Rivals.com Five-Star Club: Five-star updates, predictions
As Five-Star Week rolls on at Rivals.com, we take a look at the uncommitted five-stars in the 2017 class and make our predictions on where they will land on National Signing Day. For good measure, Mike Farrell weighs in and gives his picks as well.
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The latest: Wilson didn't shy away from discussing how impressed he was with Ohio State's performance in its game against Oklahoma while he was on his first official visit in Norman. Wilson's only other official thus far is set for Nov. 26 in Columbus, and he'll be there with fellow five-star Texan Baron Browning. Wilson is also very likely to visit Florida State and one between Ole Miss and Alabama could draw him toward the SEC, should he take an official to either - or both.
Prediction: Unless Texas rights the ship very, very quickly, it seems Ohio State is in the driver's seat here. Wilson has put an emphasis in wanting to play for a winning program and the Buckeyes are king of the mountain right now. - Nick Krueger, Texas recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Oklahoma
The latest: The top-rated offensive tackle could make his decision within the next month or so with Stanford, Washington and Notre Dame as the three frontrunners. He was at Washington's blowout of Stanford last week but his mother said in an interview that one game won't influence his decision. Sarell is still expected to visit Notre Dame in a couple weeks when the Irish host, you got it, Stanford.
The prediction: Stanford - Adam Gorney, National recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Stanford
The latest: Browning took his first official to Michigan and has another scheduled to Ohio State on Nov. 26. Browning has always been relatively outspoken about his interest in the Buckeyes, but has yet to reveal what he took from his visit to Ann Arbor. Florida State and Alabama are also possible visits in October, but it's seemed as though he's had his sights set on those Big Ten options for some time now.
Prediction: Ohio State has had the magic touch this season both on the field and on the recruiting trail. He's been on a few visits already to Michigan and Ohio State, and regardless of other visits he's considering taking, Ohio State is the team to beat. - Krueger
Farrell’s Pick: Texas
The latest: Wilson currently has official visits to Alabama, Florida State, and Michigan locked in and is hoping to take visits to Georgia and USC. He is expected to announce his commitment at the Under Armour All-America Game in early January.
The prediction: It looks as though Michigan has overtaken Alabama for the top spot in Wilson's recruitment. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how the teams are playing or what the coaches are saying to Wilson or his family. It sounds like it is more about Wilson's relationships with the players currently on the team and in the recruiting class. Yes, Wilson is close with the players and recruits at Alabama but it seems like he is closer and more comfortable with those at Michigan. - Adam Friedman, Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Michigan
The latest: Pittsburgh, Penn State and Tennessee have already hosted Wade this season and the early enrollee has visits to Penn State, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and UCLA coming up later this season before announcing his commitment on Dec. 17.
The prediction: Wade doesn't know which school he will end up at yet but Tennessee has some momentum coming off of his visit to Knoxville for the Florida game. This is a very fluid recruitment and the favorite will likely change a few more times before Wade's commitment. - Friedman
Farrell’s Pick: Tennessee
The latest: Okudah was on the scene in Athens for Tennessee's miracle win against Georgia on his first official visit, and was in Oklahoma for Ohio State's big win against the Sooners during Week 3. He would like to schedule a visit to Florida State and said he wasn't deterred by the rumors connecting Jimbo Fisher to LSU. Okudah has also seemed an Ohio State lean for some time, and took an unofficial visit in the offseason with Browning. He hasn't scheduled a return for an official, but it could be a boon for the Buckeyes if he joins Wilson and Browning on Nov. 26.
Prediction: The questions surrounding Texas this season help clear the path again for the Buckeyes, who already impressed him once in person. An encore performance on their home turf would likely seal the deal. - Krueger
Farrell’s Pick: Ohio State
The latest: The dismissal of Les Miles at LSU may have impacted Akers' recruitment, as the Tigers were seen as a major player in the sweepstakes. Ohio State, Tennessee, Florida State and Ole Miss now seem like the most likely landing spots for the five-star running back. Things could certainly change as LSU fills it's open head coaching position or more becomes known about the NCAA investigation surrounding Ole Miss.
The prediction: Ole Miss - Rob Cassidy, Southeast recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Ole Miss
The latest: Peoples-Jones took his first official visit to Nebraska on the opening weekend of the college football season. He was accompanied on that official visit by teammate Jaylen Kelly-Powell. Nebraska was a surprise pick for Peoples-Jones' first official visit because they were not on his initial top 10 he put out as a junior. Official visit No. 2 is scheduled to go to Florida this weekend. The Gators are a childhood favorite, but had been losing momentum in this recruitment recently. He also made an unofficial visit to Michigan in September.
The prediction: Making a prediction on Peoples-Jones now is a fool's errand, and mama didn't raise no fool. - Josh Helmholdt, Midwest recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Michigan
The latest: Before the five-star makes his commitment, Holmes is planning a full load of official visits. He has already been to Nebraska and Michigan, Ohio State, Miami and many others remain in contention. There is no doubt, too, that UCLA remains a serious contender for Holmes for two reasons: He could stay closer to home and have the potential to be a star in Los Angeles; and Holmes considers UCLA defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin family so that could go a long way in his thinking.
The prediction: UCLA - Gorney
Farrell’s Pick: UCLA
The latest: Wills spent this weekend officially visiting Michigan, a trip that surprised some when it popped up on his schedule. Alabama has been the perceived leader for some time, but the longer it goes without Wills committing, the more it appears other schools could be in the mix. The Wolverines made a good impression, and hometown school Kentucky is also a factor along with the Tide.
The prediction: Alabama. Wills recruitment seems as unsettled as ever and Michigan is now a very real option. His fortunes could be tied to Isaiah Wilson, as the two are both high on the board for both the Wolverines and the Tide. Kentucky is the wildcard, especially if the school can make its way to the postseason. - Woody Wommack, Southeast recruiting analyst
Farrell’s Pick: Alabama
The latest: Lewis had a fantastic visit to Nebraska this past weekend and the Huskers remain a serious contender for the five-star receiver. Two things are most important to Lewis in his recruitment: his relationship with his future position coach and the opportunity to get on the field early. More visits are coming up with Oregon, Oklahoma and Alabama planned. USC and UCLA remain major players along with Arizona and others, too. As the fall goes on, Lewis' recruitment is getting tougher to read and the five-star could go in a number of directions.
The prediction: USC (but close) - Gorney
Farrell’s Pick: USC
The latest: One of the toughest players in the country to read, there's no telling what's on Parks' mind from day to day. Florida State seemed like a decent bet for a bit, but Florida and Alabama now seem like more likely options. A lot will be determined by the Florida-based prospect's official visits. Florida probably holds an edge for now but things could change should the Gators' season continue to trend downward.
The prediction: Florida - Cassidy
Farrell’s Pick: Florida
The latest: Georgia has an outside chance of landing Collins but the Bulldogs have not helped themselves this season. For the time being, it seems like a battle between Alabama and Michigan. What helps Michigan is the fact that Alabama is involved with a number of top-level wideouts, including five-star Jerry Jeudy, who is already committed to the Tide. The Wolverines are more prepared to sell playing time to Collins and could hold an ever-so-slight advantage.
The prediction: Michigan - Cassidy
Farrell’s Pick: Alabama
The latest: Until Texas' game against Oklahoma State, the Longhorns were a major contender to keep the big offensive tackle in-state despite his family connections to Ole Miss and an official visit set to Florida State at the end of October. Now, it seems Stanford is winning the recruiting battle just by waiting for the other options to cancel themselves out. He has taken multiple unofficial visits to Palo Alto and seems to fit the Cardinal mold pretty well.
Prediction: Stanford can obviously offer an academic path that his other options can't and play a brand of football that he should have no trouble finding a role in. Stanford recruits in a different lane than the others and it seems more and more as though the Cardinal is the top option. - Krueger
Farrell’s Pick: Stanford
The latest: McBride has kept a low profile, but was at Georgia this past weekend to watch the Bulldogs' heartbreaking defeat to Tennessee. This weekend he’s scheduled to make an official visit to Oregon, but the Ducks are likely a long shot to nab McBride, who is also expected to visit Alabama, Auburn and Stanford before making a final decision.
The prediction: Georgia. McBride will continue to explore his options but it’s hard to see him landing anywhere except Athens. - Wommack
Farrell’s Pick: Georgia
