The Reds have secured the futures of three bright young forward prospects today with Caleb Timu, Harry Hockings and Angus Blyth all signing new deals.
All three have Super Rugby in their near future but it is the signing of Australian U20s lock Hockings until the end of 2020 which catches the eye.
The lanky, 206cm 18-year-old started for Simon Cron in each of the World Rugby U20s Championship matches and his big ball carries combined with proficient lineout work has none other than Brad Thorn predicting he could be a 100 Test Wallaby
"He's incredibly athletic, he's got a real toughness for someone who is only 18 years of age that I haven't seen in a long time and you have people like Brad Thorn - who has done absolutely everything - predicting he could be a 100 game Wallaby," Reds coach Nick Stiles said
"That's a big statement to be making but he's a quality person, a quality footballer.
Blyth was Hockings' second row partner throughout Queensland U20s' undefeated Super U20s campaign and while he didn't feature at the World U20s, he also stands 204cm tall
Locks of that size don't come around very often and while his game doesn't immediately stand out in the way that Hockings' does, he gets through plenty of tough work at the breakdown and can also be a punishing ball carrier.
"He was someone that the Gold Coast Suns were targeting as a schoolboy to try and get into their program and he was very strong about staying rugby," Stiles said of Blyth, who has signed until the end of 2018.
"It's been great to see his development from that schoolboy footballer into the U20s program and to see him starting to fill out that massive frame of his - he's going to be a very good footballer going forward."
The aforementioned pair are stars of the future but Timu is a bullocking backrower that is ready to make an impact immediately.
He has signed on until the end of 2018 after spending 2017 remodelling his game at Souths, having spent his post high school years playing for the Brisbane Broncos U20s.
"I think I needed it," Timu said.
"At first, I thought I knew how to play and having not played (rugby) for a while, I've been able to learn and get my confidence back - I feel like it has helped me grow as a rugby player."
Being around the likes of Scott Higginbotham, George Smith and Hendrik Tui has been invaluable for the 23-year-old.
"I've always wanted to play here and stay here so to sign for another year, I definitely want to continue to grow and continue my rugby career at the Reds."
The Reds host the Brumbies on Friday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
