Published Nov 20, 2023
Mid-South Spotlight: The five best prospects I've seen this fall
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Cole Patterson  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Analyst
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@RivalsCole
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Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Cole Patterson highlights the five best Mid-South regional prospects that he watched in-person this fall, led by multiple five-stars.

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Simmons is one of the premier pass rushers in the entire 2024 recruiting cycle. Simmons, a Texas commit, wreaks havoc in the backfield consistently getting to the quarterback or creating tackles for loss opportunities.

The five-star prospect plays for one of the top programs in the entire nation in Duncanville and is a primary reason why the Panthers are poised to repeat as state champions. Simmons can make a difference as soon as he steps on campus in Austin thanks to his quickness and burst off the edge.

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Hudson is a game-changing wide receiver out of Lake Belton. The five-star prospect committed to Texas Tech over offers from just about every major program in the nation back in September. The pass catcher is a firm believer in Joey McGuire and what the Red Raiders are building in Lubbock.

Hudson is a big-play receiver that can create after the catch, get open with ease and score from anywhere on the field. He's a crafty route runner and has Day 1 upside as soon as he steps on the campus in Lubbock. Hudson is an electric playmaker that shows up on time and time again on the biggest of stages, potentially making him the Red Raiders’ biggest weapon right out of the gate.

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Williams is exactly what coaches are looking for in a linebacker. He is a sideline-to-sideline defender that pursues with a great ability, plays with a ton of quickness and his instincts are through the roof. Williams can drop back in coverage and rush the passer.

He is a big-time player out of Texas that should make an impact quickly at Georgia.

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You’d be hard-pressed to find too many — if any — prospects from around the nation that have had a better season than Lagway. The signal caller has posted video game numbers through the air and on the ground while leading Willis (Texas) to its first ever undefeated 10-0 regular season.

The Florida commit plays his best when the lights are the brightest, evidenced by clinching an outright district championship in a competitive district located right outside of Houston. He can beat you with his arm and he can beat you with his legs, providing the offense with a legitimate threat to score from anywhere on the football field. His accuracy has improved during his final high school season, which raises his floor in addition to having an exciting developmental ceiling.

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Moving to the 2025 class, Moore is a special talent at the wide receiver position out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A track athlete, Moore can take the top off the defense or create big YAC opportunities thanks to his electrifying speed.

But more than that, Moore is a smooth route runner that finds open spots in the defense and is a physical blocker in the run game. The LSU pledge has a real case of being one of the top pass catchers regardless of class across the nation.