed that he has a very unique, twitch, and burst, allowing him to react well in coverage. Throughout the duration of the season Moore also displays another strength in his ability to take great angles when going to make tackles. Do not be shocked if he ends up being one of the top DB’s at UCLA within the coming years.