Around the Midwest: Toks shows speed

Who's rising, who's falling and a projected first-rounder in this month's NFL Draft who was not highly rated coming out of high school are all explored in this Midwest Region report.

Bull Market

While Akinribade was wowing at the testing portion of the Best of the Midwest Combine back in February, Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern linebacker Collin MillerClick Brownsburg, Ind., running back Toks AkinribadeClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. is ranked as the No. 61 running back in the 2016 class, but since the latest Rivals.com ratings update, he popped off a 4.36 40-yard dash at the Best of the Midwest Combine. At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Akinribade is a big back with between-the-tackles running ability, but it was not recognized early in his evaluation that he also possessed that home-run hitting speed. Making Akinribade even more valuable is that he is a legitimate linebacker prospect at the Division I level as well. His highest upside at this stage appears to be on offense, but some teams are definitely looking at him for defense as well. His offer list has hit a dozen schools, with Boston CollegeClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IllinoisClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IndianaClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IowaClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. and MichiganClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. among those that have offered. Here to view this Link. was opening eyes with his ability to play in space at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. Linebackers that size are usually pluggers who gobble up tackles in the middle of the defense, but Miller is remarkably light on his feet and has good awareness in open space. His offer list has grown substantially since that time as well and now features Illinois, Indiana and PurdueClick Brownsburg, Ind., running back Toks AkinribadeClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. is ranked as the No. 61 running back in the 2016 class, but since the latest Rivals.com ratings update, he popped off a 4.36 40-yard dash at the Best of the Midwest Combine. At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Akinribade is a big back with between-the-tackles running ability, but it was not recognized early in his evaluation that he also possessed that home-run hitting speed. Making Akinribade even more valuable is that he is a legitimate linebacker prospect at the Division I level as well. His highest upside at this stage appears to be on offense, but some teams are definitely looking at him for defense as well. His offer list has hit a dozen schools, with Boston CollegeClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IllinoisClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IndianaClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link., IowaClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. and MichiganClick Toks AkinribadeHere to view this Link. among those that have offered. Here to view this Link.. Currently unrated, expect Miller to make a strong debut in the state of Indiana 2016 rankings when the next rating update occurs.

Bear Market

At 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, Oswego, Ill., quarterback Steven FrankClick Steven FrankHere to view this Link. is a big, strong-armed passer who holds offers from Illinois and several Mid-American Conference schools. He flashed that big arm last year during off-season camps and 7-on-7s, and had a good first game of his junior season before an injury forced him to miss much of his season. Frank had struggled with consistency as a sophomore, though, but that is not unusual for a young quarterback. However, at early off-season 7-on-7s, Frank has continued to have trouble with his consistency and decision-making. The physical tools are there, but the progression we expected to see at this stage of his development is not.

Youth Of The Nation

Detroit (Mich.) King class of 2017 cornerback Ambry ThomasClick One of the young Midwest prospects whose name has just started to generate momentum is Fishers, Ind., 2017 safety R.J. PottsClick Here to view this Link., and frankly I'm surprised it has taken this long for him to receive major buzz. My first time seeing Potts live was back in February at a 7-on-7 and he immediately jumped off the field, even though numerous Rivals100 class of 2016 prospects were in attendance. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Potts plays with excellent range for the position, shows good instincts in coverage and has the size to run the alleys. Potts still awaits his first scholarship offer, but it would be a crime if he had to wait long. He was at Notre DameClick Here to view this Link. this past weekend for the spring game, and has several more programs around the region planning to see him this spring. Here to view this Link. now holds five offers from CincinnatiClick One of the young Midwest prospects whose name has just started to generate momentum is Fishers, Ind., 2017 safety R.J. PottsClick Here to view this Link., and frankly I'm surprised it has taken this long for him to receive major buzz. My first time seeing Potts live was back in February at a 7-on-7 and he immediately jumped off the field, even though numerous Rivals100 class of 2016 prospects were in attendance. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Potts plays with excellent range for the position, shows good instincts in coverage and has the size to run the alleys. Potts still awaits his first scholarship offer, but it would be a crime if he had to wait long. He was at Notre DameClick Here to view this Link. this past weekend for the spring game, and has several more programs around the region planning to see him this spring. Here to view this Link., Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and PittsburghClick One of the young Midwest prospects whose name has just started to generate momentum is Fishers, Ind., 2017 safety R.J. PottsClick Here to view this Link., and frankly I'm surprised it has taken this long for him to receive major buzz. My first time seeing Potts live was back in February at a 7-on-7 and he immediately jumped off the field, even though numerous Rivals100 class of 2016 prospects were in attendance. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Potts plays with excellent range for the position, shows good instincts in coverage and has the size to run the alleys. Potts still awaits his first scholarship offer, but it would be a crime if he had to wait long. He was at Notre DameClick Here to view this Link. this past weekend for the spring game, and has several more programs around the region planning to see him this spring. Here to view this Link.. The one advantage he holds over Potts is that he plays for a school that traditionally produces Division I prospects and a talented group currently at King draws coaches to the school often. That is not to say Thomas isn't deserving of every offer. He had a tremendous sophomore season that included six interceptions, and has been dominant for his Max Ex 7-on-7 team this off-season. Thomas is a playmaking cornerback with excellent speed. He has the athleticism to play the wide side of the field and wreak havoc on an offense's game plan.

Draft Flashback

Widely projected to be the first defensive back off the board when the 2015 NFL Draft kicks off on April 30 , Michigan StateClick Trey WaynesHere to view this Link. cornerback Trae WaynesClick Trey WaynesHere to view this Link. was not projected to be as highly touted when he came out of high school. Rivals.com rated the Kenosha (Wis.) Bradford alum as a two-star and the No. 14 player from Wisconsin in a year that also featured another likely first-round pick in running back Melvin GordonClick Trey WaynesHere to view this Link.. Now measuring 6-foot and 186 pounds, Waynes was just 160 pounds entering his senior year of high school, but that exceptional speed that has NFL scouts enamored was already on display, as he recorded 4.3 and 4.4 range 40-yard dash times at several camps and combines. Waynes committed to Michigan State the summer before his senior year after receiving an offer at its camp. WisconsinClick Trey WaynesHere to view this Link., Illinois and Iowa StateClick Trey WaynesHere to view this Link. also offered.