Our latest ESPN 300 update puts a major emphasis on senior film evaluation and fall production. There was significant movement among the quarterbacks, and two defensive line recruits fell out of five-star level.
Moving up the QB rankings
While K.J. Costello remains the top-ranked pocket-passer, most notably due to athleticism, Jacob Eason has had a terrific senior campaign off of what was a less-than-stellar summer. The more you watch on tape, the more you realize that Eason fits into that group of guys who is just a gamer when the lights come on. His measurables have always been present and so has his arm talent, but we feel he is continuing to progress in pre-snap and post-snap diagnosis to manufacture a positive outcome. Given the current situation at Georgia, this Bulldogs commit better come in prepared, since he could be counted on to compete for the job right away.
Michigan's QB of the future
Brandon Peters is completing close to 65 percent of his passes and isn't in a dink-and-dunk offense. He has far exceeded his junior season production, as well. Peters has been smart with the football and is continuing to grow as a ball-handler and decision-maker, only throwing four interceptions so far this season. His footwork and consistent accuracy have improved since the summer. Peters isn't a rah-rah guy, but more of a quiet, workmanlike leader that lets his play do the talking.
Baylor has a gem
Zach Smith fits the mold of a Seth Russell as an under-the-radar prospect. He is a big, strong-armed player that can drive the ball vertically. The best part about Smith is that he won't be forced to play right away and has a high ceiling for development given his raw skillset and natural arm talent.
Davis knows football
WR Drake Davis enters the ESPN 300 largely on the strength of his big-play ability. The multi-sport athlete had only limited experience coming into this season and didn't play football as a junior. In his short time at IMG Academy, he has displayed impressive playmaking ability. With a background in soccer, the now top-10 receiver has a nice combination of size, speed and athleticism that can be extremely tough to contain. Davis contributes on both offense and special teams and has managed to score five different ways. This is an impressive athlete that is flashing difference-making ability; he should only improve as he gains more experience.
LB on the move
Linebacker Keandre Jones has shown dramatic improvements. Jones is bigger and far more explosive than he was a year ago. His physicality also has greatly increased to a level where he is creating havoc and fear for opposing running backs on a consistent basis. He has become a stouter defender without sacrificing any athleticism.
Hall develops nicely
DE Terrell Hall has turned some areas for improvement into strengths. He has an excellent frame and added good mass and further filled out. He still possesses good first-step quickness and can be disruptive, but with improved size and strength, he is tougher at the point of attack. He still needs to be more consistent with his hands and must get off blocks quicker at times, but he is becoming well-rounded and growing more difficult to handle one-on-one.
Out of five-star status
Two prospects have fallen out of five-star status. Defensive linemen Shane Simmons and Shavar Manuel remain among the top 25 nationally but are now four-stars. Ability and promise still very much remain for both, but the consistent maximization of that ability needs to improve.
Simmons is a prospect with a rangy frame to develop and possesses the athleticism to not only be disruptive, but he also is a versatile front-seven defender. He can be a productive edge-rusher, and that is his strength, but he needs to continue to fill out and improve as a run defender to become more well-rounded. With his range and athleticism, he should be a more consistent presence from sideline-to-sideline.
Manuel made two moves, changing spots in the ESPN 300 and switching positions to defensive tackle. The position change was a natural move, as he has packed on considerable size to a frame that is now about 300 pounds. He is an explosive big man who can create problems as easily inside as he used to do on the edge. Manuel has been banged up over the year and has played inconsistently.
Notable ESPN 300 entries
WR Ahmmon Richards: Richards has added strength as a senior and still has room to maximize his 6-foot-2, long-armed frame. In person, Richards' smooth route-running and ability to eat up cushion were impressive for the senior. The former Miami commit plans to officially visit Auburn and Alabama before making a final decision.
CB Charles Oliver: Oliver, a small-school player from the Lone Star State, flew under the radar during his junior season. The Texas A&M commitment's entire skill set is on display this season while playing running back and defensive back and returning kicks. He has a frame and playing style similar to former Texas standout and NFL corner Aaron Ross.
OLB Curtis Robinson: The Stanford commitment continues to show his versatility in coverage and edge quickness, while slowly adding strength to his 6-foot-3 frame. Robinson has been a playmaker behind the line of scrimmage this season.
CB Andraez Williams: The LSU verbal is one of the Pelican State's most improved players as a senior. Not only is the long-armed cornerback prospect a playmaker in the secondary, but he also is one of the top return men in the country, with over 600 yards in kickoff and punt returns thus far in 2015.
ILB Carter Coughlin: Coughlin first impressed while testing very well at The Opening Regional Chicago last spring. On the field, the elite athleticism is showing for the Minnesota commitment as a senior in a variety of ways.
DE Brian Burns: Burns made nice physical gains in the spring to become one of the most heavily recruited defensive ends in the Southeast. As a senior, the added strength has shown up, along with the retention of the edge quickness that makes him coveted by Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Florida and a host of other schools. Burns has 10 sacks through seven games, as he spends much of his Friday nights in the backfield as a disruptive force off the edge.
DE Tomon Fox: The North Carolina commitment has gained more than 20 pounds since his junior season, and the hard work has paid off with added strength and mass on his frame, all while retaining the quickness he played with as a 210-pound junior. The Tar Heels will have to fight to keep Fox committed.
OLB Camilo Eifler: The Washington verbal has been one of the top senior risers on the West Coast with a blend of size, strength and sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. He plays for former Washington standout and NFL running back Napoleon Kaufman at Bishop O'Dowd in Oakland, California.
OT Kellen Diesch: The former Arkansas commitment has gone from a 245-pound offensive tackle prospect with upside to a 275-pound, nationally recruited prospect as a senior. Texas A&M, Tennessee and Texas are among those that would love to sign the Dallas/Fort Worth prospect.
WR Theo Howard: The former Oregon commitment is again one of the most productive receivers in the state of California in this class. Howard, who is considering USC, UCLA and Texas A&M with a decision expected in the next few weeks, is closing in on 2,000 receiving yards over the last two seasons.
OT Josh Ball: The 6-foot-8 offensive tackle continues to grow into his massive frame and develop his quickness on his feet. The Florida State verbal has been dominant at guard as a senior.