Rival Views: Three big Rivals Rankings Week debates
There are always debates when it comes to rankings and there were three specific ones during this week’s release. In today’s Rival Views, Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analyst Nick Harris take sides on three topics.
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars | Latest recruiting news on five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals250 released | Biggest Risers | Gorney's thoughts | Teams that should be pleased
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Spotlight on No. 1 at each position | Five-stars on flip watch
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
Saturday: Roundtable
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1. Should there be a five-star running back?
UPDATED RANKINGS: Running backs | All-purpose running backs
Harris: Yes. El Campo (Texas) running back Rueben Owens II has done everything needed and then some to earn a fifth star compared to what five-star running backs have done in the past. But given the trend in first-round running backs decreasing, it's been tough to fully commit to giving a running back that spot. However, if any player were deserving of that honor, it's Owens after a stellar four-year career that saw him top 7,000 yards and 100 touchdowns, along with a 7-on-7 career that saw him prove as effective as a pass catcher.
Gorney: No. This is not a question of talent or ability, because Owens and Justice Haynes – maybe even Cedric Baxter – could make a clear argument as a five-star prospect. This has to do with NFL Draft trends and the devaluing - fairly or unfairly - of running backs when it comes to draft positioning. It’s become pretty common that only one or possibly two running backs get taken in the first round and sometimes none do. After the all-star events we could definitely make a move on some of those guys or possibly another player if they blow us away, but there have been years where we’ve had four or five five-star running backs and ended up regretting it.
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2. Who is the No. 1 wide receiver?
UPDATED RANKINGS: Wide receivers
Harris: Zachariah Branch. There are few receivers that I have seen in my time covering recruiting that are as "lightning in a bottle" as Branch. Despite being small in stature compared with some other top pass catchers in the country, his lack of size is a sacrifice to his quick and elusive ability both in the open field and off the line. His quick-cut ability is college-ready, and he should be a deadly weapon for Malachi Nelson early on at USC.
Gorney: I love Branch and I’ve gone on record saying he’s a mix of Tyreek Hill and Hollywood Brown, so those are pretty high comparisons. But we got it right this past time by moving Brandon Inniss back to No. 1 at the position. He’s such a baller, such a gamer and has delivered at every event since he was in middle school. The Ohio State commit has phenomenal hands, deceptive speed, he’s a terrific route runner and does everything well. There are definitely other elite receivers in this class, but Inniss is the best of the bunch.
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3. Is there another five-star offensive lineman?
UPDATED RANKINGS: Offensive tackles | Offensive guards | Centers
Harris: Yes, Alex Birchmeier. There are few prospects in the entire country that are as physically impressive as Birchmeier, who has also been one of the bigger bullies in the class in the trenches. At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, Birchmeier holds his weight to perfection and translates it into explosion and athleticism from the interior offensive line. We've seen the last of Birchmeier before he goes off to Penn State, but whether or not there is enough context already to give him the fifth star will be the discussion in the final rankings meeting.
Gorney: No. The best two candidates are LSU commit Zalance Heard and Birchmeier, but I’m not sure about either one yet. What’s unfortunate is that Birchmeier is not expected to play in an all-star game, so his senior highlights will be the final say on determining whether we bump him up to five-star status. Heard, however, will compete in an all-star game, and I’m excited to see him against elite national competition. The word is Heard is phenomenal, and if that’s the case then he would definitely be in the discussion.