12/14/2015 football Edit

2017 Rivals100: Risers and Sliders

Rivals.com

Publisher

The second edition of the Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2017 has been released with the same No. 1, some shuffling at the top and a few new five stars. But there were also plenty of big moves, especially upwards, as prospects jockey for position and surge toward the five-star range. The Rivals.com team of analysts breaks down the big movers, led by Alabama running back commitment Cam Akers.

"Since it's still very early, there's a bit of shifting that goes along with this ranking and there will be additional shifting as we review junior film again and get to see some of these top players before our February release," said Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. "Akers is a big-time running back and this class appears to be a bit stronger at that position than the 2016 class. We have many different players from numerous positions making moves, so this is a balanced group so far."

In addition to running back, there were big moves at the athlete position, linebacker, cornerback, along the defensive line and offensive lines and at quarterback. But one position is of particular interest to Farrell.

"It's rare when we have this many safeties that stand out to me," said Farrell. "It's not as coveted a position as cornerback and not as glamorous obviously as quarterback or some of the others, but we have some versatile guys at the position for 2017, some of whom could play corner, others could play strong or free safety and some will end up at linebacker. It seems pretty deep especially with some players from our athlete category that could end up at safety."

This time around, players that moved up more than 40 spots and those that moved down more than 30 spots within the Rivals100 are highlighted. Here's a breakdown by our analysts.

"Stevens is a dynamic athlete that continues to improve as his high school career moves along. He's a big-hitting safety on defense and on offense he's a game-breaking wide receiver. Stevens recently de-committed from LSU and is looking at the Tigers, Florida State, USC and others."

-- Woody Wommack, Southeast Analyst

Drew Singleton

Paramus (N.J.) Paramus Catholic

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

144

+111

"Singleton's mental game improved by leaps and bounds this season. He's always had the strength and speed necessary to be a highly rated prospect but he is now much better at anticipating plays, which helps him make momentum-swinging plays. Michigan and Clemson have gotten off to great starts with Singleton."

-- Adam Friedman, Mid-Atlantic Analyst

Baron Browning

Kennedale, Texas

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

+49

"The big question facing Browning was how he would bounce back from an injury which severely shortened his sophomore season. He is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who is equally strong in coverage or coming downhill to make a tackle. Browning is currently committed to Baylor."

-- Jason Howell, Mid-South Analyst

Xavier McKinney

Roswell, Ga.

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

"McKinney burst onto the scene this fall, recording nine interceptions while playing on one of the best teams in Georgia's highest classification. The Alabama commit has a nose for the ball and with his play showed he belongs among the country's best."

-- Wommack

Jermani Brown

Calabasas, Calif.

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

115

+71

Four-star #ASU commit Jermani Brown is another on the rise in the 2017 #Rivals100: https://t.co/3ytW6Q7mLZ

https://t.co/rQM1NDYm3s- Rivals.com (@Rivals) December 14, 2015

"Brown still needs to fill out physically but the Arizona State commit has long arms and can run with any receiver he's up against in one-on-one situations. He breaks on the ball so quickly and never bites on any double moves. Even if Brown is beaten by a step or two, he has tremendous closing speed to make it difficult on the receiver. Two years from now, Brown will be more physical and if he can keep his tremendous athleticism he should be a hot commodity for college teams across the country."

-- Adam Gorney, National Analyst

Jake Fromm

Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

137

+88

"Fromm lit up the competition all season and his arm strength and accuracy are among the nation's best. The Alabama commit is a two-sport star and his athleticism at the position is also impressive."

-- Wommack

Robert Beal

Norcross, Ga.

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

129

+78

#Irish commit Robert Beal rose 78 spots in the new #Rivals100 - see the Risers and Sliders - https://t.co/3ytW6Q7mLZ https://t.co/2rigOUTrCB— Rivals.com (@Rivals) December 14, 2015

"The Notre Dame commit is the perfect prototype for the outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid position. He's tall, very fast and flies off the edge. Once he adds some more weight to his frame he will be a nightmare matchup for opposing offensive linemen."

-- Wommack

Andrew Thomas

Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

234

+178

"The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Thomas plays nearly every snap for his high school team, showing impressive conditioning for a player his size. But his future is at offensive tackle, where his footwork and long arms make him elite at the position. Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and others have already offered him."

-- Wommack

Colby Parkinson

Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

227

+167

"For someone who is 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Parkinson is incredibly smooth off the line of scrimmage. There is no awkwardness to his size, he's super athletic and has a tremendous catch radius. High passes, low passes, Parkinson grabs everything because of his soft hands and then he can turn and run with it down the field. Parkinson is becoming a national recruit who has quickly seen his recruitment take off in recent weeks. Nebraska, Arkansas and Texas A&M are some of his latest offers. "

-- Gorney

ATH

Devan Barrett

Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

231

+169

"Barrett, who plays both running back and defensive back, shined on offense as a junior. He often out-gained his five-star teammate Nate Craig-Myers and made 100-yard games commonplace. Florida and Miami have his interest in state and he grew up a Gators fan but he also has Alabama, Ohio State, Kentucky, Tennessee offers and many more to come."

-- Cassidy

Zachary Carter

Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

238

+172

"Carter already had the frame of a special prospect. He added weight and retained quickness this season, which led to a rush of offers and impressive season. Florida appears to be the team to beat with Clemson, Miami, Kentucky and others in the mix."

-- Cassidy

Joshua Lugg

Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

+123

196

"The aggressiveness and athleticism of Lugg helped him skyrocket up the rankings. This season the Notre Dame commit spent his games tossing around the competition at the line of scrimmage and down the field, helping spring his running backs for big gains."

-- Friedman

Chase Young

Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

"Young burst onto the scene this season and offers quickly followed. Physically he won't scare opponents as they get off the bus, but his technique and play-making abilities made him a force to be reckoned with. Young hopes to visit Miami, Michigan, Maryland, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Tennessee this offseason."

-- Friedman

Luiji Vilain

Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

150

+66

"Vilain has the athleticism and strength to make a difference on every down. He sets the edge very well and is an asset as a run defender. As a pass rusher, Vilain has an extensive arsenal of moves to beat the offensive lineman and get to the quarterback. North Carolina is one of the most recent offers for Vilain."

-- Friedman

SLIDERS

Shawn Robinson

Denton (Texas) Guyer

NEW RANK

PREV. RANK

DIFFERENCE

-35

"It was a season of inconsistency for Robinson. He struggled with his accuracy as he completed only 44 percent of his passes. However, he was still a big threat, throwing for over 1,400 yards and rushing for over 1,600 yards and he led Guyer to a 10-4 record and the 6A Division II Quarterfinals. He has committed to the TCU Horned Frogs."

-- Howell