SAN ANTONIO — The All-American Bowl has wrapped up so it’s time for the Gorney Awards. Here is a look back at the week as we hand out some hardware.
LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE
Miami is getting a big-time playmaker in Joseph because the four-star receiver, while being undersized, can run by anybody and has special playmaking ability. Get the ball to him on a screen pass and the Miami (Fla.) Edison can make people miss or he can stretch the field and put tons of pressure on defensive backs trying to keep up. He should be a big-play threat for the Hurricanes.
*****
SPEED DEMON
Time and time again during the week of practice, Niblett showed his ability to simply be faster than the person defending him as he has incredible athletic ability and it should be a huge weapon in coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense. The Texas signee who got pressured by Houston late but ultimately stuck with the Longhorns can be used all over the field and Sarkisian should be able to draw up plays to get him the ball in a variety of ways.
*****
BULL MARKET
Simpson-Hunt has steadily moved up in the rankings in recent months but it still might not be enough. The Ohio State signee was absolutely outstanding all week at the All-American Bowl and his consistency as a shutdown corner really stands out. Simpson-Hunt is not going to blow anyone away physically but he’s a baller, defends so well without being too handsy and does a phenomenal job trusting his instincts when the ball is coming his way. It’s hard to believe there are 10 better corners in this class.
*****
BULL MARKET II
We’ve seen Parker at the Rivals Camp Series and other events over the years but it seems like he’s really blossomed in his senior year and his upside still remains pretty remarkable. The Clemson signee was just as dominant as some other really impressive defensive linemen at the All-American Bowl as he used his size, length and speed to beat offensive linemen regularly throughout the week. In a loaded class for the Tigers along the defensive line, Parker could end up being one of the best.
FREAK SHOW
Keeley backed up his five-star ranking all week and the Alabama signee could have a special future ahead. The Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep is more on the quiet side but when he straps on his helmet he brings an ultra-aggressive style off the edge, he won basically every rep he took during 1-on-1s in practice and his length is really special. Whether it’s using his hands to gain an advantage or to knock down passes or his impressive burst off the edge, Keeley showed why he might be the best defensive end in the class.
*****
BEAST MODE
Hall said when he was presented with his All-American Bowl jersey that he wanted to prove he was one of the best defensive tackles in the country. He did that and more in San Antonio by being a complete physical force and basically unstoppable all week. The Georgia signee played with an edge all week, never relented against anybody and staked his claim as arguably the top defensive tackle in the class.
*****
STICK ‘EM
Inniss did what Inniss has done for years. He gets open basically at will and then catches every single pass thrown his way. The Ohio State signee and current No. 1 receiver in the 2023 class has been so consistent for so many years and that continued at the All-American Bowl where Inniss just has a knack for getting open and getting the ball in his hands.
*****
CHANGE OF PACE
Coleman is one of the most interesting prospects in this class because he’s a true physical specimen at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds and played receiver this week but could also easily flip to the other side of the field and play any number of positions. From defensive end to outside linebacker to safety, the Nebraska signee was recruited all over the place and should find a position that works once in Lincoln.
*****
FEAST OR FAMINE
One of the best-looking prospects in the 2023 class, Vernon was either very hot or very cold during the All-American Bowl week. The Notre Dame signee would either completely dominate the rep and explode past the offensive tackle to win or if the linemen got his hands on Vernon then he would give up too easily and not have a counter move. Vernon has all the physical tools in the world but a second move will be needed to be elite in South Bend.
*****
MR. CONSISTENCY
Moore is a five-star quarterback who was in a massive recruiting battle that UCLA won as the former Oregon commit flipped to the Bruins and it now looks like a major win after his performance at the All-American Bowl. Moore is not going to blow anyone away from a physical standpoint but he has pinpoint precision as a passer, makes smart decisions on almost every snap and never gets too high or too low. The Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King standout is like a surgeon on the field and he even showed that during the game with an incredible four touchdown passes.
*****
THE COVER-UP
There were some phenomenal cornerbacks in San Antonio and Lee, who flipped late from Ohio State, could make an argument as the best one throughout the week. The four-star from Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove is physical at the line of scrimmage, can flip and run with any receiver and then he does an excellent job of poking the ball away at the last second. Rated No. 26 at cornerback, it would be easy to see how the Auburn signee could move way up in the position rankings.
*****
THE COVER-UP II
If Simpson-Hunt and Lee were standouts at cornerback all week, Vickers was completely in that conversation as well as the Oklahoma signee did everything he could to prove he’s one of the best players at his position in the 2023 class. There was talk earlier in his career that maybe the Tallahassee (Fla.) Robert F. Munroe Day School standout would grow into a safety but at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, Vickers is perfect as a long and rangy corner.
*****
MOUNTAIN MAN
There were two other 6-foot-8 offensive tackles in the All-American Bowl in Texas A&M signee Colton Thomasson and new Florida commit Caden Jones but neither were as big as Proctor, who checked in at 345 pounds. It was almost all good weight as well as the Alabama signee (who had been committed to Iowa for months) carried himself well, showed off a dominant physical presence and backed up his No. 1 ranking at the position.
*****
EDGE SPECIALIST
There were plenty of impressive defensive linemen in San Antonio but Faulk continued his dominant offseason by showing he should be in the five-star conversation in the last rankings release for the 2023 class. After dominating the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, Faulk performed well all week at a national all-star event and the Auburn signee who flipped late from Florida State is one of the best physical specimens in the class.
*****
EDGE SPECIALIST II
Jobe was one of the biggest surprises all week. The Michigan State signee is the top-ranked prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 12 weakside defensive end so he was already well-respected but his explosiveness, ranginess and ability to pressure the quarterback really stood out. Having such an elite player slip away from Oklahoma could hurt the Sooners but it’s a big win for the Spartans who did a great job recruiting him.
