Weekly rankings notes: Early-season committed risers and noteworthy debut grades (2024)

Last weekend's Broward Showcase brought some of the nation's top high school programs to South Floridafor three days of games. There was no shortage of star power with nearly 50 future Power Four players running around, but by far the biggest eye-catcher was UCLA commitEpi Sitanilei of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco. After racking up just three sacks last fall, Sitanilei tested in the upper percentile this spring on the offseason camp circuit and was marked behind the scenes as a potential riser in the rankings by the 247Sports scouting department if he could take the next step in pads.

So far, so good. In a nationally-televised win over Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Sitanilei created plenty of pressure from the corner, using both his first step and energy to get after the quarterback.Sitanilei's grade rises to a high three-star 89 rating on 247Sports; he will be considered for a spot in the Top247 over the next few months as we are bullish on the combination of his length, burst, and rugby background. -- Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting

Florida defensive line commit Joseph Mbatchou has provided one of the more tricky evaluations in the class of 2025. A native of Cameroon, the big man is playing football for the first time this fall at Loganville (Ga.) Grayson.Mbatchou isn't a full-time starter just yet, but the flashes he has put on tape so far are very promising as he wins with power and looks explosive in the lower half. That's in turn why his grade has moved from a three-star 86 to a high three-star 89.

Verified at just a shade over 6-foot-4, 275 pounds with plenty of length, the former basketball player needs to soak up as much coaching as possible, but he's got an extremely high ceiling with his physical gifts. The Gators are expected to get Mbatchou back on campus this weekend after picking up his commitment in late July, but that hasn't stopped Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and USC from offering in recent weeks. -- Ivins

Greenville (Ga.) High athlete Antavious Richardson had an offseason to remember, winning the Georgia Class A-Division II state championshipin both the 100- and 200-meter events. That momentumhas carried over into the season as the USF commit has proven to be one of the more dynamic two-way standouts in the state of Georgia as a senior. Richardson rises to a high three-star 89 grade from an 87, and also now carries an athlete designation to further reflecthis two-way status as either a wide receiver or defensive back at the next level.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder originally committed to Georgia State in April and was set to become the Panthers' highest rated signee ever before flipping to USF in June. North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Duke have recently offered, and according to Bama247'sBrett Greenberg, the Crimson Tide will host Richardson on an unofficial visitWeek 1.-- Hudson Standish, 247Sports national scouting analyst

Gates Mills (Ohio) Gilmour Academy's Brody Lennon, an Ohio State pledge, represents another senior prospect who's started his final prep campaign impressively. A well-established two-way playmaker, Lennon produced 750 yards and 11 touchdowns on 23.4 yards per reception in 2023, when he made nearly 90 tackles, two dozen TFLs, and 13 sacks. Lennon caught four passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns (64, 16), while adding a 13-yard TD run, in his season opener. He lined up at various spots, including the backfield, and set the key perimeter block to spring a teammate on a 36-yard quick-screen TD as well. Lennon rises to the highest 247Sports three-star rating of 89.

"Physical player on both sides," said Greg Biggins, 247Sports national scouting analyst. "Tough to bring down as a TE and very good after the catch. Versatile player who can move around from in-line, slot, out wide, and H-back. Dominant run blocker and has a nice edge to him. Thought he looked really good as an edge rusher as well.Good all-around player who seems like a good fit in any type of scheme."

Clemson commit Marquise Henderson entered his senior season with nearly 4,500 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns as he averaged double-digit yards per carry the past two seasons. Early returns in 2024 are strong. The Belton-Honea Path (S.C.) standout plays as fast as ever after posting a 10.86 100 and a 22.94 200 this past spring. Henderson, who also plays basketball, rises to the highest 247Sports three-star grade of 89.

"Type of running back you can get creative with who also brings return game value," said Clint Brewster, 247Sports national scouting analyst. "I like how he's taking on contact early in his senior year, as he lookssurprisingly strong. Also shows some explosive second level-burst and pass-catching acumen, which is huge at that position in today's game."

Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep defensive lineman Donta Simpson is another front-line defender who we got some in-person exposure to at the Broward Showcase. A rare body type for the 2025 cycle at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, Simpson is a drain plugger who can take on double teams and hold up traffic in the middle. He also can move better than most his size, which is backed up by his blazing 7.05-second effort in the three-cone drill. That was the top mark for linemen on the Under Armour Next camp series this year.

Simpson's grade moves from a three-star 86 to a high three-star 88 this week after a favorable showing against Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco. He's going to need some technical refinement when he gets to college, but the arrow looks to be pointing up as he's young for the grade and likely to continue his physical transformation in the coming years. A one-time Maryland commit, Simpson recently flipped his pledge to Miami. He reminds us a little bit of former UM defensive tackle Jon Ford. -- Ivins

247Sports national analyst Greg Biggins got a savvy initial mid-three-star grade on Pupualii Sepulona during the summer, and the Honolulu St. Louis defensive standout has further caught the attention of the national scouting team as a whole. Sepulona, who rises to a high three-star 88 rating on 247Sports, pushes 6-foot-2, 260 pounds with explosive first-step burst, a red-hot motor, and an outstanding multi-sport profile. Sepulona is a skilled hooper whose earned MaxPreps Hawaii Basketball Player of the Year two consecutive seasons.

The simultaneous hand strength and dexterity Sepulona shows on the hardwood accompanies sudden twitch and body control. His spin moves in the lane translate to his pass-rushing move set, which will continue to expand as he gains more gridiron experience. Sepulona, who's also played volleyball, picked up Boise State, San Diego State, UNLV, and Central Michigan offers in the summer. -- Brooks

Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County athlete Weston Bryan is one of the more intriguing players from the state of Georgia's 2025cycle. The verified 6-foot-3, 240 pound high school quarterback earned honorable mention status on 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins'Freaks Listafter going 31-5 on the wrestling mat and finishing second at the Georgia AAAAAAA state tournament.

Bryan checks more multi-sport markers with his baseball accolades and legitimately impressive weight room personal bests, but his Friday Night performancesfuel his ascension to a high three-star 88 grade as an athlete. Bryan is a devastatingly effective power runner who has made marked improvements as a passer since last season, but is still at his best using his immense physical tools to overpower defenders. Bryan could feasibly play tight end, linebacker, or quarterback at the next level, and we wouldn't be surprised if Power Four programs started kicking the tires on this recruitment.-- Standish

Seffner (Fla.) Armwood pulled off one of the more surprising preseason results in the Sunshine State a few weeks ago when they drove three hours to take down Miami (Fla.) Norland. A number of seniors made plays in the run-away 51-20 victory, including Kellen Wiley, who joined the Hawks this offseason after spending his junior year at nearby Tampa Hillsborough. Estimated at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds with what looks to be a rather projectable frame, Wiley flashed as a second-level defender as he took sharp angles in pursuit and was quick to locate the football. Wiley was officially credited with 14 tackles and a pair of sacks in the win and he followed it up a week later with an even more impressive stat line, totaling eight tackles, two more sacks, and a pick-six against Tampa Gaither.

Wiley has been primarily deployed as an off-ball linebacker, which is why he debuts in the 247Sports rankings with a higher three-star grade of 87, but we could also see him settling in as a two-point edge rusher at the next level given his explosive traits. A regional qualifier in the triple jump with a respectable 43-foot, 4.5-inch effort on file, Wiley has picked up offers in recent weeks from Miami, Louisville, and North Carolina. -- Ivins

Louisiana picked up a commitment earlier in the summer from Phoenix Pope, an intriguing defensive prospect with linebacker-oriented physical specs and the on-field context and play style of an edge rusher. Pope, who also plays basketball and has gotten limited track and field reps for Galveston (Texa*) Ball, finished his junior season with 66 tackles, eight for loss, two sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles. Debuting with a solid three-star 85 rating, Pope shows some explosiveness through his hips accompanied by speed-to-power ability. Pope's bounce on the basketball floor perhaps speaks best to his athleticism, which should provide some long-term developmental upside to his game on the gridiron. -- Brooks

With games being played around the country, quarterbacks are under the microscope. One under-the-radar signal caller who has already impressed is Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic's Ryan Huff, who gave a verbal pledge to Old Dominion in March. In the first official contest of his senior year, Huff completed 14 of 21 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-0 blowout of nearby Navaree.

We view Huff as a pocket passer with a favorable framewhowins with his eyes and accuracy. He does an impressive job of anticipating windows, then hitting his marks on time. He's not a super-dynamic athlete, but he's a crafty mover who can climb in the pocket and step into throws.Huff owns a 21-6 record as a starter and a respectable turnover rate. He now holds a three-star grade of 85and is set to take an unofficial visit to Florida this weekend as the Gators continue to search for a 2025 quarterback after landing Top247 five-star and No. 1 QB DJ Lagway last cycle. -- Ivins

Shreveport (La.) Evangel's Nathan Green first caught our attention when he earned a top performer spot following the Under Armour Dallas Regional in the spring. Green, who previously played for nearby Shreveport (La.) Booker T. Washington,displayed encouraging recovery ability in that setting, as well as ball skills. Green has gotten valuable two-way snaps at receiver, cornerback, and safety, and he could wind up playing either of those traditional secondary spots. For now, we designate him as a safety in the long run, and he's debuted with a solid three-star 85 rating on 247Sports as his junior season opener looms. Green -- who got spring 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4x200 relay reps -- reported his first offer in Aug. 2023 from Baylor.Grambling State offered in May. Expect more to come. -- Brooks

-- 247Sports' Andrew Ivins, Hudson Standish, Cooper Petagna, Greg Biggins, and Clint Brewster contributed to this report.