With the Rivals.com class of 2019 rankings on the verge of getting a facelift, we look at the biggest questions lingering around in the day leading into the event. Today, as the update nears, we examine four of the most pressing issues surrounding prospects from Florida.
RANKINGS QUESTIONS: Midwest | Southeast | Mid-Atlantic | West
WAS NOLAN SMITH'S SPRING ENOUGH TO EARN A FIFTH STAR?
Nolan Smith tested incredibly well on the camp circuit in the offseason and also posted an impressive spring at IMG Academy. It’s not as though his talent was a secret going into the spring, but the buzz surrounding his name seemed to grow with each passing week this offseason.
The 6-foot-3 defensive end has the frame and the measurable to be a five-star prospect, but there’s a school of thought that says waiting to see how his senior year plays out is the smart move. The inverse argument also exists, however, as Smith’s talent and upside seem undeniable at this juncture, making waiting to award him an extra star seem like pointless exercise.
WHO IS THE TOP WIDE RECEIVER IN FLORIDA?
The top wide receiver in Florida headed into the rankings update, Maurice Goolsby had a far less spectacular year that John Dunmore and Frank Ladson, who fill the spaces behind him. Goolsby has the size and talent to be great, but it seems clear that both Ladson and Dunmore are more developed prospects at the current moment. The exact pecking order between the three, however, is sure to cause some debate. All have the required size, but each option does different things especially well. Cases could be made for all three to lead way, but the state can have only one top receiver.
HAS TIAWAN MULLEN EARNED ANOTHER STAR?
Mullen, the younger brother of the Clemson defensive back Travon Mullen, would have been a four-star prospect long ago if he were a few inches taller. He covers incredibly well and makes his fair share of plays on Friday night. Add in the fact that he’s been impressive on the camp circuit for years now, and it’s getting difficult to use his limited size against him. Mullen continues to hover on the fringe of four-star status and did plenty this spring to come up in the conversation yet again.
WHAT DO WE MAKE OF KEION ZIPPERER?
Few players in the country divide the Rivals analyst team like Zipperer. Some members of the staff view him a hyper-athletic H-back type with solid hands and a track record of success on Friday nights. Others question how his limited height fits into the college game and continue to point at a sub-par camp performance as reason to be suspect of his football future.
The debate happens prior to every update and is sure to take place again this time around. Whether not the Lakeland (Fla.) tight end remain in the Rivals250 when it is revised, there will be plenty of debate.
