From uncommitted recruits making big plays to future Alabama, Texas and Texas A&M players collecting great tape, these are the week’s top highlights from the high school ranks.
Before they take the field as college football players on Saturdays, some of the top recruits in the 2023 and 2024 ESPN 300 are playing underneath the lights on weeknights.
The highly decorated duo committed to the USC Trojans, quarterback Malachi Nelson (No. 1 overall, No. 1 QB-PP) and wide receiver Makai Lemon (No. 19 overall, No. 2 WR), left with injuries during Los Alamitos High School’s (California) 49-14 victory over Corona Del Mar High School (California) on Thursday.
But Nelson did throw this touchdown pass before leaving the game in the third quarter.
Here’s how some of the nation’s other top recruits looked this week.
Despite his team’s loss Thursday, Paetow High School (Texas) defensive tackle David Hicks Jr. displayed some of the force he’ll be bringing to College Station next fall for Texas A&M.
.@AggieFootball commit @DJ2g23 in on play for @PaetowFootball @abc13houston #jeeez #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/aLPOysTITu
YEESH! @DJ2g23 with the punishing boom on Seth Davis for a tackle for loss. Hicks has been one of the few bright spots for Paetow tonight. #txhsfb @PaetowFootball @PaetowAthletics @KatyISDAthletic @KPRC2RandyMc pic.twitter.com/vYyS1tKPF9
Hicks, the 17th-best prospect in the 2023 class and the third-best defensive tackle in ESPN’s rankings, had 26 tackles (eight solo), four sacks and eight TFLs through his first four games for Paetow High School.
A year after finishing atop ESPN’s team rankings, Texas A&M’s 2023 class is currently ranked 17th.
Running back Cedric Baxter Jr. is one of the offensive crown jewels of Texas’ recruiting class for 2023, which sits fourth in ESPN’s rankings.
During Edgewater High School’s (Florida) 40-0 victory over Timber Creek High School on Thursday, Baxter (No. 58 overall, No. 4 RB) got loose repeatedly.
Cedric Baxter Jr. with a big run to setup an Edgewater TD!
RB1 in the 2023 class! #HookEm pic.twitter.com/SoQxYBgCjw
@InsideTexas Ced Baxter pic.twitter.com/Hld6XqrIrB
He has churned out 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns over five games for Edgewater High School.
As one of two ESPN 300 quarterbacks in Alabama’s top-ranked class, Eli Holstein will be a household name in relatively short order.
The 13th-best prospect and fourth-best pocket passer in the 2023 cycle didn’t disappoint Thursday in Zachary High School’s (Louisiana) 33-6 victory over Woodlawn High School (Louisiana).
Bama commit Eli Holstein zips this pass to Jalen Wright for 6️⃣. Holstein went 3 for 3 for 50 yards on this drive ????@eli_holstein10 | @_ZHSFootball | @jalen3wright pic.
