The COVID-19 pandemic has made this fall more unique when it comes to ranking college football prospects. While some players have had their seasons limited because of school or state policies, others have been able to take the field for a complete junior season.
Between games that have been played and camp circuit evaluations over the summer, our staff has continued to scout impactful prospects from our first ESPN Jr. 300 release in July and discover more breakout prospects who have entered the rankings.
We list breakout performers, players who rose significantly up the rankings and more who made their ESPN Jr. 300 debuts.
Breakout performers
S Kamari Wilson
IMG Academy (Florida)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 33
Heading into IMG Academy's appearance in the 2020 GEICO ESPN High School Showcase earlier this fall, head coach Bobby Acosta said he felt Wilson had "Ed Reed-type ability." While very high praise, it's easy to see why Acosta feels that way. Wilson is a physical, intense defender with explosive ability to close. He has a nice blend of size and speed, and he has demonstrated the tools to be a well-rounded playmaker.
QB Gunner Stockton
Rabun County High School (Georgia)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 41
A two-sport athlete, Stockton is not only showing he can make plays with his arm, but also can be productive as a runner. He possesses a quick release and a strong arm, and the South Carolina commit already has thrown more than 100 career touchdown passes. But Stockton also impressed when he ran for more than 150 yards and totaled three touchdowns on an ESPN broadcast earlier this fall. Between his production as a passer and his ability to extend plays on the ground, Stockton has become one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
CB JaDarian Rhym
Valdosta High School (Georgia)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 129
A corner with desired length, good feet and talented ball skills, Rhym is a playmaker in coverage. This fall, he also showed a more versatile skill set, which is what has him ascending further up the Jr. 300 rankings. At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Rhym is not afraid to throw his size around, demonstrating he can be a fearless presence in defending the run.
DT Paul Hutson III
IMG Academy (Florida)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 298
On a team loaded with FBS prospects, it can be easy to get nudged out of the spotlight, but in two nationally televised games, Hutson was tough to overlook. A wide body who has a good initial burst, he blends high effort with active hands and an ability to play with leverage and disruption in the trenches. Several ESPN Jr. 300 prospects play for IMG Academy, and that list grows with Hutson.
Big movers
DE Gabe Brownlow-Dindy
Lakeland High School (Florida)
New ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 7
Previous ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 42
An explosive, powerful big man, Brownlow-Dindy possesses the tools to be an impact defender early in college. His elevation to a five-star started over the summer when he posted NFL-type numbers at the Elite Underclassmen camp, which included a 4.83 laser-timed 40-yard dash at nearly 280 pounds. While he can continue to develop technically in areas, on film this fall, he's dominating with a quick first step, as well as excellent strength and closing ability.
CB Denver Harris
North Shore High School (Texas)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 24
Previous ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 46
Harris possesses the blend of size and strength that elite corners are made of. Outside of his measurables, he is proving with his play on the field that he is among the top cornerbacks in the 2022 class. He demonstrated a leap in his confidence and savvy as a defensive back this season, and he has turned into a playmaker for an undefeated North Shore squad. Harris made a significant move into the top 25.
OLB Harold Perkins
Cypress Park (Texas)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 28
Previous ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 147
Perkins began laying the foundation for his big rise over the summer. A standout at the Oklahoma Elite Underclassmen Camp, he posted impressive numbers, including a 4.49 40-yard dash. His jump up the Jr. 300 rankings goes beyond his testing numbers though, as he has shown strides in his development as a linebacker. He blends great athleticism with a punishing style of downhill play, and he is worthy of a jump into the top 30.
New entries into the Jr. 300
ATH Kendrick Law
Captain Shreve High School (Louisiana)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 113
Law enters the Jr. 300 with a versatile skill set that could land him on either side of the ball at the next level. The 5-11, 185-pounder lines up at receiver, takes handoffs at RB, plays in the secondary and is a threat in the return game for Captain Shreve High. He has received offers from several big schools, including LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame, Auburn, Texas and Florida State.
OT Ty Chan
Lawrence Academy (Massachusetts)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 154
Chan is a big man emerging out of the Northeast. A prospect with a nice frame to develop, he has demonstrated good flexibility and agility for a lineman at his size. A lack of opportunities to play this fall may keep him a bit under the radar, but with a strong camp performance this past summer, as well as his film, he has a lot of upside.
WR Nicholas Anderson
Katy High School (Texas)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 161
The younger brother of former Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson isn't going to wow with stats playing at run-based Katy High, but he's proving to be one of the best all-around wide receiver prospects in the class with his combination of size, quickness, physical blocking in the running game and strong and sure hands. Miami, Arizona State and Houston have offered since the start of the season, and many more will follow.
QB Conner Weigman
Bridgeland High School (Texas)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 178
Weigman is a 6-1, 195-pound budding two-sport star in the Houston area. He has been lights out this season with over 2,000 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as nearly 500 yards rushing through seven games. Offers are pouring in, with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Missouri and Colorado offering since the beginning of the season. Weigman is also on the MLB draft radar for June 2022, and he has many SEC and Big 12 offers on the diamond as well.
OT Blake Miller
Strongsville High School (Ohio)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 227
The 6-6, 315-pound lineman became the latest prospect from the state of Ohio to commit to Clemson in late October. Not only does Miller have the combination of flexibility and agility college coaches covet, but he does so with an ultra-impressive 83-inch wingspan, which hints of even more growth.
WR Matthew Golden
Klein Cain High School (Texas)
ESPN Jr. 300 ranking: 268
It's difficult to receive headlines at Klein Cain with ESPN Jr. 300 running back Jaydon Blue being one of the most heavily recruited skill players in the 2022 class. Golden was a known commodity heading into the 2020 season, but he's elevating his stock weekly thanks to his gifted route-running abilities and the big plays he has made in the passing game, totaling over 600 yards so far.