Three Predictions: Professional days, Brian Kelly, Tennessee
Rivals nationwide recruiting director Adam Gorney has three predictions on the usefulness of professional days, extra warmth coming LSU coach Brian Kelly’s means and Tennessee getting a five-star QB/WR combo by signing day:
WHICH METRO AREA PRODUCES THE BEST HS FOOTBALL TALENT? YOU DECIDE
HUNTER PROVES PRO DAYS WILL BECOME LESS VALUABLE
Cam Ward didn’t work out on the NFL Mix. Neither did Shedeur Sanders. They’ll in all probability be the primary two quarterbacks taken within the NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter didn’t work out in Indianapolis and ran a couple of routes at Colorado’s professional day, which was loaded with professional scouts, Friday in Boulder. However what are these guys actually getting out of seeing Hunter once more in particular person, run routes he’s designed? Everybody is aware of he’s an athletic freak present and in case you didn’t already then you definitely’re within the flawed enterprise.
Sanders threw at Colorado’s professional day however the viral clip is certainly one of him throwing a behind-the-back move. Nice. That may get numbers on Instagram however did NFL scouts actually study something new about Sanders or Hunter at Colorado’s professional day? Most likely not.
Professional days might really be harmful for scouts as a result of they fall in love with a throw after which begin believing the hype.
Whether or not it’s a behind-the-back move from Sanders or folks falling in love with Zach Wilson throughout his BYU professional day the place he rolled left after which threw a deep ball again throughout his physique – good luck making an attempt that in an NFL sport – issues are proven at professional days that aren’t reasonable.
Everyone seems to be getting enthusiastic about Joe Milton as a result of he can throw the ball 85 yards. However can he throw an out route with out crusing it into the stands? The identical questions have been raised about DJ Uiagalelei for years – that his velocity is unquestionable however his management is suspect – and look what occurred there.
Professional days present some worth. However when all people has a fantastic professional day and their draft inventory is rising due to a professional day, I develop very suspicious. Hunter hardly did a lot at his and he needs to be the primary talent participant off the board. Sanders and Ward hardly confirmed all that a lot. Good.
Professional days are high quality however let the general resume do the speaking.
MORE HEAT COMING TO LSU COACH BRIAN KELLY
Late within the 2025 recruiting cycle, five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan after Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison delivered a $12 million NIL deal. Coach Brian Kelly begged LSU supporters to donate to the NIL trigger so it wouldn’t occur once more.
However just some months later, Blaine Bradford dedicated to Ohio State over LSU and this one hurts for a couple of explicit causes. He’s from Baton Rouge, LSU took his brother within the 2025 class to additionally get the five-star security in 2026 and the highest prospects within the state may not be performed heading elsewhere.
The phrase is that Texas A&M has the sting for prime four-star two-way lineman Lamar Brown, who goes to highschool at Baton Rouge (La.) College Lab, which is on LSU’s campus.
If Bradford and Brown keep the top-two prospects within the Louisiana state rankings and signal elsewhere, it will be the primary time in over a decade that LSU didn’t get at the least one, if not each, of the highest gamers within the state.
Signing day is mild years away at this level and issues can change however going into Yr 4 of Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, the Tigers don’t have a lot to point out for it they usually’re paying him exorbitant cash for outcomes, not misses on Bryce Underwood, Jahkeem Stewart and others.
TENNESSEE WILL HAVE A FIVE-STAR QB/WR COMBO ON SIGNING DAY
Tennessee quarterback commit Faizon Brandon is the No. 1 quarterback within the 2026 Rivals250 proper now and after seeing him a number of instances this offseason it appears most unlikely except one thing surprising occurs that he would transfer off the five-star checklist.
The Vols solely have two receivers dedicated however Tyreek King continues to show he’s probably the greatest receivers on this class and if issues proceed on that upward trajectory, Brandon and King might type a dynamic five-star duo in Knoxville.
King, a four-star from Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, impressed once more at a current camp the place he confirmed off such a excessive stage of athleticism and dynamic skill with the ball in his palms.
Oftentimes, we fall in love with these huge outdoors receivers however slots like King, who’re so tough to defend within the open house are killing it in any respect ranges of soccer. King reminds us of Jaylen Waddle on the similar stage.
