Which prospect is the most rare at his particular position this year?
Mike Farrell: To me it's O.J. Howard without a doubt. In all the years I have been evaluating and ranking prospects, I've never seen a tight end with his combination of size, athleticism and ball skills. In fact I think he's the only prospect at the top of his position ranking who has a skill set we haven't seen at Rivals.com in the last decade.
Josh Helmholdt: You could certainly go with O.J. Howard or Jaylon Smith, guys that are physical specimens. Joliet (Ill.) Catholic running back Ty Isaac is more rare, though, I would say. He is legitimately 6-foot-3, and while taller running backs have struggled in the past because they present bigger targets, Isaac is able to run small and rarely takes solid shots. He has uncanny agility for a player size and is as good in space as he is between the tackles.
Woody Wommack: After seeing O.J. Howard in person at Gridiron Kings this year, he has to be my answer. He has great size, amazing athletic ability to go along with terrific hands. He reminds me of a No. 1 receiver, but with a tight end's skill set. I'm not sure if I can remember ever seeing a tight end as polished and developed as he is at this point in his career.
Adam Gorney: O.J. Howard is the rarest player at his position this year or in recent memory - I believe he's that special. He is all of 6-feet-6 and 220 pounds, but he moves so fluidly that it's probably not out of the question he can play some wide receiver in college. There are few players like Howard at the high school level. He's the complete package of physical size and football ability since he runs great routes, catches every ball thrown anywhere near him and he's humble and hardworking.
Rob Cassidy: It's almost as if this question was thought up with O.J. Howard in mind. His physique alone is enough to get him noticed at tight end, but the instincts and athleticism he showcased at The Opening were enough to stun those in attendance. It's been five years since Rivals.com last listed a five-star tight end, but Howard's unique blend of size and speed has a real chance of ending that streak History says it will be some time until we see a player quite like Howard at his position
Mike Farrell: To me it's O.J. Howard without a doubt. In all the years I have been evaluating and ranking prospects, I've never seen a tight end with his combination of size, athleticism and ball skills. In fact I think he's the only prospect at the top of his position ranking who has a skill set we haven't seen at Rivals.com in the last decade.
Josh Helmholdt: You could certainly go with O.J. Howard or Jaylon Smith, guys that are physical specimens. Joliet (Ill.) Catholic running back Ty Isaac is more rare, though, I would say. He is legitimately 6-foot-3, and while taller running backs have struggled in the past because they present bigger targets, Isaac is able to run small and rarely takes solid shots. He has uncanny agility for a player size and is as good in space as he is between the tackles.
Woody Wommack: After seeing O.J. Howard in person at Gridiron Kings this year, he has to be my answer. He has great size, amazing athletic ability to go along with terrific hands. He reminds me of a No. 1 receiver, but with a tight end's skill set. I'm not sure if I can remember ever seeing a tight end as polished and developed as he is at this point in his career.
Adam Gorney: O.J. Howard is the rarest player at his position this year or in recent memory - I believe he's that special. He is all of 6-feet-6 and 220 pounds, but he moves so fluidly that it's probably not out of the question he can play some wide receiver in college. There are few players like Howard at the high school level. He's the complete package of physical size and football ability since he runs great routes, catches every ball thrown anywhere near him and he's humble and hardworking.
Rob Cassidy: It's almost as if this question was thought up with O.J. Howard in mind. His physique alone is enough to get him noticed at tight end, but the instincts and athleticism he showcased at The Opening were enough to stun those in attendance. It's been five years since Rivals.com last listed a five-star tight end, but Howard's unique blend of size and speed has a real chance of ending that streak History says it will be some time until we see a player quite like Howard at his position
