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Midwest: Five predictions for Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge

Hunter Johnson
Hunter Johnson

The Midwest has a reputation for producing big linemen built for the trenches, but the region’s representatives at this week’s Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour will be deep at the offensive skill positions. Here are five predictions on what we'll see in Atlanta.

1. Hunter Johnson will solidify his No. 1 QB ranking

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The only five-star quarterback in the 2017 class, Hunter Johnson has been a household name in recruiting circles for a couple years. His coaches, though, say he is throwing the ball better right now than he has at any point previously and he showed that at the New Jersey Rivals Camp in April, winning MVP against a strong group of signal-callers. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Johnson is a natural thrower and throws a beautiful football, so he is expected to shine during the first portion of the Five-Star Challenge. His biggest area of development is game management, which will be tested in the 7-on-7 competition Saturday night. I expect Johnson to deliver.

2. Sean Clifford will be the surprise QB performer

While Johnson grabs a lot of the spotlight when talking class of 2017 quarterbacks, Sean Clifford is quietly gaining ground on his fellow Midwest native. The Penn State commit won an invite to the inaugural Rivals Quarterback Challenge last year, and came back to win MVP at the Columbus Rivals Camp in April. While always possessing an accurate arm, the 6-foot-2 quarterback is now up to 213 pounds and the added bulk is evident with greater arm strength. Clifford also possesses a greater level of confidence and moxie that comes with age and maturity. While other quarterbacks come in with more hype, do not be surprised if Clifford out-performs them all in Atlanta.

3. Missouri prospects ready to live up to state nickname

The state of Missouri sends three players to Atlanta this week -– athlete Da’Ron Davis, offensive guard Marquis Hayes and defensive tackle Trevor Trout -– which is the most from the Show-Me-State in the history of the Five-Star Challenge. Davis and Hayes were rated three stars before their performances at the Kansas City Rivals Camp and Trout is a 2018 prospect, so all come in under-the-radar. Despite being young, Trout has delivered every time we’ve seen him perform. Hayes, meanwhile, seems to enjoy the underdog role and could be one of the camp’s big surprises. Davis is committed to the home-state school and will look to represent and deliver on his state's Show-Me motto.

4. Brendon White's stock will continue to rise

Ohio State commit Brendon White made a big jump into the Rivals100 this week. That rise was preceded by a breakout performance at the Columbus Rivals Camp in April playing wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound White is listed as an athlete because he could go into Ohio State and fill the linebacker role vacated by first-round pick Darron Lee. But, the Buckeye commit could prove too valuable with the football in his hands. This weekend likely will not give us a final answer to the position question, even though he will be lining up at wide receiver. It may show us, however, that we did not bump him high enough in the class ranking.

5. Tight end Matt Dotson will be a 7-on-7 weapon

It really is remarkable the way Matt Dotson has progressed since missing half of his junior season following elbow surgery the previous off-season. The four-star tight end came back in the second half last year and did not miss a beat. His performance at the Columbus Rivals Camp in miserable conditions was eye-opening. Key for tight ends in this format is the ability to separate, because their frames and presence in the middle of the field naturally make them attractive targets for quarterbacks. Dotson has some of the best separation ability of any tight end I have seen in this class, and he looks primed to have a big night at the Georgia Dome.

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