The 2023 Under Armour All-American week finished this past Tuesday as 100 plus of the top high school seniors competed all week and finished up with the game. It was an action-packed week where the best of the best shined, and we even got to see a few undecided players make their declarations live at the game. Let’s take a look at whose star shined the brightest and where some made the decision on where their new home will potentially be.
Let's get started right away with the player whom I felt should have been the game’s MVP, DL Peter Woods a Clemson Tiger commit. He completely dominated this game and did it versus the best that this incoming class has to offer. Woods is a 5★ recruit from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama. He currently sports a .9843 grade by 247Sports Composite and ranks as the #33 player overall in the class. Woods displayed his incredible versatility to play inside and outside, along the defensive line. He showed off his explosiveness, high football IQ, and awareness throughout the game. He filled the boxscore, with tackles, sacks, and PBUs. Woods is one of my Top 3 incoming IDP devy freshmen. Make sure you know his name!
Up next is the actual game’s MVP winner, DL Kelby Collins a Florida Gator commit. I wouldn’t disagree with him winning, as he deserved the honor. He is a 4★ recruit from Gardendale High School in Gardendale, Alabama, and has a grade of .9730 by 247 Sports Composite and ranks as the #60 player overall in this class. Collins was one of the brightest stars all week during practice sessions and showed off his pass-rush abilities with constant pressure all through the game. He finished the game with three tackles, one sack, one TFL, and one PBU. The Gators have been on a downhill slide as of late and they desperately need help in the pass-rushing department. Hopefully, for them, Collins will be just what they need to get back to the top of the SEC.
As we continue with this article, I have to mention the Harris twins, Andrew Harris and Michael Harris, who played for Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte, Florida. Both are 4★ recruits, who have said they want to stay and play together. Andrew is the #25 LB overall in this class, while Michael is #35. The brothers have been interesting recruits that everyone has been trying to sign. Michael led all defensive players with six tackles and an impressive effort to chase down WR/KR Zacharia Branch on his kick return for a touchdown. UCF is the frontrunner for the twin tandem, so we will see where they decide that they want to continue their careers.
Coming into this week there were still a number of high recruits who were undecided on where they wanted to play their college ball. Edge rusher Cameron Lenhardt from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida decided to make his decision live on game day. The 4★ recruit had reopened his recruitment after the firing of former head coach Scott Frost but after some deep thought and prayers, he made his declaration to stay and play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Lenhardt ranks as the #37 EDGE in this class with a grade of .9031 by 247 Sports Composite and will add some much-needed pass rush help for the Huskers. He started off as a hand-in-the-dirt DE before transferring to IMG Academy where he become more of a stand-up rusher. Both are valuable skill sets that will benefit him going forward.
Staying with the Nebraska theme, new head coach Matt Rhule formerly of the Carolina Panthers has wasted no time on recruiting. Not only has he landed Lenhardt above he also received a live commitment from 3★ recruit CB Ethan Nation from Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia. With the commitments from Lenhardt and Nation, Nebraska moves up to the #31 ranked class in this cycle. In 14 games played his senior season, Nation has produced 36 tackles, 11 PBUs, three interceptions, and one blocked kick. Nation had no problem when matching up against some of the best WRs in this class during this week’s practice. Rhule will be looking to bring back the heralded black shirt defense and Nation could be a piece to help him just do that.
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
