SCOUT TROUT D1 FOOTBALL PLAYERS, 2021 & 2022 FB COMMITS & 2023 RECRUIT RANKINGS

SCOUT TROUT TOP FB RECRUITS

After five successful recruiting classes, I wanted to see where Scout Trout top FB recruits were now and how they are progressing in the world of College Football Today. This will also help you identify who is in the Scout Trout top football recruit D1 Alumni image above, which does not include all signings and more "where are they now" photo edits will be released for the next Scout Trout Top FB recruit re-cap. Given I do not bring on hundreds of recruits in each class and do not scout new recruits once I considered a position to be "full", I was able to keep up with most of the top FB recruits that have come through the pipeline program, while working on various CFB & NFL Draft scouting projects. 

CLASS OF 2017 TOP FB RECRUITS 

Darius Pinnix East Carolina RB/H - Darius Pinnix Jr was a work horse for East Carolina and finished his career with 247 carries for 860 yards & 11 TD's. Darius will finish his degree at ECU, but has elected to enter the transfer portal and looks to take his 6'0,225 pound frame to the National Football League. Darius was responsible for making his own running lanes the past four years, as he simply didn't have much help on a team that has never broken .500 since his arrival. East Carolina is doing a much better job in recruiting for future classes, but Darius is capable of much more not only in the run game, but the passing game as a prime-time 2022 NFL Draft RB/H-Back prospect. 

Eric Seay Middle Tennessee St OL - MTSU OG Eric Seay was red-shirted his Freshmen year and did not see any action in the 2018 season. In Eric's (RS) Sophomore season, Seay was played in all 12 games and was named the starter for 11 of MTSU's match-ups, while being named the Blue Raiders Offensive Linemen of The Week twice.  

​Tres Barbosa UTEP OL - Started 8 games at Tyler Junior College and got to see his first action as a UTEP Miner against Southern Miss his Sophomore season. (red-shirted junior season) 

Lincoln Sefcik South Alabama TE - After a great JuCo career at NEO, Sefcik was signed by the University of South Alabama and will be starting tight end for the Jaguars of Mobile, Alabama. 

Brayden Hawkins Akron QB - Brayden Hawkins started out at Maryland, transferred to NW MS and before he even took a snap, was picked up by the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns. Hawkins elected to transfer down once again, after toasting the starting Cajun defense, while running with the scout team in preseason and sadly the JuCo season was cancelled due to Covid-19. The Akron Zips came calling shortly after and Brayden will be the starting quarterback heading into the 2021-2022 CFB season. 

CLASS of 2018 TOP FB RECRUITS 

Nick Channel Kansas Safety - Channel used his red-shirt year after signing with the Jayhawks and saw action in all 9 games this season in Big 12 football play, while making four starts on the season. Nick was 5th on the team in total tackles and finished the 2020 season with 2 sacks. Channel also received 1st Team All-Academic Big 12 honors and is one of the most well-rounded defensive players in the world of College Football Today. 

Tykeem Doss Southern Miss OL - Listed at 6'5",379 pounds, Tykeem has started in all 18 games since arrival on Campus at Southern Miss and the former 2018 Scout Trout All-American was clocked at 11 second 100 meter dash at Aliceville HS in Alabama. After evaluating mostly all of the 2021 NFL Draft prospects, Doss could be one of the most athletic and physically dominating 2022 NFL Nose Guard prospects in next year's Draft class, as many top NFL executives are eager to see if he makes the transition this coming season. 

Michael Benson Robert Morris Kicker - Totaled 14 touch-backs his first two seasons with the Colonials and should be entering into the starting role as the placekicker heading into the 2021 season. 

​Jake Lyons Dayton LB/DL - Played in one game after red-shirting his true freshmen season and was named to the All-Academic team in the Pioneer league. 

Grant Dyer Dayton LB/H - Started for the Flyers in 9 games and saw action in 10 total contests, while tallying at total of 67 tackles in his Sophomore campaign. After finishing the season with the second most tackles on the team, Dyer was also named to the Pioneer League All-Academic team and also saw action in 4 games his true Freshmen season. 

Class of 2019 TOP FB RECRUITS 

Daimarqua Foster TCU RB - Daimarqua Foster reportedly had one offer on the table from SMU, before being named the College Football Today #1 recruit in the 2019 recruiting class and broke many Texas State rushing records in his JR campaign. He then became a USA Today All-American and was the highest rated recruit to sign with TCU in the Frogs 2019 recruiting class. Foster got to see action against Kansas as a True Freshmen and reeled off 66 yards on only 8 carries. He got to see more action his Sophomore season and was utilized more in the passing game, but I have pegged the 2021-2022 season as Foster's breakout season and expect him to be nationally recognized by the end of the Big 12 Football season.  

Zac Welch Nevada OL - Played on the Nevada O-Line in four games as a true Freshmen, which enabled the Wolfpack to use a red-shirt year on the now starting O-Linemen for one of the best teams in the Mountain West. Welch was a big part of Nevada's success during the 2020-2021 season and helped lead the Wolfpack to a 7 & 2 record, as he looks to build off a very impressive start to his collegiate football career. Zac was ranked as a top five O-Line recruit on the College Football Today Top 2019 OL recruit rankings and will be drafted into the NFL in years to come. 

Lloyd Murray Colorado DL - Murray dressed for all 12 games in his true Freshmen season and saw action in two of those contests, as the Buffs were able to use his red-shirt season. Got to see action in one of the 5 games played during the Covid-19 ridden PAC-12 football season and I expect 2021-2022 to be a breakout season for the former top ranked 2019 DT recruit at College Football Today & ESPN Plus. 

Terry Byers Troy LB - After finishing with 206 tackles, two interceptions & four forced fumbles in only 18 games at Arnold HS, the Troy Trojans signed Terry Byers late in the 2019 recruiting process. Has not got to see action yet in the loaded Sun Belt Conference, but I expect a big time (RS) JR season out of the former 2019 Scout Trout HS FB All-American Linebacker recruit! 

Jay Stanton Samford RB - 2019 All-American RB Jay Stanton was named to the SoCon All-Freshmen team in after a magnificent start to his collegiate career at Samford. Stanton got to see action in all 11 games and started in 7 FCS contests, while being able to accumulate a team high 690 yards rushing on only 122 carries and proved to be a weapon coming out of the backfield in the passing game. Jay hauled in 16 receptions for 135 yards & 2 touchdowns, as many believe he could be the next NFL Draft pick out of the prestigious Samford University . Stanton has taken the field 5 times this season and the former workhorse back out of Crestview HS (FL) has totaled over 400 all-purpose yards, as well as four touchdowns during the FCS Spring football season.  

Bryce Bevins Robert Morris WR - The former Florida standout 2019 WR recruit used his red-shirt season upon entering the Robert Morris football program and has yet to see action early in the 2020-2021 Spring FCS football season. 

Chez Jennings JR OG West Virginia - The WVU 2020 O-Line signee was re-classed to the 2020 recruiting class, after receiving dozens of D1 offers after graduation during the Class of 2019. Chez Jennings Sr (father), decided that it would be beneficial to Jennings Jr to use his "NCAA gap year" and enrolled at The Taft school in Connecticut. Jennings Jr was a true wrecking ball in the College Football Today 2020 All-American Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee and the 6'5",358 pound O-Linemen will be suiting up at Offensive Guard in 2021 for the Mountaineers of West Virginia. 

​Spencer Brasch QB California - Brasch played in 2 games for the Cal Bears as a true freshmen and used his red-shirt season to retain an extra year of eligibility. After spending the Spring season with Cal, Brasch has elected to enter the NCAA transfer portal and is exploring his options nationally. 

Justin Schietz LB Bowling Green - Schietz was one of the most well-rounded LB recruits in the 2019 recruiting class and earned the Bob Eberly Distinguished Service Scholarship in his first year on campus as a freshmen at Bowling Green. He got to see his first action against Akron the following season and will enter his RS (SO) season as a heavy contender for a starting LB role with the Falcons of the Mid-American Conference. 

​Kyle Benedict WR Stetson - Former Tampa Bay Area Top 100 HS football player & 2019 College Football Today All-American WR Kyle Benedict was not only one of the top leading receivers in the State of Florida, but also one of the brightest students nationally in the 2019 recruiting class. He did not see action in 2019, but was listed on the PFL All-Academic Honor Roll and will look to help ignite a sluggish Stetson offense heading into the 2021-2022 FCS football season. 

CLASS of 2020 TOP FB RECRUITS 

Tobin Phillips Stanford DL - Top 2020 DT recruit Tobin Phillips was one of the most freakish athletic specimens in the 2020 football recruiting class and boasted a 4.7,40 yard dash, while producing the nations best football combine of any DL recruit in the 2020 football recruiting class. Phillips also had the game tape to back up his stellar overall athletics and at 6'4,290 pounds, has the potential to be yet another David Shaw NFL Draft prospect that could see his name called early in future NFL Draft classes.  

Matthias Algarin Nebraska ATH - Top 2020 ATH recruit Matthias Algarin is on a dual-scholarship for both football and track, as he was one of the most athletically gifted football recruits in all of the Class of 2020. Algarin received many D1 offers from the likes of Wisconsin, North Dakota State and many others, but his dream was to suit up for the legendary Cornhuskers of Nebraska and to one day possibly compete in the Olympics. Algarin had out of this world numbers in combine related activities and was named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll during his (RS) Freshmen season at the University of Nebraska. After some Husker Alums and former fans of the Nebraska Danger invited me to Coach Frost's first win as Huskers Head Coach, I got a chance to witness the re-building process begin in Lincoln, Nebraska and highly cerebral, as well as explosive athletes like Algarin will prove to bring the Huskers back to national prominence in the coming years. 

​Aaron Swafford Navy QB - 2020 Navy QB commit Aaron Swafford was assigned to the Navy Prep Football program, where they have done a wonderful job at developing future Varsity talent in years past. This roster is considered "special ops", but we look forward to seeing Aaron take the field at either QB or Safety in the coming years 

Wistar Allen East Carolina LB - East Carolina football was able to add highly S.T.E.P rated 2020 LB recruit Wistar Allen to their roster, after he announced his decision to transfer from the Richmond Spiders. The 6'2", 225 pound Top 2020 LB recruit will be a significant factor in the rebuilding process of the ECU football team and was one of the most aggressive linebacker recruits I had the privilege to evaluate in the 2020 football recruiting class. Wistar is another player who has all of the athletic tools on the gridiron to be the next top NFL Draft prospect to come out of East Carolina University.

Codie Hornsby Delaware St OL - The Dallas Native (Skyline HS) and 2020 All-American Bowl DL recruit Codie Hornsby, has made the transition to the offensive line at Delaware State and was arguably one of the best pass blockers in the 2020 football recruiting class. His quick feet and "basketball" skill-set as a Top 2020 OL recruit, was able to set him apart from many in his recruiting class and he is expected to perform at an extremely high level for the Hornets for years to come. Hornsby has the overall potential and athletics to be a significant factor as a pulling guard, which makes him another FCS recruit to keep an eye on for future NFL Draft classes. 

Dylan Creech Alabama State LB/ATH - After recording 350 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 touchdowns defensively, along with 20 TD's offensively, the Geneva HS (AL) standout decided to take his diverse skill-st to Alabama State. As a true freshmen, Creech has already saw action in one game this FCS Spring football season and will be a key contributor for the ASU Hornets for the next four years. 

Hudson Walker Cal Poly DE - Top 2020 EDGE rusher Hudson Walker got to see his first action with Cal-Poly against UC-Davis and recorded his first tackle of his still very young career. Cal-Poly only completed 3 games this FCS Spring football season and Hudson is hungry to put his terrorizing EDGE rushing abilities on fill display during the 2021 FCS football season.  

Peyton Knight Eastern Michigan LS - 2020 All-American Long Snapper Peyton Knight was one of the top 2020 LS recruits ranked nationally and is able to execute both short & long snaps at an NFL caliber level. His 6'1, 202 pound frame gives him the ability to quickly get down the field, after delivering a perfectly executed long snap and make an impact as a part of the Punt coverage team. Knight recorded 105 tackles as a LB his senior season, while being able to contribute 10 tackles via Special Teams. 

Ni Mansell OL Mercer - Mansell signed with Mercer football after being heavily under the radar out in Anderson, South Carolina and the 6'3,270 pound will look to help improve the 4-5 Mercer Bears moving into the 2021 Fall collegiate football season. 

Vinny Carnazzo DL Mercer - True freshmen 6'0,290 pound DT Vinny Carnazzo was one of the quickest defensive linemen I evaluated in the 2020 football recruiting class and had a brilliant repertoire of power & finesse moves in the trenches. I heard through the grapevine that he very well could be placed into a starting role as a true Sophomore, as he has the ability to take control of a game for four quarters from the interior defensive line. 

Alex Hardnett DL East Tennessee St - Standing at 5'11", 280 pounds, Hardnett was arguably the strongest player in the weight room in the 2020 football recruiting class and he was able to pummel his opponents on the offensive line while playing for Heritage HS in Georgia. His ability to gain leverage quickly and create penetration into the opponents backfield, while possessing the football instincts of an MLB is very intriguing and I expect big things out of Alex the next 3 to 4 seasons at East Tennessee State. 

Lenon James U of Tenn-Martin - 2020 College Football Today All-American DL recruit signed with Skyhawks, after also being named to the Region 8 6A All-Metro second team defense. His epic display of tenacious D-Line play was on full display in the trenches in the 2020 All-American Bowl in Lenon's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee and I expect him to be a key contributor for Coach Simpson for the next four years on the defensive front. 

Gary Osby Kennesaw St LB/RB - Standing at 5'11", 215, Top 2020 Football recruit Gary Osby electrified the State of Georgia while suiting up at both LB & RB for the powerhouse Lowndes football program. After receiving over 10 FBS-D1 offers, he choose to take his diverse skill-set to FCS Powerhouse Kennesaw State and will be one of the top athletes selected in the NFL Draft out of the FCS division of College Football Today. 

Neriyan Brown Lafayette WR - 2020 All-American Bowl WR Neriyan Brown signed with the Lafayette Leopards after being named Georgia 6 AAAAA Player of The Year and North Georgia Player of The Year as a Senior. Brown's ability to high point the football in heavy traffic, as well as take the top off the defense with his blazing 4.4 speed, will prove to ignite the Leopards offensive arsenal for the next four years. Neriyan is also a player who possesses the athletics and football skill to potentially be a FCS NFL Draft selection in future NFL Draft classes. 
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Kenneth Kemp Houston Baptist DB - Top 2020 DB recruit Kenneth Kemp has got to see action in four games thus far in his Freshmen season and already has 10 tackles, as well as 3 pass break-ups during the FCS Spring football season. Kemp was one of the best man to man cover corners I got the honor to evaluate in the 2020 football recruiting class and he obviously is already making a big impact as a key freshmen contributor for the Huskies of Houston Baptist. As far as overall coverage abilities, Kemp could potentially see his name called in future NFL Draft classes and will go down as one of the best DB's in Southland football history. 

Patrick Vanderbrook K Nichols State - 2020 All-American Bowl Kicker Patrick Vanderbrook signed with the FCS powerhouse program Nichols State and will be competing with two older kickers for the Colonels starting KO & placekicking job. Patrick proved to be one of the most consistent kickers in the nation in the Class of 2019 and during my personal evaluation in pregame warm-ups before the 2020 All-American Bowl, was able to drill field goals from 55 yards in extremely cold, rainy and windy conditions. Patrick also possessed the ability to blast the football religiously into the end-zone on kickoffs and will be a name to look out for in future NFL Draft classes. 

2021 FB SIGNINGS

Check out the new 2021 FB signings page on Scout Trout Elite & ESPN Plus and learn more about how Covid-19 drastically affected 2021 FB recruiting by clicking the 2021 FB signings image below! 

2022 FB COMMITS

View 2022 FB commits on the Scout Trout Elite & ESPN Plus 2022 FB offers page by clicking on 2022 All-American DB & Razorbacks commit Myles Rowser! 

2022 HS FB ALL-AMERICANS

View all of the 2022 HS FB All-Americans by clicking on this year's All-American Bowl TE and 2022 Vanderbilt football commit Cole Spence, aka as Baby Gronk! 

2023 TOP FB RECRUIT RANKINGS

Class of 2023 top FB recruit rankings have been completed and will be released throughout the rest of the week on College Football Today RokFin. The 2023 Top 500+ overall FB recruit rankings features the best rising 2023 football recruit nationally and were ranked over a year ago on College Football Today. The 2024 Top 300+ will be morphing into the 2024 Top 500 in the coming weeks! Create a football recruiting & scouting profile by clicking the College Football Today All-American Bowl logo below and get evaluated by Scout Trout for national recruit rankings consideration!