Prospect comparisons all the time generate numerous dialogue, and with the 2025 and 2026 rating classes beginning this week, it is a good time to take a step again and evaluate among the present standout prospects to some school or NFL stars.
Listed below are 5 comparisons of among the greatest recruits within the West.
This sequence: East Coast stars vs. NFL gamers | Mid-South | Southeast | Midwest
Jordan Davidson-Ezekiel Elliott
One of many causes Ohio State has been so excessive on Davidson’s recruiting class is as a result of he grew up idolizing Elliott, and their enjoying kinds have been eerily related on the similar time.
Mater Dei, a operating again from Santa Ana, Calif., is not lightning in a bottle, however he is a three-down again who excels in tight areas and is nice on the line of scrimmage. Be affected person, then explode by way of the opening and emerge victorious. Davison is not a burner, however his instincts and decisiveness are lots like Elliott’s on the similar stage.
On the NFL mix, Elliott stood 6 ft tall and weighed 225 kilos. Davidson placed on some weight this offseason — possibly a little bit an excessive amount of, as he must be trimmed down a bit heading into his senior season — and whereas we sort of missed out on Elliott as a senior prospect, Not excessive sufficient, Davidson is presently a five-star participant with lots of the similar qualities on the similar stage. Ohio, Michigan, Oregon and Alabama are 4 states to look at.
*****
Douglas Utoo – Rashawn Slater
When coaches and gamers discuss Slater as an NFL participant and an NFL rookie, they discuss him being versatile on the offensive line, good and affected person, bodily sufficient when wanted, and athletic sufficient to have the ability to Attain the second stage to hunt out and assist the workforce.
That sounds virtually similar to what Utu did on the line of scrimmage for Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, as he is been at opposing coaching camps and different occasions over time, and he is by no means disenchanted. Amazingly, the five-star offensive deal with virtually by no means loses a rep, and if he does, Utu will study from it and by no means let it occur once more. He is very constant, good, a quiet murderer sort, and performs very very like Slater is within the NFL proper now.
The one distinction: Utu has been a five-star prospect, whereas Slater, who hails from Sugar Land (Texas) Clements, was missed and selected Northwestern over Illinois and Kansas as a Three-star college. Utu entails Oregon, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee and different states.
*****
Chris Henry Jr.-AJ Inexperienced
Henry performs lots and appears lots like his late father (who has the identical title), a 6-foot-4, 200-pound receiver with elite ball abilities on the surface, however that is not a good comparability, So selecting Inexperienced as the 2 has numerous similarities.
Inexperienced, a five-star recruit within the class of 2008 out of Somerville, South Carolina, confirmed nice arms and was runner in highschool, school and a stellar NFL profession, though he did not all the time run. Each cornerback would throw the ball to him and Inexperienced would catch it.
Henry is similar in some ways. Maybe in the identical section, the 2026 five-star receiver will probably be extra bodily, however he isn’t a burner on the surface, however he can catch the ball higher than anybody within the nation. He is quieter and extra laid-back than Inexperienced on the similar stage, however Henry remains to be younger — it is onerous to consider he nonetheless has two years of highschool left — however he has all of the makings of broad receiver as a result of Ohio State has acquired him however LSU, Texas, Oregon and others are attempting to dethrone him.
*****
Little Dijon Lee – Sauce Gardner
Gardner, listed in his NFL.com draft profile at 6-foot-3, 190 kilos, is described as a tall, long-limbed nook with sticky arms who possesses preferrred confidence and competitiveness. .
That description suits Lee effectively, too, as he is listed at 6-foot-3, 181 kilos and possesses great size and the flexibility to throw, if wanted, even towards a gaggle of receivers in Mission Viejo, Calif. Might be an asset on offense.
The third-best cornerback within the 2025 class and the primary non-five-star cornerback, Lee can comfortably play on the island, has the lengthy arms to catch the ball and the pace to attach with receivers Run collectively. It would not be stunning if he will get extra concerned in five-star discussions as his senior yr begins.
*****
Ryder Lyons-Lamar Jackson
Evaluating the 2026 five-star quarterback to one of the best quarterback within the NFL proper now (or the second-best quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes in Jackson) is hyperbole, however Lyons ’s enjoying model is similar to that of the Baltimore Ravens star. If there is a school comparability that may make extra sense, Lyons can also be a greater model of Jackson Dart.
The standout quarterback from Folsom, Calif., is an elite pocket passer who can go in any respect ranges, totaling 3,578 yards and 38 touchdowns in his sophomore season and being drafted. Nonetheless, what units him aside is that he’s additionally an elite runner and ball-handling playmaker, as Lyon additionally had 929 dashing yards and 23 scores.
Like Jackson, he might be environment friendly when operating the ball with a plan. When issues disintegrate, he is additionally nice at escaping strain and making issues occur. Regardless, Lyon is a risk to get first downs and extra on virtually each sport, which is why he is a five-star quarterback in comparison with the Ravens quarterback.
