National Signing Day 2019: The most important recruit for every Top 25 team
15. Penn State: Noah Cain, RB
Cain (IMG Academy, FL) is by no means a flashy runner, but he tears through would-be tacklers like tissue paper. His north-south run style is reminiscent of recently departed Saquon Barkley and he should be able to add to the Nittany Lions’ ground attack that averaged 205 yards per game (29th). Cain possesses the big-play ability to help close out most of the games that Penn State has frustratingly been unable to do for the past couple of seasons.
14. Utah: Darren Jones, WR
In 2018, Utah’s leading touchdown receiver was a converted defensive back. Junior quarterback Tyler Huntley only managed 12 touchdown passes in nine games, and lacked a true go-to receiver, especially in the red zone. Jones (San Bernadino, CA) stands 6’ 8” and should give the Utes a big frame to target close to the end zone. Huntley also only averaged 7.6 yards per attempt in 2018; Jones should be able to stretch that number farther downfield.
13. Washington: Dylan Morris, QB
Jake Browning is out at Washington, and the next experienced quarterback attempted just 13 passes in 2018. Though many consider Morris (Graham, WA) to be undersized (6’ 0”, 188 pounds), he shows tremendous throw-on-the-run ability. Morris also shows excellent escapability and a knack for throwing accurate passes off awkward angles, reminiscent of Pat Mahomes.
12. Oklahoma: Jadon Hasslewood, WR
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is headed for the draft and CeeDee Lamb is in need of a counterpart. Hasselwood (Ellenwood, GA) shows the same big-play ability as Brown but stands 4 inches taller. With Jalen Hurts now in at quarterback, Hasslewood will be able to flourish. Oklahoma’s vertical passing attack will be a force to be reckoned with in 2019.
11. Oregon: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE
Regardless of what your team did right or wrong the past season, if you land the second-ranked recruit in the nation, he will be your most important recruit of that class. So is the case with Thibodeaux (Thousand Oaks, CA), who signed with Oregon in the early signing period. One of the highest-rated recruits in the past five years, Thibodeaux could likely land a spot on an NFL roster today. A player this dynamic will make an immediate impact from day one.