Recruiting Risers: Two New Five-Stars and Rising Quarterbacks Headline Latest SC Next 300 Update

The 2027 college football recruiting cycle is approaching its final stretch, and several of the country's top prospects are using their senior seasons to strengthen their standing. The latest update to the SC Next Top 300 reflects those gains, with two players moving into five-star territory and a number of others trending upward.

The most notable jump belongs to A'mir Sears, an athlete committed to Miami who reclassified from the 2028 class. He is now ranked No. 4 and is described as a true two-way threat, with evaluators drawing comparisons to 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Sears is said to land in a similar range to where Hunter ranked in 2022. Hunter had slightly better top-end speed, but Sears is rangy with elite ball skills. He recorded three interceptions and two touchdowns against national power Bishop Gorman earlier this season. Miami has a greater immediate need in the secondary, though keeping him off offense could prove difficult.

The other new five-star is Gideon Gash, a Texas Tech cornerback commit who enters the rankings at No. 21. At 6-foot-4, he follows other tall corners such as Dijon Lee Jr. of Alabama, DJ Pickett of LSU and Kelley Jones of Mississippi State. Gash has posted a 4.2-second 20-yard short shuttle and 21.6 mph game speed. He also produces at receiver and has returned six punts for touchdowns, a Michigan state record. Colleges typically bring in players like him with a development plan, then adjust once he arrives.

Two quarterbacks committed to SEC and ACC-area programs also saw their stock rise. Israel Abrams, a Miami commit now ranked No. 55, is a lanky 6-foot-4 passer compared to NC State's CJ Bailey. His footwork, body coordination and pocket navigation have all improved, and his arm strength makes off-schedule throws look easy. He carries one of the higher developmental ceilings in the class and could compete early, depending on how Miami handles the quarterback position in the portal.

Jake Nawrot, a Kentucky commit from Illinois, climbed to No. 88. He first drew notice as a junior varsity player in 2024 and has thrown 31 touchdowns with no interceptions through eight weeks of his senior year. Evaluators see him as a right-handed version of Missouri's Austin Simmons, a strong play-action passer in an offense built on full-field reads and vertical shots.

Among the other risers, Texas Tech running back commit SaRod Baker is ranked No. 40. At 5-foot-11, he is compared to Houston's Makhi Hughes, running low to the ground and breaking arm tackles. He is DeSoto High School's all-time leading rusher and also lines up at slot receiver. Indiana landed two risers: receiver Branden Sharpe at No. 258, a three-sport athlete who has reached 21 mph in games, and safety Brady Scott at No. 225, who is described as physically ready to contribute right away.

Texas receiver commit Briceson Thrower, ranked No. 131, stands 6-foot-3 and has a 10.9-second 100-meter time. He is compared in build to AJ Green and in usage to current Longhorn Cam Coleman. Tight end Devon Myrie, an Eastern Michigan commit from the NFL Academy in London, joined the rankings at No. 246 after a three-touchdown game against IMG Academy, two of them from at least 60 yards out. The evaluation suggests bigger programs may now take interest.

Rounding out the group is Michigan offensive line commit Jakari Lipsey, now No. 156. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Michigan native previously showed promise but could play inconsistently. This season he appears more dialed in, explosive and nimble, and with more seasoning he could become a key addition up front for the Wolverines.