Rivals national recruiting analyst Marshall Levenson looks at five Mid-South prospects who are going to be the next big thing in college football.
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DAKORIEN MOORE: College football's next freshman phenom wide receiver
One of the main storylines of the 2024 college football season has been the star status emerging out of a handful of true freshman wide receivers across the country. Alabama's Ryan Williams and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith lead the way as arguably the top two receivers in the sport so far this year.
For Oregon commit Dakorien Moore, the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, his playmaking ability will certainly make him a candidate to be a day one starter in Eugene. In his first five games of his senior campaign, Moore brought in 45 receptions for 886 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Moore already has a massive following among football fans and his expected success early in his career would be surprising to no one.
KEELON RUSSELL: Alabama's next Heisman-contending QB
Five-star quarterback Keelon Russell has had an essentially flawless first half of his senior season. He has completed 75 percent of his passes to the tune of 2,291 yards and 31 touchdown passes with just one interception. The highly touted Alabama commit is commanding a high-octane Duncanville squad that is aiming for its third straight state championship at the highest level of competition in the Lone Star State.
Russell continues to show why Rivals has named former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels, as the best comparison for his talent and skillset. Displaying a quick release and surgical accuracy, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound dual threat has been slicing through defenses. Playing with the skill talent Alabama has to offer, Russell will have every opportunity to follow the same path Daniels did at LSU.
HARLEM BERRY: LSU's next No. 7 offensive skill player
LSU's No. 7 jersey honorees, chosen each year by the players and coaching staff, are designated as the best players on the team who hail from inside the state of Louisiana. If you look at the history of No. 7, which includes, Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, Leonard Fournette, Ja'Marr Chase, and currently star Tigers Will Campbell and Harold Perkins, the group is designed to fit only the best.
And looking at five-star running back Harlem Berry, you would be hard pressed to find a more dynamic playmaker in the country. With his ability, not only in the running game, but especially in the passing game, Berry should find playing time early in his career. With verified 4.3 speed and electric moves with the ball in his hand, he should comfortably translate to SEC ball. Representing the Boot and primed to be a top playmaker, the No. 14 overall prospect should be rocking No. 7 by the time he departs Baton Rouge.
CHARLES ROSS: The next star playmaking linebacker in Death Valley
LSU has become synonymous with a couple of positions in the 21st century, most notably wide receiver and defensive back. But one position the Tigers have seemingly continued to process stars at is linebacker. In just the past few years, it has been Devin White, Patrick Queen, Jacob Phillips, Damone Clark, and on the roster now is Harold Perkins and emerging star in Whit Weeks.
Charles Ross has elite athleticism for the linebacker position with 10.3 100-meter and 4.34 40-yard dash speed. Coming up trained as a safety, Ross has coverage experience and ball skills to dominate in that area. He also has become comfortable with run defense and rushing the passer both on the inside and around the edge.
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, his body type is primed to be a versatile weapon for the Tigers' defense.
NICK TOWNSEND: Texas' next great receiving tight end
The Texas offense under Steve Sarkisian is putting up some gaudy numbers by pairing top shelf quarterbacks and elite skill talent with Sarkisian's offensive genius. Nick Townsend, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, plays with a freakish level of athleticism and run-after-catch ability at the tight end position. As a junior, Townsend had just 18 receptions for his offense, but he turned it into 431 yards and seven touchdowns.
No matter who is quarterbacking the Longhorns, Townsend gives them a modern receiving tight end threat as a target. Playing a variety of positions for his high school, Townsend has not gotten the chance to display his skills much out wide, but Sarkisian will have fun scheming up his newest playmaking tight end.
