Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate which 2019 non-five-star will end up with that fifth star in the end.
MORE: Big movers in new Rivals100 | New five-stars | Farrell's Three-Point Stance | Gorney's Take Two
FARRELL’S VIEW: OT LOGAN BROWN
With only 17 five-stars currently, there are obviously a lot of candidates, but I’ll go with offensive tackle Logan Brown. He has the build and ceiling to be very special at the next level and beyond.
Offensive tackle is a key position and it holds a lot of value in our rankings. He’s currently No. 4 at the position but eventually he leapfrogs Wayna Morris, another five-star candidate, and it wouldn’t shock me if he was No. 1 or No. 2 at his position by the end of the rankings cycle.
I like athlete Jordan Whittington a lot and if he increases his speed and burst a bit he’s a lock. I am also high on Akeem Dent and Erick Young at defensive back, but for me it’s Brown, who could be a superstar at Wisconsin.
GORNEY'S VIEW: DE NOLAN SMITH
I saw IMG Academy this past season and Nolan Smith was absolutely phenomenal as the prototypical edge rusher and outside linebacker who was disruptive and such a hard hitter. The Georgia commit was all over the field, aggressive and violent. He had a non-stop motor and played with purpose.
There is some discussion that Smith is a little undersized, but I'm not sold on those arguments. He's 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds as a junior in high school, so if he can squeeze out another inch and pack on a few pounds - his frame could easily handle it - then he's the perfect size for a defensive end in the SEC and beyond.
For someone who is so productive on the field and has the versatility and athleticism to play that hybrid position, Smith should be in the five-star discussion as this class moves forward.