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Class of 2018 Rivals100: Seven new five-stars, movement in top 10

Trevor Lawrence, Jackson Carman, Xavier Thomas
Trevor Lawrence, Jackson Carman, Xavier Thomas

MORE: Updated Rivals100 for class of 2018

The latest Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2018 has been released and there have been some major moves, including seven new five-star prospects bringing our early total to 15. However, our No. 1 prospect remains the same as quarterback Trevor Lawrence retains his current title as the best player in the country for his class.

Lawrence, a stat-stuffer from Cartersville, Ga., was our first No. 1 in 2018 back in our initial release in August and there wasn’t much of a debate at the top this time either. Lawrence has the size, downfield vision, pocket sense and most importantly the accuracy to be one of the best young quarterbacks I’ve scouted. He has pocket maturity beyond his years, can extend the play with a great feel for the rush and throws a beautiful, accurate ball that is usually on the money. After Lawrence, the debate began starting at No. 2.

Fairfield, Ohio, offensive tackle Jackson Carman checks in at No. 2 as a new five-star and has some of the best junior offensive linemen film I’ve ever seen. Florence (S.C.) Wilson defensive end Xavier Thomas remains at No. 3, Los Angeles (Calif.) Augustus Hawkins wide receiver Jalen Hall checks in at No. 4 and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive tackle Taron Vincent, also a new five-star, round out the top five.

Wilson has drawn comparisons to former South Carolina high school defensive end star Jadeveon Clowney from many, but I see him as bigger and stronger but not as athletic and explosive. Hall is one of the biggest and most talented California wide receivers in years. Vincent, the son of former NFL star Troy Vincent, has probably made the biggest jump in talent from sophomore to junior year of any of the five stars.

Laurinburg (N.C.) Scotland County running back Zamir White, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian quarterback and USC commitment Matt Corral, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian safety Tyreke Johnson and new five-stars Patrick Surtain, a cornerback from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage, and Cade Mays, an offensive tackle and Tennessee commitment from Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, finish out the national top 10.

Here’s a look from our team of analysts at the new five-stars, prospects making a jump of 35 or more spots within or into the Rivals100 and prospects that dropped 30 or more spots within the Rivals100.

NEW FIVE-STARS

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Analyst’s take: “We recognized Carman's talent and potential prior to his junior season, but we wanted to see him put it all together on the field. The Cincinnati-area native did that and more this fall, not only displaying strength, technique and athleticism all well ahead of the curve, but also playing with a motor that never quit. The only concern coming out of his junior season is that Carman may have to temper his enthusiasm and play a little more controlled so he does not end up stymying his team with personal fouls, but we will take that risk if it means getting the results we saw from Carman this season. Ohio State is considered the big leader for Carman, but he also made visits to Alabama, Louisville and Notre Dame this fall.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: “One of the leaders of a stout IMG Academy defense, Vincent's defining trait is his raw power. He moves well for his size but spent his junior season exploding through offensive linemen and creating havoc in the backfield. Florida State, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State seem most involved with Vincent at this early juncture.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: “Surtain is part of an incredible crop of 2018 defensive backs in South Florida, but he's probably the most well-rounded of the bunch. He has an ideal body and will likely be larger than his NFL All-Pro father of the same name. He also has been incredibly well-coached and is smooth in his backpedal despite his length. It's early, but Surtain seems high on a number of schools, including Florida State, Alabama and Miami.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: "Mays is one of the nastiest linemen to come along in years -- and that's meant with all due respect. He doesn't back down from any competition and has dominated both camps and during games, especially against his best competition. It remains to be seen if he's a right tackle or if he will potentially move inside at Tennessee, but it doesn't matter where he plays, he will have success." – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: “St. Brown has two older brothers, Equanimeous (Notre Dame freshman) and Osiris (Stanford commit), who are terrific receivers but Amon-Ra might be the best of them all. He is so dynamic that there are few cornerbacks who can even come close to slowing him down. St. Brown is a fantastic route runner, he's sudden in and out of his breaks, he can get open against physical defenders, catch the ball in a crowd and St. Brown has the speed to stretch the field like few receivers can. He had 60 catches for 1,229 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. That says it all. UCLA might have a slight edge in his recruitment but Notre Dame, Stanford and others are still involved since St. Brown remains wide open.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: “Parsons is an athletic freak and can do virtually anything on the football field. He is so fast and so strong that even the slightest use of his hands can knock opponents off balance. Parsons, a Penn State commit, has a ways to go with his technique, but he is so versatile that he could excel at another position even if it doesn't work out at defensive end.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

Analyst’s take: “Henry has the ideal build for a weakside defensive end, a long, lean frame combined with great explosiveness and toughness. He added strength and holds up well at the point of attack but also has a constant motor that helps him chase down plays to the opposite side. Henry also found ways to impact the game as a tight end and on special teams. Henry took a ton of visits this season. Ohio State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, and many others are seriously in the mix.” – Friedman

BIG RISERS

Movement: +110

Analyst’s take: “Snead, an Ohio State commitment, carries a college-ready build and is a rare blend of quickness and power that brings incredible versatility. He is as able to break away from defenders and he is to run them over.” – Cassidy

Movement: +111

Analyst’s take: “Gainer's length jumps off the page, but he also boasts a wide array of pass rush moves and is as sure a tackler as there is in the class. Gainer is uncommitted, but Florida State seems to hold a slight lead in his recruitment.” – Cassidy

Movement: +49

Analyst’s take: “Radley-Hiles has average size at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but he plays with such fearlessness and intensity that by sheer will Radley-Hiles makes things happen on the field. At cornerback, he locks up receivers, makes everything tough on them and then challenges them for every single ball. There are few players I saw this season with such desire to dominate and fire to give opponents headaches. He can also be used on offense and special teams, which is an added bonus. Florida is the front-runner but USC, Nebraska and many others remain involved.” – Gorney

Movement: +154

Analyst’s take: "Peterson is an outside linebacker with elite speed for the position. In addition to being one of his team's top tacklers, he also plays wide receiver and returns kicks, all while measuring in at 6-foot-2 and close to 220 pounds. Clemson, Florida and Georgia are among the schools that have offered.” – Wommack

Movement: +72

Analyst’s take: “Tuliaupupu had more than 120 tackles this season, mainly because he's relentless, intense and smart, trusting his eyes and then going after the offensive player with bad intentions. The Claremont linebacker has phenomenal size at 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds, he plays downhill and can also track plays to the sideline to make big hits. There aren't many linebackers in the West who can fill a hole so quickly or get in the backfield and cause absolute havoc. Tuliaupupu remains wide open in his recruitment.” – Gorney

Movement: +179

Analyst’s take: “Troutman, a Louisville commitment, missed a few early season games with an injury but came back better than ever. He is an elite athlete with good size and a mean streak. He has impressive ball skills and his developing a reputation as a big hitter.” – Cassidy

Movement: +113

Analyst’s take: “Williams has impressive burst and accelerates well. He carried the momentum he built on the camp circuit into his junior season. His strengths are his explosion off the line and his suddenness in change of direction. If Alabama, which has already offered, presses hard from here forward, it will be hard to pull him out of the state.” – Cassidy

Movement: From outside the Rivals250

Analyst’s take: “Rosenthal has great size and surprising athleticism, something that helps him come in as one of the nation's best offensive linemen. Alabama and LSU are among the schools in the mix for Rosenthal.” – Wommack

Movement: From outside the Rivals250

Analyst’s take: “De La Salle has had some special defensive linemen come through the program over the years and Letuligasenoa is proving to be the next big-time prospect. Already over 300 pounds, Letuligasenoa does an excellent job of pushing the pocket back, getting his hands up to tip passes and playing aggressively all the time. He stuffs the run, but at his size he can also shoot gaps and get into the backfield to flush out the quarterback. Cal, Colorado, USC, UCLA, Nebraska, Utah, Wisconsin and others are in the mix.” – Gorney

Movement: +39

Analyst’s take: “Pope is a special player that always seems to make plays when his team needs them most. As a wide receiver he can stretch the field and be counted on to make the tough catch all over the field. Pope could also project as an outside linebacker or safety. He flies to the football, is a big-time hitter and has a nose for the ball. Florida, Virginia Tech, and a few others are piquing his interest.” – Friedman

BIG SLIDERS

Movement: -32

Analyst’s take: “Unije has great size and retains his massive upside. He just didn't have the sort of season that many hoped he would. His battle was with inconsistency from play to play. Unije holds wide-ranging offers from a number of schools and has named no leader.” – Cassidy

Movement: -35

Analyst’s take: “Watkins, a Florida State commitment, saw a number of prospects move ahead of him in the position rankings. He maintained his same rating and did nothing to drop. This was a case of players, mostly from other regions, at the athlete position with better evaluations getting bumps.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

Movement: -40

Analyst’s take: “A lot was expected of Sandidge this season but he didn't dominate like many thought he would. His physical tools are a lot like former Rivals100 No. 1 Rashan Gary, but Sandidge needs to work on fighting through the double teams and making plays in the backfield. North Carolina and South Carolina are in very good position with Sandidge early in his recruitment.” – Friedman

Movement: -53

Analyst’s take: “McCall has a rare set of physical gifts and has been wowing with his size and strength since freshman year, but we just have not seen the progression we were expecting after he made such a big, early splash. There is still plenty of time for the light bulb to click on and for McCall to realize his full potential. Michigan State and TCU both offered since the start of the season, joining previous offers from Michigan and Ole Miss.” – Helmholdt

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