2024 Geico ESPN High School Football Kickoff: Top players to

• Craig Haubert, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterAug 22, 2024, 08:20 AM ET Close National hiring expert and analyst for ESPNU More than a decade of college and pro training experience.
  • Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha

Few things beat a Friday night lights environment, and high school football stadiums throughout the country are just days from buzzing with excitement when again for the start of the 2024 season.The ESPN High School Football Kickoff, which airs Thursday through Sunday on ESPN and ESPN2, enables fans to see some of the country’s leading prospects and an early preview of the future of college football.Over the course of those 4 days, ESPN’s networks will air 5 games that feature 2 dozen recruits ranked in the 2025 ESPN 300 or 2026 ESPN Junior 300. Nearly 30 power conference programs will be represented with at least one dedicated prospect. Here are a few of the many talented players to watch on. Thursday: Grayson(Georgia)at Thompson(Alabama), 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Grayson DE

Andre Fuller, 2025 Three-star|Georgia Tech devote The Yellow Jackets are

using in-state talent to build a potential top-25 recruiting class. Fuller, their top protective line commit, is an excellent, efficient player. He posts strong testing numbers however appears to move better on film, and he is difficult handling blocks due to the fact that of his capability to have fun with take advantage of and his active hands. Fuller notched eight sacks and was among the leading tacklers as a junior for an 11-win Grayson group. With much better natural size, the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder could make a case for the ESPN 300. Regardless, Fuller could wind up being a take for Georgia Tech.Thompson DE Jared Smith, 2025 ESPN 300 No. 28|Auburn dedicate Thompson has produced touted protective prospects recently, consisting of young Clemson take on standout Peter Woods in 2023. Smith is amongst the school’s next big-time potential customers. He does not appear rather as prepared to contribute as Woods was at this stage, but his advantage is enormous. Smith is a 6-foot-6 edge protector with elite length and a wingspan of more than 80 inches. He’s explosive with exceptional variety and a high ceiling for development as a pass rush as he turns into his frame and better uses his length. Smith moved to Thompson in 2023 and as a result missed out on some game time. Now, with a complete offseason at his brand-new school, he seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential.Underclass spotlight Grayson OLB Tyler Atkinson; 2026 ESPN Junior 300 No. 11|Undeclared History has revealed Atkinson will be all over the field. He is among the premier potential customers in the 2026 class as a versatile hybrid who affects games in several methods, whether hurrying the passer or dropping back and playing in area. He published game-like numbers in 2023, when he was

credited with nearly 200 takes on, 25 takes on for loss and 10.5 sacks. He’s a bit shy of ideal height and length, but his aggressiveness and competitiveness set a high bar entering his junior season. Elite programs are coveting his mix of physical tools and production, with Georgia, Clemson and Auburn all in play.Other significant prospects Grayson: 2025 OT Nicolai Brooks (ESPN 300 No. 129); 2026 LB Anthony Davis Jr.(ESPN Junior 300 No. 257 )Thompson: 2025 S Anquon Fegans( ESPN 300 No. 36/Auburn dedicate); 2025 DT Nikolas Alston(three-star/Tulane devote), 2027 QB Trent Seaborn Friday: Milton (Georgia )at American Heritage( Florida)7 p.m. ET, ESPN Milton’s C.J. Wiley, a Florida State devote, was a riser in

the rankings this offseason. Milton High School Milton WR C.J. Wiley, 2025 ESPN 300 No. 174|Florida State dedicate A riser in the rankings this offseason, Wiley impressed throughout an in-person examination this spring with

an MVP performance at the Under Armour Charlotte camp. A huge target at over 6-foot-4, he assisted Milton win a state title as a junior

with more than 1,400 receiving backyards. Wiley delved into the ESPN 300 after showing he’s more than simply a big body. He has a great mix of size and speed; he has actually published 100-meter times under 11 seconds and has actually been recorded running more than 20 miles per hour in games. If Wiley can continue to build upon his junior statistics and strong offseason, he may not be done increasing in the rankings.American Heritage RB Byron Louis, 2025 ESPN 300 No. 182|Undeclared Sony Michel (2014), Khalil Herbert(2016)and Mark Fletcher( 2023)are all outstanding American Heritage products from the last decade. Louis is their next back to know. The 200-pounder has been taped at more than 21 miles per hour on movie, produces within the takes on and generates big plays in space. He

ran for 1,000 backyards as a junior and will likely be leaned on to bring the load once again

this year. Louis has the tools to do it. He’s likewise a reliable receiver out of the backfield, even if American Heritage hasn’t asked him to fill that role much considering its excess of receiver skill. In-state Miami and Florida State are amongst the programs to expect among the highest-rated uncommitted backs.Underclass spotlight American Heritage QB Dia Bell, 2026 ESPN Junior 300 No. 8|Texas dedicate The Patriots have actually produced some elite college talent, however Bell is their most skilled and highly touted quarterback in the ESPN 300 era. A rangy passer with good height and length, Bell has a smooth release and can be accurate. He completed 65 %of his passes and tossed for more than 1,900 backyards as a sophomore. While still submitting his frame, he has good arm strength and tosses a pretty deep ball. The potent passer is likewise a good enough
athlete to make plays on the relocation and is the son of NBA veteran Raja Bell. A Texas devote, Bell could ultimately take the baton from fellow former five-star QB Arch Manning.Other noteworthy potential customers American Heritage: 2025 S Gregory “Zae” Thomas (three-star/Florida State commit), 2026 WR Brandon Bennett(ESPN JR 300 No. 70 ), 2026 WR Malachi Toney(three-star/ Miami devote) Milton: 2025 TE Ethan Barbour (ESPN 300 No. 50/ Georgia ), 2025 TE Ryan Ghea(3 State/Auburn commit ), 2025 QB Luke Nickel(three-star/Miami) Saturday: Bishop Gorman (Nevada )at St. Thomas Aquinas(Florida)4 p.m. ET, ESPN Bishop Gorman WR Derek Meadows, 2025 ESPN 300 No. 187|LSU devote The 6-foot-6 Meadows is among the most interesting potential customers in the ESPN 300.

He’s a high, lengthy target with excellent body control and great speed. Meadows is likewise an exceptional track athlete and has the physical tools to be a big-time playmaker. Meadows hasn’t had a breakout performance yet, logging 21 catches

over the last 2 seasons, however Bishop Gorman is one of the country’s top programs and has fielded a strong run game alongside vibrant playmakers such as WR Zachariah Branch(2023/USC )and versatile TE Elija Lofton(2024/Miami). With numerous

tested entertainers

gone this season, Meadows looks poised to turn his physical tools into essential production.Saint Thomas Aquinas CB Justice Fitzpatrick, 2026 ESPN Junior 300 No. 29|Undeclared Editor’s Picks Fitzpatrick at first leapt onto the radar because he’s the younger sibling of NFL star and 2015 ESPN 300 defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. However Justice is going far for himself entering his junior season. He has a nice blend of size, speed, dexterity and willing physicality, providing all the ingredients for a versatile defensive back. He’s already gaining interest based upon his outstanding physical tools.

Fitzpatrick looks prepared to enter a bigger role
for a national power and continue to develop himself as one of the top protective potential customers

in the class.Underclass spotlight Bishop Gorman ATH Jett Washington, 2026 ESPN Junior 300 No. 17|Undeclared Washington is a nephew of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and a pretty good basketball player in his own right, but he is among the top football prospects in the 2026 class. A lengthy player, Washington contributes on both sides of the ball for Gorman however tasks as a safety in college. He has outstanding range to match his size and can be a sound open-field tackler. With his length, basketball background and great ball skills, he can high-point the ball and make plays in contested matches. We think Washington is good for at least one big play per game given previous in-person evaluations.Other noteworthy potential customers Bishop Gorman: 2025 OG S.J. Alofaituli( ESPN 300 No. 10/Miami commit ), 2025 OT Douglas Utu (ESPN 300 No. 13/Tennessee devote ), 2025 OC Alai Kalaniuvalu(ESPN 300 No. 103/Oregon devote ), 2026 DT James “Tank”Carrington (ESPN JR 300 No. 46), 2026 DE Prince Williams (three-star) Saint Thomas Aquinas: 2025 OT Julian Marks(three-star/Kansas), 2025 S Travares Daniels II (three-star/Maryland dedicate), 2025 Tavius Horne Jr.( three-star/East Carolina devote)Saturday: St. John Bosco(California)at Chaminade-Madonna(Florida ), 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2 St. John Bosco DE Epi Sitanilei, 2025 Four-star|UCLA commit The Braves lost numerous essential defenders to Power 4 programs, however got a great boost by the return of Sitanilei to their beginning defensive line. He requires to continue to submit his frame, which is a great mix of height and length. Sitanilei was an MVP performer amongst defensive linemen at the Los Angeles Under Armour Camp this offseason. He showed good flexibility, explosiveness and the tools to be a disruptive pass rusher. While Sitanilei is listed at protective end, St. John Bosco will deploy him all over the field to produce mismatches and get him loose. Keeping him home was a key in-state

win for UCLA, and Sitanilei could quickly become an impact edge player.Chaminade-Madonna WR Jabari Brady, 2026 ESPN Junior

300 No. 13 |

. Undeclared Last year, the Lions offense featured two elite 2024 wide receivers in potential impact Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith and Miami signee Joshisa “JoJo “Trader. Brady is the next leading receiver to view from this program. He’s not rather as big as Smith, but brings a comparable size and broad catch radius. Brady has excellent hands and body control. He can adapt to make hard catches and be a physical presence. Miami and Ohio State are among the programs across the country showing interest, as are Oregon and Florida. Replacing the lost production from 2024 will be tough for the Lions, but Brady is a terrific location to start.Underclass spotlight Chaminade Madonna RB Derrek Cooper, 2026 ESPN Junior 300 No. 54|Undeclared Cooper is coming off a huge offseason. He won MVP at both the Miami Under Armour Camp in March and at Future 50, which features the leading 2026 potential customers. He’s listed

at running back, however Cooper’s flexibility is a genuine strength. He might be an FBS prospect at corner, but chooses to play running back and shows the tools to excel at that spot. He has a good mix of size and speed at approximately 6-1, 195 pounds and has actually been recorded at almost 21 miles per hour in game play. Cooper has excellent feet and vision as a runner. He’s also a similarly comfortable receiver, whether out of the backfield or divided out wide, and has excellent hands and route-running capability for this phase. Cooper briefly dedicated to Georgia but has considering that reopened his recruitment. While the Lions lost some crucial playmakers, Cooper is one to enjoy as their next crucial offensive weapon.Other noteworthy potential customers Chaminade-Madonna: 2025 CB Chris Ewald(ESPN 300 No. 273/Miami commit), 2025 WR Koby Howard(three-star/Penn State devote), 2025 DT Donta Simpson Jr.(three-star/Miami commit), 2026 WR Denairius Gray (ESPN JR 300 No. 273/Auburn devote)St. John Bosco: 2026 WR Daniel Odom(ESPN JR 300 No. 173), 2026 DE Dutch Horisk(three-star) Sunday: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School,( Georgia) at Baylor School (Tennessee )1 p.m. ET, ESPN Rabun Gap-Nacoochee LB Antoine Deslauriers, 2025 Three-star|Syracuse devote Deslauriers is one of several worldwide potential customers in this matchup. A hulking figure at linebacker, the Syracuse devote more than simply looks the part. He uses his strength to punish ball carriers. Deslauriers is an instinctive protector who quickly closes and provides punishing hits. He’s at his best attacking downhill, but can be an active existence and set the tone versus the run as well.Baylor School WR Joakim Dodson, 2025 Three-star|Tennessee commit The Vols are dealing with a top-10 recruiting class and Dodson, an in-state

pickup lower down in the rankings, might end up being a take. He does not have elite top-end speed, but moves efficiently and has good quickness to develop separation as a route-runner and be slippery after the catch. He led Collierville High School as a junior in receptions( 49) and touchdowns (7)

while also throwing and running for a rating. This weekend provides a huge stage for the Tennessee commit. He can create huge plays with just a couple of touches and is somebody to keep an eye on.Underclassman spotlight Baylor School RB David Gabriel Georges,

2027 Undeclared For numerous, this
will likely be an introduction to Georges,

who comes from Canada however moved to the Baylor School to play football. Touches may be limited considering he joins a backfield that currently has high three-star Shekai Mills-Knight. However it may be difficult to keep Georges on the sideline based upon his movie. He’s a young possibility with a good frame and outstanding vision for a running back at this stage. He’s a smooth runner who can slash through defenses and make use of joints.

He will likewise contribute on defense and unique teams. Despite just entering his sophomore season and coming from outside the country, he’s already gathering attention with reported deals from Ohio State, Oregon and Ole Miss.Other noteworthy prospects Rabun Gap-Nacoochee: 2025 OL Justin Hasenhuetl(ESPN 300 No. 220/Georgia Tech devote ), TE Marshall Pritchett (three-star/North Carolina devote ), DT Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala(three-star/Wake Forest devote) Baylor School: 2025 ATH Cameron Triggers (ESPN 300 No. 108), 2025 OG Jimmy Bryson(three-star/Georgia Tech commit), 2025 RB Shekai Mills-Knight (three-star/ Ole Miss commit), 2026 QB Briggs Cherry( three-star)