Rivals national recruiting analyst Ryan Wright has thoughts on the premium being placed on uncommitted quarterbacks, Auburn's poor showing in the 2023 class and Alabama commitments that might pick up a fifth star.
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Wanted: A 2023 quarterback!
Fun fact: Of the 25 pro-style quarterbacks ranked in the 2023 class and the 10 dual-threats across the nation, all are committed. Not accounting for flips, the search is on for programs such as Florida State that are hoping to sign not just one but two signal callers in the 2023 cycle. The empty shelves on the QB aisle have put a big premium on overlooked three-stars throughout the Southeast.
Not necessarily accounting for fit in the system, but Hueytown (Ala.) dual-threat Earl Woods can play. Over in Georgia, Parkview High School three-star pocket passer Colin Houck, a Mississippi State baseball commit, might be worth a look along with Woodward Academy’s Jalen Woods.
Going into the Sunshine State, on IMG Academy’s varsity squad, Parker Leise is one of the more overlooked QBs in the class. During the Ascenders’ spring game, he impressed Power Five offensive coordinators in attendance with his abilities. Will Prichard out of Santaluces is another that could see a big jump this fall.
Going back to the 2022 season in Florida, post-grad Ryan Browne is getting a lot of talk. Browne helped lead Venice High School to an 8A state championship, passing for 2,636 yards with 31 touchdowns while rushing for 534 for eight more scores going up on the board.
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Hitting the panic button on Auburn
In the traditional way of viewing college football recruiting, there is still a lot of time before the 2023 recruiting class wraps. But the reality is the window is closing as a vast majority of prospects have already committed leaving very little available talent left. For schools such as Auburn, a program that routinely signs classes ranked in the top 15 of the recruiting rankings, it is time to panic.
Looking at players that could help move the needle for Auburn, there are only five in-state prospects ranked as four-stars out there. Peeking into Georgia, there also only five four-stars left. There’s only one left in Tennessee and two in Mississippi. The help to bolster the roster may come from the transfer portal or three-star prospects that fit the schemes and move up the rankings after strong senior seasons.
A saving grace, of the seven players committed to the Tigers, six are four-stars.
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Which current 2023 Alabama commits could end up with a fifth star?
This topic gets a lot of debate, and for good reason, Alabama miraculously holds the top-ranked spot in the 2023 class without a five-star committed. Two prospects who could get that bump are 1-2 in the Peach State, defensive back Caleb Downs and running back Justice Haynes. Both are fantastic players and worthy of another star.
Two more on the possible list are cornerback Jahlil Hurley and defensive back Tony Mitchell.
