National Underclassmen Combine: Prospects now on our radar

SAN ANTONIO – There were a lot of top prospects at the National Combine on Friday but many others who got their name on the national radar with great performances. Here is a look at some of the players who made the biggest impression:

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ALL-AMERICAN BOWL: Five East players we're excited to see play in the game | Five West players we're excited to see play in the game | Dante Moore talks about wild recruitment | Announcement guide/predictions | Faulk explains flip to Auburn | Gorney's Thoughts Day 2 | Stock risers | East vs. West, skills | Rankings questions arising | Proctor details Bama decision | OL vs. DL, Day 2 | East takeaways from Day 1 | West takeaways from Day 1 | Gorney's thoughts Day 1 | Jelani McDonald previews decision | Mikal Harrison-Pilot previews decision | East OL vs. DL, Day 1 | West OL vs. DL, Day 1 | Jamari Johnson announces finalists | Elzy talks about finalists

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Babineaux is an undersized receiver but he can stretch the field with the best of them and the 2025 receiver ran by cornerbacks regularly during the one-on-one session. Florida State, LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State have already offered the Lafayette (La.) Acadiana standout but it would not be surprising at all to see many more teams get involved in his recruitment.

He’s so speedy, can separate from anybody and Babineaux has excellent hands and concentration.

During early drills, Echoles was one of the best-looking offensive linemen as he went through bags and moved really fluidly, and then he was outstanding during one-on-one drills.

The 2024 offensive tackle from Houston, Miss., has only offers from Akron and Southern Miss so far, but the three-star more than held his own.

We were calling Fetui “T-Mac Jr.” because he resembled Tetairoa McMillan’s frame at the same stage and then he came out and made numerous impressive catches during the one-on-one session.

Fetui still has a long way to go to match the production and dominance of McMillan but the 2024 receiver from Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis was very impressive. He showed great hands and route-running ability.

The 2026 prospect is definitely someone who will be on the national radar as he already has offers from Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Western Kentucky and others, but he has the playmaking ability to have star potential.

Jennings is a long, lanky defensive back who could play cornerback or safety and started 10 games in his freshman season. He can run, he knocks down the deep ball and he can run with anybody.

With a nickname like Tank, Jones definitely made an impression in coverage and has speed and the coverage ability of a defensive back. The Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s product was excellent all day and was definitely one of the best linebackers at the event. Vanderbilt has offered so far but it’s easy to believe that the 2026 linebacker is going to be one of the top players in the state when his recruiting cycle comes around.

Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Florida A&M and Grambling State have offered Lewis so far but that could easily change because he’s a great-looking offensive lineman who moves his feet incredibly well and once he gets his hands on someone, the rep is over.

The 2024 three-star from Pearl, Miss., has a great frame, moves well and does not back down from competition. Power Five offers could be on the way.

Other than Ricky Knight III, who had at least six interceptions during the one-on-one session and was the best defensive back at the event, Phillips was right there in the conversation. Sporting his green gloves, the 2025 cornerback from Missouri City (Texas) Hightower knocked so many passes away we lost count. He lived in the hip pocket of receivers and was excellent for the entire session.

TCU and Baylor are showing interest but he has no offers yet.

Charlotte has offered Purdie but many more could get involved after the 2024 quarterback from Baltimore (Md.) Milford Mill had a tremendous junior season and then backed that up with an impressive combine as well.

After throwing for 2,759 yards with 28 touchdowns and five picks, Purdie showed off a smooth release with pinpoint precision all day. Sometimes it’s tough to get chemistry with receivers in this setting but Purdie had no issues.

Houston and Texas A&M have already offered the 2026 quarterback so he’s already known by some coaching staffs but he could definitely be a national recruit in the coming years.

The Manvel, Texas, standout can fire the ball into tight windows, he has great size at 6-foot-4 and his ball spins so well. Seymour can also put the ball on a line down the field and puts it only where the receiver can get it.

Smith was one of the best-looking players that came through combine registration – and said Utah has really made an impression early in his recruitment – and then he backed it up on the field Friday by winning numerous reps.

The 2025 receiver from Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake has length, he’s a long strider and Smith can go up and over defensive backs to catch the ball.

The 2025 linebacker from Fulton (Miss.) Itawamba – which is also four-star Isaac Smith’s school – looks like he could be on the slower side but Walters was surprisingly nimble and covered ground as well as anybody at the event.

Coming off a sophomore season where he had 132 tackles, it’s clear Walters can move, cover ground on the field and make plays, and that’s exactly what he showed on Friday.

Washington looked great the entire day from going through drills in his backpedal and then during one-on-ones. The 2024 cornerback from Fredericksburg (Va.) St. Michael was really tough against all kinds of receivers.

Tall and undersized receivers had no luck against Washington, who hasn’t seen much action in his recruitment yet but it should be coming.