Five Takeaways: 2024 Spring Rankings Update

Now that we’ve officially released the 2024 spring rankings update, with over 50 new players and a re-ranking of the other 50, it’s time for another five takeaways. In this "in-between" class, the scouting process is a bit different than with a relatively early class (2025) and a relatively established class (2023). Generally-speaking, the spring update for this middle class and the summer rankings update that follows will be some of the most tumultuous updates of the entire process (I’ll explain below), so there’s a lot to look at in this five takeaways. 1. A Clear Number 1 It really isn’t often that we have a clear-cut No. 1 at the top of the rankings, but with the recent transfer for Providence Day quarterback  Jadyn Davis Jadyn Davis 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Providence Day | 2024 State NC , that’s what we have. That doesn’t take anything away from our previous number one Jack Larsen Jack Larsen 6'3" | 215 lbs | TE Charlotte Catholic | 2024 State NC  (one of the best tight ends I’ve ever scouted) or top receivers like  Channing Goodwin Channing Goodwin 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Providence Day | 2024 State NC , Zack Meyers, or Jonathan Paylor, it’s simply a testament to Davis’ talent. We do factor in positional value in our rankings, so when a quarterback comes along with Davis’ talent, he’s going to be nearly impossible to unseat. I watched Davis throw as an eighth grader back when he was first courting the interest of top D1 schools and I was blown away with his poise and arm talent. The kid has an absolute cannon and it’s easy to see why so many schools like him. When I got wind that Davis would be transferring to North Carolina, I put him at number 1 on the back end of the website, texted Ed Brooks to tell him that this was an easy one and moved on. It was that simple. There’s a reason Davis is considered by some the top recruit in the entire country. The fact that the state of North Carolina gets him for two years is a real treat. 2. How Early is too Early? Reflecting on our initial top 10 When we begin to build a class, we default to putting most players on the watch list for one simple reason. There is no shame moving a watchlist player to the rankings, but it is quite awkward taking a guy once ranked in the top 10 and moving him down outside of the top 100. For that reason, we start our class rankings with 10-15 "Can’t miss" prospects and go from there. Of our initial top 10, six are still ranked inside the top 10, three more are ranked inside the top 17 and the final inclusion is ranked in the top 25. For us, it’s validating to rank a player early and see him live up to that ranking over the next few years. Of course, there are guys we missed. Four of our top 10 weren’t even on our original watch list (Granted one guy wasn’t in state at the time). Those four and guys like them can all be considered "late-bloomers" of sorts. A few matured physically between their freshman and sophomore years, growing a few inches or gaining some weight to become better prospects. More often, there are talented freshmen playing JV, backing up older players or simply learning the game. I talked to Chad Grier at Providence Day (More on the Chargers in a bit) around this time last season and he never mentioned defensive back Brody Barnhardt, who is now ranked as the best player at his position after a 6-interception, 100-tackle sophomore season. Guys can break out at any point and if they have the physical traits, colleges will find them. 3. Providence Day’s Junior Class There was no way we’d be able to write anything about this class without mentioning Providence Day’s incredible group. Led by Davis at quarterback, the Chargers also have two top 5 receivers in Goodwin and  Jordan Shipp Jordan Shipp 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Providence Day | 2024 State NC  as well as Barnhardt, all in the top 15. Yes, Providence Day (unlike public schools) has the ability to recruit some of its players, but outside of a few top guys here and there, the school wasn’t getting any sort of consistent top talent before Grier came. He’s obviously been able to attract top talent to his schools, going back to his days at Davidson Day, but I’m always impressed with his ability to attract consistent talent. When we look at the 2025 class next week, there will be a few more Chargers to watch. 4. Why so many quarterbacks and receivers? If you look at the top of the rankings, you’ll find a lot of receivers and quarterbacks, but why? I think it’s two reasons, one general and one more specific to this particular class. First, skill position players find the field earlier than other players. We’ve been watching a lot of these receivers, running backs and quarterbacks put up statistics and film for over two years. Take a quick look at MaxPreps on any given year and you’ll find a few dozen skill players putting up meaningful numbers as freshmen. You might find two or three linemen or defensive backs in the state doing the same. Basically, it’s easier to find receivers and quarterbacks than other positions in the early stages of scouting, especially when a lot of the initial scouting is done remotely. Second, these quarterback and receiver classes are simply stacked, especially at the top. The receivers have the offers. In addition to the guys mentioned above,  Micah Gilbert Micah Gilbert 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Charlotte Christian | 2024 State NC , Keenan Jackson Keenan Jackson 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Weddington | 2024 State NC , Alex Taylor Alex Taylor 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Grimsley | 2024 State NC , and  Terrell Anderson Terrell Anderson 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Grimsley | 2024 State NC  all have big-time offers. There’s a host of guys behind them with FBS potential as well. As for the quarterbacks, we’re just really impressed with this group. Several of the top guys have been on our radar for a while and have kept us updated with offseason workouts and throwing sessions. After seeing some guys throw in person, we moved several way up. Johnathan Montague Jr., Mason Fortune Mason Fortune 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Millbrook | 2024 State NC , and  Tanner Ballou Tanner Ballou 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Northeast Guilford | 2024 State NC  all flew up my personal board after throwing at our PRZ Showcase. Ed watched Joshua Anderson throw and came away very impressed. We have FBS grades on all of those guys. Watch out for  Carter Revelle Carter Revelle 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Eastern Randolph | 2024 State NC  as well. Lastly, the guy with maybe the highest upside in the group behind Davis is  Elijah Tillery Elijah Tillery 6'6" | 185 lbs | QB Draughn | 2024 State NC . He has elite size and a lively arm. He’s still putting everything together, but I come away more and more impressed every time I see him throw. The race to the end will be very interesting. 5. Candidates for a Rankings Bump While we have a good amount of confidence in each rankings update we post, we’re always looking for candidates to move up the next time. Usually, it’s guys we’ve seen improving that haven’t quite hit the next tier. It may be a guy who is working on speed that we notice could hit that next level in the coming months or a guy who’s size has previously held him back. When those traits improve, we take notice and move guys up our rankings (sometimes even moving them up from a D2 to FCS prospect or FCS to FBS). I’ve got a few guys in mind that may be in line for a rankings bump at the end of the summer.  Aidan Pounds Aidan Pounds 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Rolesville | 2024 State NC , Brandon Williams Brandon Williams 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Wake Forest | 2024 State NC  and  Ryan Ziegler Ryan Ziegler 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Cardinal Gibbons | 2024 State NC  all have the size at linebacker. Whether it’s speed, production or something else, all three have shown growth and could take that next step in the near future. Deric Dandy has the frame to add weight. When he does, assuming he maintains speed, he’s a prime candidate for a jump. The same could be said for  Jurnee Lattimore Jurnee Lattimore 5'10" | 145 lbs | DB North Gaston | 2024 State NC , Ziquel Adams Ziquel Adams 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Mooresville | 2024 State NC , Izay Bridges Izay Bridges 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Shelby | 2024 State NC and  Eagan Boyer Eagan Boyer 6'8" | 240 lbs | OL Hough | 2024 State NC . Lastly,  Brady Hibbard Brady Hibbard 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Forest Hills | 2024 State NC  is entering his first full year at a new school, he’s got the physical traits, I think the film will take another step forward this year.