2024 Candidates to Outplay Ranking At Next Level, Part II
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Everyone always loves to see which guys are rising and falling at the top in new rankings updates across the industry. However, not as many people like to talk about some guys that will outplay whatever their new ranking is.…
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Continue ReadingEveryone always loves to see which guys are rising and falling at the top in new rankings updates across the industry. However, not as many people like to talk about some guys that will outplay whatever their new ranking is. Here are a few more of those guys that I have on my radar.
Bryce Hicks Bryce Hicks 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Carrollton | 2024 State GA – 2024 – RB – Carrollton
Hicks has solidified himself as one of the best playmakers in Georgia, yet has flown under the radar for several P5 programs. The reason is likely because he is on the smaller side at 5’8 175. However, his size only defines part of his game. In a world where RBs at the next level are run by committee, Hicks offers a unique skill set. He is an outstanding receiver out of the backfield, likely the best in Georgia. Once he gets in space with the ball in his hands, he shows off his incredible vision and elusiveness. At times, he even splits out and lines up at receiver. Hicks won’t be a hard-nosed, physical runner between the tackles. However, he shows good wiggle and is able to exploit openings up front. His vision is on another level. When he is out in space, he does a great job of picking out running lanes downfield and is able to make one or two quick moves to separate himself. On outside runs, he is able to stick his foot in the dirt and get upfield. Simply put, Hicks is a TD threat on every play and deserves some P5 attention.
Hunter Teal – 2024 – TE – Walton
Teal is the definition of a gamer. He doesn’t pop off the charts when it comes to athleticism and measurables, but he has done nothing but make plays against some of the best competition in Georgia in spite of that. Teal is one of the best pure pass-catchers in the state, showing that he is capable of snagging the football at all levels. He shows good body control, holding onto the ball while diving, falling, and looking way over his shoulder. Teal is a big body at around 6’1 230 that can plug in as a capable blocker. For his size, he has great lateral movement and is able to elude tacklers after the catch. There are better TEs in the class when it comes to their physical traits, but Teal played his best football last year when the lights got better. That is something you can’t measure.
Jakob Gude Jakob Gude 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Langston Hughes | 2024 State GA – 2024 – DB – Langston Hughes
Versatile defender with the instincts and playmaking ability to be involved on every snap. Gude is one of the more physically impressive DBs in the state at 6’1 185. He is built fairly well at this point of his development and has more room to add to his frame. Gude is a physical, fearless prospect who is able to play in the box. He is a firm tackler who can blow up blockers and make physical tackles on the ball carrier. He takes good angles to the football and has a high motor, which allows him to patrol the middle of the field and flag down ball carriers trying to get outside leverage. Gude’s explosiveness and speed paired with his motor makes him an effective blitzer, slipping right past blockers and getting to the QB before he even gets back in his drop. What makes Gude unique is that he is well-rounded in coverage as well. He can hold his own physically against larger receivers downfield and has the fluidity in his hips to turn and run downfield. Gude is committed to UCF and is one of higher rated DBs in the state for a reason. Gude has all-conference potential at the N spot, where he can impact the football on every play.
Aaron Philo Aaron Philo 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Prince Avenue Christian | 2024 State GA – 2024 – QB – Prince Avenue Christian
Philo is a record-breaking QB prospect who will be playing his college ball at Georgia Tech. As far as touch, timing, and anticipation are concerned, Philo is arguably the best signal-caller in the state when it comes to those attributes. Philo has excellent vision and is able to find open receivers whether he is staying put in the pocket or out on the run. Philo is more of a passer than a runner, but he is fluid and does a great job of creating enough space in the pocket to set his feet and fire downfield. Philo can drop some absolute moonballs behind the safeties and can layer the ball over the LBs. Either way, he throws a catchable ball and is a good decision-maker, which makes life a lot easier on his receivers. You will find better QBs in the state when it comes to sheer athleticism and arm strength, but Philo has years of high-leverage snaps under his belt and has an outstanding grasp of the game. With further physical development, Philo can absolutely outplay rankings at the next level.
Jackson Hancock Jackson Hancock 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Creekview | 2024 State GA – 2024 – ATH – Sequoyah
Hancock will add tremendous value and upside across the board for Missouri, who scored his commitment last month. Hancock projects at DB in the SEC and showcases the fluidity, athleticism, playmaking ability, and hustle to hold his own at an extremely high level of football. Simply put, Hancock is a “see ball, get ball” kind of defender regardless of where he lines up on the field. He has the physicality to come downhill and fight through blockers to get to the football, but also has the discipline to let the ball come to him and take advantage of mistakes made by the QB. He plays center field very well as he can find the ball and has the ball skills to knock the ball to the turf. With the ball in his hands, you can see the value he adds on special teams and offensively. You also see how fluid of an athlete he is and his burst. Hancock is an underrated addition for the Tigers and can make an impact all over the field.