New Additions to the 2023 Top 25
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Great players will always be discovered, it is just a matter of when. Fortunately for us, we have had some time to sit down and crank out tape since our last rankings update. While the movement in the rankings will be covered in other pieces, this piece will focus on the players we discovered this spring who made it into our rankings for the first time, and more importantly our top 25 rankings in the state. This 2023 class is as deep as ever and there is no telling who we will come across next!
Caleb Bryant Caleb Bryant 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Vicksburg | 2023 State MS | Vicksburg | DL
It pains me that we missed on this guy during the season, but I sure am happy that he came onto our radar this spring. Caleb Bryant Caleb Bryant 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Vicksburg | 2023 State MS is a big time defensive end standing at 6’3″ 250. His tape last season was a pass rushing clinic on a highlight reel. Bryant has a special get off and uses his long arms to defeat blockers and crush quarterbacks. He shows good bend off the edge and a natural pass rushing skill set. If he gets hands on and a head full of steam, it is game over for opposing offensive linemen. Bryant may have the best bull rush in the entire class. Bryant checks in as our second rated defensive lineman and 7th ranked player in the state of Mississippi. He holds offers from the likes of Mississippi State, Miami, Missouri, and Utah among others.
Joseph Head Joseph Head 6'4" | 205 lbs | DL Holmes County | 2023 State MS | Holmes County | DL
Joseph Head Joseph Head 6'4" | 205 lbs | DL Holmes County | 2023 State MS was a prospect that blew up and committed faster than we could get eyes on. It happens! In early January, Head received his first offer from Mississippi State and committed there several days later. Head has ridiculously long arms and is very fast off the ball. It is easy to see why the Bulldogs were eager to take his commitment so early. The rising senior pass rusher generates a ton of pressure for opposing quarterbacks, but also has a great skillset for setting the edge and defending the run. Head has also dominated competition at many of the top combines and camps this spring. The Mississippi State commit stands as our 3rd ranked defensive lineman and our 9th overall prospect in the 2023 class.
Malachi Breland Malachi Breland 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Laurel | 2023 State MS | Laurel | OL
When watching Laurel High School play this last season, our eyes were glued to top offensive lineman in the class Malik Ellis Malik Ellis 6'4" | 235 lbs | OL Laurel | 2023 State MS . On a deeper watch, we began to notice that teammate Malachi Breland Malachi Breland 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Laurel | 2023 State MS was a pretty dang good tackle as well. Colleges also began to take notice of the rising star tackle. Breland is a mammoth tackle standing at 6’5″ 315 and anchors down the right side of the offensive line. He is naturally strong and bullied defenders in the run game this past season. As a pass protector, he has a power first punch and quick feet. Breland is a bit raw but has a ton of upside to be a future starting college tackle. He lists offers from Texas, Missouri, Memphis, and Arkansas State, and is currently ranked as the 3rd offensive lineman and 15th overall player in the state of Mississippi.
Omarion Blakes Omarion Blakes 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH McEvans | 2023 State MS | McEvans | ATH
Omarion Blakes Omarion Blakes 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH McEvans | 2023 State MS reached out to us in early February with his tape via Twitter. While most the players we cover from film submissions turn out pretty good, Blakes was absurdly talented. Blakes plays both wide receiver and defensive back, but has seen most of his recruitment at wide out. He has amazing ball skills, capable of going up over any defender to snap the football, and great ability after catch. In addition to that, he has great speed in the open field and is a willing and powerful blocker in space. Blakes lists offers from Mississippi State, Colorado, and Air Force among others and is currently ranked as our 2nd athlete and 17th overall player in the class of 2023.
JaBrysten Abram JaBrysten Abram 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Senatobia | 2023 State MS | Senatobia | ATH
A two way player at corner and wide receiver, Senatobia’s JaBrysten Abram JaBrysten Abram 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Senatobia | 2023 State MS came onto the scene this spring after a huge junior campaign. The rising senior athlete flashed borderline elite speed and ball skills on both sides of the ball. Abram’s future may be at either position, but we love him as a defensive back. He has a smooth backpedal and high football IQ to anticipate and break on balls thrown by the opposing quarterback. Abram can play both man and zone coverage at a high level and has the athleticism to match up with any wide out. Currently listing offers from Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, Tulane, and Murray State among more, Abram’s recruitment is just now taking off. He is ranked as the 3rd athlete in the state and 22nd overall player.
Zakari Tillman Zakari Tillman 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Florence | 2023 State MS | Florence | LB
Zakari Tillman Zakari Tillman 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Florence | 2023 State MS was another prospect who reached out to us with his tape via Twitter. Sure enough, he was pretty talented too similar to Omarion Blakes Omarion Blakes 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH McEvans | 2023 State MS . Tillman is a big and long athlete listed at 6’2″ 215. He quite actually plays every single skill position, but it is hard not to love him at linebacker for the future. Tillman has a ton of athleticism to him and has great speed on the field. He also has impressive ball skills at defensive back and wide receiver. As a tackler, he can come down and lay the boom on a ball carrier. This guy could be the most impressive overall athlete in the class. Currently, Tillman lists offers from Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, and Louisiana Lafayette among others. He is ranked as the 2nd linebacker and 20th overall player in the 2023 class.
Braxton Barney Braxton Barney 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Madison Central | 2023 State MS | Madison Central | DL
An athletic defensive end out of Madison Central, Braxton Barney Braxton Barney 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Madison Central | 2023 State MS came off the 2021 season as a state champion. Barney is listed at 6’5″ 220 and boasts an impressive 4.7 40 yard dash time. As a pass rusher, Barney has an elite first step off the ball and uses his athleticism and length to beat opposing offensive linemen. He has a variety of pass rush moves and does a great job at being a force against the run as well. Barney has a motor that runs hot and is in on every single tackle possible. His exciting play energizes his defense and he elevates his team overall. Barney has added offers from the likes of Jackson State, Alcorn State, Arkansas State, Akron, and Louisiana Tech among others. He is currently rated as the 6th overall defensive lineman and 24th overall prospect in the state.