2023 Stock Risers: February Update

As many of our subscribers have already noticed, we recently released our 2023 Recruiting Class Update. This update not only includes plenty of prospects who have found themselves on the rankings for the first time, but multiple prospects who have worked their way up in our previous list. These stock risers are coming off of a strong 2020 football season as sophomores, and their new ranking slots are justified for more reasons than one. Below, check out some of our favorite 2023 prospects who we feel saw their stock rise this past season. Vic Burley (2023 DL)- Warner Robins Burley, who was ranked 25th overall in our last rankings, shot up the list this time around with a final slot at 2nd overall in the 2023 class. If anyone wonders why, just cut on his tape. Throughout the past year, he has racked up some of the most notable Power 5 offers that a prospect can receive, and he certainly played like he deserved them. When lining up on the ball, Burley comes out of a leveraged stance, firing at the offensive linemen with his hands, explosive lower body, and athleticism. He extends his arms well when rushing the passer, and plays with an attitude. Each time he makes contact, the opposing player certainly feels the impact. With this, Burley also moves very swiftly, as his athleticism allows him to move well laterally, while his length allows him to catch players well in pursuit. He is evidently one of the best players in his class, and his overall ability to play as a DL at a high level for his age only makes one wonder where he will play next in a few years. Caleb Downs Caleb Downs 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Mill Creek | 2023 State GA (2023 DB)- Mill Creek This past season, Downs not only proved to be one of the best DB’s in his class, but in the entire state. During the previous rankings, we had Down’s listed at 9th overall. This time around though, we bumped him up to the 5th best player in the class. He not only reads the play and QB well in zone coverage, but he has the range to play this kind of defense effectively. His length and fluidity in movement make it hard for WR’s to gain separation. Downs also finds strength in his footwork, and ability to play with quickness, finding himself in the correct place at all times. With this, perhaps one of his biggest strengths is his ability to flip his hips, and turn and run without getting lost in space. This allows him to be a strong player in man to man coverage. Look for him to continue to climb the rankings in the coming years, and for him to end up being one of the best DB’s in the entire country. Terrance Love Terrance Love 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Langston Hughes | 2023 State GA (2023 DB )- Langston Hughes is another DB that showed out during the 2020 football season. Undoubtedly, especially after his team’s unexpected success, Love’s stock continued to rise. In our most recent rankings update, Love saw a jump from 17th in the class, to 9th overall. Love is a DB with range, and his 6’2, 200 pound frame can attest to that. His speed, and twitch assist him in multiple ways, especially in coverage. Love can be seen to use this traits as he rips off of blocks, reads the run, and is able to get in and out of his breaks cleanly. Plenty of times this results in great stops and tackles for a loss of yards. We also acknowledge that even though we like Love as a DB, he is a great ATH on the offensive side as well. Not only does he catch the ball cleanly, but he is also a solid play maker out of the backfield due to his burst. Look for him to continue to play multiple positions for his team in the coming years, as he will be one of the more versatile recruits coming out of Georgia’s 2023 recruiting class. Adam Hopkins Adam Hopkins 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Thomas County Central | 2023 State GA (2023 ATH)- Thomas County While there is plenty to digest about Hopkins’ ability, it is undeniable how great of a player he is for Thomas County. This past season he was very efficient, and made plays on both sides of the ball. During this rankings update, he sees his previous seeding of 34th overall, move to the 18th best spot in his class. He has a combination of speed, and good footwork that almost always results in success for him. As a WR, he is able to gain good separation due to each of these things, and tops it off with good hands, and his ability to high point the ball well. His smooth route running skills and ability to box out defenders is also a strength of his. Hopkins also has good vision of the field when the ball is in his hands, and allows his ability to change direction with elusiveness help him to gain more yards. Pearce Spurlin (2023 TE)- Walton It is undeniable that Spurlin is one of the top TE’s in his class, as well as the entire state of Georgia. In this set of rankings, his contributions to his team this past season helped him climb from 23rd overall, to 16th. At 6’6, 210 pounds, he is a very hard player to stop. While he is a bit raw in his movement skills at times, his ability to stack defenders as a bigger player, and win over the top makes him an undeniably great receiving TE. He also runs with power in his legs, and also has great strong hands that allow him to rip the ball from defenders that are draped all over him. Spurlin is also great at blocking as he is able to use leverage, and lower body strength to move defenders. His footwork and ability to stay on his blocks as well also makes him a great player. Justice Haynes Justice Haynes 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Buford | 2023 State GA (2023 RB)- Blessed Trinity While Haynes has been a solid player for Blessed Trinity for two seasons now, it should come as no surprise that we have him ranked as one of the top players in the state. It should also come as no surprise that he found himself one spot higher on this rankings update, as he climbed from the 5th spot overall in his class, to the 4th. Coming out of the backfield, Haynes has great patience, vision of the field, explosiveness, and power. Some may say that he is the complete package. Not only can he run through defenders, but he has the ability to stick his foot in the ground and get gone. His small twitch and straight line running style allows him to slice through defenses and make a play out of anything. He also runs at a great pad level, that makes it hard for anyone to stop him if they do not have help. Not only did his stock rise on this list, but it will continue to rise in the entire country. Expect him to continue to receive a ton of recognition this upcoming season as the offers will continue to pile.