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New 2019 Rivals250: Biggest movers

NEW RELEASE: Updated Rivals250 for Class of 2019 | Players making jumps in Rivals100 | New five-stars in 2019

The second edition of the 2019 Rivals250 has been released today as plenty of evaluation opportunities were available through the high school football season.

In the Rivals100 that was updated on Monday, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei quarterback JT Daniels stayed atop the list but after that there were plenty of changes. The same could be said throughout the Rivals250 as top prospects moved up, down and all around.

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

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Movement: +104

“Jackson's athleticism and playmaking abilities off the edge and on the interior really showed themselves this season. He played with more physicality this year and has been using his hands better. Jackson released a top 10 of Alabama, Tennessee, Louisville, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, Virginia Tech and NC State in October.” - Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman

Movement: NR to 126

“Sorrells continues to add mass and is well on his way to having a college-ready build. He’s not the tallest defensive end in the class, but he has long arms for his size and a quick first step. He’s currently committed to Florida but could explore his options in the coming year.” - Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Rob Cassidy

Movement: +59

“I saw Smith play a game live this season and he was quick, strong, a constant presence in the backfield and tracked plays down sideline to sideline. Now, had he shown that play this season on a more consistent basis we would be talking about an even bigger bump, but as it is we will be looking to see those performances more regularly as he grows and matures as a player. He has visited Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and Wisconsin, where his teammate is committed, already in the recruiting process.” - Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt

Movement: +51

“Freshwater falls into the 'freak' category with his combination of size and speed. This defensive end is very strong at the point of attack and relentless in his pursuit of the ball. Even as a running back, Freshwater has the speed to score from pretty much anywhere on the field. South Carolina, Virginia Tech, NC State and a few offers have already offered and made a big impression on him.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 137

“James had a dominant junior season, rushing for more than 1,700 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns, and the skills that allowed him to put up those numbers project very well to the college level. A big back with change-of-pace back speed, James has the ability to exploit a small crease and take it the distance. His recruitment has been regional so far with offers from Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State, but he is likely to see national offers soon.” - Helmholdt

Movement: NR to 145

“Land shined as the eldest defensive back in a loaded secondary at Bishop Sullivan. His physical play, instincts and explosiveness made it nearly impossible for quarterbacks to complete a pass to his receiver. Already having committed to and decommitted from Virginia Tech, the Hokies are still in play for Land along with Maryland, Georgia, LSU, Auburn and a few others.” - Friedman

Movement: +52

“Tufono is an aggressive, hard-hitting linebacker who can track players from sideline to sideline and then go make plays. He can play downhill and get into the backfield, he stuffs running backs at the line of scrimmage and he’s also good in space. One of the best linebackers I saw all season, Tufono is still in the early stages of his recruitment but Oregon, USC and others have caught his attention.” - Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney

Movement: NR to 164

“Smith has emerged as one of the most electric and dynamic playmakers in the West and his recruitment has absolutely taken off this season. The Notre Dame Prep star is a fantastic running back but can also be a receiver as he put up big numbers both ways this season. He’s shifty, athletic, fast and has that make-you-miss ability. Alabama just offered and he’s visiting Texas soon, as Smith has quickly become a national recruit.” - Gorney

Movement: NR to 170

“Playing right tackle to his senior, four-star teammate Antwan Reed's left tackle, Bradford showed strength that belied his age this past season. He also has great feet for a 300-plus pound offensive lineman and could project just as highly at guard in college. He is giving a look to Penn State, where Reed was committed, but also Alabama, Georgia, Michigan State and Ohio State.” - Helmholdt

Movement: +46

“Jackson has really started to come into his own at wide receiver. He made big strides this season and he has become one of the top wideouts in the South. His size jumps out immediately with his length and catch radius. His speed and ability to separate showed up more this season too. He was committed to LSU, but is now open to all schools. Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss and others are on his radar.” - Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons

Movement: NR to 184

“Leal holds offers from programs Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and more. The San Antonio-area prospect has an impressive combination of size and agility. He had 14 tackles for loss this season with his quick first step and ability to get narrow through the line, and he should expect to have a breakout senior year as a pass-rusher.” - Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst Nick Krueger

Movement: NR to 185

“The size-and-athleticism combination Potter brings to the defensive end position allows him to be a threat rushing the passer or holding the edge and stopping the run. He made nice strides in his game throughout a 14-game junior season and has reeled in a ton of new offers as a result with Kansas, Oregon, Michigan and Michigan State being the most recent.” - Helmholdt

Movement: NR to 189

“Walker got off to a great start to the year before going down with an injury. But we saw enough to know that he's back on track to be one of the best prospects in the state of Tennessee. Schools such as Tennessee, Louisville, Vanderbilt and several others are in the mix for his commitment.” - Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack

Movement: NR to 198

“Handy is from a small town in Mississippi, but if he was playing in Atlanta or somewhere that draws a lot of media coverage, he would be a big name in the 2019 class. He is a jumbo-athlete who had 15 sacks this season and he is a big man with size that can move. He has picked up offers from Mississippi State and Southern Miss so far.” - Simmons

Movement: NR to 199

“Dixon’s calling card is his athleticism. He’s not the longest corner there is, which holds him back some, but he makes up for that with speed and instinct. If he continues to add muscle and get more physical, his potential will balloon. Dixon holds offers from Alabama, Auburn and others.” - Cassidy

Movement: NR to 202

“Hazel is a bigger receiver that's very strong and has good range. His hands are reliable and he does a good job creating separation and in his route running. West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Maryland are in the best position for Hazel so far.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 204

“Rucci’s athleticism at the tight end position really stands out. He's a big-time weapon in the passing game. Wisconsin, Duke, Northwestern and many others have made Rucci a priority.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 207

“The broad-shouldered and shifty Hayes-Patrick is well-rounded and has the potential to play multiple positions in college. That said, he shines at running back and changes direction smoothly for a bigger back. He holds offers from Ohio State and other power programs.” - Cassidy

Movement: NR to 216

“Young is a defensive lineman who has the ability to set the edge and rush the passer. He gets off the ball well, he is strong at the point of attack and he is a defensive lineman who can move around the defensive front. He has recently added offers from Florida and Georgia. Ole Miss and Mississippi State among others have offered as well.” - Simmons

Movement: NR to 217

Wisconsin grabbed its quarterback in the 2019 class early, before most other schools were able to recognize the Kansas City-area quarterback's talent. Mertz is a tall, strong-armed passer who throws a beautiful football and really made strides in his game as a junior, even beyond where we had seen him just this past spring.” - Helmholdt

Movement: NR to 222

“Duggan reminds me a lot of Texas 2018 quarterback commit Casey Thompson in the way that he always looks to have command of the offense and his skills. Although he lacks ideal height for the position, Duggan has the athleticism to move his feet and make sure he always has throwing windows. He is a top target for almost all the Power Five schools in the Midlands region, but is also looking at programs such as Georgia and North Carolina.” - Helmholdt

Movement: NR to 233

“Fitten is explosive off the edge. He played standing up and with his hand down this season and he could project at either position on the next level. He has a great first step and he really fires off the ball. He is a physical player who plays with a lot of energy. He is committed to South Carolina, but has offers from Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina and others.” - Simmons

Movement: NR to 235

“Fields brings that kind of enthusiasm and athleticism and explosiveness to the secondary. This physicality and instincts makes him a tough matchup on every single play. With a brother at Clemson, the Tigers are in good position for Fields along with Penn State, Wisconsin, North Carolina and a few others.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 242

“Only relies on his athleticism to make plays on the defensive side of the ball. The West Virginia commit is still learning the game but there's no denying his abilities to make key stops in the run game and in the passing game.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 245

“Elam is all of 6-foot and plays even longer than that because his solid speed allows him to close in a hurry. He needs to add muscle, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a player with his frame. He holds more than 20 offers, including ones from Florida, Miami, Ohio State and Oklahoma.” - Cassidy

Movement: NR to 249

“Smith isn't the biggest safety out there but he is physical and his instincts really help guide him. A playmaker on either side of the ball, Smith is somebody his team relies on and he should be able to make a lot of plays at the college level. West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Michigan State and Maryland are some of his biggest offers.” - Friedman

Movement: NR to 250

“Clark isn't the tallest defensive back but he makes up for it with excellent technique and he has a knack for making big plays. The son of former NFL star Ryan Clark, Jordan will continue to add weight to his frame and he already has the coverage skills of an older, more seasoned player. Nebraska and Pittsburgh are two of the schools involved in his recruitment now, but if and when an offer comes from LSU, the Tigers will be the team to beat.” - Wommack

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