New Rivals250: Five programs that should be pleased
Rankings week for the Class of 2020 rolled on Wednesday at Rivals.com with the release of the updated Rivals250. Because it’s so early in the process, there aren’t many players committed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still college programs and fan bases that should be excited about the way things shook out this week. Here’s a look at five schools that should be pleased with the latest update.
MORE: New 2020 Rivals100 released | Mind of Mike's thoughts on movers and shakers in 2020 Rivals100 | Who's next to earn a fifth star?
MIAMI
Mark Richt’s time back at his alma mater has been highlighted by the school’s ability to put together a strong class early and that’s once again the case in 2020. Miami already has 12 commitments and currently sits at No. 1 in the team rankings, clearly an indication of the success Richt and his staff are having on the trail. All-in-all, the Canes have nine prospects in the new Rivals250 and had commits like defensive back commit Keshawn Washington make big moves up the charts. Washington was previously unranked, but now sits at No. 128 overall. The group is led by four-star wide receiver commit Marc Britt, who moved up four spots to No. 39 overall.
OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes continue to have one of the nation’s top early classes in 2020 and nearly picked up a new five-star in No. 18 overall prospect Paris Johnson, whose ranking was heavily debated by the Rivals.com analysts. Nevertheless, with at least 30 five-stars every year, he remains firmly in the conversation going forward. He’s joined in the Rivals250 by four other Buckeyes commits: quarterback Jack Miller (No. 48), Luke Wypler (No. 90), Lejond Cavazos (No. 130) and Jake Wray (No. 250). The Buckeyes are also heavily involved with several uncommitted Rivals250 prospects, including newly minted five-star defensive back Kelee Ringo.
OKLAHOMA
The Sooners have just four commits, but all four checked in within the country’s Top 250, led by running back commitment Jase McClellan at No. 26 overall, which puts him in the conversation for five-star consideration going forward. McLellan is followed by defensive back commit Darion Green-Warren (no. 77 overall), athlete commit Drew Sanders at No. 91 overall and the quartet is rounded out by running back commit Jaylan Knighton (No. 134 overall). As usual, the Sooners are also involved with several highly ranked uncommitted prospects, including the nation’s No. 31 overall prospect Bryson Eason, who moved up 62 spots this time around.
GEORGIA
The Bulldogs have prioritized the trenches thus far in the Class of 2020 and have all three of their committed prospects currently in the Rivals250. The group, which has an average height and weight of 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds, is led by the nation’s No. 44 overall prospect, offensive lineman Broderick Jones. It’s also another banner year for talent in the state of Georgia, so the Bulldogs should be able to reel in quite the haul, with prime targets like athlete Arik Gilbert (No. 8 overall) and newly minted five-star defensive end Myles Murphy (No. 12) both seeing positive moves up the rankings. All told, 28 players from the state of Georgia are in the Rivals250, a number that should have Dawgs fans smiling, considering all that home-state talent that could end up playing in Athens.
USC
Three of the top six prospects in the country hail from California, a welcome sign for the Trojans and their fans. The trio includes the No. 3 overall prospect, linebacker Justin Flowe, and newly minted five-star and No. 6 overall prospect, defensive back Elias Ricks. Both players are high on the Trojans, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them both end up on the school’s commitment list down the road.
Speaking of commits, USC’s quarterback commit Bryce Young checks in at No. 46 on this list, while recent athlete commit Koy Moore moved up two spots to No. 105 overall. Even with Young in the fold, the Trojans also remain interested in the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, D.J. Uiagalelei, and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to the see Trojans end up landing both elite Southern California prospects.
