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Today's release of an updated Rivals100 for the 2018 class features numerous risers and sliders; many of these prospects made significant impressions at talent-filled offseason events. The Rivals.com analyst team breaks down the noteworthy moves in the Rivals100 below.
Note: The listings below include only prospects that jumped 30 or more spots either within or into the Rivals100 and those who dropped more than 20 spots within the Rivals100.
RISERS
Old rank: 83
New rank: 43
Difference: +40 spots
Analyst's take: “This has been an outstanding offseason for Shorter. He has become a complete receiver who isn't only a downfield threat. The Penn State commit has added a lot of muscle and become a much quicker prospect. Shorter's footwork and route-running abilities combined with his size make it almost impossible to shut him down.”
– Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 93
New rank: 49
Difference: +44 spots
Analyst's take: “Walker's performance at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas was very impressive. His strong punch and ability to quickly set and reset his feet make it so hard for defensive linemen to beat him. Penn State, Ohio State, Maryland, Virginia Tech and North Carolina remain the top contenders in his recruitment.”
– Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 149
New rank: 50
Difference: +99 spots
Analyst's take: “The recent Florida commit had a great summer on the camp circuit, as he continued to open eyes with his play against elite competition. Chase is excellent at getting open and has terrific hands and the quickness needed to turn a good play into a great play.”
– Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: NR
New rank: 52
Difference: N/A
Analyst's take: “Scaife, who has been long committed to Miami, had as a good an offseason as anyone. He still lacks ideal length, but his power and footwork are plenty to necessitate a bump. He looked impressive against top-flight defensive linemen this summer.”
- Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 107
New rank: 53
Difference: +54
Analyst's take: “Smith's play continues to defy his relative inexperience within the game of football. With less than a full season of high school football under his belt, Smith proved to be one of the most advanced defensive linemen at several offseason events, including the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. He enters the fall with a top five of Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State and USC.”
– Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 112
New rank: 57
Difference: +55
Analyst's take: “I love how Hufanga plays because he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. I'm not comparing him to Su'a Cravens, because Cravens was one of the best high school players I ever watched, but Hufanga also has that special ability to be around the ball and to make plays. He's excellent in coverage and either knocks the pass away or makes it incredibly difficult for receivers to make a play. He moves well, he's physical, and he can cover in space. Oregon, Oregon State and many others remain involved.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 113
New rank: 58
Difference: +55
Analyst's take: “Green, a Texas commitment, probably should have received a nudge forward following the 2016 season, but after his appearance at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas, Green made a concrete case for being one of the top defensive backs in the country. He doesn't get pushed around off the line by bigger receivers, but he's as long as he is athletic and can cover up smaller guys easily. Green is also a decisive defender when he goes up looking to make a play on the ball, which ends in an interception pretty regularly.”
– Nick Krueger, Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst.
Old rank: 199
New rank: 59
Difference: +140
Analyst's take: "There is no defensive back in the West with the length of Addison, and it makes him an incredible asset in the secondary. He looks like a basketball player roaming around the field, he can poke away passes, pick off overthrown balls and come down and lay receivers out. For someone so long and rangy, Addison is really athletic and talented, and is getting more comfortable on the back end. UCLA, USC, Nebraska and others remain involved.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 97
New rank: 65
Difference: +33
Analyst's take: “Every time I see Lamb he's doing something smart, making a play and just doing all the right things as a linebacker whether in the middle or the outside. The Notre Dame commit has such a good grasp of his position, and he really understands what the offense wants to do. He then has the ability to go out and stop it. I love his athleticism and playmaking ability, and everyone around the kid just loves the way he handles himself.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 141
New rank: 69
Difference: +72
Analyst's take: “A Notre Dame commit, Austin continues to get bigger but has retained incredible dexterity for a man of his size. He is unlikely to look around before National Signing Day unless a coaching change takes place in South Bend.”
- Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 136
New rank: 72
Difference: +64
Analyst's take: “Ford's meteoric rise from little-known downstate Illinois prospect to the No. 1 tight end in the 2018 class has been earned through his play this offseason. Junior film was very strong, but any remaining questions after that footage have been resoundingly answered by Ford against top competition over the last eight months. He decommitted from Arkansas in June and visited Alabama, Auburn, Illinois, LSU, Michigan and Texas this summer.”
- Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 209
New rank: 83
Difference: +126
Analyst's take: “Ruckert's uneven performance at the New Jersey Rivals Camp must have been an anomaly because he dominated the competition for the rest of the offseason. The Ohio State commit showed a knack for getting open down the middle of the field and defenders had a very difficult time matching up with him because of his size and speed.”
- Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 128
New rank: 87
Difference: +41
Analyst's take: “Adams is one of the most complete receivers in this class. The North Carolina commit is a smooth glider with great speed and an impressive route runner with outstanding hands. Adams, who is also a star baseball prospect, has a knack for making tough catches and shows off great concentration.”
- Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 142
New rank: 88
Difference: +54
Analyst's take: “Tuttle has all the tools that make a top quarterback. He's a leader, his teammates love him, he's intelligent, he's patient on the field and he has a short memory after making a bad throw. On top of all that, Tuttle loves studying the game and he has the physical tools, arm strength and vision to be a great leader. The Utah commit was pursued by USC and others this offseason. He stuck with the Utes, which also shows his loyalty after making a decision.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 134
New rank: 97
Difference: +37
Analyst's take: “Crocker is an exciting player to watch because he's really long and he snatches the ball out of the air when it's thrown his way. He can separate from any defensive back, he's a constant deep threat and he gets downfield quickly because of his length. Crocker is excellent going deep, but he's also really valuable in goal-line situations because he can jump up and over almost any defensive back. Cal, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State and others are involved.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
SLIDERS
Old rank: 33
New rank: 62
Difference: -29
Analyst's take: “Gainer still has every bit of upside we thought he had, it’s just that he’s not adding the necessary weight as quickly as some hoped. He has the quickness and the athleticism to be a star in college, but may need a redshirt year to work on his body. Gainer is committed to Florida State and unlikely to look around.”
– Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst.
Old rank: 38
New rank: 64
Difference: -26
Analyst's take: “Woodard, a Texas commitment, is undoubtedly a very solid wide receiver, but little about his game has progressed from what he showed last year. At the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, he didn't break open enough in team play to make an impact, and the catches just weren't there in the individual competition.”
– Nick Krueger, Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 47
New rank: 82
Difference: -35
Analyst's take: “Allen is an imposing safety who can fly downhill in run support, but the biggest area of concern is coverage at the next level. He is a smart, instinctive player with the size and ability to play early, but he still needs to improve his speed and reaction when in space and coverage.”
– Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Old rank: 58
New rank: 84
Difference: -26
Analyst's take: “The summer is sometimes a struggle for linebackers. Camps and 7-on-7 play just don't lend help to bigger inside linebackers, who find it difficult to cover 30 or so yards downfield where they cannot be too physical, either. Tuliaupupu struggled at times covering in space, and because he relies on his physical play so much he had to dial it back without pads on. He's a wild man and big hitter with pads on, and I cannot wait to see him in games this fall. USC, UCLA, Ohio State and others are in the mix.”
- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
