Midwest Spotlight: Comparing top 2024 standouts to NFL players
Comparisons are an inevitable part of college football recruiting. This week, Rivals is going region by region to compare some of today's top high school prospects to current NFL players. Up today we take another look at the Midwest region.
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Nicholas Marsh - Amari Cooper
Marsh made waves this summer when he rejoined the Michigan State recruiting class. He’s the crown jewel of the class so far as coach Mel Tucker looks to lead the program to a bounce back.
Marsh has a great combination of skills. His size and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare for defenders. Because he’s 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he is able to use his larger frame and body control to win 50-50 balls against opposing defensive backs. He’s also shown improvement in his top-end speed through his time in high school.
Like Cooper, Marsh has the ability to be a complete receiver that can haul in a lot of passes. Both have the ability to change the game in the vertical passing game too.
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Daniel Kaelin - Andy Dalton
It’s been a big summer for Nebraska quarterback commit Daniel Kaelin. He was a huge part of kicking off the run that the Huskers went on this summer. He also made good headlines at the Elite11 camp where he took home the most accurate honors.
Kaelin has a real steady presence about his game. That is why I think he compares favorably to former TCU standout and current Carolina Panther Andy Dalton. Kaelin does not blow you away with any one trait. But you don’t come away from watching him feeling like he has any weaknesses either.
You can win a lot of games with a quarterback like that which is exactly what coach Matt Rhule is hoping for.
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Jordan Marshall - Miles Sanders
Marshall received many accolades as a junior after rushing for 1,951 yards and 34 touchdowns. The four-star running back led his high school to the playoff semifinals and a 13-2 record. Marshall has been highly productive at the high school level.
He reminds me so much of former Penn State star Miles Sanders who rushed for over 4,500 yards in the Pennsylvania prep ranks.
Neither back has elite measurables. But both run with great pad level and power that allows for big-time production. Marshall is a skilled running back with good vision heading to Ann Arbor. He's up next in a line of great running backs under Jim Harbaugh. It would not be surprising at all if he becomes a future NFL Draft pick.
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Garrett Stover - Eric Kendricks
Coming out of high school Eric Kendricks was a three-star prospect who developed very well during his time at UCLA. His career was highlighted by winning the Butkus Award for the top linebacker in the country in 2014. He’s a true sideline to sideline linebacker that gives you some scheme versatility.
That’s what I see when I watch Ohio State four-star linebacker commit Garrett Stover. The Ohio native is much more decorated than Kendricks was coming out of high school. He is one of the top linebackers in the nation with over 20 scholarship offers. Stover has verified track speed too and started his career playing safety.
Stover will need time in the weight room to live up to this comparison. Yet, the traits are there to be a tackle machine in Columbus for the Buckeyes.
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Terhyon Nichols - Kendall Fuller
Kentucky reached into the Midwest and got a good one when it got a verbal commitment from Nichols this summer. At 6-foot, 180 pounds Nichols has enough size to hold up in the SEC as a corner. He’s got long arms which help him but he also has a frame that will allow him to add mass in college. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see him get some run at safety either as he gains muscle.
Fuller was a big-time playmaker before leaving Virginia Tech early when Frank Beamer retired. He dealt with his fair share of injuries in college but battled through to make it to the NFL. Fuller is a fantastic playmaker who is a bit of a risk taker. His gambles have paid off during his eight-year NFL career.
Neither player is the biggest guy in the world but have good length to disrupt pass catchers and make plays. Nichols has the opportunity to blossom under good coaching at Kentucky as a potential future NFL Draft pick.