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          2025 ESPN 300 rankings update takeaways

          Quarterback Bryce Underwood out of Belleville High School in Detroit has committed to LSU. Belleville
          • Craig Haubert
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            Craig Haubert
            ESPN Staff Writer
            • National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
            • More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
            • Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha
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          • Tom Luginbill
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            Tom Luginbill
            ESPN Analyst
            • Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
            • Coached in four professional football leagues
            • Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
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          Jun 26, 2024, 07:17 AM ET

          If there's one thing we've learned about the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class, it's that they've all had their ups and downs on the camp circuit. It's part of the process.

          Game film takes top priority in an evaluation, but a lot of elements make up quarterback evaluation. Film study, camps, combines, Elite 11 performance and personal workouts are all pieces of the puzzle. It's very important to not make a final assessment on a quarterback based on one average or poor camp performance over three hours on a single afternoon. That's not fair or responsible.

          The Elite 11 is an iconic event, but it's not necessarily predictive of next-level success. The event does provide one final opportunity for us to evaluate and rank quarterbacks before their senior season. Those evaluations have led to a big change in the updated ESPN 300 rankings. Elsewhere, the spring and summer camp circuit has allowed several players to make moves in the rankings.

          Here are the takeaways from the rankings:

          Jump to a section:
          At the top | QB breakdown
          Moving up | New entrants

          QB Bryce Underwood takes over No. 1 overall spot in ESPN 300

          Bryce Underwood, the new top-ranked QB in the class, did not participate in this year's Elite 11 because he didn't attend a regional combine. But as noted above, a single event should never dictate a player's ranking.

          When Julian Lewis reclassified from the 2026 class to 2025, it put the top five of the ESPN 300 and the quarterback rankings in flux. We initially gave Lewis the nod given his age and advanced skill set. Lewis performed at a high level at Elite 11. Decisiveness, timing and anticipation are three of his greater traits. As stated previously, the USC commit has one of the smoothest deliveries in this class.

          As the cycle has progressed, it's clear that Underwood and Lewis love to come out and compete, even when there's little left to prove for either of them.

          Underwood did so at the Under Armour New Jersey camp. In harsh weather conditions, with no real upside to perform, the LSU commit still performed. He is a chemistry-set type of quarterback -- one you'd like to build in a lab. He checks all the boxes: height, weight, speed, athleticism, arm strength, arm angles, anticipation, instincts and awareness. He is older than Lewis and more physically developed. Underwood's game has no physical or fundamental flaws, and he has the chance to make a greater early impact compared to Lewis.

          Breaking down the 2025 quarterbacks

          Elite 11 solidified that there are a handful of quarterbacks who are a cut above the rest. Most notably Tavien St. Clair, Julian Lewis, Husan Longstreet, Keelon Russell and Deuce Knight come to mind. Guys like Texas commit K.J. Lacy, Missouri commit Matt Zollers and Malik Washington are in another group of very talented yet slightly more developmental players with bright futures. 

          QB Tavien St. Clair

          ESPN 300 rank: 15

          St. Clair made a big jump in our rankings after consistent performances over the camp cycle. Physically, he looks like Anthony Richardson. He has gained 20 pounds over the past year and has a 79-inch wingspan. He has not timed well in terms of top-end speed, but he is so physically imposing. In previous evaluations, St. Clair was often streaky. He seemed to really improve in that area, especially showing more consistent accuracy. He carries himself well and has quiet confidence. 

          QB Keelon Russell

          ESPN 300 rank: 32

          Russell winning MVP of Elite 11 shouldn't be surprising. The Alabama commit plays like a right-handed Michael Penix Jr. Russell has the same ceiling for development at the same stage coming out of high school. He's far from a finished product, too, which makes him so exciting. Russell is just a hair under 6-foot-3 and weighed 182 pounds at the Under Armour Dallas camp in March. He has huge physical development upside, and he also has posted a laser-timed 4.69 40-yard dash.

          QB Husan Longstreet

          ESPN 300 rank: 52

          The Texas A&M commit has arguably the strongest arm of any player in this class. However, that isn't always a good thing. His arm strength can lead to streakiness and an inability to change ball speeds. Longstreet showed a marked improvement in this area compared to previous camp settings. The 6-foot-1 quarterback also has 11-inch hands, which is extremely rare given his height. There's a lot to mold here.

          QB Deuce Knight

          ESPN 300 rank: 76

          The Notre Dame commit is one of the more exciting prospects in the class. At the same time, he's raw and inconsistent in some areas. Knight runs hot and cold, but when he's hot, it's impressive. The ball comes out with zip and accuracy. His rare physical gifts aren't always showcased in a camp or combine setting. He ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4½ and 201 pounds.

          QB Ryan Montgomery

          ESPN 300 rank: 78

          Montgomery is a little more athletic and dynamic than he gets credit for. Plus, the Georgia pledge is committed to the perfect school for his skill set. He is so consistent fundamentally. What you see is what you get. You are not going to get an up-and-down, yo-yo-type passer. Montgomery is one of the best ball handlers and play-action passers from the pocket in the class. The comparisons to Carson Beck are warranted. 

          Players moving up

          WR Jerome Myles

          ESPN 300 rank: 26

          Myles sees a significant jump after showing improved measurables and verified speed. Now 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Myles posted a 10.36 100-meter dash this spring and a 4.48 laser-timed 40-yard dash. On film, he's mostly a run-and-catch player who gives you more on a straight line than he will in space after the catch. Myles recently decommitted from Ole Miss.

          ATH Brandon Finney 

          ESPN 300 rank: 113

          Finney likely projects at cornerback in college and has the skill set to excel at both man and zone coverage. He can cover ground and close fast. He's one of the best testers in the class. He has a new 21.6 mph Max Speed on the field and combines length (77.6 wingspan) and top-end speed. Finney has also posted an elite broad jump and a 10.85 100-meter dash.

          WR Lyrick Samuel 

          ESPN 300 rank: 185

          Samuel, a Penn State commit, is a tall, lanky prospect who has better game speed than in testing. He's a good elevator and jump ball guy with his long catch radius. His 20.8 mph documented Max Speed at 6-foot-4 puts him in the 99th percentile of his peers.

          LB Tavion Wallace

          ESPN 300 rank: 37

          Wallace has backed up his game speed by posting an impressive personal-best 10.61 100-meter time this spring. Track speed is great, but the key is that it shows up in his play. He has sideline-to-sideline range and an explosive burst to close on ball carriers. He doesn't just fly around with reckless abandon, either. Wallace has good body control and can break down and make tackles in space.

          Notable new entrants

          WR C.J. Wiley 

          ESPN 300 rank: 175

          Wiley always had great physical attributes, and this spring, we saw his speed match his other traits. He ran a 10.91 100-meter and 21.99 200-meter this spring. At times on film, it looks like he's climbing the ladder to reach top speed, but he checked some boxes this spring with his 100, 200 and 20.8 mph Max Speed.

          WR Malik Clark 

          ESPN 300 rank: 165

          Speed, speed and more speed. At 6-foot-2½, Clark posted a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash and 21.8 mph Max Speed. Sometimes prospects don't post great times but are "football fast" on film. Other players don't look like they're moving fast on film, yet the times reveal they are. Clark is one of those guys. He can separate effortlessly as a route runner and after the catch.

          ATH Dylan Robinson

          ESPN 300 rank: 164

          He probably should have joined the rankings after his performance at the Under Armour All-America camp in Los Angeles, where he flashed excellent athleticism and ball skills. He has an elite combination of size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and speed -- his Max Speed is 21.1 mph, and he ran a scorching 4.49 40-yard dash.

          ATH Todd Robinson 

          ESPN 300 rank: 131

          The new Georgia commit ran a 10.93 100-meter this spring and recently clocked his Max Speed at 21.4 mph, which is probably his most impressive data point. It's hard to believe a player with that skill set could emerge so late in the recruiting process, but it happens to Wildcat QBs in high school because the college position is a lot of speculation.

          TE Brian Kortovich

          ESPN 300 rank: 233

          The recent Purdue commit has a sturdy, lengthy frame and put up some of the best testing times at the position this camp season, including a laser-timed 4.58 40-yard dash. He runs well for his size and is a savvy route runner. Kortovich can break tackles and generate yards after the catch. He also possesses good ball skills and adjusts well to throws outside his frame. The 6-foot-4 tight end might be an inch or so under the desired height, but he can attack and high point the ball. Kortovich is an underrated pickup for Purdue, and he has the tools to be an excellent and productive FBS tight end.

          OL Damola Ajidahun

          ESPN 300 rank: 181

          Listed at 6-foot-6, he has elite length with a frame that can be further developed to support additional good mass. Not only does he look the part, but he also displays good lower-body flexibility and plays with good leverage and balance. Ajidahun can climb to the second level and adjust well on the move. Once engaged, he plays with some tenacity and works to stay with -- and finish -- his blocks. Top programs are taking notice of his physical tools and evident upside at this stage. Ole Miss, Georgia and Georgia Tech are in the mix for the uncommitted four-star Georgia native.