Updated Grades on Notre Dame commits, targets, and others after The Opening
In addition to the updated ISD Fab 50, there were other prospects that I gave a bump to after seeing them at The Opening Finals.
It all starts with Notre Dame commitment Kyle Hamilton who I moved up to 94 from 91 after seeing him live. Whether playing deep as a free safety or being a strong safety playing a Robber technique disrupting crossing routes, Hamilton is going be a playmaker in the Irish secondary.
He checks all the boxes for me as one of the top safeties in the 2019 cycle.
Notre Dame linebacker target Tristan Sinclair went from 88 to 91 in my grades. While I still want to see improved recognition in zone coverage, his change of direction and acceleration to the football is at a unique level. He is an ideal fit for the Rover position.
The other Irish targets I bumped all play cornerback and are from California. I was a bit worried about Max Williams’ height, but his instincts are special. He has the confidence that he is the best player on the field and often he is. He went from 94 to 95 in my grades.
I was too low on Isaiah Rutherford going into the camp. I had him at 90 and think I’ve got it right at 92 now. Although he is skinny, I think putting on the weight won’t be an issue for him once he focuses completely on football. His fluidity for someone his height (6’2) and his speed which allows him to run with pretty much any receiver are what makes him such a great prospect.
Trent McDuffie saw as many targets as any corner I watched over the course of the camp because of an injury to one of his teammates. He never left the field and never backed down an inch. He got beat a few times deep, but always came back strong. He is now a 91 after I originally gave him a 90.
Outside of the Notre Dame targets (and the ones I mentioned in the Fab 50) here’s a quick rundown of some other grades I bumped up for some players:
Tennessee OT commit Wanya Morris - 93 to 95. I thought he was a bit heavy footed on film, but it didn’t look like it in pass protection in Dallas. If he was a bit meaner he would be a Fab 50 candidate for me.
Ole Miss LB commit Diwun Black - 92 to 94. I was a bit unsure of his fit after watching his film, but he was one of the linebackers who shined the most in coverage. Going to be an interesting chess piece to move around the board for the Rebels.
South Carolina DL commit Joseph Anderson - 94 to 95. Capable of rushing from inside and out, the former ND target showed even more twitch than I expected used his length really well to win consistently.
Alabama LB commit Shane Lee - 92 to 94. Not only did he look the part, he answered questions that I had about him in coverage too. Unfortunately the Tide are getting another stud inside ‘backer.
TE Jude Wolfe - 91 to 93. Probably had the second best week for a tight end at the camp. Big and moved much better than his previous poor testing numbers suggested. Really a great in-line blocker and he put everyone on notice that he can be much more than that.
Oklahoma TE commit Austin Stogner - 94 to 95. Baller. Spencer Rattler threaded the needle to him in traffic numerous times and Stogner always seemed to come up with it no matter how tight the coverage was.
LSU OL commit Kardell Thomas - 93 to 95. I'm still a bit worried about his weight, but he might always be in the “bad body, good player” category. In a phone booth he is going to win against anybody. If he can get his weight down it’s going to change the trajectory of his college career.