What’s new in the updated ESPN 300 rankings: Biggest risers, including the No. 1 prospect

Following several recruiting camps and combines, from private showcases to on-campus events, we updated the college football prospect rankings in the 2024 ESPN 300.

We have hosted several camps since the initial ESPN 300 release in April, and many prospects took advantage of the exposure to either solidify five-star status, climb the list or make their debuts in the rankings.

This rankings update also factors in the results of the Elite 11 Finals, which concluded on June 16. It’s no surprise that quarterbacks are a focus of each recruiting class, and we have now seen just about every top prospect both on film and in person for two cycles.

One surprise: For the first time, a cornerback tops the list. Previously, Jabrill Peppers (2014) and Travis Hunter (2022) were both ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect, while Pat Surtain II (2018) earned the No. 5 ranking. In 2006, future Rhodes Scholar and current surgeon Myron Rolle was listed as the No. 1 recruit, though as a safety.

While Dylan Raiola, the previous No. 1 overall recruit in this cycle, is a Heisman-caliber quarterback in a very strong QB class, we are convinced that this class has an elite shutdown corner.

We break down who the new No. 1 recruit is, players on both sides of the ball who climbed the rankings and other prospects who stood out over the past few months.

Jump to:
Meet the new No. 1 recruit | Top QBs
Risers at skill positions
Big movers on defense

Shaking up the top three

Ellis Robinson IV is no stranger to our evaluation team. Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, he has competed on the camp circuit since middle school and now plays for national high school powerhouse IMG Academy (Florida). He checks all the physical attributes at the position. Over the past five cornerback classes, he grades in the 90th percentile in height (6-foot-1), 40-dash (4.56), on-field play speed (22.1 mph, comparable to Jalen Ramsey), vertical (36 inches) and even length (35-inch arms).

The Georgia commit has elite tools at a premium position with a zero-to-low bust factor. Robinson can run, cover and hit as well as any corner we have seen in recent years. The level of competition he faces at IMG Academy — he regularly works against the nation’s top wideouts in practice and throughout the season — should better prepare him for contributing quickly once he arrives on campus.

While there is still time for other prospects to claim (or reclaim) the No. 1 spot, it is clear Robinson deserves that title, as he has shown the elite potential to be an impact player at the next level.

Robinson’s rise from No. 4 to No. 1 is more a reflection of his ability and overall grade as agreed upon by our scouts rather than Raiola falling short. To be clear, Raiola, also a Georgia commit, moves down to No. 2 overall not because of his play or Elite 11 performance, which was quite strong. The top two competitors at Elite 11 were Raiola and new No. 3 prospect Julian Sayin.

Sayin, who committed to Alabama, not only won the pro day style event and was named Elite 11 MVP, but his weeklong consistency and accuracy warranted a jump from No. 8 overall to No. 3.

Five standout QBs

Other notable moves among the QBs see Ohio State QB Air Noland move up from No. 47 to No. 28 and future Florida State pocket-style QB Luke Kromenhoek bump up from No. 213 to No. 156. Noland has some real juice to his game — a decisive and quick arm with mobility — while Kromenhoek is going to be a late bloomer with strong upside.

There are three new entries into the ESPN 300 at quarterback as a result of strong performances at the Elite 11 as Trever Jackson (uncommitted), Michael Hawkins (Oklahoma) and Ethan Grunkemeyer (Penn State), who had been a four-star just outside the ESPN 300. This summer, they now enter at No. 203, No. 292 and No. 88, respectively.

With Grunkemeyer, it’s all about the release. He can get rid of the ball so quickly, and he strokes the ball like a pitching machine. He has a lot of the same qualities as former Penn State starter Sean Clifford, only Grunkemeyer is blessed with more arm talent.

While Hawkins has some work to do fundamentally (he pushes the ball a bit), his accuracy is undeniable. He throws a very catchable ball.

Jackson is a prospect who has his best football ahead of him. He has a dynamic skill set with a strong arm. The Florida native hasn’t played as much as some of the others in this class, but that’s what makes his upside so appealing.

New faces at the skill positions

Dashawn McBryde, S
LSU | New ESPN 300 ranking: 124

McBryde showcased a dynamic and versatile skill set when he competed at this spring’s Nike All-22 event. He possesses the rare combination of height (6-3), length (79-inch wingspan) and explosiveness (21-foot, 10.5-inch long jump) to be a future playmaker on LSU’s defense.

NiTareon Tuggle, WR
Georgia | New ESPN 300 ranking: 162

We saw Tuggle, whose nickname is Nitro, at the Under Armour Ohio camp in May, a month after the ESPN 300 debut. He may not wow with elite speed, but he compensates with suddenness and elite change-of-direction skills at 6-1, 195 pounds. He can compete for the jump ball while also moving well and making defenders miss like a slot receiver.

Micahi Danzy, ATH
Uncommitted | New ESPN 300 ranking: 194

Danzy’s speed improved drastically over the course of the last two years. His 100-meter personal record on MileSplit jumped from 11.86 seconds in 2021 to 10.61 this past spring, and his 200-meter time improved by over a full second to 21.07. A 6-1, 175-pound athlete from Tallahassee, Florida, Danzy’s size, speed and ability to play both ways give him added value.

Rico Scott, WR
Alabama | New ESPN 300 ranking: 248

We got to see Scott in person this spring at the Under Armour Baltimore camp, where he posted a laser-timed 4.53 40-yard dash and a 4.3 short shuttle. He has a max speed on film at 20.5 mph and will help a Crimson Tide receiving corps that needs replenishing.

Luke Reynolds, TE
Penn State | New ESPN 300 ranking: 253

The Nittany Lions have produced some top tight end talent in recent years, and Reynolds is a guy to watch as their next top performer at the position. Reynolds converted from QB to TE and is developing well quickly. Since we first saw him on the camp circuit in the summer of 2020, he has grown three inches to 6-4, and this past spring recorded a personal best vertical jump of 38 inches and a top short shuttle speed of 4.29. He has already demonstrated very good ball skills and the ability to win contested matchups, and he’ll only improve the more he focuses on TE.

Michael Turner, WR
LSU | New ESPN 300 ranking: 260

Turner is an absolute jet. His speed alone warrants his entry into the ESPN 300. Over the past two years, each 100-meter time he has posted has been under 10.97 seconds, with a personal record of 10.59, per MileSplit. Turner also posted a 21.5 mph max speed on film, which bodes well for a school vying to be known as WRU.

Jameer Grimsley, CB
Uncommitted | New ESPN 300 ranking: 267

Grimsley was a prospect that was at the very top of our three-star scale and achieved a fourth star after posting excellent track times. His speed and agility, per MileSplit, match up to his film, as he ran a 200-meter dash in 21.89 seconds. He is a smooth defensive back who can play on either side of the ball, so there are times his speed looks more effortless than it should be.

Big movers on defense

Dylan Stewart, DE
Uncommitted | New ESPN 300 ranking: 15 (previously: 19)

The more we evaluate Stewart, the more it makes sense to add him to the group of five-stars in the class. He first impressed us at a Ray Lewis camp in the spring of 2022 as the edge defender was pushed hard during a tough conditioning session but never quit and bounced back strong on Day 2. A fierce competitor with a wealth of physical tools (6-5, 235), Stewart is also an explosive player who bends and redirects very well (4.4 shuttle). He can be a disruptive force and has shown he is among the elite defensive prospects in the 2024 class and as a result, is a target of several top programs. He has been busy in recent weeks with official visits. Georgia, Maryland, Miami, Ohio State and South Carolina lead the pack.

Jaden Smith, LB
Michigan | New ESPN 300 ranking: 102 (previously: unranked)

The Wolverines are assembling one of the nation’s premier classes, and that group just got another boost with the recent addition of Smith, who enters the ESPN 300. A standout at the UCReport’s Carolina camp, he posted strong testing numbers, including a laser 4.58 40-yard dash and a broad jump over 10 feet that would have placed him among the top LBs in this year’s NFL combine. He needs to continue to fill out his 6-3, 200-pound frame, but while adding more power to his game, he can give offenses fits with his quickness and range. Smith will effortlessly slip blockers and change direction and has excellent body control. A disruptive defender who lives in opponents’ backfields, Smith should only continue to improve as he adds size and gets stronger. It won’t be surprising if he moves up the rankings further when all is said and done.

Chris Cole, LB
Uncommitted | New ESPN 300 ranking: 106 (previously: unranked)

Cole jumps into the ESPN 300 on the heels of an MVP performance at the Under Armour Baltimore camp. The nephew of former Miami LB great Rohan Marley, Cole is quickly making a name for himself as one of the top defensive prospects in this class. Unlike his active and hard-hitting uncle, who was under 6-feet, Cole possesses excellent measurables at a little over 6-3 with a lengthy frame to develop. In addition to the promising physical upside, he is a versatile player that is explosive and moves well, posting a 7.28 L-drill at camp. Having transitioned from safety to linebacker, he is confident and effective in coverage and uses his length well to play off blocks and defend the run. With his agility and aggressive style, he should further develop as a disruptive pass-rusher. Cole’s talent and upside have caught the attention of top programs with recent visits that include Georgia and Miami.

Brayden Platt, LB
Uncommitted | New ESPN 300 ranking: 186 (previously: 258)

Platt gets a boost as the physical tools (6-2, 240) are hard to ignore. He also excels in track and field as one of the nation’s top shot putters and javelin throwers. He not only brings excellent power, but he also posted a 4.64 40 at a Nike All-22 event this spring. He’s a physical force as an inside linebacker who can violently shed blockers and deliver a big pop when tackling ball carriers. He also contributes at RB and moves well enough to not only be a banger downhill but can close well and be a factor outside the tackle box. A top target out West, Platt has taken officials to UCLA and Oregon, as well as Oklahoma.

Elijah Newby, LB
USC | New ESPN 300 ranking: 245 (previously: unranked)

Newby, who has also performed well in track and field, moves into the ESPN 300 with excellent physical tools and upside. Similar to fellow new entries Cole and Smith, Newby has a lean 6-3, 185-pound frame that he needs to further develop but possesses good length, can cover ground and will be a factor in pursuit. Clocked at a 20.6 mph max speed, he backs up strong testing numbers with his play on the field. While he does need to continue to fill out, the USC commit not only moves well but also shows he is not afraid to throw his body around and has a physical style of play.