ASK FARRELL: Is this the worst QB class since 2011? | Why did Derek Stingley make the jump to No. 1 in the Rivals100?
The latest Rivals.com rankings update continued on Wednesday with the reveal of the updated Rivals250. Obviously, it’s quite an honor to be included in the Rivals100 considering that by the end of cycle there are more than 2,000 players with star rankings. The same can be said for the Rivals250, which is loaded with future college and NFL stars. In fact, there are plenty of years where players who finished just on the fringe of the Rivals100 ended up making us look silly in retrospect for not having them higher.
The ultimate gatekeeper when it comes to the Rivals rankings is National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell, so who better to ask about which players in the current Rivals250 have a chance to break into the Rivals100 and which former fringe top 100 players still stick in his craw.
NEW RELEASES: 2019 Rivals100 | 2019 Rivals250
MORE RANKINGS WEEK: Analysts debate risers, sliders in Rivals250 | Top 10 breakdown | New five-stars | Farrell's Mind of Mike | Which prospect will make each analyst look wise?
Today's questions are ...
“Which former fringe Rivals100 player do regret not pushing higher in the rankings? And which player or players do you see making their way into the Rivals100 by the time the ranking cycle is complete?”
The obvious answer is Saquon Barkley because there has to be something I missed. He was a talented kid no doubt, could catch the ball, break it outside and was elusive but he was a more upright back then than he was at Penn State and more of a target. And he certainly was not the physical freak we saw in his last couple of years.
As for this year, watch out for Sheridan Jones, who is headed to Clemson and is ranked No. 119. He could be the next great Clemson cornerback if he fills out his frame and develops under coaching. I should pick an offensive player because they will get more attention, but something tells me Jones could be a star.
Former borderline Rivals100 players who went on to become stars:
2017: Sam Ehlinger (No. 115)
2016: Khalil Tate (No. 103)
2015: Saquon Barkley (No. 117)
2014: Isaiah Wynn (No. 102)
2013: Hunter Henry (No. 102)
2012: Sterling Shepard (No. 131)
2011: Devonta Freeman (No. 108)
2010: Arie Kouandjio (No. 117)
2009: Eddie Lacey (No. 116)
2008: Courtney Upshaw (No. 131)
2007: Golden Tate (No. 101)
2006: Sam Shields (No. 117)
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE
Rival Views: Who is the top QB? | Who is the top RB?
Monday: Top 10 players revealed | Who was the hardest to rank? | Making the case for the top 10 | A closer look at who is No. 1 | Adam Gorney's Take Two | Stingley's rise to No. 1 | Godfather & Gorney Podcast
Tuesday: New Rivals100 released | Farrell's Mind of Mike | Rival Views | Which prospect has the most important summer ahead?
Wednesday: New Rivals250 released | Who did each analyst go to bat for the most? | Five schools that should be most pleased with new rankings | Rivals Rankings Podcast | Rivals250 by the numbers | Should Gunnell have dropped that far? | Take Two
Thursday: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings
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