The next Sauce Gardner? Top 2023 college football recruits who remind us of current stars

The next wave of college football recruits always creates excitement among fan bases, and a great tool to help introduce future stars of Saturday is to compare them to some of today's top players.

Whether it's measurables, style, tenacity or simple body movements, there can be a multitude of reasons why comparisons between players are made. We often make these assessments to give readers an idea of what prospects might look like at the next level with a hint of their early impact.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the top prospects in the 2023 ESPN 300 and the recognizable college players to whom they compare.

QB Malachi Nelson
Committed to: USC
ESPN 300 rank: No. 2
Player comparison: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Much of this comparison is made because of two areas: physical stature and delivery mechanics. Ridder looked almost exactly like Nelson does now with his tall and thin frame. They are "loose" passers, meaning they have whip-like, fluid deliveries that make some throws look effortless. Sometimes it's as if they are just flicking their wrist. While at times this can lead to wasted motion, the ball comes out fast and finishes to the target. Ridder might be slightly more mobile than Nelson as a true runner, but the younger passer can hold his own when things break down and he must make plays on the move with his feet.

CB Cormani McClain
Considering: Alabama, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, others
ESPN 300 rank: No. 3
Player comparison: Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati 

Length, length and more length. Coming out of high school, Gardner was a rail-thin 6-foot-2, 159 pounds, and right now, McClain is 6-2, 165. Gardner proved he could develop into a shutdown, close-off-one-side-of-the-field press man corner during his career, and we feel McClain will do the same -- only sooner. Both players' arm length and wingspan can close a lot of tight windows. What truly makes them stand out, though, are the explosiveness and hips for two players who are so tall. Oftentimes, 6-1 players are high cut with long legs, which can lead to stiffness and impede their ability to transition, turn and run, but we don't see much of that with these two.

OT Francis Mauigoa
Considering: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Miami, Oregon, USC
ESPN 300 rank: No. 5
Player comparison: JC Latham, Alabama

We can stay within the IMG Academy family here, as the latest five-star offensive lineman out of that program compares favorably to a previous top prospect out of Bradenton, Florida. Both big men had their sights set on defensive line greatness to start high school but made the move to O-line, and with great results. Few 300-pound offensive tackle prospects are as physically impressive as the current Alabama lineman, but Mauigoa, who is about 20 pounds heavier, carries his weight just as well. More than big bodies, both are agile, posting shuttle times in the 4.5-second range. The newest IMG five-star possesses more upside and physical tools at this stage.

DT Peter Woods
Considering: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Oregon
ESPN 300 rank: No. 9
Player comparison: Tyler Davis, Clemson

Woods (6-3, 275) is not among the biggest prospects in this defensive line class, but much like 2019 ESPN 300 DT Davis (6-2, 300), if judged solely on size, he will make opponents pay. Davis, the current Clemson standout, impressed as a senior in the Under Armour All-America game and made an immediate impact for the Tigers as a freshman. He has battled injuries, but when healthy, he is an explosive player who can disrupt, as well as win the leverage battle anchoring against the run. Woods is even lighter at this point, but he wins with explosive lower force and is the handful Davis has proved to be. One could argue Woods has the tools to be even more problematic for offenses. Quick off the ball and powerful much in the way Davis is, Woods is better with his hands at this stage and very difficult to contain one-on-one.

WR Zachariah Branch
Committed to: USC
ESPN 300 rank: No. 12
Player comparison: Wan'Dale Robinson, Kentucky (formerly Nebraska, 2019)

It can be tough to find a true comparison to Branch with his pure top-end speed being elite for any level. On top of that, the wide receiver position has gotten so big and physical that there aren't that many 5-9 or 5-10 players with top-tier skill sets that can match Branch. However, witnessing how electric Robinson was in the 2022 Citrus Bowl brings to light how effective a smaller-stature receiver can be. Both of these players are lethal in space -- speedy, sudden, explosive -- you name it, they fit it! Obviously, height can be somewhat limiting for guys such as Robinson and Branch on the outside, but if used properly, these two can be dynamic ball handlers out of the slot with the ball in the open field.

ATH Nyckoles Harbor
Considering: Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, USC
ESPN 300 rank: No. 24
Player comparison: Nolan Smith, Georgia

Harbor can be a little tough to compare, as he is one of the true enigmas of this class. He has elite speed, having posted a blazing 10.28-second 100-meter time. At 6-4, 230 pounds, his combination of speed and size separates him from even the most elite prospects. He contributes on both sides of the ball and is developing into a disruptive edge defender, having elicited thoughts of 2019 five-star Smith, who ranked No. 2 overall in part because of his outstanding blend of size, mobility and pursuit speed. A key contributor to a Georgia defense that made history during the recent NFL draft, Smith is returning to the Bulldogs and will be a top draft target next spring. While few are as fast as Harbor on the track, Smith possesses excellent chase speed and wreaks havoc off the edge. Harbor's prowess in spikes could lead him away from football, but if he remains in the sport, we see a disruptive presence like Smith.

TE-H Duce Robinson
Considering: Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgia, USC, others 
ESPN 300 rank: No. 44
Player comparison: Michael Trigg, Ole Miss (formerly USC, 2021)

It can be tough to find a fair comparison for Robinson at the next level because he's basically a jumbo wide receiver who is going to eventually grow into a movement H-back. Robinson may be slightly taller than Trigg, but we felt this was a good comparison because Trigg had essentially the same build coming out of high school. While both players possess the physicality to play outside and win jump balls, they aren't true speed threats and their height and growth potential projects them on the inside. Robinson got a slight head start in the weight category over Trigg at this same stage, which could help him transition quicker, especially as an in-line blocker.

RB Justice Haynes
Considering: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, USC others
ESPN 300 rank: No. 48
Player comp: Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

The term "scatback" would accurately be used to describe these two runners. What they might lack in ideal size (Haynes is 5-10, 185 pounds), they make up for with ball skills, vision, zone-blocking instincts and the ability to pull away from defenders in the open field. Smith was a WR/slot coming out of high school and has transitioned into a utility weapon. Haynes has gotten a little bit bigger in the past year and could likely hold up a bit more as an inside runner. These guys are "darters," meaning they can hop, skip, stall and jump-cut in tight spaces to avoid tackles while protecting their frames.

TE Luke Hasz
Committed to: Arkansas
ESPN 300 rank: No. 64
Player comparison: James Mitchell, Virginia Tech

Neither of these productive pass-catchers are towering targets with pure tight end measurables heading into their final year of high school, but both have good height (both are 6-3), arm length and a knack for making big plays as receiving targets. A recent draft selection of the Detroit Lions, Mitchell demonstrated soft hands, speed and the ability to adjust to make tough catches at Tech. Hasz is a similar player, though a bit further along, and a stronger blocker as well. The Arkansas commit is a sure-handed receiver with great body control who will win contested matchups and provide similar versatility in in-line alignment or flexed. Both are polished route runners who will accelerate past linebackers and attack the leverage of smaller defensive backs

DE Collins Acheampong
Considering: Miami, Michigan, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington
ESPN 300 Rank: No. 165
Player comparison: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

The scope of this piece is to make comparisons to current college players, but Acheampong is unique, so we're breaking the rules here. Clowney was already established as an elite prospect and rated No. 1 heading into his senior year, so this might seem like a bit of a stretch. In many ways, though, this also seems like a natural fit. The total body of work for Acheampong is noticeably less at this stage, but physically, there are strong similarities. Both are towering, lengthy edge defenders with nearly identical reach and hand sizes. Beyond the size, the 6-7, 235-pound Acheampong blends equally impressive speed and agility, posting a similar L-drill (7.33) time this spring to Clowney's at the NFL combine (7.27). Having not played since his freshman season, Acheampong is less refined and will need considerably more development time than did Clowney, who was a quick contributor for South Carolina. However, he has equally exciting promise and ability.