2020 Position Rankings Update: Athlete
The athlete position ranks more prospects than all but one other position in the first rankings of the 2020 class. That is not uncommon, as some prospects tend to have a less clear picture of where they will eventually project earlier in their career. Other positions will eventually catch up, but before many of these players move out to other positions we start with 45 players in the first ranking of this position.
THURSDAY: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers/Tight Ends | Offensive line
FRIDAY: Defensive line | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Athletes
MORE: Class of 2020 Rivals100 | Rivals250
TEAM WITH TOP COMMITS: MIAMI
Seven prospects ranked in the athlete position are committed to college programs, with two committed to Mark Richt and the Miami Hurricanes. Henry Gray, the No. 7 ranked prospect at the position who is likely headed to the defensive backfield in college, is the highest regarded of the pair. He is joined by three-star Marcus Fleming, the No. 41 ranked prospect at the position, who appears headed to offense for the Hurricanes. They had the No. 3 ranked prospect on this list previously committed, but IMG Academy’s Avante Williams backed off that commitment in May.
TEAM TO WATCH: GEORGIA
Although they do not have a prospect at the position committed yet, Georgia is in on a lot of the players near the top of this ranking. Having the No. 1 player at the position, Arik Gilbert, in their backyard helps, but the Bulldogs have also been mentioned as legitimate, early contenders for top 12 prospects Tank Bigsby, Mookie Cooper and Koy Moore.
PROSPECT TO WATCH: ARIK GILBERT
The No. 1 prospect at the position and the only five-star of the group, Gilbert does not fit the profile of the common prospect who ends up in the athlete category. He checks in at 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds and has looked outstanding when he has lined up along the defensive line. However, Gilbert also runs in the 4.5 range for the 40-yard dash and with his size makes a really compelling option as a tight end who could be both in-line and flex. If you are a college coach it really does not matter – you can get him into the program and figure out a position later because no matter which side of the football he eventually ends up, he is going to help out your ball club. For now, though, Gilbert seems most interested in playing on offense in college. SEC schools like Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee have been identified as strong, early contenders for the Georgia native, but he has also shown strong interest in far flung programs like Penn State and USC. The five-star certainly appears to do his homework with each school that offers him, so this could be a recruitment we are watching for a long time to come.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Revealing the top 10 players | Making the Case: Three who could land in top 10 | Who is the toughest to rank in 2020?
Tuesday: New Rivals100 | Mind of Mike: Farrell reacts to new R100 | Who should be No. 1 in 2020? | Will No. 1 player in 2020 head to Clemson?
Wednesday: The inital Rivals250 for 2020 | Five teams that should be pleased the most with new R250 | Rival Views: Who should top DL be? | Godfather and Gorney Podcast
Thursday: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings | Rivals Rankings Podcast | New Rivals250 by the numbers | Is Florida the team to beat for Manuel?
Friday: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings
Saturday: Team rankings breakdown
Sunday: Mid-Atlantic states rankings | Southeast states | Midwest states | Texas | Florida | West states