UA Next: Stock risers after Monday’s practice
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The initial practice of the 2025 Under Armour All-America Game week went down on Monday night and Rivals was on hand to see the elite recruits and those set to make a move up the rankings. We look at those off to a strong start right out of the gate.
The future Baylor Bear is well-put together and stands out among a great looking group of linebackers because of his movement skills. Burns is incredibly fluid in his transitions, especially when asked to change direction. It means he has more opportunity to work towards a three-down role at the next level, possibly as an aid for the back-seven in coverage if not pursuing the passer.
Another linebacker making waves on his team, Caldwell made the defensive play of the night on Monday with a timely interception he ‘returned’ for a score just as practice was winding down. The Jacksonville native is still just a junior, and he has made the full transition from safety to hybrid linebacker look seamless over the last year or so. Caldwell is looking at Florida, Florida State, Miami, Penn State, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Fresh off of a state championship run, Davis picked up right where he left off on Monday in flashing during the practice run. He is a leaner linebacker type who has to rely on his skill in space and he looked like it throughout the first workout, showing aggression and impressive closing ability when his assignment was in sight. Davis, who has programs like Auburn, Clemson, USC and others high on his list as a junior, was so competitive in the initial workout that the coaches asked him to dial it back some.
The Kansas State legacy is one of the bigger defensive backs on either roster, but you wouldn’t know it based on the junior’s movement skills at a listed 6-foot-2. He changes direction well and has a natural stride when he elects to hunt the football, part of the reason why his recruitment has been hotly contested of late between Kansas State, Kansas, Nebraska and Stanford. Dunnigan will pick between the four during Thursday’s game broadcast.
The Colorado commitment isn’t the biggest wide receiver out there, so the ability to naturally separate is critical in this evaluation. Gibson explodes off the line of scrimmage and pushes off at the top of the route. Gibson says Deion Sanders compare him to Jimmy Horn and it’s easy to see why.
The highest-ranked recruit on this list means ‘stock up’ talk could translate to being tabbed as one of the elites in the 2026 group regardless of position. Elee has great length and plenty of room to fill out, but the first step he presents off of the edge became its own topic of conversation among onlookers Monday. The Maryland commitment, who is still being pursued by many programs nationally, could not be blocked when he got a free release against the tackle’s outside shoulder. Elee made several ‘sacks’ and other stops behind the line of scrimmage during inside drill and team settings.
In a class loaded at the offensive tackle position, Smith is one of the best in Florida and he had a strong first workout among the nation’s best Monday. He has reshaped his body and trimmed down, something that showed in some of the brief reps we saw from the Very Beach native in pass protection. He redirects well and has balance within his frame to absorb contact or finish blocks accordingly. Smith is working with a national offer list including Ohio State, Miami, Florida State and others.
The Ole Miss signee moved around as a senior in helping Lakeland (Fla.) High School get to the state championship game and he did more of the same Monday in working some safety and corner. Young has a nose for the football and it showed on both fronts, as he got his hands on the football in the middle during 7-on-7 play before working some solid cover skills on the outside during the 11-on-11 session. Young has a long frame with room to fill out but the versatility and sheer playmaking ability could grant him early playing time in Oxford.
