Here are Scipio's top "Underrated" 2021 commits
WR Keithron Lee - 3 star, #78 player in Texas
Maybe I'm alone, but it took me about ten plays to see a dissonance between Lee's skill set and his ranking. Granted, WR is the deepest position at the high school, college, and NFL level and you can go deep down the list of the best in Texas and still get quality. That's a ranker's dilemma. So yeah, a guy outside of the Texas top 50 can still be a stone cold baller. I think the difference between the #3 WR in Texas and #9 is far too often about camp circuit participation, team profile, sophomore and junior seasons, groupthink, and early scholarship offers than pure assessment after the last game of their senior season.
Lee was highly productive as a receiver and runner (he's great on fly sweeps and gadgets) at Bryan and he shows a knack for adjusting to the ball down the field. He's a fearless runner and runs through contact despite modest size. I like that. I also like his acceleration and refusal to quit on a play. I see a lot of heart and ability. Kind of what I want in a slot. If he can run smart routes and catch the ball reliably, Sark will love him.
I don't know how he fares in the shorts Olympics, but I like him with pads on.
If there's something off the field weighing against his evaluation, I get it, but I'm not aware of it. BTW, fellow WR Jaden Alexis is probably being sold a little short by Texas fans as well, but his ranking is appropriate.
DT Byron Murphy - 3 star, #56 player in Texas
Murphy is 6 feet even but carries his weight well. You will hear Poona Ford comps, but Poona was actually a freakier athlete, though shorter. Murphy shares the same dawg mentality though. That matters.
I prefer long DL and Alfred Collins is my model, but here's the deal: if a short guy at any DL spot has a huge motor, first step quickness, and the ability to break down a larger OL's arms in extension, they're a freaking nightmare for less athletic guards and centers. A short DL "space eater" can be rendered useless athlete against modern offenses. Murphy is not that guy. Folks portraying him that way don't understand line play. Murphy has motor, quickness, and he never stops moving his feet. Develop his power and max him out at a rock hard 290 and we're cooking with gas. But let's not chunk him out. If he puts on bad weight, he's a JAG.
Think Andrew Billings from Baylor (absent the incredible powerlifting numbers). Ignore his 5.0 40. Pay attention to that 31 inch vertical. Bursty.
Murphy has a huge chip on his shoulder. Don't underestimate the power of that in a DL recruit.
DL Jordon Thomas, low 4 star #45 in Texas
DL David Abiara, 3 star, #62 in Texas
DL Barryn Sorrell, 3 star, #21 in Louisiana
Same, same but different. Three guys lumped together? What kind of weak hedge is this? I'll explain.
I'm not saying all three will pan. DL don't pan for reasons off the field as often as on it. But I will tell you that absent landing the elite guys, these are the kinds of prospects Texas should be taking on the DL as secondary and tertiary options. Each player has some individuality: Abiara is the strongest and most imposing, Thomas is the most consistent dawg (not many soft dudes from Port A in my experience), Sorrell is the most sushi raw with interesting flashes, but all three share one key commonality: they're tweenerish edge guys who can move, have big frames, and have the highest level starter potential inside.
They're all athletic enough to play credibly outside. But I want to see them fill out and attack the passer and running game from a 3 or 5 technique.
Might each player be rated appropriately individually? Sure. Though I'd quibble on Abiara if his off field issue was a one off. But this is a collective trait bet. These are the right kinds of takes of the available options.
LB Morice Blackwell - low 4 star, #49 in Texas
He barely slid under the 4 star concertina wire, so I'm including him. #49 player in Texas is not a ringing analyst endorsement. I also see their point about his potential limitations a level up. However, he's one of my class favorites as a pure football player. He's just that guy. That dude who keeps making critical plays that change a game while also making the routine plays reliably. He's narrow and lithe, but he moves really well and diagnoses like a freaking scientist. Watching him play makes me happy. I honestly think he could play safety in some schemes. If he can carry 215-225 well, he's a greyhound LB in the best of the TCU mold who will fill up the entire box score like a young Magic Johnson: 9 tackles, 1 PBU, a QB hit, forced fumble, a pick. You know the guy.
Size and frame are legitimate knocks, but if Texas can't retain his quickness and fluidity while adding 25 good pounds, go to the weight room and start handing out pink slips.