This edition of the premium prospect board focuses on late bloomers. These are players who have a higher ceiling for development and will be producing at a higher level 3-4 years from now. Essentially, these prospects might not be as heralded as others but could become first-day selections in future NFL drafts.
Criteria for prospects are based on:
Prospects with projectable frame and overall measurables
Raw skill-set we feel will be molded with college coaching
Prospects with limited experience or those who will have to transition to a new position
Players who will adjust favorable to the college game or schemes
Top 10 late-bloomers
1. DE Terrell Hall
ESPN 300 Rank: 167
Undeclared
Breakdown: Physically, this prospect looks as good as any defensive end. Hall has bulked up considerably, while gaining valuable strength and explosiveness. He is still somewhat raw but he has put it all together this fall and should continue to maximize his talents in college. He plays like a quicker twitch version of Jackson Jeffcoat at this stage. Hall visited Alabama over the weekend, and the Crimson Tide are considered the favorite for the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder over Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Maryland and others.
2. DE Tomon Fox
ESPN Rank: Three-star
Committed: North Carolina
Breakdown: Junior evaluation stated: "Fox is a prospect that needs to continue to develop his frame, but with continued growth and consistency flashes ability to be a good, productive football player." Well, Fox expedited that area of improvement this offseason and looks like a man amongst boys as a senior. He is not only holding his point versus the double-team but also splitting, showing both improved strength and quickness in the trenches. The frame upside is still there for future development in Chapel Hill. The key for North Carolina will be holding onto Fox as he continues to look at other schools with his commitment being less than solid.
3. CB Andraez Williams
ESPN rank: Four-star
Committed: LSU
Breakdown: Williams is looking like an ESPN 300 candidate this fall as he has filled out his frame and evolved into a major physical presence on the perimeter. He has explosive closing speed and zone and his added strength is more evident as a press corner as well. Williams has the size LSU covets, and has produced in recent years. The scary part is, Williams is still lean and should prosper as he hits a college weight training program and be a much better player 3-4 years from now.
4. ATH Aaron Hansford
ESPN 300 Rank: 270
Undeclared
Breakdown: Hansford has been a jack-of-all-trades player, serving in a variety of roles on both sides of the ball as a WR, H-back, tailback, linebacker, safety and even rush end. Hansford is best tailored for the defensive side of the ball. He might actually be a better athlete than football player at this stage likely as a result of not yet settling in at one position where he can hone and refine a specific skillset. The speed, size and measurables are all in place, he just needs to land at one spot and develop in that role. Hansford has made official visits to Michigan State and Notre Dame with Florida, Oregon and UCLA expected to receive official visits. Hometown Maryland is definitely in the mix, along with Penn State and Ohio State.
5. OT Robert Kraeling
ESPN 300 Rank: 285
Committed: Duke
Breakdown: This Duke commit has added considerable bulk and strength, but at 6-foot-7 and 260-pounds, there is room for continued physical development at the college level. Kraeling has shown flashes of dominance with more bend and improved leverage as a drive-blocker, but he will still need some time to in the weight room and work as a pass-protector on the field before we see a finished product in 3-4 years.
6. DE Nick Coe
ESPN Rank: Three-star
Undeclared
Breakdown: Coe is coming into his own as a senior but his ceiling is through the roof. His lower-half has become more powerful and he his growing into his impressive frame. He's a heralded wrestler and that agility is present. Off junior film we thought his "parts outweighed the sum" but the total package is starting to present itself and should only continue to improve once this long-limbed player focuses on weight-training at the college level. Auburn, North Carolina Virginia Tech and Florida State are the teams battling it out for Coe.
7. QB-DT Zerrick Cooper
ESPN 300 rank: 217
Committed: Clemson
Breakdown: This Clemson commit is the perfect fit for the offense, but also must develop physically. He has great measurables and a long, lanky frame that will continue to get bigger and fill out in time. Cooper missed his junior season with an injury which has hampered his development and a strong senior season is very important for this signal-caller. Clemson will need to take some time refining him technically, but the tools are all in place both as a passer and athlete.
8. WR Velus Jones
ESPN Rank: Four-star
Committed: USC
Breakdown: If he was bigger he would likely be seeing more significant attention considering a USC commitment from the state of Alabama isn't something you see every day. Speed is his greatest asset and he will likely develop early as a return specialist and then slot receiver. He is a raw, sandlot-type player that is very competitive. Jones will head to college having caught passes from a "Power 5" level quarterback. He is teammates with 2018 budding star Jack West, who has offers from Alabama and Auburn among others.
9. ATH Dylan Thomas
ESPN Rank: Three-star
Committed: TCU
Breakdown: In typical TCU fashion the Horned Frogs go find athletes with multiple skillsets. Time and time again the focus is on an athlete who can run that is playing QB and defense, which is what Thomas does at the high school level. He has feet, hips and ball skills, which all lend to him landing on defense for Gary Patterson, but he also stars on offense in a variety of roles. This type of player usually takes a season or two of developing at one position before seeing the field early for TCU, which ideally would require a redshirt year in a perfect world. For TCU, fending off Texas, Oklahoma and others will be required as schools are beginning to make a push this season.
10. QB Dillon Sterling-Cole
ESPN 300 rank: 199
Committed: Arizona State
Breakdown: He has the one physical trait that can't be coached -- a great release. The ball jumps off his hand. However, for all his physical gifts, he must continue to become a quarterback, not just a thrower. From a maturity standpoint and knowledge of the game he is still in the infant stages. Leadership, attention to detail and becoming a student of the game are all areas that should require a redshirt year for this Arizona State commit. With Brady White in front of him in Tempe, Sterling-Cole should be able to develop at a normal rate without being thrust into early duty.