Listed building HMO application rejected

The developers wanted to rent the building out to students

Plans to turns a city centre listed building into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been rejected.

Sunderland City Council turned down the application for four residential apartments to become a six-bed HMO at the property on Frederick Street in the city’s Hendon ward.

It said the development would be “detrimental” to the character of the area and it had taken into consideration worries over anti-social behaviour.

The applicant has the right to challenge the council’s decision by lodging an appeal with the Secretary of State.

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College football’s 2026 recruiting class features a record 23 five-star prospects in the latest ESPN 300. No. 2 overall wide receiver Tristen Keys became among that group to make a move with his flip from LSU to Tennessee on Aug. 28. Following a busy summer of activity atop the class that included 12 five-star pledges — headlined by No. 1 overall prospect Lamar Brown (LSU) and capped by defensive end Jake Kreul’s move into Oklahoma’s latest recruiting class on Aug 12 — all 23 of the nation’s five-star recruits will enter the fall holding a verbal commitment.

For each commitment, recruiting reporter Eli Lederman and scouts Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill will look at how recruits landed at their school and what we can expect in college:

Lamar Brown, DT

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 1

Committed to: LSU Tigers

Background: Brown, the versatile, 6-foot-5, 285-pound defender from Erwinville, Louisiana, opted to stay home with the Tigers on July 10 at the end of a neck-and-neck recruiting battle between LSU and SEC rival Texas A&M, which worked harder than any program to pull Brown out of the state.

Brown followed wide receiver Tristen Keys (No. 10 overall) as the Tigers’ second five-star pledge in 2026 after the program secured five-stars Solomon Thomas and D.J. Pickett last cycle. He’s one of four top 100 defenders in LSU’s incoming class alongside defensive end Trenton Henderson (No. 61), cornerback Havon Finney Jr. (No. 72 ) and defensive tackle Richard Anderson (No. 93). If Brown remains at No. 1 in the ESPN 300 and signs with the Tigers later this year, he’ll arrive as the program’s first top-ranked addition since Leonard Fournette in the 2014 cycle.

Scout’s take: Brown is the No. 1 overall recruit and a legitimate prospect on either side of the line of scrimmage.

Focused on the defensive side of the ball, Brown is arguably even a better offensive lineman and that ability to contribute on either side of the ball in trenches further increases his value to the Tigers roster. Brown is a natural knee bender who can consistently play with leverage, balance and maximize power. In camp settings, he has tested well. On the field, he displays good agility and range for a big man at around 290 pounds. He also carries that weight well, and with time and further physical development, he can easily play at over 300-pounds and still move efficiently.

In addition to excellent physical tools, Brown also takes coaching well and quickly applies what he has learned. Those are traits that should help him work his way into the mix quickly, which will be expected from the hometown prospect with his ranking.

The Tigers might be tempted to play Brown on the offensive side of the ball, but the plan at least in the immediate future is to play on defense. He looks poised to join a unit with some emerging talent in former five-star Dominick McKinley and Ahmad Breaux, who played well above his three-star ranking as a freshman. If they can continue to develop, Brown could enter an ideal situation where he can gain some early experience rotating in with proven players. — Haubert

Zion Elee, DE

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 2

Committed to: Maryland Terrapins

Background: Once ranked as the cycle’s No. 1 defender, Elee committed to Maryland on Dec. 7, 2024, after logging 120 total tackles and 23 sacks across his sophomore and junior seasons. If he ultimately signs later this year, Elee will join the Terps as the highest-ranked recruit in program history.

Despite his December pledge, Elee stayed in touch with other Power 4 programs in January and initially scheduled spring official visits to Auburn, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas A&M before canceling those trips and formally shutting down his recruitment in late February. As things stand, Elee is still locked in with the Terps with his June 20 trip to Maryland standing as the only official visit on his calendar this spring.

Scout’s take: Good recruiting starts at home. If Maryland holds on to Elee, he’d be the first No. 1 prospect from the area to reach Maryland in the ESPN 300 era, and the first time in five cycles the Terps landed the top in-state prospect. At roughly 6-foot-4 with an 80-inch wingspan, Elee is a lean, lengthy and disruptive edge rusher. That length blended with an excellent first step and a strong motor wreaks havoc off the edge. Maryland ranked last in sacks (14) in the Big Ten in 2024. The Terps hope signing Elee and 2025 ESPN 300 defensive end Zahir Mathis will remedy that situation. They could emerge as one of the conference’s most formidable pass-rushing duos. — Haubert

Jackson Cantwell, OT

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 3

Committed to: Miami Hurricanes

Background: Cantwell is the son of two Olympic shot putters — including a silver medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games — and his commitment to the Hurricanes marks perhaps the biggest recruiting win in Mario Cristobal’s tenure leading Miami.

A towering, yet athletic lineman, Cantwell kept in-state Missouri and Michigan involved in his process before cutting his finalists to Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and Oregon last month. Cantwell took a multi-day trip to see the Hurricanes in March and joins Miami as the program’s highest-ranked pledge since Cristobal took over following the 2021 season. Cantwell, a two-time state champion shot putter who holds multiple national high school throwing records, intends to continue his track and field career alongside football in college.

Scout’s take: A former offensive lineman at Miami, Cristobal has landed a key building block for that unit. The Canes’ O-Line unit looks to be strong this season, but could lose several pieces from that group after this season. Cristobal began reloading the unit in the Class of 2025, by signing the top interior offensive lineman in the country in S.J. Alofaituli, who projects to be in the mix this fall. Now the Canes has the No. 1 OT in the 2026 class.

Cantwell is a massive presence at roughly 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds and is powerful and tenacious in his play. Beyond his size, Cantwell is a flexible big body with good feet. He could have some growing pains early in his college career in pass protection, but should be expected to come in and play right away. His arrival could time well with the potential departure of 2023 five-star OL Francis Mauigoa who is projected as a 2026 first-round NFL pick. Cantwell could have a similar trajectory as Mauigoa in that he is a plug-and-play addition that experiences some early challenges but continues to develop into a key piece of the unit and an eventual NFL prospect. — Haubert

Dia Bell, QB

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 4

Committed to: Texas Longhorns

Background: Bell, the son of 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell, is the nation’s top QB recruit and the longest-tenured member of the Longhorns’ 2026 class. He has been locked in with Texas since he committed in June 2024 following a series of visits with the program last spring.

A three-year starter at American Heritage, Bell threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns with a 70.6% completion percentage as a junior last fall before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Despite flip efforts from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and LSU earlier this year, Bell’s sights remain set on signing with the Longhorns and coach Steve Sarkisian in December.

Scout’s take: Hopefully Bell takes a page out of Arch Manning’s development blueprint when it comes to patience and focus. He’s going to only get bigger, stronger and more mature without being thrown into the fire right away. Bell’s fit is quite similar to what Manning brought to the Longhorns. He’s a naturally gifted passer who is a better athlete and runner than Quinn Ewers and gives the Longhorns another player they can develop. Bell has continually performed at a high level against top high school competition and should be ready to make the leap to the next level. — Tom Luginbill

Chris Henry Jr. committed to Ohio State in July of 2023. 3Step

Chris Henry Jr., WR

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 5

Committed to: Ohio State Buckeyes

Background: The son of late Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, Chris Henry Jr. has been committed since July 2023, longer than any other prospect within the 2026 ESPN 300.

A knee injury sidelined Henry for the majority of his junior campaign, but he proved himself as an elite playmaker in his last complete season, when he totaled 71 catches for 1,127 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore at Withrow (Ohio) High School in 2023. Initially set for official visits to Ohio State, Miami, Oregon and USC this spring, Henry shut down his recruitment April 1.

Scout’s take: To best maximize his traits, the Buckeyes will need to deploy Henry on the outside. He’s a one-on-one matchup problem on 50-50 balls whom Ohio State can maximize — particularly in the red zone. Even when covered, he isn’t really covered. Few wide receivers 6-foot-5 or taller can move, shake and produce after the catch like Henry. He shows an amazing run-and-catch aspect in the vertical passing game. Henry’s long arms and ability to elevate in traffic create distinct advantages on jump balls. His twitchiness is very similar to that of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and sets him apart from other receivers at this size. — Tom Luginbill

Jared Curtis, QB

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 6

Committed to: Georgia Bulldogs

Background: Initially committed to Georgia in March 2024, Curtis took a winding road back to the Bulldogs’ 2026 class after he pulled his pledge and reopened his recruitment last October.

Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and South Carolina were all involved in Curtis’ process earlier this year. Curtis narrowed his options to the Bulldogs and Ducks in February, ultimately closing his recruitment with a series of visits and in-home meetings with both programs this spring prior to his May 5 announcement. In the 6-foot-4, 225-pound passer, coach Kirby Smart once again has the cycle’s second-ranked quarterback and a potential cornerstone for the program’s future under center.

Scout’s take: Curtis will join a QB room at Georgia that is loaded with former ranked prospects and his move will likely send one or more of those players to the transfer portal. Curtis has ideal size at 6-3, 222 pounds and has tracked at 18.5 MPH Max Speed which is impressive for someone his size. His measurable standard in every category tested meets or exceeds every measure you’d like to have in a QB prospect.

He has natural arm power, which is his best trait, and he makes throws from a lot of different arm angles. He has been clocked at a 4.8 40. He can be a crafty runner and use his athleticism, smarts and arm talent to make throws in and out of the pocket. — Luginbill

Derrek Cooper, RB

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 7

Committed to: Texas Longhorns

Background: Cooper, ESPN’s No. 1 running back in the 2026 cycle became the second-ranked member of the Longhorns’ 2026 class when he announced his commitment to Texas over Georgia, Miami, Florida State and Ohio State on July 20.

A versatile, pass-catching running back out of Florida’s Chaminade-Madonna Preparatory School, Cooper did not take an official visit with the Longhorns this spring, but was ultimately swayed to Texas by running backs coach Chad Scott and the all-purpose role Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff presented him within the program’s offense. With Cooper, the Longhorns hold more five-star pledges — four — than any other program in the 2026 class with No. 1 overall quarterback Dia Bell, defensive end Richard Wesley (No. 11 overall) and top-ranked outside linebacker Tyler Atkinson (No. 14) all sitting atop Texas’ incoming recruiting class.

Scout’s take: Cooper is the most complete running back in this class. He has an outstanding blend of speed, power, agility and versatility. He is a big back at a little over 6-foot-1 and roughly 200 pounds with a powerful stride. Cooper is reminiscent of a former Longhorns rival, Adrian Peterson. With Cooper’s build, he can run downhill and create yards after contact but also has the agility to make defenders miss with the proven speed to pull away when he gets in the open.

His measurables make him an impressive back but it’s other attributes that elevated him to five-star status. Cooper has impressed with his ball skill and route running ability and can be a weapon in the passing game, bringing versatility in how he can be aligned to attack defenses. Those attributes are accentuated by a competitive drive and his ability to quickly process coaching and apply it.

Texas has a back in Quintrevion Wisner who has good size and is also a productive pass catcher who led Texas in rushing in 2024 while also finishing third in receptions. With Cooper, the Horns will bring in a runner in this mold but bigger and with better speed. There could be some overlap if Wisner returns in 2026, but either way the Longhorns have set themselves to replace an excellent and productive back with a player who can step into that role and impressively could have an even greater impact.

Faizon Brandon, QB

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 8

Committed to: Tennessee Volunteers

Background: Brandon committed to the Vols last August before totaling 2,159 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with one interception as a junior at Grimsley last fall.

Brandon remains in near-daily contact with the Tennessee staff and has not engaged with other programs in 2025. He is focused instead on helping recruit a 2026 Vols class that already includes ESPN 300 pass catchers in wide receiver Tyreek King and tight end Carson Sneed. Brandon will take his official visit to Tennessee on June 20.

Scout’s take: The departure of Nico Iamaleava could allow Brandon to battle for the starting job sooner rather than later in a very quarterback-friendly system. Several recent Volunteers quarterbacks have similar stature, athleticism and arm strength. Brandon is more advanced than Hendon Hooker at the same stage and the pair share several traits. Brandon is also much more accurate than Joe Milton. While he lacks Iamaleava’s polish at this stage, Brandon throws an exceptional deep ball, which is a requirement in this scheme that loves to attack vertically. — Luginbill

JaReylan McCoy, DE

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 9

Committed to: Florida Gators

Background: ESPN’s No. 2 defender in the 2026 class has logged 18.5 sacks and more than 140 total tackles over three varsity seasons. If he signs with the Gators in December, he’ll represent Florida’s highest-ranked defensive addition in more than a decade.

McCoy initially committed to LSU earlier this year before reopening his recruitment in February. He trimmed his list of finalists to Florida, LSU and Texas last month, then sealed his commitment to the Gators across a pair of visits with the program between May 30 and June 14. McCoy will join former No. 10 overall prospect L.J. McCray as the program’s second five-star defensive end when he arrives on campus in 2026.

Scout’s take: The Gators finished last season strong, creating optimism for 2025 and beyond in the Billy Napier era. Part of the strong close was improved defensive play, and while further improvement and more consistency is needed among its front, Florida is stacking some excellent young talent to further fuel the excitement.

Former ESPN 300 edge rusher signees Tyreak Sapp and Kamran James should help fuel their ascension, but defenders more recently added can boost this unit to another level. The hope is that McCray, a five-star in the 2024 class, will break out and several new high-ceiling D-line signings — including No. 6 DE Jalen Wiggins — can get involved.

Florida is stopping there and now add to the mix another five-star defender in McCoy. A breakout performer during the Under Armour All-America week this past January, that setting showcased his impact ability. He has elite length with a big frame and has demonstrated a competitive “alpha dog” nature and plays with a motor. He has also shown good practice habits and all those traits are accentuated with his excellent physical tools. He moves well with good flexibility and has excelled in combine testing situations. He can develop into an disruptive, top pass rusher but can also play the run and be a factor in pursuit with his mobility.

McCoy has shown all the tools, that with continued positive progress, would align with past top SEC defenders. With his build, size and competitiveness, he can offer versatility as he can pair with McCray at the Edge spot initially but could also play inside at DT.

Tristen Keys, WR

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 10

Committed to: Tennessee Volunteers

Background: Keys dealt a major blow to LSU’s 2026 class with his flip to SEC rivals Tennessee on Aug. 28. Committed to the Tigers on March 19, Keys maintained an open recruitment across summer visits to Auburn, Miami, Tennessee and Texas A&M before landing with the Vols days before the 2025 season began.

Keys’ recruitment could go all the way to the early signing period this fall. For now, Mississippi’s No. 2 overall prospect headlines a loaded wide receiver class forming around five-star Vols quarterback commit Faizon Brandon, joining Salesi Moa (No. 35 overall), Tyreek King (No. 52) and Joel Wyatt (No. 66) as the highest-ranked of four top 100 receivers bound for Tennessee in 2026.

Scout’s take: Even if he’s not an elite runner, Keys’ combination of size, range and ball skills is unmatched. Wide receiver was a major need in this class and Tennessee secured the commitment of one the best at the position. Keys is the highest-rated receiver prospect in this recruiting era for the Vols. Tennessee is hoping former ESPN 300 receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley from the 2024 class breakout as a second-year players but have not shown go-to qualities in Knoxville just yet. The dynamic Keys teams up with No. 3 ranked pocket passer Faizon Brandon to provide Tennessee with a prolific passing connection of the future. Keys has length, long arms and physicality to create matchup headaches for defenses either inside or outside. He has great body control and coordination on jump balls, making him a dangerous threat even when covered. He won’t win a lot of open-field foot races, but Keys could develop into a go-to option if utilized in the slot against zone coverages or on the outside for deep balls. — Luginbill

Richard Wesley, DE

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 11

Committed to: Texas Longhorns

Background: Briefly committed to Oregon in May, Wesley found a new home when he committed to the Longhorns on June 22 shortly after wrapping an official visit with the program. Wesley, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound pass rusher from Chatsworth, California, entered the ESPN 300 as a five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 3 defensive end upon reclassifying from the 2027 cycle in March. He made unofficial visits to Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC this spring before scheduling officials with Oregon and Texas in June. Upon his commitment, he joined five-star Longhorns quarterback Dia Bell (No. 6 overall) commit as Texas’ second five-star pledge in 2026.

Scout’s take: Wesley has the most impact potential of any defensive line prospect coming out of the Southern California area since Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2019. He will join a talented D-line group in Texas’ 2026 class. Headed to the SEC, he reminds us of a former disruptive defender in that conference — former Ole Miss standout Robert Nkemdiche.

Wesley has more ideal length but is a well put-together prospect with a nice blend of height and bulk. He can bring versatility in how he’s used, with the ability to play on the edge and also produce inside and exploit favorable matchups with his blend of power and quickness.

He reclassified from 2027 class to 2026 and when you see him in-person, it is clear he is able physically to make that jump and be ready to move onto college. He could be a quick contributor as well. He can continue to further improve flexibility, but he is an explosive defender with active and heavy hands who can attack with speed and power as a pass rusher and be able to set the edge.

With national championship aspirations, the Longhorns turned to the transfer portal to restock their defensive line for 2025, but the future of this unit will be driven by youth with players like Wesley.

His arrival is set to overlap with current standout edge defender Colin Simmons, whose presence could help Wesley ease into a role while still contributing and having an impact like Simmons did as a freshman in 2024. He could also pair nicely with 2025 signee five-star Justus Terry, who is in a similar mold to Wesley and the two could form a formidable pair for a defensive line unit that is adding the pieces to become one of the most talented in all of college football over the next few years. — Haubert

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 12

Committed to: Oregon Ducks

Background: Harrison kept a low recruiting profile after he committed to Oregon over Tennessee, North Carolina, Miami, Penn State and Florida State before officially shutting down his recruitment in March.

A two-sport star who is committed to play basketball with the Ducks, now includes two other five-stars in offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and safety Jett Washington. Harrison, North Carolina’s second-ranked recruit in 2026, will be back on campus for an official visit with the Ducks in June.

Scout’s take: The tight end position played a pivotal role in Oregon fielding one of college football’s best passing attacks in 2024, with Terrance Ferguson hauling in 43 catches. While Harrison won’t arrive for another season, he’ll help the Ducks reload at that spot and could supply even greater big-play ability.

For Ferguson, the presence of Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart opened up more room to operate. Oregon’s high-level recruiting should allow Harrison to enjoy a similar situation playing alongside No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore. An excellent basketball player, the 6-foot-6 Harrison has elite height, length and a massive catch radius. Much like former basketball-to-football standouts Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates and Julius Thomas, Harrison can high-point the ball and box out defenders in contested situations, giving Oregon another dangerous playmaker in the passing game. — Haubert

Man jailed over explosive chemicals stash

The explosives were found at Andrew Tait’s home in Sunderland

A man who kept explosive chemicals and knuckledusters in his home has been jailed.

Officers raided the home of Andrew Tait in Pennywell Road, Sunderland, and found 12 explosive substances and 3D-printed knuckledusters in April.

Police said that while the substances were not in a state resembling a bomb it “did not detract from the seriousness of what was found”.

The 42-year-old was handed a 12-month jail sentence by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting two counts of making or having explosives in suspicious circumstances.

Manslaughter-accused ferry crew ‘ignored warnings’

3 days ago Share Save Georgina Barnes BBC News, Jersey and Gemma Daubeney BBC News, Jersey Share Save

BBC Lewis Peter Carr (L) and Artur Sevash-Zade (R) arrived at the Royal Court on Monday morning

Two members of a ferry crew accused of manslaughter ignored flashing warnings 10 minutes before a collision in which three fishermen died when their boat sank off the coast of Jersey, prosecutors have told a court. L’Ecume II sank after a collision with the Commodore Goodwill ferry on 8 December 2022. Artur Sevash-Zade, 35, and Lewis Carr, 30, who were both employed by Condor Ferries at the time, each deny three counts of gross negligence manslaughter after the deaths of fishing boat skipper Michael Michieli, 62, and Filipino crew members Larry Simyunn, 33, and Jervis Baligat, 31. In the prosecution’s opening statement, Jersey’s Royal Court heard “negligent actions” onboard the Commodore Goodwill were the cause of the collision at sea because there was “ample time” to take action.

Mr Sevash-Zade, a Ukrainian national, and Mr Carr, from Sunderland, also each denied a breach of Jersey’s shipping law relating to a failure to discharge duties related to their ship in a manner likely to cause “loss destruction, death or injury”. The prosecution told the court Mr Sevash-Zade and Mr Carr were experienced seamen and if they had done their jobs properly the collision and the resulting deaths would never have happened. L’Ecume II had been heading to Long Banks on the north-west coast of Jersey, leaving at 04:15 GMT, with the visibility “remarkably good for that time of year”, the court was told. Local weather reports for between 05:00 and 06:00 GMT found winds of F2-F3, wave heights of 0.3m (0.9ft), no rainfall and visibility of up to 45km (28 mile), jurors heard.

‘Human error and negligence’

Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit, for the prosecution, said the trip had ended “in tragedy” with the collision taking place at 05:35 GMT – the L’Ecume II had been doing about 9mph (14km/h) and the Commodore Goodwill over double at 19mph (30km/h). The court heard the Commodore Goodwill had been 35 minutes late to Jersey and was sailing at full speed “in an effort to make up for lost time”. Mr Maletroit told the court a collision was “so easily avoided” and it was “not a freak accident, it was purely the consequence of human error and negligence”. He said “on near perfect sailing conditions” it “should not have been a particularly challenging task”.

Ports of Jersey Michael Michieli, Jervis Baligat and Larry Simyunn died in 2022 after their fishing boat collided with a ferry

The prosecution alleges the cause of the crash was due to a “catalogue of failings” on the part of Mr Carr and Mr Sevash-Zade, with no one acting as a proper lookout or monitoring the position of L’Ecume II, which was the only vessel in the vicinity. The court heard the pair were the only crew onboard the ferry’s navigational bridge when the collision took place and that Mr Carr was the most senior person in charge there due to the captain being on a mandatory rest break. The Commodore Goodwill had “excellent” viewings of the bay with a 360-degree lookout, the prosecution said. Mr Maletroit said the ferry was fitted with three radar systems “to detect nearby objects and hazards”. Collision warnings were flashing up to 10 minutes prior to the collision and there was “ample time for the defendants to do something”, Mr Maletroit told the court, but the defendants were working on “non-urgent” tasks ahead of the ferry’s arrival in Jersey. Action was taken “seconds before impact”, he said.

Although there is no speed limit at sea, Mr Maletroit told jurors there was an “obligation” to keep a safe speed and distance from other vessels to ensure enough time to prevent a collision. The prosecution said “no effort was made to reduce to Goodwill’s speed” as it hit L’Ecume II at a full speed of 18 knots (19mph/30km/h).

The ongoing trial at the Government of Jersey’s Parade Studio is expected to last up to four weeks. A jury of 14 people were sworn in on Monday morning, with the presiding judge, Commissioner Sir John Saunders, saying only 12 were required to give a verdict but the length of the trial meant it was important to have some contingency.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

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Week 0 of the 2025 college football season has arrived. That means, among plenty of other things, that the recruits atop the 2025 recruiting class are poised to get their first taste of regular-season action at the college level over the next month.

What’s in store for some of the top incoming newcomers across the country this fall?

We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects from the 2025 ESPN 300, diving into how they’ve fared across their initial months on campus, where they stand at the close of fall camp and projecting the roles they’ll fill in their debut seasons. That group of five-star newcomers is spread across eight schools, including each of the programs — Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Alabama and Ohio State — that made up the top five of ESPN’s 2025 recruiting class rankings.

Some freshmen, such as Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore and Tennessee offensive tackle David Sanders Jr., are in line to step into starting roles from day one this fall. Others have the potential to be impact newcomers who could ultimately help swing the trajectories of some College Football Playoff hopefuls.

We spent the summer speaking to coaches and team personnel across the country to understand where the nation’s top freshmen stand entering the 2025 season. Here’s what we’re hearing:

Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan Wolverines

Vitals: 6-foot-4, 208 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 1 overall, No. 1 QB-PP, No. 1 in Michigan

Position outlook: At a bare minimum, Michigan needs more solidity at the quarterback position than it had a season ago, when the Wolverines went 8-5 with three different starters — Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle.

Warren, a redshirt senior, remains on the roster this fall among Michigan’s veteran options alongside Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and Jake Garcia, who joins this fall after stints at Miami, Missouri and East Carolina. Redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis has also been in the mix for the Wolverines. But all eyes remain on Underwood, the five-star freshman who handed Michigan a seismic in-state pledge when he flipped from LSU in November.

How he projects: For much of the offseason, the Wolverines’ quarterback battle appeared to be a two-man race between Keene and Underwood. As things stand, team sources say they view Underwood as the heavy favorite to get the start when Michigan hosts New Mexico on Aug. 30.

That’s due in part to an unspecified injury that kept Keene, a 35-game starter across stops at UCF and Fresno State since 2021, sidelined in the spring and limited in fall camp. But it’s also tied to what Underwood has shown head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines’ staff since January.

With an already sturdy 6-4 frame, Underwood has wowed coaches in Ann Arbor with his arm strength and pocket awareness. The improved mobility Underwood flashed in his senior season in high school last fall has been another positive element in his acclimation to the college level, while his advanced understanding of the game and willingness to work have softened concerns surrounding his lack of experience. Moore spent the summer gushing about Underwood, noting the young quarterback’s frequent presence in the office of first-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who recently referred to Underwood as a “football junkie.”

“I think the surprise for me, [his] football knowledge is really high for a 17-year-old, high school kid that just got here,” Lindsey said of Underwood. “Pretty, pretty impressive.”

All signs point to Underwood opening the season as Michigan’s starting quarterback. He’ll get an early test in Week 2 when the Wolverines travel to face Oklahoma and one of the nation’s most experienced defenses led by head coach Brent Venables.

Vitals: 6-foot-3, 194 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 2 overall, No. 1 QB-DT, No. 1 in Texas

Position outlook: Alabama has starting experience just about everywhere across its offense in 2025 … just not under center following Jalen Milroe’s offseason departure for the NFL.

Redshirt junior Ty Simpson, who has played in 16 games since 2022, will make his first start when the Crimson Tide visit Florida State in Week 1. Third-year passer Austin Mack (no career starts) is the program’s only other returnee at the position from a season ago. He remains in competition with Russell — the reigning Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year — for the backup job.

How he projects: With Russell working primarily with the third-string unit in Alabama’s fall camp, the Crimson Tide appear likely to lean on Mack’s (relative) experience behind Simpson, at least initially. But Russell’s overall performance since he arrived on campus as a midyear enrollee in January has only bolstered the notion that the five-star dual-threat from Duncanville, Texas, can (or will) be Alabama’s QB1 of the future.

Five-star Keelon Russell won’t start immediately for Alabama. Gary Cosby/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Coaches within the program lauded the way Russell’s speed and playmaking ability has translated to the college game, and team sources suggest he has taken significant strides in his grasp of the offense during fall camp. Head coach Kalen DeBoer pointed to Russell’s on-field composure and pocket awareness as key elements of the progression the freshman quarterback has charted over the past eight months.

“Keelon can anticipate,” DeBoer told ESPN this summer. “When he sees things — because he’s comfortable with the reps he’s had here at the college level and trusting what he’s seeing is really what’s happening — he can deliver for sure.”

First-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb offered a similar sentiment when he told reporters about Russell’s ability to “just slow the game down” earlier this month, part of a skillset that will sooner or later nudge Russell toward opportunities under center with the Crimson Tide.

Vitals: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 3 overall, No. 1 DT, No. 1 in Georgia

Position outlook: Georgia enters 2025 uncommonly unproven along the defensive line after sending 2024 leaders Mykel Williams (first round), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth) and Warren Brinson (sixth) to the NFL draft.

The Bulldogs return redshirt junior Christen Miller, who made 10 starts a season ago and is expected to step into a bigger role. Elsewhere, Georgia will search for production from a raw group of returners that includes junior Jordan Hall, redshirt sophomore Xzavier McLeod and redshirt freshmen Joseph Jonah-Ajonye and Nnamdi Ogboko. Griffin and fellow five-star freshman Isaiah Gibson are also both in the mix for early snaps.

How he projects: Sources within the program say they believe Griffin could be Georgia’s best defensive tackle addition since Jalen Carter arrived in 2020. There’s also a sense that ESPN’s No. 1 defender in 2025 might even already be the most talented defensive lineman on the roster.

Considering the Bulldogs’ lack of proven production up front, the opportunity is there for Griffin to assert himself early and carve a significant role within a new-look unit this fall.

Griffin arrived at Georgia with SEC-ready size, and he possesses a rare blend of quickness and physicality that could allow him to be a disruptive interior playmaker from day one. But where Griffin potentially separates himself from the long line of ultratalented Bulldogs defensive lineman is his early maturity and advanced knowledge of the game; Griffin has impressed coaches and team personnel staff this summer with his ability to absorb information and handle adversity.

“You always want to temper expectations on young players, but he has a maturity to him, a work ethic to him,” Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said of Griffin this month. “He’s obviously a big guy with a lot of athleticism. So we hope that Elijah’s able to help us this year.”

Griffin might not be announced as a starter when the Bulldogs open against Marshall on Aug. 30. But he’s poised to compete for starter-level snaps and could cement himself as a fixture on the Bulldogs’ defensive line by the time SEC play opens in mid-September.

Dakorien Moore, WR, Oregon Ducks

Vitals: 5-foot-11, 195 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 4 overall, No. 1 WR, No. 2 in Texas

Position outlook: Oregon watched Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden head to the NFL in the offseason, then lost Evan Stewart to a knee injury in June. Those developments now leave the Ducks with only one returning wide receiver who caught more than 20 passes last fall — redshirt junior Justius Lowe — surrounding first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore.

Lowe had 21 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown, in 2024, and he’s part of a group of veterans who could help fill the production gap that also includes Gary Bryant Jr., Kyler Kasper and Florida State transfer Malik Benson. Moore, one of the nation’s most electrifying skill position talents in the 2025 class, stands alongside Jeremiah McClellan, Jurrion Dickey and fellow freshman Cooper Perry in a collection of young pass catchers who also will be called upon.

How he projects: Moore has long been viewed as one of the more college-ready prospects in ESPN’s 2025 five-star class. Given Oregon’s needs at wide receiver, he appears poised to be among the starters when the Ducks open against Montana State on Aug. 30.

Dakorien Moore is one of the best-rated wide receiver prospects since 2006. Under Armour

Moore’s elite speed — he posted a 10.4-second 100-meter time as a high school junior — is part of the explosive playmaking ability that has distinguished him since he joined Oregon in January. But team sources also point to Moore’s hands, sharp route running and impressive length relative to his 5-foot-11 build as tools that can make him an immediate focal point in 2025.

“He could have a big role with our team,” Ducks head coach Dan Lanning told ESPN. “He’s done a great job since he’s been here, he had an unbelievable summer. So I have high expectations for Dakorien. I know he has high expectations for himself.”

Na’Eem Offord, CB, Oregon Ducks

Vitals: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 5 overall, No. 1 CB, No. 1 in Alabama

Position outlook: Oregon enters 2025 down having lost its top seven players, in terms of snaps, from a secondary that finished 25th in pass defense a season ago. That includes All-Big Ten honorees Jabbar Muhammad and Nikko Reed and Dontae Manning at corner.

Redshirt junior Jahlil Florence made nine starts as a sophomore in 2023 and returns after sitting out all of last season because of injury. Former junior college transfer Sione Laulea and redshirt freshman Ify Obidegwu are also in the mix for Oregon’s starting cornerback spots, as is Northwestern transfer and reigning second-team All-Big 10 selection Theran Johnson. The freshman trio of Offord, Dorian Brew and Brandon Finney Jr. — three of ESPN’s top 10 cornerbacks in the 2025 class — could also factor into the Ducks’ early season rotation at the position.

How he projects: Offord’s physical profile was often compared to Ohio State star Denzel Burke before he flipped from the Buckeyes to Oregon during the early signing period. Like Burke, Offord has the physical tools to be a Year 1 contributor for the Ducks.

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Sources within the program say they see Offord’s length and versatility as two of his strongest traits but also note that Offord has room to grow as a tackler and in his positional awareness. Lanning highlighted the natural ability Offord has flashed since joining the program in January while emphasizing that the gifted freshman will need time to fully acclimate to the duties required of cornerbacks playing in defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s system.

“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Lanning told ESPN. “He had a really good spring, had a lot of pick up when he got here. It’s hard to play defense with what we ask our guys to do. He’s picking it up well and he’s picked it up well, he’s working really hard.”

Still getting settled and with more experienced options in front of him, Offord might not be an immediate contributor at cornerback this fall. But he should be able to hold his own physically when he does get onto the field, and his versatility could open the door to chances at nickel back, where the Ducks are replacing eight-game starter Brandon Johnson this fall.

Vitals: 6-foot-5, 309 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 6 overall, No. 1 OT, No. 3 in Texas

Position outlook: An injury-riddled campaign forced Oklahoma to field eight different starting offensive line combinations last season. In 2025, the Sooners return stronger depth up front, particularly at the tackle positions after loading up through the portal and the 2025 class.

Senior Jacob Sexton, an eight-game starter in 2024, is set to return at left tackle. On the right, Oklahoma has a range of options among redshirt sophomore Logan Howland, redshirt junior Jake Taylor and veteran transfers Derek Simmons (Western Carolina) and Luke Baklenko (Stanford). Fasusi and Ryan Fodje, another member of the 2025 ESPN 300, each appear poised to earn playing time as freshmen after turning in promising fall camp showings this month.

How he projects: Oklahoma offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has made it clear Fasusi will play in 2025, and it might not be long before injury or competition pushes him into a starting role.

Fasusi was one of the most physically developed offensive tackle prospects atop the 2025 class, and he has added nearly 20 pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame since joining the Sooners. And while questions have hovered over the technical elements of his game, Bedenbaugh praised the on-field development and consistency he has seen from both Fasusi and Fodje this summer.

“We’ve had good players, really good guys that are All-Pros — I haven’t had anybody like them at that age, just overall,” Bedenbaugh said of Fasusi and Fodje earlier this month. “They aren’t afraid. They aren’t afraid [of] who they’re blocking. Whether Fasusi gets his ass kicked by R Mason [Thomas] or not, he ain’t scared. He’s going out there to win. Ryan Fodje’s the same exact way.”

Sexton sat out Oklahoma’s final four games last season because of an injury, and the overall health of the Sooners’ offensive line will be a storyline all season. If Fasusi isn’t a Week 1 starter, he’ll only be a snap away from being thrust into a prominent role as Oklahoma chases a bounce-back in 2025.

David Sanders Jr., OT, Tennessee Volunteers

Vitals: 6-foot-6, 305 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 7 overall, No. 2 OT, No. 1 in North Carolina

Position outlook: From a position group of stability a year ago, Tennessee returns only one starter this season — left tackle Lance Heard — with right tackles John Campbell Jr. (489 snaps) and Dayne Davis (368) among the prominent departures.

Heard, an 11-game starter in 2024 and a preseason All-SEC selection, is expected to hold down the left side of the Vols’ made-over offensive line with transfers Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona) and Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) filling the guard spots. Redshirt freshmen Bennett Warren and Jesse Perry are two others who probably will feature in Tennessee’s tackle rotation, as well, but Sanders has been repping as the first-team right tackle this month with a clear path to starting in Week 1.

How he projects: Sanders was ahead of schedule from a technique and agility standpoint when he joined the Vols in January. Given the offseason turnover on Tennessee’s offensive line, he has long been projected to be part of the program’s starting unit against Syracuse in Week 1.

Five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. could be an immediate starter for Tennessee. Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire

While rival SEC scouts love Sanders’ overall ceiling, many questioned his size and ability to contribute early when Sanders signed with the Vols at 270 pounds in December. Sanders has tacked on nearly 40 pounds since then, leaving Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and other team sources confident that Sanders will be SEC-ready physically this fall.

“One, just his body: the guy has done an incredible job of putting on weight and getting to function here in the SEC,” Elarbee told reporters on Aug. 5. “Two, mentally, he’s spent as much time or more time than anybody meeting, walking through and understanding there’s still way way more to keep going. But from where he was to where he is now? Unreal and credit to him.”

The overall development of Tennessee’s renovated offensive line will play a significant part in defining the Vols’ 2025 season. Sanders’ acclimation to life in the SEC, with matchups against the high-level fronts of Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma on the schedule should be especially intriguing.

Vitals: 6-foot-5, 268 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 8 overall, No. 2 DT, No. 2 in Georgia

Position outlook: The bulk of the defensive line unit that helped carry Texas to a national semifinal last season is gone with 2024 leaders Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Barryn Sorrell, Jermayne Lole and Bill Norton all out of eligibility or off to the NFL.

Syracuse transfer Maraad Watson, an 11-game starter as a freshman last fall, and Purdue transfer Cole Brevard lead a deep group of portal newcomers at defensive tackle that includes Travis Shaw (North Carolina), Hero Kanu (Ohio State) and Lavon Johnson (Maryland). Sophomore Alex January and Terry will also factor into the interior rotation, while Terry is also expected to get snaps on the edge alongside senior Ethan Burke and redshirt sophomore Colton Vasek.

How he projects: Terry’s size and ability to play across the defensive line will get him on the field in 2025. The question is where and just how significant of a role he can forge this fall.

A powerful interior talent at Manchester (Georgia) High School, team sources told ESPN that Terry carries immediate potential as a pass-rush option up the middle, but questions hover over his readiness to contribute as an impact run stopper as a freshman. Terry’s ultimate positional landing spot at the college level will hinge on the development of his range of pass-rush moves.

First-year Longhorns defensive line coach Kenny Baker said earlier this month that Texas was working Terry at both defensive tackle and on the edge, and team sources suggest that Terry’s optimal role in Year 1 with Texas would come as a situational mismatch option in either spot.

“He can do multiple things,” Baker said. “He’s been blessed and gifted with that type of ability and talent. But on the flip side, you have to make sure you’re not giving him too much. We want this guy to be able to settle a little bit, experience a little bit of success. It’s not a perfect balance, but then it’s also continuing to poke and prod and get him going in another direction, as well.”

Jonah Williams, safety, Texas Longhorns

Vitals: 6-foot-3, 213 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 9 overall, No. 1 safety, No. 4 in Texas

Position outlook: Texas returns 2024 second-team All-American Michael Taaffe but has a major hole to fill at the other starting safety spot following Andrew Mukuba’s jump to the NFL.

Third-year defensive back Derek Williams Jr. is back after a season-ending knee injury kept him from the Longhorns’ final 12 games a year ago. He’s the most likely contender to claim the starting job alongside Taaffe. Junior Jelani McDonald — who is expected to feature elsewhere in the secondary — and sophomores Xavier Filsaime and Jordon Johnson-Rubell are among the experienced returners also in the mix. Williams and fellow freshman Zelus Hicks are a pair of intriguing unknowns at the position who could feature in Texas’ early season safety rotation.

How he projects: Williams joined the Longhorns’ football program in June after hitting .327 with eight RBIs over 20 games in his debut season with the school’s baseball program this spring. He projects as a potentially special secondary talent for the future, but Williams had ground to make up this summer and patience might be required before Texas sees his best on the football field.

Connelly’s conference previews Bill Connelly gets you ready for the 2025 season by breaking down a different conference every week of the summer. Previews

“We’ll just kind of wait and see because we missed a lot of spring ball and all that,” Longhorns safeties coach Duane Akina told reporters of Williams’ progress earlier this month. “So I haven’t really had a chance to work with him. He’s intent in meetings and that’s a good start.”

Williams’ ability to get onto the field this fall will be dictated by the pace at which he picks up the defense and the speed of the college game after sitting out the back half of his senior football season last fall because of an injury. A big-bodied safety, team sources say they believe Williams will ultimately become a multipositional defensive weapon whose earliest opportunities might come on special teams in 2025.

Vitals: 6-foot-4, 230 pounds

2025 ESPN 300 rank: No. 10 overall, No. 2 QB-PP, No. 1 in Ohio

Position outlook: Rather than turning to the transfer portal, the reigning national champions kept their search to replace Will Howard in-house this offseason. Ohio State head coach announced sophomore Julian Sayin as the program’s starting quarterback on Aug. 18 after a two-man position battle between the former five-star recruit and junior Lincoln Kienholz.

Per coach Ryan Day, St. Clair — the coveted 2025 signee from Bellefontaine, Ohio — enters his freshman season firmly behind Kienholz as the Buckeyes’ QB3.

How he projects: The 2025 season looks as if it’ll be a developmental year for St. Clair, who might find a more competitive path playing time in 2026 without another underclassmen passer on the roster or a top 300 quarterback committed to the program’s 2026 class, as things stand.

“He has all the traits,” Day told reporters this week. “He has the tools. We think he can absolutely be the quarterback of our future.”

Coaches have been impressed with St. Clair’s arm strength, mobility and throwing accuracy on the run, the same tools that turned him into one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects from the lower classification ranks of 3A football in Ohio. But team sources suggest that uneven performances and struggles reading the game from the pocket in fall camp exposed the learning curve still in front of St. Clair as he settles in as one for the future at the college level.

“He’s not there right now,” Day said. “But he has made progress. I think he knows where his deficiencies are right now, and he’s been told those. … He knows what he needs to work on.”

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg contributed to this report.