What you need to know for 2019 ESPN 300 (2024)

When evaluating any class, we try to stay away from making high school-to-NFL comparisons because prospects often more easily compare to college stars.

In the initial release of the 2019 ESPN 300, the trenches are very well-represented, but the quarterbacks have been a pleasant surprise.

Here's a look at whom some of the top committed players from the Power Five conferences remind us of and what could be ahead for the overall No. 1-ranked player.

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
ESPN 300 rank: 1
Uncommitted
College comparison: Marcus Davenport, UTSA
One of the most exciting traits about Thibodeaux's game is his upside. He has yet to scratch the surface of what he's capable of becoming. That is also how Davenport, now a potential first-round NFL draft pick, developed. Both are long and tall with untapped skill. When you have sudden, first-step quickness with long speed to shave the edge and a leaner body type, there is a lot of clay to mold over the course of Thibodeaux's career.

DE Nolan Smith
ESPN 300 rank: 2
Georgia commit
College comparison: Harold Landry, Boston College
Both players have testing numbers that are off the charts, and their verified measurables, production and scores add up. Like Landry, Smith is a very disruptive force who can overwhelm at the point of attack and have enough athleticism to provide valuable pass-rush production on later downs.

ATH Jordan Whittington
ESPN 300 rank: 17
Texas commit
College comparison: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Both Whittington and Samuel have strength and bulk with adequate height but aren't tall, long guys, so they carry their bulk in a compact package. This makes them very difficult to deal with at the line of scrimmage and to tackle in the open field. These explosive traits make for ideal receiving targets and special-teams weapons.

QB-PP Graham Mertz
ESPN 300 rank: 40
Wisconsin commit
College comparison: Riley Ferguson, Memphis
This is a huge commitment for Wisconsin. Mertz brings arm talent and athleticism Badgers fans haven't seen since Russell Wilson. Ferguson is slightly taller but is one of those guys who can make all the throws and is a really good athlete who can extend plays with his feet. This is a strength of Mertz's game, as well.

QB-PP Sam Howell
ESPN 300 rank: 120
Florida State commit
College comparison: Trace McSorley, Penn State
Both are passer first, runners second, and both players have much better intermediate- and deep-level arm talent than people think. What McSorley and Howell lack in ideal measurables, they make up for in moxie and feel for the game. Leadership is a strength with these two.

QB-PP Dylan Morris
ESPN 300 rank: 117
Washington commit
College comparison: Brett Rypien, Boise State
Surprisingly, Morris is the only current verbal commitment in the Pac-12 in the first edition of the 2019 ESPN 300. This is a vintage QB for head coach Chris Peterson. Both Rypien and Morris lack great physical stature, but both possess savvy, anticipation, accuracy and competitive traits that make them perfect for Washington.

Storylines to watch

Early official visits
This is the first year prospects are able to take official visits prior to the start of their senior year in high school. The recruits can now take official visits from April 1 to the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June.

When the new rule was first adopted, there were many questions from coaches and recruits on how it would impact the calendar and how many prospects would actually use the visits. Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2019 class, was originally planning on taking his official visits this spring but has since decided to put them off until the season.

"I know a couple guys who are going to official [visits] in the spring; a lot of guys who are committing early are the ones who want to go," Thibodeaux said. "It's basically based off of when they want to make their decision if they take them now or wait. I'm graduating early, but I'm not the guy who will commit to a college if I'm not ready, so I'll probably commit during the season after I take all my visits."

Geography has proven to be a factor, as well. Ed Orgeron and the staff at LSU have noticed most of their official visitors are out-of-state prospects who are announcing their decisions in the near future.

While Orgeron was initially against the early visits, he understands some prospects want to get their decisions out of the way and this helps make a well-informed decision.

"The guys that come, we have some guys coming from Dallas, coming from Atlanta, we're going to push for them come back unofficially for a game," Orgeron said. "That takes some work, but we want them to come back for a game, and if they keep on coming then you know they're interested."

Clemson has had no trouble getting its targets on campus, partially because of where it is located and whom it recruits, but the coaches don't believe official visits in the spring will help them. Offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said the Tigers' system and process has worked very well for them, so it's not something they want to change at this point.

"I personally believe a lot of guys are going to go around, have fun in the spring, then get a lot more serious about it come fall and winter," Scott said. "For me, in the past, it's been a huge difference if we brought a guy in November to a game, and he's a guy that's going to go all the way to signing day in February. You get to January and you're wishing you had the opportunity to bring him in for an official in January, and November felt like a year ago. It's hard to think about for an April or May official visit that wants to decide in December or February."

Because of that mentality, Clemson will still target a mid-December date for most of its official visits. That gives the Tigers an opportunity to get prospects in who are planning to sign early at the end of December and doesn't leave a big gap if they wait until February to sign, as well.

Rebounding in 2019
Florida State finished the 2018 class ranked No. 11 overall, up from 36 in the beginning of January. Head coach Willie Taggart inherited a bit of a mess from previous coach Jimbo Fisher, but he cleaned up well, and that has rolled over to the 2019 class, as well.

The Seminoles currently have eight ESPN 300 commitments in the 2019 class, led by linebacker Jaleel McRae at No. 68 overall, which is, oddly enough, tied for the most with Fisher and his new team, Texas A&M.

The Aggies finished the 2018 class at No. 16 overall, up from 27 at the beginning of January. Texas A&M has seen a lot of early success, especially since landing top commit Brian Williams, a safety ranked No. 33 overall.

At No. 20 overall, Michigan finished with its lowest class ranking under coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines now have seven ESPN 300 commitments in 2019 and an opportunity to continue adding more top prospects to the class.

The Wolverines have had success in Georgia in recent years, and that continues in 2019, with its top ranked commitment coming from Georgia defensive tackle Christopher Hinton, ranked No. 38 in the ESPN 300.

Reloading talent
Georgia is capitalizing off of its 2018 season and No. 1 class with six ESPN 300 commitments in this class so far. In fact, three of those six are ranked in the top 20 of the ESPN 300, which is remarkable. Defensive end Nolan Smith, No. 2 overall, and wide receiver Jadon Haselwood are in the top 15.

Alabama could probably fall under the rebounding category, since the Tide had only three commitments total at this time last year. But Nick Saban and his staff finished at No. 6 in the rankings after the February signing day and also won a national championship, so it's tough to say they are rebounding from anything devastating.

The Tide have seven ESPN 300 commitments in this class and will likely make a bigger focus on the early signing period this year. Saban is going to make a run at No. 1 again and try to keep Smart out of that top spot, especially with offensive lineman Pierce Quick, who is the No. 5 overall prospect.

Oklahoma and Ohio State are both losing a few pieces to last season's teams but are reloading the depth chart with a ton of talent who should help them contend this coming season. Both teams are also recruiting well in 2019, as the Sooners have six ESPN 300 commitments and the Buckeyes have five.

Top uncommitted prospects

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux: At No. 1 overall, he is the highest-ranked uncommitted prospect. Thibodeaux has a top 12 of Alabama, LSU, Washington, Florida State, Michigan, USC, UCLA, Clemson, Oregon, Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma.

He won't make his decision until the middle of his season, so there is plenty of time for him to decide.

DE Zach Harrison: The No. 3-ranked recruit is still looking around. The Ohio prospect has seen Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in recent weeks and could land at one of those schools in the future.

OTs Kenyon Green, Darnell Wright, Devontae Dobbs and Wanya Morris: They're all ranked in the top 10 and all still uncommitted. Green, ranked No. 4 overall, said he is going to announce his top five in the near future and will take all five of his official visits to those schools during the season, then make his decision.

LB Owen Pappoe: He checks in at No. 8 and will commit to either Auburn or Georgia in May.