Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris, national recruiting director Adam Gorney, Jerit Roser of TigerDetails.com and Cole Patterson of Orangebloods.com tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board
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1. Jackson Arnold is making a case this season to challenge the top four quarterbacks in the country.
Harris' take: FACT. Everything I wanted to see coming into this season from Jackson Arnold, I have seen. In seeing him both in person and on film, a fifth star is almost certainly in his future, but a big question that remains is whether he is a top four quarterback in the class. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Nico Iamaleava and Malachi Nelson have held firm control on those top four spots for most of the cycle, but I think Arnold can at least challenge them by the end of the cycle. Where exactly he ends up will be largely determined by his playoff run and performance at the Under Armour All-American Game.
Gorney's take: FACT. Arnold is right there with the four five-star quarterbacks in this class and it's why he will get a very serious look to get a bump up to that highest status in the next round of rankings. He was on the field with Moore and Nelson at the Elite 11 and more than held his own, and while Manning has a better pedigree and Iamaleava is a better athlete, the ball comes off Arnold's hand at an elite level. If there's one slight concern it was that he was average against speedy defensive backs during the Elite 11, but he plays top teams at Denton (Texas) Guyer and he's torching them. I love his game and his upside, but we also have to be cognizant that not every talented quarterback is a five-star.
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2. DJ Lagway has the highest ceiling of any 2024 quarterback in Texas.
Harris' take: FACT. When looking at DJ Lagway's physical profile, there is so much to like at the quarterback position. On the field, he combines his physical traits with a lively arm and an elite ability to extend plays outside of the pocket with his legs and tuck it and run when needed. Lagway is still relatively raw but is slowly putting it together, especially this season where he has filled the stat sheet every Friday night.
Patterson's take: FACT. Lagway has the tools, frame and overall ability that point to an extremely high ceiling. He has a big arm, can outrun defenses and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. That said, I really like Allen QB Michael Hawkins, who is probably the most polished at the position in his class right now and has a chance to push Lagway for that top spot with continued development. Still, it’s difficult to overstate how good Lagway can be at the next level in a system that really suits his talents.
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3. The top player in Louisiana in the 2025 class is Harlem Berry.
Harris' take: FACT. There are a lot of rising stars in The Boot in the 2025 class, but I continue to be impressed with Metairie (La.) St. Martin's Episcopal running back Harlem Berry above everyone else. His natural ability at the running back position paired with his verified elite speed make him an intriguing prospect. He has the potential to be the next great running back from the state of Louisiana. However, there are many prospects on his tail, as Jaylon Coleman, Lennis Finister Jr. and Keylan Moses are all prospects with high ceilings that made the initial Rivals100 in the 2025 class.
Roser's take: FACT. This is maybe the most torn I’ve ever been on one of these questions, but I’ll lean in the positive direction because that’s more my personality and Harlem is indeed a fantastic player. He is certainly among the favorites in the conversation.
My hesitations would be: 1. Betting the field is typically safer, especially two years out. 2. We don’t get the benefit of seeing his St. Martin’s team in many high-profile/competition matchups. 3. Louisiana hasn’t had a class headlined by a running back since Leonard Fournette in 2014 or arguably Derrius Guice in 2015, and football is getting more spread and pass-focused by the year.
But Harlem is clearly a special talent. His vision and feel, quick feet and body control allow him to turn even apparent tackles for loss into nice gains. He shows impressive explosiveness and, once he has his lane upfield, he has a breakaway top gear. We also saw last week a toughness and physicality that doesn’t get enough credit. Berry was a kid who was expected to be a wide receiver until switching positions early last season and he has become one of the state’s most prolific rushers. He also has the potential to be a versatile weapon at the next level.
