Finest highlights by top college football hires: Florida, USC, Auburn

Blake Baumgartner, ESPN Staff WriterOct 7, 2023, 07:15 AM ET Before they take the field as college football players on Saturdays, several of the leading employees in the 2024 ESPN 300 are playing beneath the lights on weeknights.Joey Olsen, among

two tight ends in USC’s 19th-ranked class( Walter Matthews, No. 108 total in 2024), had a big night Thursday. Olsen(No. 197 overall in 2024 )caught 11 passes for 151 backyards and three touchdowns for Lakeridge High School (Oregon)in a 30-9 triumph over Tigard High School (Oregon). He wasn’t the only future Trojan to reveal out

this weekend.Wide receiver Ryan Pellum(No. 95 overall in 2024)came down with this wonderful goal grab early Friday in Millikan High School’s (California)tilt versus Lakewood High (California). And after that there’s Julian Lewis, commonly thought about the top player in the 2026 class. Lewis, who committed to Lincoln Riley’s program in August, was his typical cool consumer on Friday. He tossed for 455 backyards, accounting for six overall goals, for Carrollton High School(Georgia)in a 56-24 triumph on Friday versus East Coweta High School(Georgia). Here’s how a few of the country’s other leading employees fared this week:

QB D.J. Lagway (committed to Florida)

Lagway (No. 18 general in 2024) kept doing his thing for Willis High School (Texas) on Thursday, showing the precision that has lots of Florida fans thrilled for his arrival..@WildkatFootball takes advantage of a Jermaine Bishop interception. @DerekLagway discovers @debraun_hampton for a 10-yard rating. 42-14 Willis, 9:21, 3Q. #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/hyk2pE8hpa!.?.!— Dennis Silva II(@densilva02 )October 6, 2023 Lagway, the second-best dual-threat QB in the class, finished 23 of his 29 passes for 392 backyards with five touchdowns and an interception in a 56-17 triumph over College Park High School(Texas)that moved the Wildkats to 7-0 on the year. Through 7 games, he has tossed for 2,292 lawns with 36 touchdown passes and just 4 interceptions while running for 346 lawns and 5 scores. Pound Myles Graham (devoted to Florida)Graham( No. 56 overall in 2024)

has the Florida bloodlines flowing, following in his dad Earnest’s steps by committing to Billy Napier and the home state Gators.The younger Graham showed why he’ll be one to view in The Swamp during Buchholz High School’s 35-7 win over Gainesville High on Thursday.Fumble recovery by @gatorsfb commit @MylesGraham2_. The #Bobcats are in prime scoring position following the turnover. pic.twitter.com/wgertNeDBj!.?.!— Alexander Vafeas (@AlexanderVafeas)October 6, 2023 Napier has actually put in the time on the path and it’s settling– Florida’s 12 ESPN 300 potential customers highlight the third-best class in the country. Thompson (No. 40 general in 2024)made waves when he changed his commitment from Alabama to Auburn in late July.He continues to reveal his volatility when he has the ball in

his hands, and he came up huge when Foley High School (Alabama )required him Thursday in a 21-17 win over Fairhope(Alabama

). @fhsperryt1 takes a @NelsonDThompson pass 93 yds to your house! Lions up 14-7. Second Q @AuburnFootball @BenThomasPreps @calabounty @AL7AFootball @SoBaldwinLawyer @WHEPRadio @ahsaaradio @HallTechSports1 pic.twitter.com/DduSs1CWQ6!.?.!— South Baldwin Sports(@SoBaldwinSports)October 6, 2023 Through six games, the highest-ranked possibility in Auburn’s class has 33 receptions for 467 backyards and four touchdowns. ESPN has Hugh Freeze’s first complete class on The Plains ranked 18th overall.CB Devin Sanchez(No. 12 in 2025 ESPN 300)Sanchez is one of the most desired players in the 2025 cycle. He revealed his versatility

as a playmaker on special teams in North Coast High School’s(Texas)31-21

win over Summer Creek High School(Texas)on Thursday.WOW! Field Goal effort BLOCKED by 5 ⭐ CB Devin Sanchez. That would’ve put Summer Creek up by 3|7:55 fourth qtr #NorthShore #SummerCreek #TXHSFB #ThePlatform #DRSportz #TheOldCoach pic.twitter.com/hkX6iv6Htx!.?.!— Nick StatZ Gradney (@StatZ_G)

October 6, 2023 Sanchez, who is the second-ranked cornerback in the junior class, owns 33 scholarship deals, with Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas amongst them. WR Micah Hudson(dedicated to Texas Tech)Luxury wideout

Hudson(No. 13 overall in 2024 )most likely surprised some when he revealed his choice of Texas Tech on Sept. 11. Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders snagging the Lake Belton High School(Texas)star is most likely to pay huge dividends for a class ranked 23rd overall.Just look at this punt return for a goal on Friday.Micah Hudson is an @iammike1x @JoeyMcGuireTTU pic.twitter.com/afU8pGCeow!.?.!— Travis Recek( @TravisRecek )October 7, 2023 Hudson, who had 33 catches for 677 lawns and

8 touchdowns heading into the weekend, is the highest-ranked prospect in Texas Tech history. Durham, headed to play for Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, had an excellent night Friday for Duncanville High School (Texas ). Durham(No. 174 total in

2024 ), who entered into the weekend with 334 hurrying yards and 7 goals through four games, scored three first-half touchdowns (two hurrying )in a 44-10 victory over Waxahachie High School(Texas).5 ⭐ LSU COMMIT Caden Durham with 3 TDs in the FIRST HALF

!!! pic.twitter.com/NBSDpqlQrR!.?.!— C1osen SZN (@c1osenszn)October 7, 2023 Durham is the fifth-highest ranked pledge in a 12th-ranked class Kelly is compiling.