Friday Five: "Under The Radar" Prospects To Know
In today’s recruiting update, Dawg Post takes a look at five under-the-radar players who are bound for big seasons next fall. While some of them currently hold offers, the Georgia staff hasn’t currently offered these prospects at this time. With a big season this fall, Dawg Post could certainly see that changing down the road.
If you’re in South Georgia, Ware County (GA) QB/ATH Thomas Castellanos is a prospect to go see this fall. One of the most exciting players to watch in the entire state, Castellanos is a true playmaker at QB with this dual-threat skill-set. He’s extremely quick with great footwork. The 2022 prospect can make defenders miss with ease and turn a broken play into something special. He would be an excellent option at WR or DB at the D1 level as well, but his above-average arm and big play ability could keep him at QB for programs looking for a dual-threat type of quarterback.
He’s not the biggest guy at 5-foot-11 195-pounds, but he’s just a sophomore so he’ll continue to grow. As he puts on muscle and develops more arm strength, Castellanos should be able to impress multiple programs down the road and be able to make a name for himself at the next level. Georgia Tech, Kansas, and Akron have all offered with more likely coming soon.
One of the top young prospects in the peach state has to be Kell (GA) freshman running back David Mbadinga. The 5-foot-8 170-pound back has all the makings of a possible five-star prospect down the road. Becoming the starting running back and a key figure in Kell’s offense as a freshman, Mbadinga helped lead the Longhorns to an 9-3 season last fall. As a back, Mbadinga shows great vision, good speed, and brings some shiftiness to his game. He changes directions well and while he’s a patient runner, he shows good burst when needed. He can break tackles, he moves the pile forward, and he’s a reliable weapon as a receiver. He doesn’t have elite top-end speed, but he’s fast enough to break off a long run and take it the distance when given the opportunity. Again, he’s only a freshman. He’ll only get faster and stronger in the coming years.
As a freshman, Mbadinga carried the ball 193 times for 1,318 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 276 yards and two scores. That’s impressive for any back in the state of Georgia, but even more so for a guy his age. Kansas State became his first Power 5 offer when they pulled the trigger on April 7th. Look for more programs, possibly Georgia, to follow suit sooner than later. Mbadinga also shines in the classroom, sporting an outstanding 4.3 GPA.
A name in north Georgia to know is 2022 DB Angelo “AJ” Brown out of Walton (GA). He was second on the team in tackles as a sophomore with 3 interceptions from his free safety position. He’s put together well at 6-foot-0 175-pounds who plans to pack on more weight before the season. He started DB all season for the Raiders as a sophomore and the staff there believes he’s bound for a really big junior season in 2020.
As a prospect, Brown is a physical DB who can also cover the back end. He does a nice job of reading the quarterback and being in the right position to make a play on the ball. He closes well in coverage and shows good ball skills. He’s got good speed and can be tough to bring down once he’s got the ball in his hands. He’s solid in run support and knows how to tackle.
Brown holds no SEC offers yet, but South Carolina and Florida have invited him to visit. Look for more D1 programs to give him a look and possibly jump on board with an offer. He’s got the size, he can play multiple positions in the secondary, and he’s already become a leader of the Walton defense as a sophomore. Brown has a bright future ahead of him and could see his recruitment take off with a big junior season.
While we tried to focus on underclassmen, 2021 offensive lineman Caleb Cook is still a major “under the radar” prospect in Georgia. The 6-foot-3 288-pounder is one of the top offensive lineman in the region with good size and mobility. He moves well for his size and just does his job each play. He’s strong, he can pull around from his tackle spot, and he knows how to find linebackers at the next level. He’s an excellent run blocker and shows really good balance on film. He gets overshadowed a little by 2022 teammate Kanaya Charlton, but Cook’s film speaks for itself. There’s a lot to like about his game. He has a 3.9 GPA and a 27 ACT. He’ll be a mid-year guy because he has taken AP courses.
Another prospect to know out of Creekside (GA) is 2023 OLB Javeon Miller. The 6-foot-0 208-pounder started 5 games last season as a freshman, racking up 6 sacks and forcing 4 fumbles. The staff at Creekside believes he’s bound for a monster sophomore season being a full-time starter. The SEC interest isn’t there just yet, but it should be soon. Right now, both Georgia Tech and Kansas have shown early interest. Miller has good size for his age, he shows good instincts, and finds a way to make a play on the football. He’s got active hands, he tackles well, and has the potential to become a top prospect in Georgia in the 2023 class.