1. Adoree Jackson, ATH (5-10, 172)
Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra
Committed to: USC
What stands out: Change of direction skill
What needs development: Upper-body strength
What happens next: Jackson will be an instant threat in the return game
2. Rashaan Evans, LB (6-3, 218)
Auburn (Ala.) Auburn HS
Committed to: Alabama
What stands out: Explosiveness
What needs development: Pass coverage
What happens next: Evans will excite early on coverage teams while he learns the playbooks
3. Malachi Dupre, WR (6-4, 175)
River Ridge (La.) John Curtis
Committed to: LSU
What stands out: Ball skills, leaping ability, long speed
What needs development: Route-running, blocking
What happens next: Defenses will have to roll coverage to Dupre from Day 1. Think Randy Moss-lite.
4. Damian Prince, OT (6-5, 292)
Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara
Committed to: Maryland
What stands out: Tenacity, Power
What needs development: Footwork, pad level
What happens next: Needs some refinement but his nasty streak will allow him to compete early.
5. John Smith, ATH (6-1, 207)
Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
Committed to: USC
What stands out: Body control, ball skills, hands
What needs development: Acceleration
What happens next: Whatever it is, it’ll be exciting. There’s no question Smith will be an All-American. The only question is at what position: FS or WR?
6. Malik McDowell, DE (6-6, 292)
Southfield (Mich.) Southfield
Committed to: Michigan State
What stands out: Power, suddenness, technique, hustle
What needs development: Pad level
What happens next: Big Mac will be terrorizing opposing QBs early and often.
7. Ermon Lane, WR (6-2, 172)
Homestead (Fla.) Homestead
Committed to: FSU
What stands out: Leaping ability, hands, fluidity
What needs development: Strength, blocking
What happens next: Lane will be in the rotation as a true freshman
8. Lorenzo Carter, DE (6-5, 235)
Norcross (Ga.) Norcross
Committed to: Georgia
What stands out: Core strength, lower-body power
What needs development: Pass coverage, block-defeat skill
What happens next: Should make his presence felt from Day 1 on coverage teams and work his way into the rotation early
9. Solomon Thomas, DE (6-3, 263)
Coppell (Texas) Coppell
Committed to: Stanford
What stands out: The motor, upper-body strength, technique
What needs development: Not much
What happens next: Thomas has a chance to contribute as a nickel insider rusher from Day 1
10. Damien Mama, OL (6-5, 360)
Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
Committed to: USC
What stands out: Lower-body strength, run-blocking, nastiness
What needs development: Quickness, balance, flexibility
What happens next: Day 1 impact performer at guard. This road grader will move the LOS as a frosh.
11. Braden Smith, OL (6-6, 275)
Olathe (Kan.) Olathe South Sr.
Committed to: Auburn
What stands out: Mobility, quickness, striking ability
What needs development: Flexibility, pass protection
What happens next: May need to be eased into the lineup, huge long-term upside
12. Steven Parker, DB (6-2, 185)
Jenks (Okla.) Jenks
Committed to: Oklahoma
What stands out: Range, awareness, instincts
What needs development: Strength
What happens next: Day 1 contributor on special teams, nickel and dime installations
13. Travonte Valentine, DT (6-3, 286)
Hialeah (Fla.) Champagnat Catholic
Committed to: LSU
What stands out: Ballast, base, football IQ
What needs development: Hip flexibility, technique
What happens next: Powerful enough to help right away in a rotation
14. Budda Baker, DB (5-11, 178)
Bellevue (Wash.) Bellevue
Committed to: Washington
What stands out: High football IQ, ball skills, instincts, balance, return skill
What needs development: Strength
What happens next: Should be a Day 1 starter as nickel, kick returner
15. Michiah Quick, ATH (6-0, 170)
Fresno (Calif.) Central East
Committed to: Oklahoma
What stands out: Elusiveness, return skill, ball skills, fluidity
What needs development: Strength
What happens next: Has the ability to be a top national return man as a frosh. Will also contribute as slot receiver right away.
16. Derrick Nnadi, DT (6-3, 295)
Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes
Committed to: FSU
What stands out: Explosiveness, technique, change-of-direction
What needs development: Pad level
What happens next: If he can learn to play lower will make an instant impact as a rotational player
17. Kenny Young, LB (6-2, 220)
River Ridge (La.) John Curtis
Committed to: UCLA
What stands out: Athleticism, range, closing speed
What needs development: Strength, block defeat skill
What happens next: Impact special team performer from Day 1, should see action as a LB in passing situations or in a rotation
WATCH:
Next year’s Impact freshmen
