Florida Spotlight: Toughest final 2019 ranking decisions
RELATED: Toughest final 2019 ranking decisions in Midwest | Southeast
The 2019 class saw most of its players sign with colleges in December. And while there is plenty of talent left unsigned, the final stamp on the groups high school rankings will be applied next week when Rivals.com releases its rankings. Today, we have a look at the biggest questions that surround the last rankings update in the state of Florida.
WHO WILL BE THE STATE’S TOP PLAYER?
Trey Sanders, Nolan Smith and Evan Neal are all five-stars, and each had an impressive performance during all-star week. Currently, Sanders leads the way, but strong weeks from Smith and Neal won’t be overlooked.
This isn’t the strongest year in Florida, but the talent at the very top of the pecking order is truly elite, making separating the state’s three best players quite a chore. Sanders packs the star power and has been the state’s top prospect for some time. Still, Smith put on a show during the All-American Game in San Antonio and his ready to make a case to unseat the Alabama signee at the top of the Florida state rankings. Neal, who a plays a more valuable position at tackle, was dominant in Under Armour All-America practices but didn’t show as well as Smith when game time came around. There’s certainly a discussion to be had and it won’t be a simple one.
WHO WILL LOSE A STAR?
Prospects at the bottom of the four-stat list used the all-star season to show they belong among the elite. Some did a better job of that than others.
Fringe four-star prospects such as Tiawan Mullen (Indiana), Deyavie Hammond (Florida), Ge’Mon Eaford (Oregon), Te'Cory Couch (Miami) and others participated in all-star games with differing levels of success. Some will move up. Others will move down, but not everyone will escape the rankings cycle with their status intact. All-Star season is a simple way to see which players measure up to the other top-flight prospects in the class, and now some tough decisions will be made.
HOW BIG OF A JUMP FOR JORDAN BATTLE AND TRAVIS JAY?
Alabama signee Jordan Battle and Florida State commit Travis Jay clearly outperformed their current rankings during all-star week. The two four-star prospects will be sliding up. That much is clear. Just how far they’ll climb is what’s left to be determined. Battle was impressive in every practice leading into the contest, while Jay seemed to get better with each passing workout and made a play or two in the game itself.
Currently ranked outside the Rivals250, Jay, who hails from a small high school, proved that he could stand toe to toe with elite talent and belongs inside the numerical rankings. Meanwhile, Battle, who is currently ranked as the No. 134 prospect in America, continues to progress and now looks even better than his already-lofty ranking.