See the Oak Ridge quarterback in action.
With high school football players unable to attend showcases or participate in spring football due to COVID-19 restrictions, the recruiting landscape has changed – to the chagrin of rising seniors hoping to grab the attention of college programs.
In an attempt to fill that void, we identified 100 of the most underrated juniors in the country. Included are players who are not committed, do not hold an offer from a Power 5 school or any major college program. It also excludes any 4- or 5-star recruits.
These kids can play as seen in the highlight packages linked below. All they need is the right coach and program to come along and click. See the full list below.
Quarterbacks
It's shocking he doesn't have more offers — Idaho and Sacramento State are the only schools so far. He was named the Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding nearly 500 yards on the ground.
All
he does is win. Has led the Spartans to 25 consecutive wins and
back-to-back 6A-II state titles. Williams has thrown for over 6,700
yards and 83 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Delaware's
Gatorade Football Player of the Year threw for nearly 2,500 yards and
31 touchdowns for the best team in the state. Henry is one of the most
dynamic quarterbacks in high school football.
Very similar to former Northwestern (Miami) and now-Louisville star
Tutu Atwell.
Undersized quarterback who makes plays against the best competition in
Florida. He led the Tornadoes to their first state title since 2015 last
year throwing for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. He led all of
South Florida in passing.
During
his first year as the starting quarterback at Walled Lake Central he
threw for over 3,800 and 44 touchdowns while completing 74.5 percent of his
passes. Has offers from Southern Miss, Eastern Illinois and Florida
Atlantic and has the talent to be a Power 5 quarterback.
Led
the Commodores to a perfect season and Class 5 state title during his
junior season. Completed 75 percent of his passes and threw for over 3,500
yards and 40 touchdowns. He's also a 4.0 student. The Commodores finished last year as the No. 1 team in Virginia.
Threw
for over 3,700 yards and 32 touchdowns for the Idaho 5A runner-up.
His tape shows he can make every throw in the book and is a big time
competitor. His lone offer is from the University of Mary in North Dakota.
Named
to the Texas Associated Press Sports Editor Class 6A all-state first
team. Threw for nearly 4,000 yards and had 51 total touchdowns (41
passing, 10 rushing). His lone offer is from Eastern Michigan.
Threw for over 3,900 yards and 49 touchdowns last season while helping the school to its first state title game appearance. Has offers from San Jose State, Western Kentucky and a few other programs.
Another
underrated gunslinger from the Lone Star State, his lone offer is from
Texas Southern University but expect more. Was named the district MVP after throwing for over 4,100 yards and
47 touchdowns. One of the most polished quarterbacks in Texas.
He
was the 1A Washington Player of the Year after throwing for 3,000
yards and 51 touchdowns. Has all the tools to be a quarterback at the
next level.
He
will be one of the biggest steals for any college. Can make plays with
his arm and legs at a high level and he helped Eagles to their
first winning season since 2013.
One
of Southern California's best, he threw for over 3,200
yards and 40 touchdowns in 2019. Has offers from San Jose State and
Western Kentucky.
Became
the first player in school history to be named the state's Gatorade
Football Player of the Year. He was also the first junior in Connecticut
to win the award since 2013. He threw for over 2,200 yards and 36
touchdowns while leading the Cadets to a perfect season and Class L
championship.
San
Jose State and Northern Arizona have offered Grady so far and expect
that list to grow throughout his senior year. He has the size and tools to be a very good
quarterback for any college program.
Has
a strong arm, is very accurate and can also make plays with his feet.
If he was a couple inches taller he would have major offers but the tape
does not lie and shows how polished he is. Clougherty will be a steal
from the Class of 2021.
Southern California is loaded with a lot of good quarterbacks and Fitzgerald is among them.
Danny
Hernandez is a quarterback guru in Southern California and Vega along
with five other gunslingers are featured on the list. Vega is one of
the most underrated players in the country.
Has
the size and arm strength to be a steal for any FBS program. Can make
plays with his arm and legs and his best quality is his leadership
ability.
The
sky's the limit for Harvey. In his first year as the starting
quarterback on varsity he showed what he can do with his arm and feet.
Big upside and expect a huge senior season.
Took over for Dylan Fromm at quarterback in 2019 and all he did was account for over 3,000 yards (2,360 passing, 696 rushing) and 28 total touchdowns. Helped the Demons to a 13-2 record and 5A runner-up finish.
Running Backs
One of the best playmakers in the open field is also a threat at wide receiver and special teams. Has offers from Central Michigan, Troy, Florida Atlantic and a handful of other programs but has the talent to play for a Power 5 school.
Named the New Hampshire Gatorade Football Player of the Year after rushing for over 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns. Bussey is one of the most underrated running backs in the Class of 2021 and averaged better than 11 yards per carry.
Joins
his teammate Davis and they are one of the best duos in high school
football. He is one of the most explosive playmakers in the state.
One
of the top running backs in the state, he was a 3A all-state honorable
mention after rushing for over 1,500 yards and
23 touchdowns while leading Calhoun to a 10-2 record.
A threat to take it to the house anytime he has the ball in his hands. Played a major roll in leading the Sentinels to a 12-1 record and an offense that averaged more than 50 points per game.
Led the Warriors to first 3A state semifinal appearance since 1966. He rushed for over 1,700 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.
An honorable mention on the 6A all-state team after accounting for nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. He led all of Cobb County in rushing last season.
A couple of Ivy league schools are showing interest and his tape shows you everything you need to know. He is a gamer and a physically punishing back who ran for nearly 1,000 yards as a junior.
Wide Receivers
Big time playmaker on both sides of the ball. Has offers from Idaho, Columbia, Lehigh and Sacramento State. Was a third-team selection on the all-state team and named first team all-league at cornerback.
Missed
a lot of time during his junior season but still showed what he can
do in limited action. His 6-foot-5 frame makes him a huge red zone target
and will be one of the biggest steals from the Class of 2021.
The son of former NFL cornerback Dre Bly is making a name for himself. Has offers from Charlotte, Campbell, Fordham and a handful of other programs. Expect a huge senior season with 2021 North Carolina commit Drake Maye under center.
Had over 1,000 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns in 2019. He was a first team selection on the FloridaHSFootball.com 8A all-state team.
Hauled in 69 receptions for nearly 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns during his junior season. One of the most dynamic playmakers in the state.
Takes
over as the No. 1 wide receiver entering his senior year for the
four-time defending 5A state champs. Had 50 receptions for 875 yards and
11 touchdowns in 2019 and is also one of the best blocking receivers in
the country.
South
Florida is known for producing some of the best talent in the country
and he's one to keep an eye on from the Class of 2021. He's a
threat to score a touchdown anytime he gets his hands on the ball.
One of the most underrated wide receivers in California. Had nearly 1,000 yards receiving and has landed two offers from Davidson and Southern Utah University. He also has a 4.3 GPA.
Has a ton of upside entering his senior campaign. Definitely a player to pay close attention to next season.
He will be a huge addition to any college at the next level. Big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball and has the size and speed to be an impact player on Saturday.
Offensive Linemen
Has been starting on the offensive line for one of the best programs in the country since his freshman season. Easily one of the top lineman in California.
One of the most dominant offensive lineman in the Lone Star State. He will be a huge addition for any college that offers.
One of the most athletic and toughest offensive lineman in the country. Has offers from Montana Tech and Idaho. Was a first-team selection on the
MaxPreps' Idaho all-state team.
Very good in both pass and run blocking for one of the best offenses in the state. The Huskies will be ranked to start the 2020 season and Spencer will be one of the main reasons why.
Can play at a high level anywhere on the offensive line. Doesn't have any offers yet but expect some to come during his senior season.
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is one of the toughest in high school football and Ricks dominated in 2019. He helped lead the Falcons to first WCAC championship since 2012.
Was a first team selection on the Texas Associated Press Sports Editor Class 6A all-state team.
Has been an all-state selection in back-to-back years and don't be surprised when he makes it three consecutive seasons in 2020.
The defending 6A state champs had one of the most explosive offenses in high school football and Sampson's dominant offensive line play was a key factor.
Cabaniss joins the previously mentioned Smith as the only juniors selected on the offensive line for the 6A all-state first team.
He and 2021 Miami commit
Laurence Seymore were the only juniors on the offensive line to be named to the FloridaHSFootball.com 6A all-state first team. He just received his first FCS offer from Missouri State University.
The fifth and final offensive lineman featured from Texas was a 3A all-state first team selection. Kitchen didn't allow a sack during his junior season.
The Highlanders had two running backs both eclipse the 1,000 yard mark on the ground and he was a main reason why. He was named the Grossmont Hills League Offensive Player of the Year.
You could make a strong case he's the best player in the state. Has offers from Central Michigan, Yale, Dartmouth, North Dakota State and a handful of other programs.
The lone junior on the offensive line to be named to the 3A all-state first team. Helped lead the Lions to their third consecutive state title in 2019.
Defensive Linemen
A 4A Florida all-state first-team selection. He's one of the most physical and talented defensive lineman in Florida.
Helped the Hawks to a AA championship and was named the
top player in the state. Has been a firstteam selection the past two seasons. Racked up 94 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 41 tackles for loss and accounted for 14 touchdowns on offense.
Played
a major role for the 3A state champs in 2019. He was an honorable
selection on the all-state team and had 63 tackles, 24.5 tackles for
loss, three forced fumbles and a pick-six.
Was
the only underclassmen selected on the Illinois 8A all-state first
team. One of the most underrated defensive lineman in the
Class of 2021.
Hawaii has produced some big-time players and Ah You is one of the best kept secrets from the Aloha State. He was named to the all-state open division first team by ScoringLive.com.
Northern
Arizona and Montana Tech have both offered so far and expect more to
come his way. The motor does not stop on one of the most physical
players in the country.
Recently landed his first offer from Florida A&M University and was named to the 8A all-state second team after an impressive junior campaign.
Helped the Wildcats to first state semifinal appearance last season. Racked up 84 tackles, 14 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. He was named to the 6A all-state first team.
An all-state selection after leading the Rams to a perfect season and 5A state title. Finished his junior campaign with 82 tackles, 12 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and forced five fumbles for one of the top defenses in the Bayou State.
He
will be one of the biggest steals from the Class of 2021. His lone
offer is from Idaho and he has the talent to play at a Power 5 school.
Kenndel Riley, Capital Christian
Photo by Willie Shippen
One of the hardest hitters in the state whose instincts are off the charts. He was a first-team selection on the Associated Press all-state team after racking up 93 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks and rushed for over 700 yards and nine touchdowns.
Had 16 sacks against the best competition in the country last season for the WCAC champs.
The Rams have had a boatload of talent come through their program but no one had more tackles (136) in a season than Bryant did last year. He is one of the best linebackers in the Class of 2021.
Joins Summers as linebackers featured from North Carolina. Both are talented enough to play for Power 5 schools.
One of the best linebackers on the West Coast. He was a 6A all-state selection after racking up a school record 158 tackles in 2019. Cuthbertson is also one of the top wrestlers in the state.
An honorable selection on the Georgia 5A all-state team after posting 30-plus tackles for loss and scored four non-offensive touchdowns. He forced four fumbles and blocked five punts and two field goals.
Has a nose for finding the football and his motor is non-stop. Joins his teammate Lamson as Trojans featured.
Played all over the field on both sides of the ball and racked up nearly 100 tackles. One of the most versatile players in Oregon.
Finished his junior season with 118 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, forced three fumbles and had an interception.
Showed he can compete at a high level against the best competition in the country. The Cadets played the toughest schedule in football last year and Taylor balled out on defense.
Flies around on defense and is one of the Peach State's hardest hitting linebackers.
Can play anywhere on defense. Has a high motor and is one of the most underrated players in Virginia.
Had 168 tackles and six sacks during his junior campaign.
Instincts are off the chart and was the leader on defense for the 5A state champs.
Cornerbacks
As underrated as any player in the Class of 2021. Has posted seven interceptions in each of the last two seasons.
Well-rounded corner and has great instincts. Will be one of the biggest steals from the Class of 2021.
One of the most physical corners in the country and has offers from Illinois State, Missouri State and a handful of other programs.
The Dolphins have produced some big-time players and Boone is the next one up. One of the most underrated players in the state.
One of the top defensive backs in Southern California. Very physical corner and good in coverage.
Safeties
He
will be one of the biggest steals from Georgia. Great in coverage and can
come up and make plays at the line of scrimmage. Had 77 tackles, four
interceptions and eight tackles for loss.
Was a second team selection on the 8A all-state squad. He racked up 99 tackles and had four interceptions.
Playmaker
on both sides of the ball. Had a team high six interceptions and nearly
500 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Helped the Colts to their
second consecutive state title.
One of the top players in the state, he flies around on defense and led the Giants with 122 tackles in 2019.
Has offers from Eastern Illinois, Kent State and a handful of other programs. Has very good instincts and is legit in both run and pass coverage.
Can play multiple positions on defense and is one of the most sure tacklers in Southern California.
Athletes
A game-breaker when he gets his hands on the ball. Made some of the best plays in all of Michigan during his junior season and was an all-state selection in both football and basketball.
Pennsylvania
is loaded with stalent in the country and one of the
top players is Green. He was a 6A all-state first team selection.
One of the most slept on players in the Peach State. Makes plays on all three phases at a high level.
Dynamic on both offense and defense. Great tackler and has very good instincts. A threat to score anytime he gets his hands on the ball.
Rushed for over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also led the team in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (20).
Can line up anywhere on offense, at quarterback, in the backfield or at receiver. Accounted for over 300 yards and five touchdowns in the first half in Derby's 63-26 win over Olathe North in the 6A state championship.
Joins his teammate Franklin on the list. Both are legit playmakers from Southern California.
Very good at wide receiver and in the secondary. Has the size and talent to perform at the next level.
