There is only one five-star quarterback in the 2020 class - No. 1 overall prospect D.J. Uiagalelei - and after his performance at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas, Harrison Bailey is looking to join that conversation.
The Marietta, Ga., prospect had a phenomenal showing at that event in Atlanta this summer, staking his claim not only as one of the best quarterbacks in this class but showing the ability to possibly be considered as a five-star elite recruit.
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Bailey, who has been committed to Tennessee since November, was clearly leaner at the Five-Star Challenge than he had been over at least the last year. That stood out first, but the four-star also showed off excellent accuracy, arm strength and decision-making throughout the event.
Not only did Bailey look better and throw dimes all day long but he was an excellent leader of the entire quarterback group. He did a great job meshing with receivers quickly - which could be difficult in those settings - and his confidence just oozed all day.
Rated No. 43 nationally, Bailey is certainly in contention for five-star consideration and his showing at the Five-Star Challenge certainly did not hurt him in that conversation later this summer.
The last time there weren’t multiple five-star quarterbacks in a class was in 2015 when Josh Rosen was the only one who achieved that status.
FARRELL'S TAKE
We ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell if Bailey should join the five-star discussion after his Five-Star Challenge performance and other showings this offseason or if he’s still just a solid four-star prospect.
"This will be determined when we meet as a group in August to re-rank the 2020 class but Bailey has certainly put himself in the discussion. I like his maturity, his touch, his accuracy and his improved mechanics quite a bit and he has adequate arm strength. While he dominated the Five-Star Challenge, he was also solid at The Opening.
"But does he have everything you need to be a five-star quarterback when it comes to overall ability, including the shiftiness needed in the pocket and athleticism to extend the play? Last year's five-stars -- Spencer Rattler and Bo Nix -- were very good at all the little things that matter now. Bailey isn't a statue by any stretch, but I would put Nix and Rattler ahead of him when it comes to athleticism and the same can be said for Uaigalelei.
"But Rosen wasn't a kid who moved around that well and he went on to become a first-rounder. I could see Bailey doing the same thing so it will come down to what the group thinks as a whole. To me, he's a five-star quarterback, but I'm not the only one ranking players."
