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 there’s a name in North Georgia to know, it’s Denmark (GA) offensive tackle Dayne Shor. The big 6-foot-6 295-pound lineman from Alpharetta has seen his recruitment really start to take off in the last few days, earning offers from Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan State, Texas A&M, and Oregon. Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Arizona State have also offered. The Bulldogs haven’t pulled the trigger just yet, but Dawg Post feels one could certainly come down the road.
As a prospect, the 2022 lineman is coming off a big sophomore season for the Danes. He started at left tackle in a pass-happy offense as a sophomore, and more than held his own. He’s got good size, great length, a lean frame, and above average athleticism. He shows strong hands and does a good job of driving his man to the ground in the run game. He can overpower defenders, but Shor has some finesse to his game as well. He uses good leverage and just finds a way to consistently do his job. In pass protection, Shor plays with a balanced set and shows good footwork. He’s long enough to handle speedy pass rushers on the outside and knows how to hold onto his block until the whistle.
Shore may not be an “under the radar” prospect as he does hold some major Power 5 offers, but the Forsyth County product is a guy Georgia fans should get to know in the coming weeks.
Another 2023 prospect to know is Creekside (GA) defensive back Daiquan White. Sources say the 5-foot-11 165-pounder has the potential to be “great”, and already holds offers from Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. White started 4 games as a freshman last season and is expected to be a key figure in the Creekside defense for the next few years. They have a lot of young talent on that squad, and White is a guy who will likely earn more offers this spring.
He may be young, but White is a physical kid with length. He knows how to tackle, and he doesn’t mind coming up and helping in run support. As a cornerback, the more he plays the better he’ll get. He takes in coaching well and has a ton of upside. The Creekside program pumps out defensive backs as well as any in the state, and White should be the next big-time defensive back prospect for the Seminoles.
Like Shor, this next prospect may not be “under the radar” anymore, but he’s a guy who hasn’t been offered by the Bulldogs yet. That would be Lee County (GA) safety, Jaron Willis. Lee County produced Georgia signee Otis Reese back in the 2018 class, and Willis is a similar type of defensive back. He’s a hard-hitting defender who excels in run support. He recently picked up offers from Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech.
As a prospect, Willis shows outstanding instincts in the run game. He does a great job of coming downfield from his safety position to make a play at or behind the line of scrimmage. He’s got good size and build for a safety, he’s physical, and most importantly, he knows how to tackle. Currently listed at 6-foot-2 210-pounds, Willis could play linebacker at the next level as he continues to put on weight. Overall, he’s a versatile defender who will bring a physical presence wherever he ends up.
In South Georgia, Valdosta CB JaDarian Rhym could be the next great defensive back for the Wildcats. At 6-foot-2 170-pounds, Rhym is a long, rangy corner with great instincts. He is very good against the run, and for someone his age, he shows great natural instincts. He dissects plays well and can disrupt plays on the outside. He’s improving his cover skills, but he already brings a physical presence from his cornerback spot. As he continues to work and develop his craft in coverage, Rhym should be able to see more offers come his way. The early instincts are there, now he just has to put all the pieces of his game together.
Sources say South Carolina has offered, but the 2022 cornerback hasn’t seen his recruitment start to really take off just yet. He’s improving his ball skills, he’s got length, and he has the athleticism to play major college football. With a strong junior season, Dawg Post expects Rhym to make a big name for himself in the recruiting world. There are many talented cornerbacks in the peach state in 2022, and Rhym is certainly one to know.
Not only is he becoming a standout on the football field, the two-sport athlete also holds his own in the classroom, sporting a 3.5 GPA.
Going back to the offensive line, 2023 OL Madden Sanker out of South Pauling (GA) has a chance to be one of the nation’s best in his class. He may be only a freshman, but the 6-foot-4 265-pound tackle already holds offers from Georgia Tech and Tennessee. Sources say he’s on Georgia’s radar, but the Bulldogs haven’t offered just yet.
“His biggest strength is his athleticism as a young big man. He’s one of the top young heavy-weight wrestlers in the state,” South Paulding head coach Jason Nash told Dawg Post.
As a prospect, Sanker has a long, lean build and will continue to get stronger and stronger. He plays with a balanced base and moves really well. The toughness is there for a young kid, and he showed how athletic he is as well. Sanker played well at a position that is tough to play for just a high school freshman. The Douglasville native has the size, athleticism, and toughness to become a top prospect nationally in the 2023 class. Sanker is a prospect full of potential who should improve both from both a fundamental, and physical standpoint over the next few years.