The last few years have been pretty exciting in the world of high school football recruiting. We’ve seen some incredibly talented players come through, and many are already making waves in college and even the NFL.
From 2021 to 2025, 20 top prospects graduated with sky-high rankings, with some already shining in college football. The 2025 class was particularly impressive, featuring Bryce Underwood and Keelon Russell, who topped the charts with ratings of 99.87 and 99.62, respectively. The 2023 group also had six players scoring above 99.00.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 prospects since 2021, based on the On3 Industry Ranking. This ranking combines ratings from all major recruiting services.
Bryce Underwood: The Michigan Star
- School: Belleville (Mich.)
- Cycle: 2025
- Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
- College: Michigan
Bryce Underwood is heading to Michigan as one of the most talked-about quarterbacks ever. Standing at 6’4" and weighing 214 pounds, he threw for over 2,300 yards and scored 30 touchdowns in his senior year alone. Over his high school career, he amassed a staggering 10,708 passing yards and 143 touchdowns, breaking multiple records in Michigan.
Initially committed to LSU, Underwood switched to Michigan, marking a significant win for the Wolverines and their coach, Sherrone Moore. Underwood’s move helped Michigan rank No. 6 in the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings.
“Underwood is undoubtedly one of the top arm talents in the cycle. He has an explosive arm that is capable of attacking all areas of the field…” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power
Keelon Russell: Alabama’s New Hope
- School: Duncanville (Texas)
- Cycle: 2025
- Ranking: No. 2 NATL.
- College: Alabama
Right behind Underwood is Keelon Russell, fresh off a stellar senior season at Duncanville High, one of the best high school programs in the country. With over 4,000 passing yards and 58 touchdowns, Russell led his team to the Texas state semifinals.
Russell made headlines when he switched his commitment from SMU to Alabama, becoming the highlight of Kalen DeBoer’s top-ranked recruiting class.
“A surgical passer… Russell has shown elite accuracy, with the ability to dot receivers at all levels of the field.” – On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power
Quinn Ewers: Ohio State to Texas
- School: Southlake Carroll (Texas)
- Cycle: 2021
- Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
- College: Ohio State
Quinn Ewers made waves as the top prospect in 2021. With over 6,400 passing yards and more than 80 touchdowns, he skipped his senior year to join Ohio State early. After a brief stint there, he transferred to Texas, where he continued to impress, throwing for over 9,000 yards and 68 touchdowns.
Ewers led Texas to a College Football Playoff semifinal in 2024 and is now eyeing the NFL Draft, where he’s projected to go in the second round.
Jeremiah Smith: Ohio State’s Wide Receiver Phenom
- School: Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.)
- Cycle: 2024
- Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
- College: Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith was the standout receiver in the 2024 class. His senior year saw him catching 90 passes for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping his school secure a third straight state title. Smith remained committed to Ohio State despite strong interest from other Florida schools.
As a freshman at Ohio State, Smith quickly made his mark, catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, playing a crucial role in their 2024 College Football Playoff victory.
Walter Nolen: Tennessee’s Defensive Powerhouse
- School: Powell (Tenn.)
- Cycle: 2022
- Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
- College: Texas A&M
Walter Nolen was a force to be reckoned with in high school, racking up 93 tackles and 17 sacks in his senior year. He joined Texas A&M’s top-ranked recruiting class before transferring to Ole Miss. With 114 tackles and 11.5 sacks over three SEC seasons, Nolen is now a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Elijah Griffin: Georgia’s Defensive Star
- School: Savannah Christian Prep (Ga.)
- Cycle: 2025
- Ranking: No. 3 NATL.
- College: Georgia
Elijah Griffin was a standout from middle school, racking up over 300 tackles and 40 sacks in high school. Committing to Georgia, Griffin is expected to make an immediate impact in their defense, especially with several players heading to the NFL Draft.
“Elijah Griffin is arguably the most talented defensive prospect in the 2025 class.” – On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire
Travis Hunter: A Dual Threat
- School: Collins Hill (Ga.)
- Cycle: 2022
- Ranking: No. 2 NATL.
- College: Jackson State
Travis Hunter excelled as both a receiver and a defensive back in high school. He shocked many by choosing Jackson State over Florida State, following Deion Sanders. Transferring to Colorado, Hunter accumulated 1,979 receiving yards and 66 tackles, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2024.
Arch Manning: Continuing the Family Legacy
- School: Isidore Newman (La.)
- Cycle: 2023
- Ranking: No. 1 NATL.
- College: Texas
Arch Manning lived up to the family name with over 8,500 passing yards and 115 touchdowns in high school. Committed to Texas, Manning is now set to take the reins in 2025 after filling in for Quinn Ewers in 2024.
Korey Foreman: California’s Top Prospect
- School: Centennial (Calif.)
- Cycle: 2021
- Ranking: No. 2 NATL.
- College: USC
Korey Foreman was a big get for USC, choosing them over national powerhouses. Although his time at USC was marred by injuries, he transferred to Fresno State, where he continued to show promise.
JC Latham: Alabama’s Offensive Line Standout
- School: IMG Academy (Fla.)
- Cycle: 2021
- Ranking: No. 3 NATL.
- College: Alabama
Originally a defensive lineman, JC Latham transitioned to offensive tackle and became a two-year starter at Alabama. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, starting all 17 games in his rookie season.
These young athletes have already achieved so much, and it’s exciting to think about what they might accomplish next. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see some of them dominating the NFL in a few years!
