The Under Armour All-America Prospects Game week provided another opportunity to make a more accurate assessment of the skill level of the young players ready to take the next step this season. Talent evaluators were able to assess both the physical and mental aspects of prospects performances leading up to and including the big game. Here is a look at the top five Under Armour prospects ready for prime time.
OT: Trey Smith, Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols will be considered a college football playoff contender heading in to next season thanks to a boatload of returning talent on both sides of the football. The biggest question mark will be at quarterback where they will have an unproven starter so it’s a good thing that they have Smith set to step in at tackle. Smith already looks better than anybody Tennessee has at the position so there is a good chance he takes over immediately at the left tackle spot. Smith has all of the tools to excel at the college level and he should make an immediate impact for the Vols next season.
CB: Justin Broiles, Oklahoma Sooners
Another player that appears poised to make an immediate impact at the college level is the Oklahoma commit Broiles. The Sooners are loaded on offense but they need help on the defensive side of the football in order to become a more complete team. Broiles is an ESPN 300 cornerback with the pure talent to perform at a high level immediately and he should represent an immediate upgrade to the Oklahoma secondary.
WR: Tee Higgins, Clemson Tigers
Clemson’s national title win could be a precursor of things to come with the Tigers prospects looking even better this week thanks to a pair of incoming wide receivers that are poised to make an immediate impact. Higgins is a speedy wide receiver with excellent size and strength that will be expected to step in for the departed Mike Williams and perform at a high level as potentially the best wide receiver on the roster. Higgins is ready to perform at a high level in the ACC and is one of two stars Clemson will add at the position.
This is another case of the rich getting richer as the Tigers have been very strong at the position over the last couple of seasons. Mike Williams was a stud for them this past season and was virtually unstoppable throughout the season. The Tigers will have another such weapon with Higgins in the coming years.
WR: Amari Rodgers, Clemson Tigers
Rodgers is the other potential stud wide receiver that will look to put up big numbers from the outset with the Tigers next season. Rodgers is more of a slot wide receiver with outstanding kick return ability and he should be the perfect compliment to Higgins as a playmaker that can step in as a potential replacement for Artavis Scott. Rodgers is physically ready for the college game and it will be very interesting to see what he and Higgins bring to the table next season.
As mentioned above, this is another good get for the Tigers. They’ll sorely miss quarterback DeShawn Watson, who has declared for the 2017 NFL Draft and should be one of the top 15 picks. However, having a guy like Rodgers along with Higgins means that whoever is the next quarterback at Clemson, his job will be made that much easier. He’ll have some good prospects to work with thanks to the great job recruiting by Dabo Swinney and company.
RB: Khalan Laborn, Florida State Seminoles
Dalvin Cook’s departure will open up the running back position at Florida State with Laborn among the candidates to make an impact. With an intriguing blend of size, speed and athleticism, Laborn could find himself in the mix immediately with a chance to earn significant touches. The Seminoles need a new crop of playmakers to emerge on offense and Laborn has the skill set to absolutely dominate as a freshman in 2017. He’ll be one of the bright young stars in the ACC next season.
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