Dozens of former three-star prospects heard their names called during last week’s NFL Draft. Who might be some of the next prospects to outplay their high school ranking? Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney looks at five candidates from the West.<\/p>\n
THIS SERIES: Midwest <\/a>three-stars that could develop into NFL Draft picks<\/a> | Southeast<\/a> | Florida<\/a><\/p>\n MORE: Ranking the five best players available in the transfer portal<\/a><\/p>\n CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250<\/a> | Team<\/a> | Position<\/a> | State<\/a><\/p>\n CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250<\/a> | Team<\/a> | Position<\/a> | State<\/a><\/p>\n CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250<\/a> | Team<\/a> | Position<\/a> | State<\/a><\/p>\n TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage<\/a> | Player ranking<\/a> | Team ranking<\/a> | Transfer search<\/a> | Transfer Tracker<\/a><\/p>\n At the recent Rivals Camp Series event in Los Angeles, Benjamin measured in at 6-foot-8 and 316 pounds with an 83-inch wingspan. So from a physical standpoint, Benjamin is massive and has all the tools to be a special offensive tackle down the line.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Lehi (Utah) Skyridge standout does need to get a little more powerful and be able to move a little better at his size but once Benjamin gets more comfortable in his own size, he should only get better.<\/p>\n Not many people have the special tools to perform at the highest level like Benjamin does and once he puts the entire package together, NFL teams should fall in love with his size and body frame. Utah<\/a>, Arkansas<\/a>, Oklahoma State<\/a> and others are involved.<\/p>\n The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei secondary was so loaded last season with Alabama<\/a> signee Chuck McDonald<\/a>, Penn State<\/a> signee Daryus Dixson<\/a> and then 2027 four-stars Aaryn Washington<\/a> and Danny Lang<\/a> leading the way that Lavender ran the risk of getting lost in the shuffle.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But that turned out not to be the case as the new Washington<\/a> commit has a knack for being around the football and making plays.<\/p>\n The top cornerbacks who are getting drafted are around 6-foot or shorter and can move, and that fits Lavender well. He\u2019s quick, fast, has a great feel for the position and being around the ball. He has more than held his own in Mater Dei\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WASHINGTON FANS AT DAWGREPORT.COM<\/a><\/p>\n At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Meier is already in the range of all the elite defensive ends in this year\u2019s NFL Draft and he\u2019s coming off an impressive junior season at Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The new Stanford<\/a> commit has also been dealing with tragedy as his house burned down in the Palisades Fire a few months ago but that seems to have only motivated him more to excel on the football field and make a bigger impact.<\/p>\n He has the size and the power to be an elite defensive end. He holds up against the run and has nice inside and outside moves to pressure the quarterback. He\u2019s someone who could move much higher through his senior season and easily be a four-star before all is said and done.<\/p>\n SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH STANFORD FANS AT CARDINALSPORTSREPORT.COM<\/a><\/p>\n Leinart bounced around high schools a little bit looking for a home before landing at Redondo Beach (Calif.) Redondo Union and starting to take off from there.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Yes, he\u2019s Matt Leinart\u2019s son so the pedigree is there and the quarterback knowledge is there. While he has been behind some bigger-named 2026 quarterbacks, the three-star might have found his perfect fit at SMU<\/a>.<\/p>\n With a fun offense that likes to throw the ball, Leinart will be able to showcase his abilities in the ACC for a staff that knows how to move the ball and score points.<\/p>\n SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH SMU FANS AT THEHILLTOPICS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n