Advertisement
football Edit

Scanning the Midwest: Four prospects breaking out

Jyaire Hill
Jyaire Hill

We are getting to the midway point of the high school season in the Midwest. With that comes a host of mid-year highlight films that college coaches are evaluating for the first time.

This is the time of year that prospects can make the transition from being virtually unknown to - in many cases - having multiple offers in a matter of weeks.

*****

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

RIVALS TRANSFER TRACKER: Stories/coverage | Message board

RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info/coverage on 2021 camp series

*****

Advertisement

Four Midwest prospects on the verge of breaking out ...

Jyaire Hill is a great example of a prospect that has gone from sleeper to the forefront of college coaches' attention. Illinois was the first team to jump on Hill when it extended his first scholarship offer on Sept. 19. The timing was not a coincidence, as the offer came right after 2023 DB from Kankakee finished his fourth game of the season and had the footage to back up his lofty potential.

The Illinois offer put Hill on the map. There was a short lull as college coaches were gathering information and evaluating film before his recruitment really took off again. In the first week of October alone, Hill has received four Power Five offers, starting with Michigan on Oct. 1, and followed shortly after by Missouri, Boston College and Penn State.

This is likely just the beginning of Hill's recruitment. The impressive early film, combined with the height and length that college coaches covet out of defensive back prospects, will surely make Hill a prospect that continues to garner attention.

*****

Malachi Coleman kicked off his major college recruitment when the hometown Nebraska Cornhuskers extended his first Power-Five offer on Oct. 1. Like Jyaire Hill, this offer came right after he had the film to back his athletic potential.

Coleman plays everything from receiver to defensive end for Lincoln East HS, and he has the potential to play a number of different positions at the college level. The one thing that is sure to keep Coleman on college coaches' radars is his uncommon combination of speed and mobility at his height. Coleman's speed is evident on film, and he has the verified track times to back it up. Combined with his raw talent and incredible upside, there is little question that Coleman will continue to heat up.

*****

Jeremiyah Love picked up his first offer from Boston College on Oct. 4. Vanderbilt followed suit shortly after, taking Love from an under-the-radar prospect, to a recruit with two Power Five offers in the first week of October.

The Christian Brothers HS product is sure to garner plenty more attention as his high school is highly recruited, and a must stop for any college coach recruiting the St. Louis area.

The 6-foot-1, 188-pound running back is a powerful runner that possesses the burst and cutting ability Power Five programs are looking for when recruiting a feature back. With great midseason film, and an impressive frame that should flourish in a college weight program, it is only a matter of time before more teams join Boston College and Vanderbilt with offers.

*****

Malik Hartford kicked off his recruitment when he received his first offer from the homestate Cincinnati Bearcats. That offer was soon followed by a slew of offers, and the 2023 prospect from Lakota West accumulated eight in the last month.

In addition to Cincinnati, Hartford's list of offers includes Miami (Ohio), Iowa State, Louisville, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Michigan State.

Although Hartford will be recruited as an athlete due to his ability to play multiple positions at the college level, you cannot help but picture him as a defensive player when you turn on the film. He is as physical as it gets, and plays every play at full speed. Hartford is the type of player whose love for the game shows through on film, and that is something that college coaches love.

Hartford has a great frame, plays the game fast and comes with bad intentions every time he hits a ball carrier. All of these traits combined will make him a player that continues to add offers in the coming year.

Advertisement