Signing Day Focus: My Favorite Non-P5 Signees
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With ESD in the rearview, it’s a good time for reflection on the 2024 class. The blue chippers dominated the headlines, as usual, but there are several high end football talents across the state who are playing at the FBS…
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Continue ReadingWith ESD in the rearview, it’s a good time for reflection on the 2024 class. The blue chippers dominated the headlines, as usual, but there are several high end football talents across the state who are playing at the FBS level that are also worthy of some attention. Here is the first segment of a brief series where I dish on some of my favorite 2024s in Georgia headed to the GO5 ranks.
Justus Savage
Justus Savage
Justus Savage heading to Jacksonville State is perhaps one of the best value additions in the 2024 class. Savage, formerly committed to Indiana, picked up plenty of P5 buzz throughout the season, and it’s clear to see why. He comes in at 5’10 195, yet is still somewhat nimble in his lower body. With some time in a college weight room, he should easily maximize his frame and get above 200 pounds. Savage is excellent in the short areas, quickly stopping on a dime and creating deception against tacklers. He is super slippery around the line of scrimmage, getting between the gaps and evading as he gets to the second level. When chopping his feet and working to get tacklers off-platform, he maintains excellent balance. Once his stride opens up, he has decent speed and is able to fight through contact and hurdle over people while he gets vertical to the endzone. Savage is hard to get a hand on and is elite at making something out of nothing. This guy can and probably will produce immediately for the Gamecocks.
Xavier Daisy
Xavier Daisy
Xavier Daisy is a physical matchup problem who could grow into a reliable playmaker on the outside. Listed at around 6’3 200, he clearly has the frame to physically outmatch defenders. Speed wise, Daisy isn’t super quick off the snap, but he keeps his head down and drives his feet hard as he works to eviscerate cushion. Also, he does a good job of selling the vertical route, which allows him to snap quick comebacks and other in-breaking routes off the vertical route. This allows him to create separation, even without elite twitch and route running ability. Daisy does a great job of locating the ball and reeling it in, even if he gets his head around late. He pairs that with fantastic ball skills, plucking the ball away from his body and away from defenders for huge plays downfield. His size and ball skills allow him to go up and get the ball over defenders, which makes him a big-time 50/50 ball threat. Daisy gifts UAB an elite body type, but also gifts them elite hands, two things I will bank on any day of the week.
One of the biggest green flags when projecting a player to the next level is when they improve each time you watch. From the time we hosted Devin Ross Devin Ross 6’0″ | 170 lbs | DB Thomas County Central | 2024 GA at our stock up showcase to now, he has taken major strides as a CB and helped lead his team to a state championship victory. For starters, it is important to talk about his measurables. He comes in at 6’0 170 with more than adequate length. We clocked him 11 months ago running a 4.46 40 yard dash and broad jumping 9 1/2 feet. His film indicates he is even more athletic and explosive. His playstyle at corner is impressive. He gets right up on WRs in press coverage and immediately jars them with his hands, which he then works to drive them out the side door of the stadium. If he initially gets beat, he gets back in phase quickly and will immediately begin getting physical again. When lined up with some cushion, he is smooth in his footwork, clicking and closing quickly to either strike or jump routes. Ross has all the athletic and physical traits to be a productive FBS corner, but he has also made massive strides over the last year and has more development ahead of him. High upside addition here for Kennesaw State.
JD Davis II
JD Davis II
JD Davis is a highly accomplished, prolific passer that put up elite numbers and high level film at a competitive level of Georgia high school football. Davis comes in listed around 6’2 190 and is a fluid athlete who can extend plays and deliver the football naturally. He is very calm in his drop and light on his feet, which allows him to make quick changes of direction to evade pressure and get out on the move. As a passer, he has a long, fluid release. The ball pops out of his hand and he does a wonderful job of throwing with the touch required to layer the ball below safeties and over second level defenders. He can also throw the fastball, rocketing the ball through coverages to hit crossing receivers. He is a linear thrower, but he has the elasticity in his arm to make subtle changes in his arm slot to get the ball around defenders and dodge pass rushers trying to make a play on the ball. He can be more than a chain mover as a runner, as he plays low to the ground and can shake defenders in 1 v 1 situations. When it all adds together, Davis has improved each year and is headed to Western Michigan with the peak of his QB development on the horizon.
Henderson finished off his HS career by signing with Liberty. Henderson is one of the most highly accomplished GAHSFB players in recent memory, lining up at seemingly every skill position and playing well at each spot. He will settle into a DB role at Liberty. Simply put, Devin Henderson Devin Henderson 5’11” | 185 lbs | ATH Cass | 2024 State GA is just a well-rounded football player. He isn’t off the charts athletically or measurables wise, but he is athletic enough to play at the FBS level. Where he really shines is with his instincts and feel for the game. At DB, he is smooth in his backpedal and quickly clicks and closes downhill. He takes outstanding angles to the football and has ball production off the charts, frequently hawking the ball away from receivers and breaking off long INT returns. As a tackler, he can play in the box and attach himself firmly to the ground as he looks into the backfield and mirrors the football. He tackles with good leverage, getting up under the ball carrier and up-ending them. Once he adjusts to the speed of the college game, Henderson could slide in and be a chess piece on the backend as his football IQ and instincts are off the chart.