The Rivals Camp Series presented by adidas will make its return back to The Boot this weekend as talent from across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas will flood into New Orleans. Here are a few predictions and storylines for the much-anticipated showcase.
1. The top 2020 defensive lineman in the nation will emerge
Some of the nation’s best defensive linemen in the Class of 2020 just happen to reside in the Southeast. That group includes five-star McKinnley Jackson, a one-time LSU commitment, as well as Rivals250 prospects Jaquelin Roy, Jacobian Guillory and Josaih Hayes.
There’s reason to believe that’s when it’s all said and done, one of these prospects competing in New Orleans will wind up ranked as Rivals’ No. 1 defensive tackle in the country.
Jackson dominated the Mobile, Ala., camp a year ago. Guillory and Roy have seen their stock rise steadily over the past year, while Hayes brings a ton of athleticism to the position. They each possess contrasting styles of power, speed or technique, and they will each have an opportunity to jockey for position in the national rankings and state their case to be the best in not only the region, but the country.
2. A five-star will emerge from the Boot
Louisiana is one of 35 states that is currently without a five-star prospect, but don’t expect that trend to continue until February.
Koy Moore and Ashaad Clayton are two of Louisiana’s best prospects currently embedded in the Rivals100. Additionally, Joel WIlliams, Sedrick Van Pran, T.J. Finley, Roy and Guillory are among the seven Louisiana natives ranked inside the Rivals250 for the Class of 2020. Each have strong cases to be made to eventually add a fifth star beside their names.
The majority of the elite prospects expected to attend the RCS Camp in New Orleans are ranked inside the top five or top 10 of their respective position groups nationally. Whether it’s Moore dominating 1-on-1s, Clayton shining on a big stage, Finley dropping dimes or Williams locking down the top receivers, there are plenty of candidates to ascend into the five-star category.
3. Some three-stars will turn heads
Rankings are fluid. While there are plenty of three-stars making their way to New Orleans for the RCS, there’s reason to believe that a good chunk of the talent could wind up with better rankings, being impact collegiate players or eventually drafted to the NFL.
Texas A&M cornerback verbal commitment Major Burns is one of three-stars I’m keeping an eye on to make some noise. He’s 6-foot-3 with a tremendous wingspan, and he’ll have an opportunity to lock down several highly regarded receivers. Jalen Lee is a three-star defensive tackle considering LSU, Alabama and Florida, and if Ed Orgeron, Nick Saban and Dan Mullen are all on a prospect, then there’s a lot of potential to consider.
The same applies to LSU commitment Kris Draine, who’s making the trip in from Spanish Fort, Ala. The explosive three-star wide receiver was a jack-of-all-trades for his high school last year, and he has the attention of not only the Tigers but most of the SEC.
Other three-stars on our radar include edge-rusher Angelo Anderson, quarterback Caleb Holstein, wide receiver Makholven Sonn, athlete Donovan Kaufman, defensive end Khari Coleman, defensive back Daran Branch and cornerback Jamie Vance, an Arkansas pledge. Several are candidates to turn some heads.
4. Van Pran will step up to the challenge
The RCS stop in New Orleans means that one offensive lineman in attendance will have the hometown advantage. That, of course, is Van Pran, a Rivals250 guard who also plays center for Warren Easton (La.) High School.
Van Pran recently ascended to No. 127 in the nation and the No. 3-ranked guard. He’s the most decorated offensive lineman expected at camp and, as mentioned before, he will have the opportunity to continue to improve his stock against a good showing of Rivals250 defensive tackles like Jackson, Roy, Guillory, Hayes and Lee, among others.
This is an outstanding opportunity for Van Pran to justify his high ranking and put himself in the discussion as a five-star lineman. Based on his tape, we’re counting on a good showing.
5. Keeping an eye on the super sophomores
Before the spring comes to a close, Rivals will debut its initial Watch List for the Class of 2021. Make no mistake about it -- there is no shortage of elite national talent inside Louisiana for that class.
This camp will feature quite a few of those big-time players, namely wide receivers Chris Hilton and Brian Thomas, who as sophomores garnered offers from LSU, Alabama, Georgia and most of the SEC. The same applies to elite safety Kaine Williams, who holds offers from almost the entire SEC after one year of varsity football, and highly sought-after defensive tackle Maason Smith, who has a case to be made as one of -- if not -- the top defensive lineman in the land.
Louisiana’s 2021 class should have multiple five-stars and even more nationally ranked prospects. Others very much in that conversation include wide receivers Quincy Brown and Theodore Knox, athlete Sage Ryan and running back Iverson Celestine, who will all be competing this Sunday.
