Under Armour: Ten with something to prove
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The nation's No. 1 player has something to prove? Well, I guess he does. I've been a huge Rosen fan for quite some time and he's been flying slightly under the radar at No. 2 for a long time, but now he's on top of the heap. So what does everyone want to do to No. 1? Knock him off, that's what. Rosen is the best pure passer with the best natural feel for the game I have scouted in person and on film over the years but that's heady stuff to live up to entering a game where you have three practices to get on the same page with your wide receivers. This will be interesting.
3
DE
Seffner (Fla.) Armwood
Why would the nation's No. 3 prospect have something to prove? Mainly because he was No. 1 and recently lost that honor. We know Cowart is a strong, physical prospect who is good against the run and can power towards the passer, but can he be dominant on this stage? He'll be going against the best competition he's faced in pads, so he's going to either prove he belongs near the top or that he has some work to do.
VIDEO: All Access: Byron Cowart
4
RB
Berea (Ken.) Madison Southern
The competition level for Harris isn't very challenging in high school. His talent is unquestioned, but how will his speed hold up against the fast and agile defensive ends, linebackers and defensive backs in practice and in the game? We've seen Jacques Patrick go against high-level talent in and out of pads, but we haven't seen that much from Harris. Will he answer the bell?
5
DE
Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou School
Kaumatule was hyped up when one website overshot and made him the nation's No. 1 player in the 2015 class. Or did they overshoot? Maybe they were on to something. On film, he looks terrific, but more often than not the Hawaii kids come to the mainland at all-star events and games and struggle. He'll either be a guy who shoots up the rankings or falls way down. I don't see a middle ground.
6
QB
Allen, Texas
Murray is a short quarterback, we all know that. But with the success of guys like Johnny Manziel and Russell Wilson recently, should that matter? It doesn't matter as much, that's for sure and Murray could be a five-star talent we are being too critical of because he doesn't fit in the "QB size" box. If he shows he can throw the ball from the pocket as well as do his thing in space, he has a chance to move up. There is little doubt his resume is loaded.
7
QB
Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep
After a great senior season, Wimbush is on the verge of earning that fifth star. The last time we saw him in an all-star setting, he was very impressive the first day and looked like a different, struggling quarterback the next. Can he put together a full week of consistent passing while also showing off his athleticism? How much has his senior year bolstered his confidence? I'm looking forward to finding out.
8
DT
Manassas (Va.) Stonewall Jackson
Settle, like Kaumatule, was once ranked No. 1 in the nation elsewhere, which put his stock a bit higher than it should be in the minds of many fans. He's a very talented defensive tackle who makes three or four plays a game that make you shake your head with wonder. However, he has to show he can be an every down, consistent inside player with the stamina to dominate. Conditioning will be interesting because if Settle shows up in shape, he can have a great week, but if not, he could struggle like Lamont Gaillard did last year.
9
DE
East St. Louis, Ill.
And yet another prospect who has been No. 1 in the country at one point, Beckner comes in much closer to that billing than Kaumatule or Settle at least. Beckner is a huge prospect with good athleticism and plays with leverage and power. He's the kind of player I could see having a dominant week and pushing up the rankings, but we'll see if he can step up to the competition and earn that fifth star.
10
DE
Clayton (N.C.) Cleveland
Johnson is the lowest-rated prospect on this list and the only three-star, so he obviously has a lot to prove. Will he be the surprise of the week or will he simply be overmatched. North Carolina prospects both surprised (Jeb Blazevich) and disappointed (Gaillard) last year, so we will be keeping an eye on Johnson to see which category he falls into.
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Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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