2029 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now 2029 top football recruits features the top rising high school freshmen in the world of CFB recruiting! (209)
Updated January 3rd, 2026 at 3:01 p.m. EST
Updated January 3rd, 2026 at 3:01 p.m. EST
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now top 2029 football recruits are listed below in alphabetical order for college recruiters, coaches, fans and ranking committees nationally! (209)
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT RB DAMARCUS STINSON
RB/DB Damarcus Stinson Jr.
Mona Shores HS
(MI)
5'11", 165
GPA - 4.0
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2029 football recruit DaMarcus “DJ” Stinson Jr. stands out as one of the premier two-way prospects in the Class of 2029, showcasing a rare blend of physicality, intelligence, and explosiveness on both sides of the football. At running back, Top 2029 football recruit Damarcus Stinson Jr. is an explosive downhill runner who thrives on contact and embraces the physical nature of the game. He displays outstanding lower-body strength and balance, allowing him to power through tackles and maintain forward momentum even when defenders stack the box. What separates him from most young backs is his elite ball carrier vision—Stinson identifies developing creases and cut-back lanes in an instant, attacking them with reckless abandon and impressive burst. Once he hits the hole, his acceleration is immediate and violent, and he possesses the straight-line speed to reach the edge and turn upfield with authority. His ability to subtly alter speed and direction mid-run keeps defenders guessing, making him just as dangerous in space as he is between the tackles. Defensively, Stinson is equally dominant as a hard-hitting defensive back with a fearless approach to contact. He plays downhill with urgency, frequently stepping up into the eight-man box to deliver bone-crushing tackles that set the tone for his team’s defense. His instincts and anticipation allow him to diagnose plays early, and his tackling technique is both aggressive and technically sound. In coverage, Stinson showcases impressive range and closing speed, able to mirror receivers and break on the ball with explosive quickness. Over the top, he’s a playmaker who uses his elite vertical ability and timing to disrupt passes or dislodge the ball from opposing receivers. His combination of physicality, speed, and football IQ make him a true impact player in all phases of the game. Stinson’s maturity and work ethic are already drawing attention from elite programs nationwide, and his reputation as a leader precedes him.
As IMG Academy Head Coach Billy Miller notes in his reference, “I am writing to highly recommend Demarcus Stinson III for your program. As his coach at IMG Academy, I have had the pleasure of watching Demarcus grow both as an athlete and as an individual. His work ethic, commitment to excellence, and leadership on and off the field make him stand out as one of the finest young athletes I have had the privilege of coaching. Demarcus possesses an unparalleled drive and determination that sets him apart from his peers. His physical abilities are remarkable, but it is his mental toughness and focus that truly elevate his game. Whether it’s his quick decision-making, his ability to stay calm under pressure, or his relentless pursuit of perfection in practice, Demarcus is a standout player in every sense. He’s a true student of the game, always eager to learn and improve. In addition to his skills on the field, Demarcus is a natural leader. He holds himself and his teammates to the highest standards, fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and teamwork. He is a player who leads by example, motivating others with his work ethic and passion for the game. His positive attitude and strong character have earned him the respect of both his coaches and his peers. Demarcus is not only a talented athlete but also a person of great integrity and character. I am confident that he will continue to excel at the next level and beyond, and I have no doubt that he will make an immediate impact wherever he goes.” Coach Miller’s glowing endorsement underscores what the film already shows—DaMarcus “DJ” Stinson Jr. is a complete football player with next-level talent and leadership. With his rare combination of physical dominance, football intelligence, and character, Stinson projects as a Power Five-caliber recruit and a future difference-maker at the collegiate level.
CFB programs showing interest - Arizona State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Arizona, Northern Arizona, Virginia Union, Old Dominion, Hampton, Christopher Newport, Arizona Christian and Ottawa (AZ)
Follow Top 2029 Football Recruit Damarcus Stinson Jr. on X!
Mona Shores HS
(MI)
5'11", 165
GPA - 4.0
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2029 football recruit DaMarcus “DJ” Stinson Jr. stands out as one of the premier two-way prospects in the Class of 2029, showcasing a rare blend of physicality, intelligence, and explosiveness on both sides of the football. At running back, Top 2029 football recruit Damarcus Stinson Jr. is an explosive downhill runner who thrives on contact and embraces the physical nature of the game. He displays outstanding lower-body strength and balance, allowing him to power through tackles and maintain forward momentum even when defenders stack the box. What separates him from most young backs is his elite ball carrier vision—Stinson identifies developing creases and cut-back lanes in an instant, attacking them with reckless abandon and impressive burst. Once he hits the hole, his acceleration is immediate and violent, and he possesses the straight-line speed to reach the edge and turn upfield with authority. His ability to subtly alter speed and direction mid-run keeps defenders guessing, making him just as dangerous in space as he is between the tackles. Defensively, Stinson is equally dominant as a hard-hitting defensive back with a fearless approach to contact. He plays downhill with urgency, frequently stepping up into the eight-man box to deliver bone-crushing tackles that set the tone for his team’s defense. His instincts and anticipation allow him to diagnose plays early, and his tackling technique is both aggressive and technically sound. In coverage, Stinson showcases impressive range and closing speed, able to mirror receivers and break on the ball with explosive quickness. Over the top, he’s a playmaker who uses his elite vertical ability and timing to disrupt passes or dislodge the ball from opposing receivers. His combination of physicality, speed, and football IQ make him a true impact player in all phases of the game. Stinson’s maturity and work ethic are already drawing attention from elite programs nationwide, and his reputation as a leader precedes him.
As IMG Academy Head Coach Billy Miller notes in his reference, “I am writing to highly recommend Demarcus Stinson III for your program. As his coach at IMG Academy, I have had the pleasure of watching Demarcus grow both as an athlete and as an individual. His work ethic, commitment to excellence, and leadership on and off the field make him stand out as one of the finest young athletes I have had the privilege of coaching. Demarcus possesses an unparalleled drive and determination that sets him apart from his peers. His physical abilities are remarkable, but it is his mental toughness and focus that truly elevate his game. Whether it’s his quick decision-making, his ability to stay calm under pressure, or his relentless pursuit of perfection in practice, Demarcus is a standout player in every sense. He’s a true student of the game, always eager to learn and improve. In addition to his skills on the field, Demarcus is a natural leader. He holds himself and his teammates to the highest standards, fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and teamwork. He is a player who leads by example, motivating others with his work ethic and passion for the game. His positive attitude and strong character have earned him the respect of both his coaches and his peers. Demarcus is not only a talented athlete but also a person of great integrity and character. I am confident that he will continue to excel at the next level and beyond, and I have no doubt that he will make an immediate impact wherever he goes.” Coach Miller’s glowing endorsement underscores what the film already shows—DaMarcus “DJ” Stinson Jr. is a complete football player with next-level talent and leadership. With his rare combination of physical dominance, football intelligence, and character, Stinson projects as a Power Five-caliber recruit and a future difference-maker at the collegiate level.
CFB programs showing interest - Arizona State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Arizona, Northern Arizona, Virginia Union, Old Dominion, Hampton, Christopher Newport, Arizona Christian and Ottawa (AZ)
Follow Top 2029 Football Recruit Damarcus Stinson Jr. on X!
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT DL MARTELL SHANNON
DL Martell Shannon
Southridge HS
(FL)
6'5", 295
GPA - 3.83
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2029 football recruit D-Tackle Martell Shannon is what I consider a generational talent on the defensive front, that is capable of dominating in one on one match-ups and terrorizing opponents with his tenacity, brute strength and stellar flexibility for his stature. With offers from programs such as Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech, and Nebraska, Shannon has quickly earned the reputation of being a generational defensive talent. His bull rush is elite for his age, consistently collapsing the pocket and overwhelming offensive linemen in one-on-one situations. What makes him special, however, is his combination of raw power and surprising flexibility—able to bend and redirect to track down ball carriers in space. Shannon is also instinctive in the passing game, showing great awareness with his ability to get his hands up and deflect pass attempts at the line of scrimmage. His physical dominance and relentless motor will demand constant double and even triple teams at the next level, projecting him as a future centerpiece in a 3-4 scheme with the potential to grow into one of the most feared nose guards in college football—and eventually, the NFL. Martell Shannon is not only a force in the middle, but he’s also the type of versatile defensive lineman who thrives in multiple schemes, especially as a 4-3 defensive tackle. At 6’5”, 295 pounds, he combines elite size with rare athleticism, exploding off the ball with enough quickness to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays before they develop. In a 4-3 alignment, Shannon dominates with his ability to collapse the interior and create havoc in the backfield, while his foot speed and lateral agility allow him to chase down plays sideline to sideline. What makes him truly unique is his positional flexibility—he has the raw power to anchor inside, the burst and hands to line up as a 3-technique, and the length and athleticism to even slide out to defensive end when needed. His ability to excel across the entire defensive front makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses, as he can exploit mismatches no matter where he lines up. This combination of size, strength, speed, and versatility sets Shannon apart as not just a dominant defensive tackle, but a once-in-a-generation talent who can be the foundation of any defensive scheme.
COMBINE STATS
Vertical - 23"
Bench press - 245 (MAX)
Squat - 405 (MAX)
Clean - 225 (MAX)
CFB offers - Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech & Nebraska
Follow Top 2029 Football Recruit (DT) Martell Shannon on X!
Southridge HS
(FL)
6'5", 295
GPA - 3.83
TOP 2029 FOOTBALL RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2029 football recruit D-Tackle Martell Shannon is what I consider a generational talent on the defensive front, that is capable of dominating in one on one match-ups and terrorizing opponents with his tenacity, brute strength and stellar flexibility for his stature. With offers from programs such as Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech, and Nebraska, Shannon has quickly earned the reputation of being a generational defensive talent. His bull rush is elite for his age, consistently collapsing the pocket and overwhelming offensive linemen in one-on-one situations. What makes him special, however, is his combination of raw power and surprising flexibility—able to bend and redirect to track down ball carriers in space. Shannon is also instinctive in the passing game, showing great awareness with his ability to get his hands up and deflect pass attempts at the line of scrimmage. His physical dominance and relentless motor will demand constant double and even triple teams at the next level, projecting him as a future centerpiece in a 3-4 scheme with the potential to grow into one of the most feared nose guards in college football—and eventually, the NFL. Martell Shannon is not only a force in the middle, but he’s also the type of versatile defensive lineman who thrives in multiple schemes, especially as a 4-3 defensive tackle. At 6’5”, 295 pounds, he combines elite size with rare athleticism, exploding off the ball with enough quickness to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays before they develop. In a 4-3 alignment, Shannon dominates with his ability to collapse the interior and create havoc in the backfield, while his foot speed and lateral agility allow him to chase down plays sideline to sideline. What makes him truly unique is his positional flexibility—he has the raw power to anchor inside, the burst and hands to line up as a 3-technique, and the length and athleticism to even slide out to defensive end when needed. His ability to excel across the entire defensive front makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses, as he can exploit mismatches no matter where he lines up. This combination of size, strength, speed, and versatility sets Shannon apart as not just a dominant defensive tackle, but a once-in-a-generation talent who can be the foundation of any defensive scheme.
COMBINE STATS
Vertical - 23"
Bench press - 245 (MAX)
Squat - 405 (MAX)
Clean - 225 (MAX)
CFB offers - Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech & Nebraska
Follow Top 2029 Football Recruit (DT) Martell Shannon on X!
2029 TOP CFB RECRUITS
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2029 CFB RECRUITING
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