By Max Feldman
As the Early Signing Period approaches, @MaxFeldman6 , takes a deeper dive into FOG’s favorite top uncommitted prospects as of December 15th. With recruitment buzz spreading, coaching changes nationwide and Bowl Season approaching, here is how FOG see’s these players panning out long term and how their recruitments may conclude.
Justin Flowe
The California native has had an up and down recruitment, but undoubtedly has been one of the most recruited prospects in the entire nation. Yes, because he is one of the most polarizing and game changing prospects we have seen in recent years. The hardest hitter and the most athletic backer in the class has versatility as a pass rusher and coverage ability of a secondary player, at 6-2 and 230 pounds. Clemson has long been the favorite for Flowe with an incredibly talented class, currently holding at #1 overall with 6 five stars already in the fold. But, there’s a twist. Brett Venables and the Tiger defense have been rumored to only be taking one more linebacker, and the quick revelation of a Trenton Simpson offer and commit have seemed to turn the tables of Flowe’s recruitment. In come the Oregon Ducks, and the Cali-Flock movement of the top California prospects flocking north to Eugene. A year ago, top overall prospect Kayvon Thibedeaux shifted his recruitment from multiple national powers to the Ducks due to the state of the program and immediate opportunity. With Troy Dye graduating, and stars at other positions on the Duck defense sticking around for another year or two, Flowe has a cemented role in Eugene. With five star linebacker Noah Sewell already committed, and the Ducks on a clear elevation within the CFB recruiting world, FOG prediction has Justin Flowe, our top prospect in 2020, landing in Eugene, the second year in a row the top prospect has committed to Mario Cristobal and company. The Ducks would vault into the Top 10 recruiting classes. Justin Flowe is a generational talent, and would be an impressive illustration of how the Oregon Duck program has transcended in recent years.
Kelee Ringo
Another West Coast prospect, Ringo is a 6-2, 200 pound playmaker who projects as a corner at the next level. Ringo shined at Saguaro High School in zone coverage, disrupting plays and on the offensive end. With bursts of what is evidently NFL athleticism, it would not be a surprise to see Ringo wind up as a safety in college or the NFL due to his ability to cover ground, make strong tackles, quick cutting ability and straight-line speed. With a large role as an offensive weapon, primarily in the backfield, Ringo used his speed and hurtling ability to consistently bust open big plays. With long arms and potentially sub 4.4 speed, Ringo is a future first round selection with appeal in multiple positions in a secondary and as a return man. Ringo has a top five of Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas and USC. It has been quiet, but Georgia has been the long running, and current favorite to land Kelee Ringo. Oregon and Texas have been hot on his trail due to needs in the secondary and have produced optimism at points, but the FOG determining factor while making our prediction, Ringo has traveled to Athens three separate times and is fresh off of his official visit. A date is unknown, but as it stands it would be a surprise if the top defensive playmaker in the nation does not commit to the Bulldogs.
Jordan Burch
The Hammond High School, South Carolina, defensive end is a unanimous five star prospect by recruiting outlets for due reason. Burch, at 6-5 and 275 pounds, sticks out like a sore thumb in film. Similar to other top prospects, Burch has incredible size for his position, but sticks out due to his advanced athleticism. Burch has shined as a run stopping end with incredibly strong and quick hands. There is not overwhelming film of his talent as a pass rusher, but it is easily projectable due to his intangibles and athleticism, highlighted by his long runs when handed the ball in the backfield and impressively sharp footwork and jumping ability playing out wide as a receiver. Burch has a top five of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina and LSU. Of all the prospects on the list, Burch has had the quietest recruitment. Due to proximity and recruiting prowess, the Clemson Tigers have been viewed as an appropriate destination, but there is a clear lack of credibility. Clemson already has multiple high profile ends already in the fold, but have undoubted credibility to put their defensive ends in the NFL Fresh off of a visit to Athens, Georgia, the Bulldogs are receiving well deserved hype. The potential underdog in the recruitment is Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. With 0 current crystal ball predictions, the FOG prediction is for Jordan Burch to migrate south and commit to Alabama. Burch has been to Tuscaloosa three separate times, and was recently visited by Nick Saban in-home. When Nick Saban really wants a dude, odds are he’ll give him a lot to think about. The pairing of Burch and Chris Braswell seems deadly long term.
Phillip Webb
Not quite as highly touted as the previous five star recruits mentioned, Webb is a Buford, Georgia native that is underrated in the 2020 class. In one of the best football states in terms of competition in America, the Lanier linebacker is a disrupter in any spot he is playing. With versatility similar to one of my favorite 2020 NFL Draft prospects, Isaiah Simmons, Webb can play at all three levels of a defense. At an advanced 6-4 and 224 pounds, Webb has the ability to burst off the line with as impressive of a first step as you’ll see at the High School level. Webb is a future NFL starter, and one of those defenders who manages to find the ball on most plays. A college weight program and cementing his tackling fundamentals will be a focus moving forward. Webb’s recruitment has been focused on two SEC programs for a long duration, in Alabama and LSU with Florida and home team Georgia looming in the background. The major consensus is on LSU and Ed Orgeron to reel in the long armed, speedy defender to fit into their linebacker core. If no major news breaks on his recruitment, we see Webb landing in Baton Rouge following an official visit. While his recruitment is not quite as interesting and wide ranged as the aforementioned, Phillip Webb is a fit on this list as he has grown into one of FOG’s most appealing long-term prospects with what I see as inappropriate rating/ranking by all recruiting outlets.
Front Office Gurus 