B/R CFB Recruiting: 12 Players Who Could Surge Up Rankings with Huge Senior Seasons

The fall is the time for movers and shakers in the high school football rankings.

Some players aren't able to showcase their talents on the summer camp circuit. But now that football seasons are in full swing across the nation, it's easier for prospects to put resume-building performances on film.

In some instances, this means players looking to add big-time offers. In others, it could be guys wanting their just due from the recruiting services. A select few prospects want to show analysts that they deserve 5-star rankings.

All of these guys are names you should know. They either have the ability to be dynamic or are already turning heads in their seasons.

The following players are primed to rocket further up recruiting rankings this fall.

It's easy to zero in on a powerhouse program that regularly churns out elite playmakers. College coaches know they're getting kids who've played high-caliber football.

North Shore High School in Galena Park outside of Houston is a perfect example of that, having won yet another Class 6A Division I state championship last season. That's where "tweener" Jayven Anderson plays.

247Sports currently lists the 3-star prospect as a safety, but at 6'0" and 205 pounds, he has the body type to add 20 pounds and play linebacker. He also could play any other type of hybrid spot for a college team that loves his versatility.

Last year, Anderson had 78 tackles and five interceptions for the state champion Mustangs, and he also has track and field experience. Perhaps most importantly, Anderson proved he has a flare for the big moments. He sealed the state title game with an interception.

Anderson has a bunch of offers, including Ole Miss, Indiana, Arkansas, Purdue, Houston and others, but he has yet to pull the trigger on any of them. His only Crystal Ball projection is to the Houston Cougars.

Is he waiting on one in particular, or could he blow up and some of the bigger programs in the Lone Star State come calling?

Anderson is already drawing positive headlines for his performances this year. More big outings could help him rise from his current rank of No. 492 overall and No. 47 among linebackers.

For a kid whom 247Sports only recently ranked, late-budding safety prospect Johnsley Barbas has made quite a name for himself among recruiting analysts lately.

Barbas is beginning to get attention from more schools, which suggests he can climb from his current position as the nation's No. 87 safety and 1087th-ranked overall player in the 247Sports composite.

Barbas is only 5'11" and 165 pounds, but he plays a position where coaches like to see rangy, bit-hitting speedsters. But the Memphis commitment recently made 247Sports' Andrew Ivins' list of "freakiest" prospects because he is "actually (probably)" pound-for-pound the strongest player in the class.

The Tigers got Barbas on campus and secured a commitment from him even though he had offers from Power Five programs like Duke, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Wake Forest.

Will it stick? That might depend on what other programs take notice of him.

Barbas can do it all—playing safety, catching passes and even serving as his team's punter. He's the kind of guy whom you can lean on to get the job done.

If he sticks with Memphis, it'll be a big win for head coach Ryan Silverfield.

You don't have to worry about Cedric Baxter Jr. being on the national radar.

The 6'1", 215-pound running back from Edgewater High School in Orlando has a whopping 53 offers and is 247Sports' second-ranked running back, but he's the No. 4 overall back in the composite rankings.

Baxter is a top-50 player regardless, but with a massive year, the Texas commit could surge further up the rankings and even contend for 5-star status. He's that type of athlete.

Baxter looks like the best back in the country so far this season. In a recent 24-point win over New Jersey's Don Bosco Prep Academy, the top team in the state, Baxter ran for 274 yards, two touchdowns and more than 10 yards per carry. The highlight was a 96-yard run.

While the Longhorns appear to be in good standing with Baxter, he visited the Swamp last weekend for Florida's huge win over Utah. That couldn't have hurt the Gators' chances.

Orlando is pretty firmly Gators country, so the 'Horns may have to watch out. If Baxter keeps posting performances like he has been this season, they won't be the only program to try to steal him away, either.

Baxter is having the type of season and interest from top teams that normally leads to a surge up the rankings. Look for him to continue to move upward.

Defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs from Concord, North Carolina, is turning heads and looking like a potential star on the next level.

The 6'4", 262-pound lineman appeared set to commit to the home-state North Carolina Tar Heels this summer before taking a step back and re-evaluating his recruitment. With the Heels now looking like a high school team on defense, who knows what's going to happen?

Hobbs is being heavily pursued by a trio of SEC teams who have secured official visits from him this fall. The Tennessee Vols were firmly in the mix for his commitment before he stepped back, and Georgia and Alabama recently swooped in with official offers.

The Crimson Tide and Dawgs are the nation's top two programs at the moment, which may make them tough to beat. The Vols are on the upswing with Josh Heupel at the helm, and UNC is still in the mix as well.

Hobbs is getting it done on the field, too. On3's Charles Power said the defender would have won a "freak of the week" contest if there had been one for his Week Zero performance against Charlotte Independence, where he scored all 15 of his team's points, played great on defense and showcased his basketball speed.

Dobbs is currently the No. 142-ranked player and the 20th-rated defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite. He's likely to be higher than that by season's end.

Raheim Jeter was all set to sign with West Virginia after an early commitment, but a lot has changed in the past few months.

The 6'3", 220-pound signal-caller from Spartanburg, South Carolina, was shot in the leg in a "road rage incident" in February, according to GoUpstate.com's Joe Dandron. After recovering, he decided to re-open his recruitment and back off his pledge to the Mountaineers.

"I just felt like West Virginia wasn't really a home for me anymore, and I needed to open up my recruitment again and explore other options," Jeter told Dandron.

The No. 972-ranked player and 48th-ranked quarterback in the 247Sports composite is restarting his recruitment at a time when most of the other top signal-callers are already committed. But he holds offers from schools such as Georgia, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Kentucky. The Wildcats were his other top choice when he committed to WVU.

Jeter took an unofficial visit to East Carolina and received an offer from Rutgers in late July, but it's unclear which direction he's leaning. One thing is certain, though: He has prototypical size for a quarterback, and some team is going to give him the opportunity to play where he's comfortable.

No matter how it turns out, it's great that Jeter is back on the field at all and preparing to finish his high school career before heading to college.

Avery Johnson is a high-profile quarterback on the cusp of the nation's top 10 at his position, looking for the type of attention a player of his ilk deserves.

The 6'2", 175-pound product of Maize, Kansas, is locked in with the Kansas State Wildcats. He gave Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman a major pledge when he elected to stay home and be the next hopeful star at a Big 12 program trying to continue to move in the right direction.

With Kansas State saying goodbye to transfer Adrian Martinez after this year, playing time is up for grabs. Johnson has the ability and talent to step in and make it hard to say no. He's been a big mover up the charts in the 247Sports rankings, and he could surge even higher.

The No. 125-ranked overall player and No. 11 quarterback in the composite rankings chose K-State over 23 other offers, including a laundry list of big-name programs from across the country. 247Sports recently moved him up to the 97th overall player and the ninth-rated quarterback.

Johnson opened his senior season with a 78-7 win over Topeka High School. The lack of competition in Kansas begs the question of how much further he could climb in the rankings, akin to Graham Mertz a few years back. But Johnson is talented enough to keep posting huge numbers, go to an all-star game and show out like Mertz, too.

If you're looking for a high-impact late riser on the defensive line, look no further than Shymeik Jones, who plays for a dominant South Carolina program where you don't stay off the radar for long.

The 6'5", 255-pound Camden High School defender is also a star on his basketball team. Despite two early blowout wins, he has five tackles and four quarterback hurries, and schools are taking notice of his quick-twitch athleticism for a player of his size.

Jones' long-term potential as a developmental prospect is a big deal. That's why teams like North Carolina State (who holds his only Crystal Ball prediction right now), Florida State and Duke have come in with offers. Others will as well once they see him play.

247Sports recently ranked Jones as a 3-star prospect and the nation's 73rd-ranked defensive lineman. He remains unranked in the composite ratings, which shows just how few schools know about him.

Gabe Brooks of 247Sports recently described Jones: "Big-framed, stout front-line defender with good height and frame space to add significant mass... Owns experience in multiple positions, including outside and inside with a hand on the ground, standing on the edge, and even off the ball as a true linebacker."

That type of versatility and his experience on the hardwood gives Jones some unique athleticism that teams will take a swing at, get him on campus and develop. He will wind up ranked much higher if he continues to make an impact on Friday nights.

The Sunshine State produces so much talent each year that it's easy for some players to get lost in the shuffle. Isaiah McKenzie was a perfect example back in 2014.

McKenzie wasn't on many recruiting lists because of his diminutive stature, but he exploded his senior year, showed out in all-star games and signed with Georgia. He's now in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

Edwin Joseph could follow a similar trajectory. The 6'0", 175-pound pass-catcher from Hollywood, Florida, is the nation's No. 622-ranked overall player and the 75th-rated wide receiver, according to the 247Sports composite.

Although he's way down the list of recruits, that hasn't stopped the Pac-12 champion Utah Utes from offering him. South Florida is in the mix as well, while Penn State, West Virginia, Miami, Maryland, Georgia Tech and others have also given him offers.

"Every year it seems like there's one uncommitted senior down in South Florida that everyone in the local football community is endorsing," 247Sports' Andrew Ivins wrote. "Edwin Joseph is quickly turning into that prospect in the 2023 cycle...

"Some of have tried to label Joseph–who is starting to get defensive snaps–as a cornerback at the next level, but the three-star wideout looks more natural on offense given how he runs routes and catches the football."

If Joseph keeps making plays, he's going to pick up interest, add offers and shoot up the rankings. A player of his caliber playing quality competition in Florida should be ranked higher, and he likely will be by the end of the season.

Nathan Leacock of Raleigh, North Carolina, is another wide receiver who's ranked way too low right now.

Tennessee prioritized the 6'3", 200-pound pass-catcher early in the recruiting process. Their motivation is becoming increasingly obvious every time he steps onto the field.

There's a reason why several top programs zeroed in on Leacock and why Michigan and North Carolina coveted him before he decided on Rocky Top. He will have the ability to shine in head coach Josh Heupel's uptempo offense where receivers develop, thrive and shine.

Last year, Leacock shared the spotlight with Wake Forest signee Wesley Grimes at Millbrook High School. But with the spotlight all his this season, he broke out with five catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener.

Leacock is not only fast, but he is big and physical enough to power through defensive backs, get yards after the catch and find the end zone.

"Well, it's not often that you get guys who are that skilled," Millbrook head coach Chris Bunting told High School OT's Pat Welter. "Kid can run, jump, huge catch radius, all the things that Division 1 guys are looking for."

Leacock is the No. 605 overall player and the 78th-ranked receiver in the 247Sports composite rankings, which is far too low for a player as good as him. He will keep showing out in games, and analysts eventually will take notice.

The way Alabama head coach Nick Saban recruits, you don't get the opportunity to sign with the Crimson Tide unless you have elite potential. Saban stacks top-rated recruiting classes like national championships, and when he wants you in the fold in Tuscaloosa, you have a lot of moldable traits.

There's a lot to love about 4-star edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre, a 6'4", 220-pound defender from Eufaula, Alabama, who is the nation's No. 109-ranked player and 13th-rated edge defender on the 247Sports composite. Those are some strong accolades as is, but he soon could be ticketed for even bigger things.

Pierre has a lot of top-caliber programs among his 19 offers, but when the Tide come calling, it's hard for a prospect from the Yellowhammer State to say no these days. Some around Eufaula have humongous (if not unrealistic) expectations for him.

“I think he could be just as good as Will Anderson if he continues to improve,” Eufaula first-year coach Jerrel Jernigan told AL.com's Ben Thomas.

Anderson is a generational talent who could win the Heisman Trophy this year. He's the most disruptive defender in the sport and potentially one of the best ever. Jernigan admitted Pierre needs to add weight and develop Anderson's constant motor, but he believes he's "going to be something special."

There's no question that Pierre is going to the best place he can to develop and thrive. If he keeps showing out, he could soar up the rankings because of his elite potential.

When a player makes a position switch late in his career, it's likely because of a team need or because he's trying to maximize his collegiate ceiling.

The latter is the case for 6'3", 225-pound prospect Desirrio Riles of University Christian High School in Jacksonville, Florida. The nation's No. 1,104-ranked prospect and 103rd-ranked athlete on the 247Sports composite rankings isn't exactly well-known.

That could change with him moving from quarterback, where he was a three-year starter, and focusing more on linebacker and tight end as an all-purpose weapon. He turned heads at Florida's "Friday Night Lights" camp this summer, and 247Sports' Andrew Ivins said he's "equipped with long arms" and "could be an interesting project for someone."

Though Riles has yet to receive an offer from the Gators, Clayton Freeman of the Florida Times-Union mentioned him as a Sunshine State prospect who could see his stock rise this fall. Michigan and Boston College have offered him since spring practice, per Freeman.

Riles moving positions and refocusing his efforts on a new spot could pay dividends with recruiters. He has 10 offers currently, but that number could swell in the coming months.

The way Riles moves in coverage and his physique could cause recruiters to swoop in with an offer. Analysts could likewise push him up their rankings if he has a big senior year against loaded competition.

The LSU Tigers developed a bond with Oconee County High School in Georgia when they were recruiting brothers Max and Jake Johnson, who've since moved on from the Bayou Bengals to Texas A&M. It appears those ties have carried over from the Ed Orgeron era into the Brian Kelly regime.

Although LSU had a sour beginning to Kelly's tenure on Sunday night with a loss to Florida State, it hasn't soured recruiting yet.

The latest Oconee County High School prospect to commit to LSU is 3-star linebacker Whit Weeks. The 6'2", 205-pound recruit is the nation's No. 459 overall prospect and the 40th-rated linebacker, according to the 247Sports composite.

Those aren't exactly eye-popping rankings, but the Watkinsville, Georgia, product could move up if he continues to perform the way he did a few weeks ago in a win over Athens Clarke Central. His performance drew rave reviews from On3's Charles Power.

Weeks had 12 tackles, including three for a loss, a sack and two pass breakups. He also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

That type of skill set could translate well to college, and it's why On3 has Weeks as a 4-star defender when other services aren't quite as bullish on him. That could change soon.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference. Player rankings courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.