How to enjoy the ESPN High School Football Kickoff: Employees

• Craig Haubert, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterAug 25, 2023, 06:35 AM ET Close National recruiting expert and expert for ESPNU More than a years of college and professional training experience.
  • Finished from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha

High school football arenas throughout the country are buzzing with enjoyment for the start of the 2023 season.Few things beat a

Friday night lights environment, and the GEICO ESPN High School Kickoff(Friday-Sunday on ESPN and ESPN2 )add the opportunity to see a few of the leading football prospects.Between Friday and Sunday, ESPN’s networks will air 6

games that feature more than 50 employees ranked in the 2024 ESPN 300 or 2025 ESPN Junior 300, consisting of the No. 1 general hire, cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, a Georgia dedicate. There are likewise more than 35 Power 5 programs represented by at least one committed prospect. Here are a few of the players to keep an eye on: Leading player to see: WR Ryan Williams 2025 ESPN Junior 300 No. 3 Saraland(Alabama )| Alabama dedicate The K.J. Lacey and Ryan Williams

connection might be the best in high school football Check out the Under Armour All-American duo as part of the GEICO ESPN

High School Kickoff Display on August 25 when they host Lipscomb Academy 8pm ET on ESPN #UANext

pic.twitter.com/gmuC4ixZz9!.?.!— The Underclassman Report(@TheUCReport)August 7, 2023 Williams is becoming one of the premier pass receiver potential customers despite class and could be one of the most promising wide receivers in the ESPN 300 age. That’s not a declaration made lightly, however one backed by strong evidence. He published elite numbers on the camp

circuit this offseason, including a laser-time 4.41 40-yard dash and a 4.14 brief shuttle bus, which are amongst the leading efficiencies at the receiver position over the last five years. That athleticism has actually equated to massive production, consisting of more than 2,500 yards of overall offense and 40 goals up until now in his high school profession. Like previous Alabama standout DeVonta Smith, Williams has a minor construct, but can fly and supplies huge plays.Other notable prospects: Saraland: QB K.J. Lacey( ESPN Junior 300 No. 47/Texas commit ). Lipscomb Academy: CB Kaleb Beasley (ESPN 300 No. 166/Tennessee commit ); QB Deuce Knight (ESPN Junior 300 No. 90 )Top player to watch: QB Michael Van Buren 2024 ESPN 300 No. 23 St. Frances Academy(Maryland)|Oregon devote Fresh off a strong showing at Under Armour Next Camp in Baltimore Under Armour All-America game commit QB Mike Van Buren(@mike3k_

)has actually devoted to Oregon Big time pic.twitter.com/y8zHVzOokN!.?.!— The Underclassman Report(@TheUCReport)Might 20, 2023 Van Buren is no complete stranger to the spotlight, having actually made his very first profession university start as a sophomore on the ESPN High School

Football Showcase. He’ll have another huge platform to showcase

his talent this weekend. Both lineups are filled, but Van Buren is particularly intriguing due to the fact that there isn’t market agreement on him. Some outlets rate him as a three-star prospect while others, including our rankings, have him on the cusp of first-class status. We feel Van Buren has the tools to rank among the

elite quarterback potential customers in the 2024 class after multiple in-person games and camp evaluations. While the Oregon devote lacks perfect measurables at 6-foot, 190 pounds, he’s a passer with a smooth release, misleading arm strength and the mobility to extend plays with his legs. We’ve seen some resemblances to former Alabama standout Bryce Young in stature, grace, and self-confidence. With a comprehensive view on Van Buren, we’ll get to see where he might more properly land in the rankings after Saturday.Other noteworthy potential customers: St. Frances Academy: CB Ify Obidegwu(ESPN 300 No. 129/Oregon dedicate); RB DeJuan Williams(ESPN 300 No. 261/Maryland devote); CB Blake Woodby(ESPN Junior 300 No. 29)Chaminade-Madonna: WR Jeremiah Smith(ESPN 300 No. 9/Ohio State devote); WR Joshisa Trader(ESPN 300 No. 11/Miami commit ); CB Chris Ewald(ESPN Junior 300 No. 128/Michigan devote) Top player to enjoy: pound Nicholas Rodriguez 2024 four-star St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)| Missouri commit Rodriguez might not be the first name that comes to mind in this talent-rich matchup, Missouri is getting a take.

Rodriguez started as a security and transitioned to outdoors linebacker, so he’s a bit of a’tweener who lacks perfect size and length. While he does not neatly inspect a positional box, he finishes the job. St. Thomas Aquinas went 14-0 in 2022 with Rodriguez leading the team with 93 takes on while also ranking among group leaders in tackles for loss, sacks( 5) and required fumbles( 2). He’s an active player with great range and a propensity for making plays, including requiring a fumble at the objective line to protect a win against Saint Frances on kickoff weekend 2 years earlier. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown to seal the victory versus St. Joseph’s Preparation during this event a year earlier. History shows Rodriguez will have an impact on Saturday’s game, even among more extremely ranked employees on the field.Other significant prospects: St. John Bosco: S Peyton Woodyard(ESPN 300 No. 107/Alabama dedicate); CB Marcelles Williams(ESPN 300 No. 98/USC dedicate); LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (ESPN 300 No. 157/Notre Dame dedicate)St. Thomas Aquinas: WR Possibility Robinson (ESPN 300 No. 212/Miami commit ); WR James Madison II (ESPN 300 No. 284/Missouri commit )Top player to view: CB Ellis Robinson IV 2024 ESPN 300 No. 1 IMG(Florida)| Georgia devote There’s no better location to start than the top. Robinson ranks as the No. 1 prospect in the country and is amongst the very best cornerback prospects over the last 5 cycles in numerous wanted qualities consisting of height (6-foot-1)and speed (22.1 mph MaxSpeed). In addition to an exceptional mix of desired physical characteristics, Robinson also has the confidence

required in a lockdown corner. He’s not scared to mix it up and is an aggressive presence at the position. No cornerback has actually ever ended up atop the ESPN 300, which is an indicator of the elite business the Georgia commit keeps

. It’s unclear how often St. Joseph’s Preparation plans to check Robinson, although it does feature numerous Power 5 wide receiver dedicates, suggesting

he’ll likely get some action his way. Even if his name is

rarely called, it still speaks volumes on his effect. Ellis Robinson could be the first cornerback to complete his prep profession atop the ESPN 300. ThreeStep Other noteworthy prospects: IMG: DT David Stone (ESPN 300 No. 6); RB Jerrick Gibson( ESPN 300 No. 31/Texas commit); ATH Jonathan Echols(ESPN 300 No. 54/Tennessee commit)St. Joseph’s Prep: QB Samaj Jones (ESPN 300 No. 250/Cincinnati dedicate ); CB Omillio Agard(ESPN 300 No. 264/Wisconsin commit); pound Anthony Sacca( ESPN JR 300 No. 123)Leading player to enjoy: QB Julian Sayin 2024 ESPN 300 No. 3 Carlsbad( California)|Alabama dedicate Julian Sayin is the complete bundle at QB @juliansayin2 Live arm, high IQ, feel for the position, and a plus professional athlete. Eagerly anticipating seeing the Alabama dedicate at Sunday’s UA Next Camp in Los Angeles @UANextFootball|#UANext pic.twitter.com/w1WgiyZ6UC!.?.!— The Underclassman Report( @TheUCReport)March31, 2023 Sayin is one of the very best quarterbacks in the country, showing outstanding arm strength, accuracy

, and good decision-making. He threw for more than 2,700 lawns and completed 66%of his passes while likewise throwing 27 TDs to simply four interceptions as a junior. His ability to restrict turnovers is a lot more excellent considering his competitive, gunslinger approach. Sayin doesn’t shy away from competitors in spite of progressively increasing rankings. He went to numerous camps this summer season

, including an Elite 11 MVP efficiency.

Alabama has actually added a very gifted choice to lead its offense in the coming

years as it charts a course following the Bryce Young era.Other noteworthy prospects: Mater Dei Catholic: CB Isaiah Buxton( three-star/Arizona commit )Carlsbad: Pound Luke Ferrelli(three-star/Stanford commit )Top player to view: S Faheem Delane 2025 ESPN Junior 300 No. 52 Our Girl of Good Counsel(Maryland)| Undeclared Excellent Counsel has a bevy of talented 2024 protective prospects, consisting of Florida and Clemson devotes. However watch on Delane, an uncommitted member in the 2025 class. He enters his junior year simply shy of 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and uses his size as a physical enforcer in the secondary. Delane is more than just a huge body. He has outstanding variety and an explosive closing burst that enables him to make plays all over the field. He’s a versatile weapon that elements into protection and comes downhill to support the run since of his mix of size, physicality, and movement. Sunday is a chance to see why programs like Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU have supposedly used such a coveted prospect.Other significant prospects: Our Lady

of Excellent Counsel: Pound Aaron Chiles(ESPN 300 No. 57/Florida dedicate); RB Dilin Jones(ESPN 300 No. 123

)St. Edward: OG Devontae Armstrong(four-star/Ohio State devote); OT Deontae Armstrong (four-star); Ohio State,

OT Ben Roebuck(three-star/Michigan devote )