Five-Star: Time capsule

BeforetheRivals100Five-StarChallengeandtheRivalsQuarterbackChallengeFinals,bothPresentedbyUnderArmour,IdecideditwouldbefuntohaveeachofoursevenregionalanalystsmakethreeboldpredictionsonThursdaybeforetheactionstartedandIwouldreviewthemaweeklater.Asyoucanseebelow,someofthemhititoutofthepark,butsomeofthepredictionsaredownrightawful.Thefunpart?Igettocallthemoutforthebadones.Here'salook.

WoodyWommack'sFive-StarPredictions

NateMcBrideClickNateMcBrideHeretoviewthisLink.willofficiallyhavehiscomingoutparty.

Classof2017NateMcBridehailsfromthetownofVidalia,Ga.,acitymoreknownforproducingonionsthanproducingqualityfootballtalent.ButGeorgia,MichiganandAlabamahavealreadytakennoticeofMcBride,a6-foot-2,220-poundfour-starlinebackerwhorecentlywonthestatechampionshipinthe100meters.McBride'sspeedandphysicalitymakehimarareprospect,buthisoff-the-radarstylehasmadehimatoughguytoquantify.Withonly16linebackersinattendance,McBridewillhavehischancetoshine,notonlyagainstother2017prospects,butfive-starsintheclassof2016.Ifhecandowhathe'scapableof,McBridewillstatehiscaseasoneofthetopoverallprospectsinthecountry,notjusttheSoutheast.

QuarterbackJakeBentleyClickFarrell'sTake:IreallylikeMcBrideatonandhewasgoodenoughtomakeourFirst-TeamAllChallengelistwithtwofive-starlinebackersfromthe2016class,sothisisadingdingding!prediction.Thiskidisspecialwithhissizeandspeedcombination,instinctsandabilitytoturnandrunwithreceivers.It'shardforlinebackerstostandoutattheseeventsastheirjobistokeeprunningbacksinfrontofthemandthemiddleofthefieldcleanwhilealsocoveringslotreceivers.Moststrugglewiththoseresponsibilities,butMcBrideimpressedeveryonewhosawhim.HeretoviewthisLink.willrisetotheChallenge.

Givenhisfamilyhistoryofproducingquarterbacks--Jake'solderbrotherplaysquarterbackatOldDominionandhisfatherisanotedquarterbackguru--itshouldn'tcomeasashockthatBentleyisamajorprospectintheClassof2017.ButdespitehavingoffersfromAuburnandMiami,Bentley'snamedoesn'tseemtogetmentionedasmuchassomeoftheotherfour-starsinhisclass.HistimeinBaltimorewillgivehimachancetointroducehimselftothenationalstage,especiallyifhecanoutshinesomeotherbig-namequarterbacksinhisclass.AttheRivalsCampSeries:Atlanta,Bentleyshowedanimpressive,well-roundedskillset.

SamBruceClickFarrell'sTake:Bentleywassolidnodoubt,buthewasn'tspectacularbyanystretch.Thatbeingsaid,hewasclearlythebestquarterbackonTeamTumblrandledthemarchtothefinalsandhemadesomereallynicepasses,especiallytoDeKaylinMetcalf,intightspots.IlikeBentleyquiteabit.He'stechnicallysound,althoughhedidelongatehisthrowingmotionabitashefatigued,buthedidverywellandthisisn'tanawfulprediction.Callitnobuzzeratall.HeretoviewthisLink.willearnhisfifthstar.

ThedebateaboutBrucehasbeengoingonamongtheRivals.comnationalanalystsforayearnow--justhowhighshouldberanked?Rivals.comalreadylistsBrucehigherthananyotherserviceandhe'sjustoutsideoffive-starstatus.SowhatdoesBruceneedtodotomakethemove,outsideofaddingafewinchestohis5-foot-8height?TheansweriscomeoutanddominateinBaltimorelikehedidin2014.IfBruceprovesthathe'suncoverableforasecondstraightyear,itwillbetoughforthedoubterstonotsupportamoveupintherankingsforBruce.

Farrell'sTake:Youknewthiswascoming.Iftherewasonetopiccomingintothiseventthateveryonewastalkingaboutfreshoffour2016rankings,itwasBruceandthatfifthstar.Heclearlyfeelshe'searneditandisbetterthanotherswhohaveitandthatconfidenceisgreat.He'sveryfuntowatchingamesand7-on-7.Thekidisatalentwithoutadoubtandisbuiltwellandissneakystrong.Buthedidn'tdominatethewayhedidlastyear,sothedebatewillrageandwewillseehowBrucedoestherestofthesummer.SomeofitcouldhavebeenbecauseofthequarterbackplayashewasspoiledlastyearwithFloridaStatesigneeDeondreFrancois,whowentontobethetopdual-threatquarterbackinthecountryandatop40player,buttherewereothersonhandwhocouldeasilymakethesamecaseforthatfifthstar.WewillfindoutinAugust.

RobCassidy'sFive-StarPredictions

SamBruceClickSamBruceHeretoviewthisLink.willwinwidereceiverMVPhonors.

BruceisaveteranoftheFive-StarChallengeandhadatremendousshowingasanunderclassmanin2014.Bruceisalsoaseasoned7-on-7player.Combinethatwiththecompactreceiver'sspeedandexplosiveness,andyouoneofthefavoritestoturninthebestshowingoftheweekend.Bruce,aMiamicommit,isbuiltforsuccessinthissortofevent.

Farrell'sTake:ClearlytheseSoutheastguysareenamoredwithBruceandwithgoodreason,butthisonefellshort.NotquiteabadbuzzerbecauseBrucewasinthemixforsureforthehonorthatTrevonSidneytookhome,butthepredictioniswrong.Close,butnocigarforMr.Cassidy.

WidereceiverN'KealHarryClickHeretoviewthisLink.willstruggleinhisfirsteventasafive-starprospect.

AnArizona-basedprospect,HarryisnotasexperiencedinthecampworldassomeofhisFive-Starchallengecounterparts.It'salsounlikelythathe'severrunupagainstthesortofcompetitionhe'llseeinBaltimore.Harry,whomoveswellandhasafantasticbuild,maynotbehisusualselfinsuchasetting.There'sachancehecouldstruggletoliveuptohisnewloftyranking.

Farrell'sTake:Hmmm,thisoneisayesandno.YesHarrystruggledattimesanddidn'tdominatethewayhedidatRCS:LasVegaswhereheearnedhisinvite.However,Idon'tthinkhestruggledtoshowhe'safive-starashehadatleastthreescoresin7-on-7playonateamledby7-on-7starslikeRobertson,SidneyandBruce.Thereisnodoubtinghisability.HadthispredictionbeenabouttheothernewlymintedfivestarDarnellSalomonwhostruggledmightily,RobwouldhavelookedlikeNostradamus.Butstillthisisn'tabadprediction.

DexterLawrenceClickHeretoviewthisLink.willbackuphisbilling.

PredictingthattheNo.1playerinthecountrywillhaveagooddayisn'texactlybold.Lawrenceisaforceandshouldcontinuetobe.Thatsaid,thecompetitioninBaltimorewillbeasgoodascompetitiongets,leavingLawrencetoprovehistopbillingagainstplayerscapableofpushinghim.Lawrenceshouldwintheweekend'sDefensiveLineMVPwithadominantperformancethatwillhelpsolidifytherankingattachedtohisname.

Farrell'sTake:Lawrencedidn'twintheDefensiveLineMVPaspredicted.ThatwenttoOhioStatecommitmentJonathonCooper,buthedidmorethanholdhisown.ThepredictionthatLawrencewouldhaveagooddaywasaccurate.However,hefellshortontheawardpredictionandhedidn'tsolidifyNo.1justyet.

AdamGorney'sFive-StarPredictions

LamontWade

The2017defensivebackswilllookbest.

Thereareplentyofhighly-respecteddefensivebackscomingtotheevent.Don'tbesurprisedifit'stheunderclassmenwhoshinethemost.DeAngeloGibbs,ThomasGraham,RichardLeCounte,IsaiahPryor,StanfordSamuels,WilliamPooleIIIandothersareall2017prospectswhocouldshineinamajorway.The2016prospectscouldholdtheirown,buttherewillbesomemajorperformancesfromunderclassmenprospects.

Farrell'sTake:Gorneywasonpointheretosomeextentastwoofthe2017prospectsmadeFirst-TeamAll-Challenge,buttheonehedidn'tmention,LaMontWade,wasthebestofthebunch.WithfourofthetopeightAll-Challengefirst-andsecond-teamersbeingunderclassmen,I'llgivehimthisonedespitenotmentioningWade.

No.1willbefurthercomplicated.

MorethananyyearIcanremember,theNo.1spotintheRivals100ismoreupforgrabsthanever.WakeForest,N.C.,defensivetackleDexterLawrenceisthenewtop-ratedprospect,takingoverthetopspotfromfive-starquarterbackJacobEason,butthere'snoguaranteeLawrencewillstaythereeither.Thefive-starwillhavehisshottosolidifythatspotinBaltimorethisweekendandhehasthetalenttoprovehimself,butmanyotherssensebloodinthewaterandknowtheycanmovewayupintherankingswithabigperformanceaswell.Afterthisweekend,therecouldbealotmoredebateaboutwhoshouldsitatoptherankings.

DemetrisRobertsonClickFarrell'sTake:I'dagreewiththisone.Lawrencewasgood,hemadeourFirst-TeamAll-ChallengeandafteranaverageNo.11finishonthemorning'sTopPerformerslist,hereboundedtofinishNo.1intheBigManChallenge.However,hisperformancewasn'tjaw-droppingenoughtosayhe'salockforNo.1.IthinkRashanGarymadeapushclosertoLawrenceandthequarterbacksthissummerwillbeimportanttowatch.It'stoobadMarlonDavidsonwasoutwithaninjurybecausethatwouldhavebeenagreatbattle.HeretoviewthisLink.willdominate.

Savannah(Ga.)SavannahChristianSchool'sDemetrisRobertsonwasthebestoffensiveunderclassmanattheFive-StarChallengelastsummerandhe'llbebacktoproveitagain.TheformerAlabamacommitishungrytocontinuetomoveupthecharts--he'sseventhoverallintheRivals.comrankings--andBaltimore(onceagain)willbehisprovinggroundthatheshouldbeconsideredfortheNo.1spotinthisclass.Robertsonhastremendousexplosivenessandplaymakingabilityandhehasproventimeandagainthathe'sbasicallyunstoppableinsettingaftersetting.

Farrell'sTake:RobertsonwasverygoodinBaltimore,buthedidn'tdominatelikehedidtheyearbeforeandplayedtoomuchdefenseintheone-on-ones,wherehestruggledabit.Onoffense,hewashisunstoppableself,buthisteam(TeamSwarm,thewinnerofthe7-on-7)hadsomuchtalentthathewasn'tthego-toguyandhewasoutperformedbyTrevonSidneyandSamBruceonhisownteam.However,despitemessingaroundondefense,hewasstillourTopPerformerfromthemorning,soit'snotlikehehurthisstock.Hejustdidn'tdominateatthefinish.

BlairAngulo'sFive-StarPredictions

TrevonSidneyClickTrevonSidneyHeretoviewthisLink.willdazzle.

Californiaisloadedatthereceiverspotinthe2016class,butnoonehasbeenmoreelectrifyingthanSidneythisoffseason.Weekendafterweekendandatseeminglyeverypassingtournament,thefour-starprospectfromLaPuente(Calif.)BishopAmathasshinedbrightest,beatingdefensivebacksdownfieldforbiggainsandmakingsomefantasticgrabsintraffic.SidneywillcontinuethattrendinBaltimore,particularlyinthe7-on-7tournament.TherearestillquestionsaboutSidney'spotentialinfullpads--especiallygiventhatteammateTylerVaughnshasbeenmoreimpactfulandproductive--butthereisnodenyinghisnaturalfeelinone-on-onebattles.

Farrell'sTake:Bingo,inabigway.Thisiseasilyoneofthemostspot-onpredictionsofthebunchaseverythingyoungMr.Angulosaidabovehappenedexactlythewayhesaiditwould.Maybehe'sapsychicormaybehe'sjustseenSidneykillitsomuchthathejustexpectedit,butwhateveritwas,thiswasanamazingcall,especiallywithsomanyothertalentedreceiversonhandhecouldhavepicked.

CalebKellyClickHeretoviewthisLink.willbounceback.

Headingintotheevent,thefive-staroutsidelinebackerwroteonhisTwitteraccount,"I'mgoingonthisplanemadthisweekend."ItmightormightnothavebeenasubtlemessageafterKellylosthisNo.1standingintheCaliforniarankingstonewfive-starMiqueJuarez,buteitherway,itwasgoodtoseeafierysidefromthehighlyregardedprospect.AtRCS:LosAngeleslastmonth,Kellydidn'tcompeteduringtheone-on-oneportion,butwithmanyofthenation'seliteinBaltimore,Kellywillrisetothechallengeandproveagainwhyhe'ssohighlythoughtof.

Farrell'sTake:Kellywassolid,I'llgivehimthat,andhehadabigpickin7-on-7play,ararityforlinebackersnotnamedLyndellWilson,butIdon'tthinkhemadethestatementhewaslookingfor.Thislinebackergroupwassoloadedthatitwashardtostandout.Don'tgetmewrong,Kellyheldhisownwiththeotherfivestarsanddidagoodjobinallaspects,soIguessthat'sbouncingback,butIthinkMr.Angulomeanthewouldre-claimthatNo.1spotinCaliforniaandthat'sdebatable.

ConnorNevilleClickHeretoviewthisLink.willtaketheQuarterbackChallengeFinalsbystorm.

Considerthethree-starfromWilsonville,Ore.,adarkhorsetowintheinauguralRivalsQuarterbackChallengeFinals.The2017prospectpunchedhistickettoBaltimorebytakingthecrownattheQuarterbackChallenge:LosAngeles,andheshowedallthetoolsthatshouldgivehimalegitimateshottoreplicatehissuccess.Nevilledoesn'tholdanyscholarshipoffersyet,buthehasthearmstrengthandaccuracytobeacontenderamongstafieldthatincludesquarterbackswithmultipleoffers.Healsolookedcomfortablethrowingontherunwhilerollingouttoeithersideandthatfigurestobeavitalelementinthiscompetition.

Farrell'sTake:NowyoungBlairgotalittleaheadofhimselfhere.Howdoyouspelloutthenegativebuzzertheyuseongameshows?Ehhhhhhhhnt!OK,that'sapoorattempt,butlet'sallmakethenoisetogether.Neville,atalented2017quarterbackprospectforsure,finishedinthemiddleofthepackbutwasneveratruethreattowinit.JakeAllen,whocouldbespecial,andChaseBrice,oneofthebigger,strongerquarterbacksintheSoutheastfor2017,battleditoutwhileNevillefinishedoutsidethetopfive.HisLAperformance,especiallyafterMr.Angulofoundhimrandomlyonfilmandinvitedhim,wasoutstandingandheshouldhaveoffersbynow,buthedidn'ttaketheQuarterbackChallengeFinalsbystorm.

JoshHelmholdt'sFive-StarPredictions

VictorViramontesClickVictorViramontesHeretoviewthisLink.willshowfour-startalent.

Oneofthebigquestionsgoingintotheweekendiswhowillemergefromthequarterbackgroup.Thereareseveralunknownquantitiesattheposition,andonthesurface,theNorco,Calif.,quarterbackwouldnotbethefirstchoicetostandoutastheonlythree-starprospect,andadual-threatquarterbackatthat.Viramontes,however,hasoneunteachablequalityandthatisarmstrength.HealsohasasmuchtoproveasanyprospectcominginandIexpectheresponds.

KentuckyClickFarrell'sTake:ViramontesdidemergeastheFirst-TeamAll-Challengequarterback,sothisisanimpressivecall,butthejuryisoutwhenitcomestofour-starstatus.Asahighly-ratedthree-star,Viramonteswillbediscussedatlengthduringournextrankingsmeetings.Hehasacannonofanarm,butdoesn'tshowatonoftouchanddespitesomeoffensivetalenthisteam,finishedoutofthefinalsinthe7-on-7.Buthewasthebestofagroupthatstruggled.Whetherthatearnshimafourthstarornotwillbedetermined.HeretoviewthisLink.commitswillmakethemostnoise.

FloridaState,LSU,OhioState,PennStateandUCLAallhavestrongcollectionsofcommitsinBaltimorethisweekend,butthepairofKentuckyoffensivelinecommitshaveachancetomakeastrongimpressionthisweekend.DrakeJacksonistheNo.2centerprospectinthecountryandhasatonofexperienceincampsettings.LandonYoung,meanwhile,checksinat6-foot-7,hasanidealframeatoffensivetackleandearnedhiswayintothiseventwithastandoutshowingatRCS:St.Louis.

LamontWadeClickFarrell'sTake:Ehhhhhhhhnt!Thereitisagain.Iactuallylovethatspellingofthenegativebuzzer.It'snotlikeJacksonorYoungembarrassedthemselvesbyanystretchandYoungdidmakeourSecond-TeamAll-Challengelist,but10ofthe16offensivelinemenmadefirst-orsecond-team,sothat'snotagreatgauge.NeitheroffensivelinemanmadetopperformersfromthemorningsessionortheBigManChallenge,sotheydidn'tmakemuchnoiseoverall,althoughIdidlikebothofthemandfeeltheyarerankedclosetowheretheybelong.HeretoviewthisLink.willemergeasthetop2017DB.

Thecollectionofdefensivebacktalentfromthe2017classistremendouslydeep,headlinedbyfive-starsDevonHunterandDeAngeloGibbs.Byweekend'send,though,I'mcallingforthefour-starWadetoemergeasthetopperformingclassof2017defensiveback.Besidesbeinganextremelytalentedfootballplayer,thereasonIseeWadeemergingthisweekendisbecausehewillnotbeintimidated.TherisingjuniorfromthePittsburghareaalwaysplayswithachiponhisshoulder.

Farrell'sTake:Dingdingding!ThisoneisspotonandJoshhasseenWadeinafewsettings,soheknewwhatweweregetting.Wadeisananimal,plainandsimple.He'sathleticasheck,he'sphysicalandheneverstopsmoving.Hewantstotakeeveryrepandcompeteuntilhecan'twalkanymoreandhecouldbethemostimpressiveprospectIsawallweekendinthe2017class.Thiskidhasachancetobespecial.Greatcallhere.

AdamFriedman'sFive-StarPredictions

ChrisRobison

Underclassmenquarterbackswillstealtheshow.

Everyoneknowsthequarterbackistheenginethatmakesa7-on-7teamgoandtherearesomeverygoodyoungsignalcallersherethatcouldrisetotheoccasion.Oneofthebiggestnamesisalsotheyoungest.FreshmanJoeyGatewoodhasalreadypickedupatonofoffersandsomethinkhecouldbethetopplayerinthe2018class.Gatewoodisjoinedbyfellowdual-threatquarterbacksShawnRobinsonandChrisRobison.Bothare2017prospectswithimpressiveoffersheets.FellowsophomoresJakeBentleyandJackCoanhavegrowingoffersheetsarelookingtomakeabigimpressionthisweekend.

DerrickBrownClickFarrell'sTake:Thisonedidn'tquiteworkout,althoughRobisondidmakesecond-teamAll-ChallengeandheandCoanwerethequarterbacksfortheundefeatedwinners,butitwasmorebydefaultsincesomanyoftheotherquarterbacksstruggledtobeconsistent.TeamSwarmhadasmartgameplanwithalotofrolloutsandquickcrossingpatternstoutilizethespeedatwidereceiver,soRobisonwasabletoshinethroughgame-planning.Thisisn'ttosaythattheyoungerquarterbacksweren'timpressive--infactallofthemwillbehighlyrankedguys,butthesettingitselfmighthavebeenovertheirheadsattimes.HeretoviewthisLink.willreboundafterlastyear'ssubparperformance.

Brownwasunderwhelmingatlastyear'sFive-StarChallenge.Sincethen,hehasgottenbigger,strongerandimprovedhistechnique.TheaddedexperienceshouldhelpBrownaswell.Thereisnodoubthewilltrytoredeemhimselfafterwhathappenedlastyear.

Farrell'sTake:Ehhhhhhhhnt!Browndidn'tstruggleasmuchashedidatlastyear'sFive-StarChallenge,butfortheNo.10playerinthecountryandafive-star,hedidn'tstandoutmucheither.Hedidn'tmaketheDefensiveTopPerformerslistfromthemorningortheBigManChallengeTopPerformerslistfromtheeveningandhewasoutplayedbybothDexterLawrenceandRashanGaryaswellas2017studMarvinWilsonamongstothers.Brownwantedtoavengelastyear'sperformance,buthewasn'tconsistentlyquickoffthesnapandhadnocounterattackplannedforwhenhisinitialmovedidn'twork.Therewereafewrepswherehewasamazingandlookedliketheguyweexpected,buttheyweremuchlessthantheaverageorbadones.

Naseir UpshurClick Here to view this Link. will give Isaac NautaClick Here to view this Link. a run for his money.

It is an exceptionally good year at the tight end position nationally. The evolution of the flex tight end and their expanded use on the field has opened up the position to more athletic big men. Florida State commit Nauta is the top-ranked tight end in the 2016 class. The next highest rated tight end in Baltimore will be Upshur. Both are very similar in that they have similar body types and play a very similar game, flex-type tight ends with the ability to block when needed. Their athleticism and receiving abilities will be put to the test this weekend.

Farrell's Take: Upshur came on in the finals and had a three-touchdown game that helped seal the deal for his team, but Nauta was a notch ahead of him all day when it came to getting separation, making big catches and being the top target for Team Flurry. Upshur was solid, but Nauta was outstanding and the gap between them has widened after this weekend. This one is a bit of a fail.

Jason Howell's Five-Star Predictions

Michael DivinityClick Michael DivinityHere to view this Link. will record more interceptions than any other defender.

From the first Rivals Camp Divinity attended in New Orleans in 2014, it became very apparent he was very skilled in pass coverage. He is comfortable in space and he attacks the ball. There are several skilled linebackers, but Divinity may be the most skilled in pass coverage. He is capable of covering running backs, slot receivers, and tight ends and I predict he will put himself in a position to record more interceptions than any other defender in Baltimore.

Lavert HillClick Farrell's Take: Divinity held his own and I have him down for a few pass breakups and an interception in the morning, but Lyndell Wilson and Devin Bush had more picks by my count overall from the linebacker spot and I know defensive backs like Savion Smith had more interceptions as well. Wilson was the best linebacker in coverage, followed by Ben Davis, Nate McBride, Devin Bush and then after that you could put Divinity in the discussion, so this is another fail for Howell. Here to view this Link. will be the top cover corner at the Five-Star Challenge.

The Penn State commit earned DB MVP honors at RCS: Cleveland as he locked down a top-notch group of receivers. There is no doubt the level of competition at the Five-Star Challenge will be a step up, but I think Hill is up to the task. He has shown he is capable of putting the clamps on the quickest of the quick and the biggest of the big, and he will take the stage and make a very strong showing.

Jamal PettigrewClick Farrell's Take: During the morning session, it looked like Mr. Howell might be onto something as Hill finished fifth on Defensive Top Performers and was very good in solo coverage. But then the 7-on-7 tournament started and that hot start was quickly forgotten as Hill struggled quite a bit and was beaten regularly. Hill was on the worst 7-on-7 team at the event, but he didn't help matters much and was clearly outplayed by teammate Jared Mayden, who is three spots ahead of him in the cornerback rankings and only 20 spots ahead overall. Hill might have had a bad night or maybe 7-on-7 isn't his thing, but Howell's smart prediction faded with the sun under the M&T Bank Stadium lights. Here to view this Link. will be the biggest big-play threat of all the tight ends.

Pettigrew is very much a receiving threat at tight end and he has been a big-time performer at several Rivals Camp Series events. He enters the Five-Star Challenge as the third highest ranked tight end, but he has a great skill set for the camp environment. He is a long, athletic tight end and he has displayed great body control as he adjusts to make the catch. He is a definite mismatch as a receiving threat and his ability to stretch the field makes him my favorite to be the biggest big play tight end.

Farrell's Take: Ready for it? Ehhhhhhhhnt! No one on Team Stealth, the white team, was a big-play threat at all as there were so many drops, erratic quarterback play and just no sense of unity. Pettigrew, who was so good in one-on-ones in Atlanta, was not very good in the morning or evening and certainly didn't separate himself from the pack. He was clearly outplayed by Nauta and Upshur, which does make some sense as both are ranked ahead of him. Much more was expected and Pettigrew struggled a bit to deliver. By the way, you might notice that all his predictions are regarding the 7-on-7 team he and Rob Cassidy drafted on Wednesday night before the event. Their team got smoked by pretty much everyone. Ouch.