Published Dec 11, 2017
New 2019 Rivals100: Several players make huge jumps
circle avatar
Mike Farrell  •  Rivals.com
Rivals National Columnist

With a lot of the focus on the new five-stars in the Rivals100, there were some massive changes within the Rivals100 itself as well, including some major jumps by prospects getting into that five-star range. Here is a look at the big movers in our latest release.

There were so many big jumps in our second release that moving up fewer than 40 spots is considered somewhat incidental. Players such Florida running back Daniel Carter, South Carolina defensive end Zacch Pickens, Florida athlete Mark-Antony Richards and Tennessee cornerback Woodi Washington made jumps of 100 spots or more.

Three prospects, Georgia cornerback Andrew Booth, California wide receiver Darren Jones and Virginia safety Litchfield Ajavon, jumped from outside of our previous Rivals250 into the Rivals100.

Below, our regional analysts break down the big risers in the Rivals100.

NEW RANKINGS: 2019 Rivals100 | 2018 Rivals250 | 2018 State | 2018 Position | 2018 Team

“Carter’s high school offense was forced to rely on the run this season and he was up to the challenge. Carter’s calling card is explosiveness but he runs with impressive power as well. He has a strong and compact build that makes him a versatile runner. Carter names no favorites in the process.” Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst

“Pickens has the combination of size and playmaking ability that is rare to find and even if he hadn't had a huge junior season he would have had schools from around the country lining up to get a chance to recruit him. Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia and others are all involved in his recruitment and he will surely be on the mind of many more programs before it's all said done.” – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“Richards has solid length and is becoming a more complete prospect with each passing month. He can play a number of positions but has shined playing defensive back. He closes in a hurry and has incredible hands for a defensive player. Richards is uncommitted and names no favorites despite his brother playing at Miami.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst

“We took a lot of flak for ranking Washington in the Rivals250 before he ever received a scholarship offer earlier this year, but that changed in a hurry as Washington had one of the best junior seasons in the state of Tennessee. He has great length for a corner and has good technique, and he put it all together on the field this fall. Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State and several others are in the mix in his recruitment.” – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“Carroll has that long, lean athleticism coaches look for, but do not often find, at the offensive tackle position. Junior film shows that the Minnesotan also possesses a healthy level of intensity to pair with his athletic gifts. Notre Dame was his childhood favorite and could be the team to beat here, but he has visited schools from coast to coast, including Virginia Tech, where his brother played.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst

“The question about which position Williams will play in college almost doesn't matter anymore. The St. Louis native is a pure football player who can make a team better whether he is playing quarterback, slot receiver or a host of other skill positions. He is wide open and already visited several schools, most recently Michigan for its home contest on Nov. 24.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst

“Great safeties have range, are comfortable and effective playing in space and know how to level a big hit. All of those characteristics can be found in Hill's game, and he is establishing himself as one of the class' top defensive back prospects. A national prospect from an offer standpoint, Hill has kept his recruitment close to his vest thus far.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst

“The Memphis star did a little bit of everything for his team during his junior season, but his future is as a No. 1 wide receiver. He has great hands along with good speed and size, and he showed it all over the field in 2017. LSU, Florida, Tennessee and several others are involved in his recruitment.” – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“The versatility Smith brings to the table is one of the most valuable things about him. As a defender, Smith can be effective as an edge rusher or as an outside linebacker. He is physical, has a nose for the ball, and quickly reads and reacts to what he sees in front of him. Penn State, Virginia Tech, Georgia and a few others are high on Smith's list.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

“Tauanu'u is one of the toughest and meanest offensive tackles in the West and I just love how he plays the position. He's someone who not only wants to protect his quarterback but he wants to pound the defensive linemen into submission and he usually wins the rep. Not only that but Tauanu'u has excellent size and he's athletic, too. USC has to be considered in good shape but it's still early in his recruitment.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

“On film, Cine looks like a heat-seeking missile when flying to the ball and he is a big-time hitter. His big, lean frame has plenty of room to fill out and college coaches have to be excited about what they'll be able to do with Cine once he gets to campus. Michigan and Penn State are in the best position right now but Cine will take his time with his decision.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

“Johnson makes a big climb because of the sheer dominance he showed as power offensive tackle this season. He plays left tackle on his high school team, but could be a punishing run-blocker nearly anywhere on the offensive line with his massive frame. Johnson has favored Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M so far in his recruitment.” – Nick Krueger, Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst

“The year 2017 was Booth's coming out party. The long and rangy athlete really showcased his ability at cornerback. He is physical cornerback who is strong in run support and he had four interceptions this season. Around 20 schools have offered including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and South Carolina.” – Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“Funa is an outstanding hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker who lives in the backfield, attacks the quarterback and running back, and makes plays all over the field. On a defense loaded with talented prospects, Funa stands out because he's big, as physical as anyone at the position and super productive as well. BYU was considered an early favorite but USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, Utah, Washington and others can't be counted out this early.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

“Jones is a physical specimen mainly because he's a 6-foot-9 receiver and that measurement is legitimate. He's extremely tall but very comfortable in his frame and so he's athletic and a big-time playmaker. Jones isn't someone with height who can't handle himself. He's physical, a good blocker, beats every defensive back for 50-50 balls because of his height and incredibly productive putting up huge numbers this season. Texas A&M, Utah and Nevada are his only offers now but that will soon change.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

“Ajavon's physical presence in the secondary sets the tone for his team. He has great instincts and has no problem playing sideline to sideline or matching up with tight ends or slot receivers. Earlier this month Ajavon released a top seven of Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Georgia and Virginia Tech.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

“Black is a monster athlete who lines up all over the field in high school, but is expected to land on the defensive side of the ball on the next level. Where is still to be determined, but likely inside the box. At his size, he moves extremely well and he looks like a future pass rusher with his frame. He is committed to Mississippi State.” – Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“The city of Memphis is quickly becoming a hotbed for talent again and Gregory is a perfect example. The West Coast native moved to the South and has flourished ever since, causing problems for quarterbacks all season while coming off the edge. He continues to grow and could play a number of positions along the defensive line before his career is over. LSU, Tennessee, Missouri and others are in the mix in his recruitment.” – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“Perry is a two-way player that hardly left the field this season. He had 14 touchdowns on offense with more than 1,300 all-purpose yards. At cornerback, not many threw his way, but he still finished with three interceptions. He is a defensive back with good size, great instincts and ball skills. He is committed to Georgia.” – Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst

“In the second half of the season, Watson did not give up a completed pass. Quarterbacks did not throw his way much after he had established himself as a lockdown corner. He only gave up five completions on the season. His length and range jump out immediately and he will continue to fill out his frame. He is committed to Florida State, but still looking at Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and some other schools.” – Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst