Today is National Signing Day, so instead of being related to the next NFL Draft, this article will be centered around the top five players from the 2023 recruiting class who have the highest NFL upside. Overall, the class is extremely talented and could really produce a load of future NFL stars, but for now, let’s focus on the brightest stars.
Caleb Downs
Safety, Alabama
The younger brother of North Carolina’s pass catcher Josh Downs who’s set to become a NFL player in a few months, is one of the best high school talents I’ve seen recently. Downs is an outstanding athlete who was able to ball out at Mill Creek High School both as a safety, which is his main position, and as an offensive chess piece. The first thing that pops out when watching Downs play is how effortless and natural he looks.
The five-star recruit has impressive eyes and instincts and he mixes that with well above average speed and fluidity. He looks like a player able to command and elevate the whole defensive backs core. He’s dominant with the ball in his hands, a truly explosive and fluid athlete. I expect him to have immediate impact even in an elite program like Alabama: he has everything needed in order to become a dominant NFL talent. Even though it seems odd for a defensive player, Downs could easily offer enough to make him a legit Heisman Trophy candidate.
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Nicholaus Iamaleava
Quarterback, Tennessee
The 2023 quarterback recruiting class is really deep and talented with a close race at the top for the “best quarterback recruit” crown. Of all the quarterbacks, I think Iamaleava is the one with the best NFL tools overall. He’s 6’5”, 200 pounds and he’s an incredibly natural thrower of the football: Iamaleava has insane arm talent and he can really make NFL throws all over the field while displaying impressive velocity and ball placement.
Even though he’s not a legit dual-threat, Iamaleava definitely possesses enough mobility to make plays out of structure with consistency. 247 Sports’ Greg Biggins labeled him with a Justin Herbert comparison and I find it particularly on point: Iamaleava has that type of arm talent and he’ll thrive under Josh Heupel at Tennessee. I think he could easily end up being a big-time NFL quarterback.
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Raylen Wilson
Linebacker, Georgia
Georgia is ruthless when recruiting defensive players and Wilson is a clear example of that. The freakish linebacker was able to run the 100m in 10.51 seconds and he moves around the field like a cheetah. The four-star recruit displays impressive athleticism, explosiveness and instincts.
He truly possesses the raw tools to become an all-round player able to be dominant in all phases: pass rush, run defense and coverage. Georgia has a long history of developing freak athletes on defense into big-time NFL prospects and I expect Wilson to continue this legacy.
Hykeem Williams
Wide receiver, Florida State
The five-star recruit is an outstanding prospect who can really get past defensive backs in a variety of ways. He’s a freak athlete able to get the job done at the line scrimmage and downfield, he’s an absolute weapon with the ball in his hands and he’s physical at the catch point.
Overall, Williams has very few weaknesses in his game and looks like a complete receiver able to become a legit NFL primary pass catcher. His basketball background is on full display on the gridiron. Williams could really turn into one of the best wide receivers prospects in the country considering his athleticism and how advanced his game is.
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Malachi Nelson
Quarterback, USC
This quarterback class is too talented to let things end with just one player listed. USC’s new signal-caller Malachi Nelson may not have the strongest arm, but it’s unbelievable how advanced he is a passer at his age. Nelson is surgical: he displays tremendous ball placement at all levels of the field and he already processes the game like a veteran.
Nelson is a very consistent passer able to throw in rhythm and he can stretch the field vertically with ease when needed. It’s hard to find quarterbacks as cool, calm and collective like Nelson while adding to the mix rare decision making. Nelson’s approach to the game is special and this could easily make a great NFL quarterback.
