Would it be safe to call K’Von Wallace the hottest prospect in the country?

Probably.

The Cincinnati wide receiver commitment from Highland Springs, Va. bloomed late. Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Arizona caught on right before Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan State jumped into the mix earlier this week.

Wallace (6-1, 180) committed to the Bearcats in July with only a brief mention in a story written by Scout. The network rates him as a two-star. According to 247, he’s a three-star and the No. 128 ranked safety in the class of 2016.

Those rankings and ratings don’t reflect the player Wallace looks like on his senior highlights. The difference between those and his junior highlights isn’t quite night and day, but it’s close.

As a junior, Wallace’s highlights were good, not spectacular. He showed toughness, played with an edge and had flashes of being an explosive player, but his effort, instincts and IQ were among the most impressive attributes. Basically, it was a bunch of clips that translate to a blue-collar-type label.

Perhaps Virginia and Virginia Tech just didn’t think he was good enough. Or maybe they just totally missed the boat on the jack of all trades from Highland Springs, which sits just outside of Richmond. One has to wonder if the lack of stability at the two schools might have been a contributing factor.

Quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, safety…Wallace did it all again as a senior. This time, he was better. He looked bigger, faster and more explosive as a senior. One would think, based on the near 13-minute clip, Wallace is a solid four-star prospect.

There was some carry-over from junior to senior year. He was the same a hard-hitting, hard-playing, lunch pail to work player. The smarts and IQ still showed up.

Whether it’s Clemson, Ohio State or Cincinnati, whichever school gets Wallace could show one clip to fans after Signing Day and elicit a good response.

At the 11:40 mark on his senior highlights, Wallace is on offense, at the opposite hash mark of another receiver who hauls in a jump ball at the Highland Springs 40-yardline.

Wallace continued to run down field as two defenders chased the other receiver. He was at the 25 by the time the ball was stripped, close to 7 yards behind the man who was covering him.

That defender looked like he was going to recover the fumble in the end zone, but Wallace catches up just in time to knock him off the ball. Wallace recovered the fumble after the ball squirted just outside of the end zone.

If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.