The ESPN High School Football showcase provided a great platform to see some of tomorrow's college football stars.
Often, the focus lands on the upperclassmen. While many ESPN 300 and ESPN Junior 300 prospects had most of the attention, some underclassmen impressed on the field and showed signs of taking their places atop future ESPN 300 rankings.
Below are five players we saw this fall from the 2023 class you need to know.
QB Arch Manning
Isidore Newman School (Louisiana)
Manning was ranked as one of the top 10 prospects regardless of class prior to the 2020 season. Seeing him this fall only solidified the feeling that he is an elite prospect.
Being the grandson of Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli helps to create buzz, but Arch Manning is displaying the ability to create his own legacy.
He possesses a quick release and throws a pretty deep ball, but what separates him from his famous QB family is his dynamic potential. Arch, Cooper Manning's son, can extend plays with his legs and be a threat to run. His numbers backed that up when he faced Booker T. Washington in mid-October, completing 75% of his passes for nearly 250 yards while accounting for three touchdowns -- one through the air and two rushing.
What wasn't in the stat box was his poise. Whether in the pocket or in an interview, he is in control and mature for his age. He's not rattled by opposing defenses or the tough questions regarding his family's legacy.
Manning will surely be among the most sought-after quarterback prospects in the ESPN 300 era.
DL Peter Woods
Thompson High School (Alabama)
Woods didn't need much time to make an impression. Unfortunately, a leg injury cut his night short against Hewitt-Trussville, but in just a few snaps in the first quarter, he made an impact. He is an explosive and powerful player capable of being disruptive, and that's exactly what he was, even if for a limited time.
Coach Mark Freeman praised the sophomore's motor and focus and already identified him as one of the leaders on defense. On the road to recovery, Woods is already establishing himself as one of the premier prospects in the 2023 class.
DE Malik Bryant
IMG Academy (Florida)
IMG has FBS talent all over its roster, so for a sophomore to stand out speaks volumes. In seeing this team in action twice this fall, I watched Bryant do just that.
The talented underclassman led IMG this season in tackles for loss and sacks, and his success should not come as a real surprise, as he's a lengthy, explosive edge defender with a quick first step and excellent range.
Possessing raw talent, Bryant continues to develop as a player benefitting from going against current ESPN 300 five-star offensive tackle J.C. Latham daily in practice.
In the past, rush ends like Bryant have placed high in the player rankings. With still two more seasons to develop, he has a chance to be one of the top and most disruptive defenders in the 2023 class.
RB Mark Fletcher
American Heritage High School (Florida)
This program has produced multiple ESPN 300 prospects, and that list looks like it will continue to grow with Fletcher. Already a key contributor on offense, he's a prospect with a nice blend of size and strength.
A big back at roughly 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Fletcher can be a lead back-type runner. He is also agile with good speed and ball skills that can allow him to be a versatile, big-play weapon.
Forced to shoulder a good deal of the offensive load as the Patriots battled through quarterback injuries and struggles, the young running back responded with over 1,000 yards on the season and averaged 7 yards per carry.
CB Cole Martin
Hamilton High School (Arizona)
Martin, the son of University of Colorado cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin, is a heady player who, according to his high school coach, Michael Zdebski, knows defenses like the back of his hand.
At roughly 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Martin lacks ideal measurables at this stage, but he is a vocal and confident leader. He is also a quick-footed player with excellent speed, and he has shown not only that he can be a fine cornerback, but also that he has big-play ability as a returner on special teams.
That played a key role in a big 13-7 victory over state power Saguaro, as two of his punt returns helped Hamilton win the field-position battle and eventually led to points.
With continued growth, he will be among the top cornerback prospects in the 2023 class.