Rivals Five-Star: Best one-on-one matchups we saw
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As 100 of the top college football prospects in the country competed throughout a varied workout on Wednesday at the Rivals Five-Star, there were plenty of memorable moments between blue-chip recruits. From blocking and passing-game one-on-ones to a competitive 7-on-7 event to wrap things up, Rivals breaks down 10 of the top matchups that went down at the elite event.
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RIVALS FIVE-STAR: Five programs that should be pleased | Gorney Awards | Position MVPs | QBs battle it out | Video recap | Biggest surprises | Prospects that boosted their stock in Jacksonville | Live from the Rivals Five-Star | Shamar Arnoux commits to USC
RIVALS FIVE-STAR MEDIA DAY: Gorney's takeaways | Rumor Mill | LIVE from media day | Inside the Rivals Five-Star | All-Lobby Team | Ranking the strength of commitments | Players predict next commit | Immanuel Iheanacho interview | Shamar Arnoux interview | Winston Watkins Jr. interview | Jaime Ffrench interview | Riley Pettijohn interview | Hylton Stubbs interview | Zelus Hicks interview
RIVALS FIVE-STAR PREVIEW: Ten matchups we can't wait to see | Defensive rankings storylines | Offensive rankings storylines | Big 12 teams in spotlight | ACC teams in spotlight | SEC teams in spotlight | Big Ten teams in spotlight | Five QBs storylines | RB storylines | WR storylines | Roster | TE storylines | OL storylines | DL storylines | LB storylines | DB storylines | Rivals Five-Star set for Jacksonville
PROSPECTS THAT COULD BOOST THEIR STOCK: Southeast | Florida prospects | Mid-South | Midwest | Northeast | West
BEST OF THE RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Top 10 quarterbacks | Top 10 running backs | Top 10 receivers | Top 10 tight ends | Top 10 defensive linemen | Top 10 linebackers | Top 10 defensive backs
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MICHAEL CARROLL vs. JAHKEEM STEWART
The trenchmen set the tone at these events and there was no more audible moment than when the Alabama commitment tangled with the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2026 Rivals250. Carrol intercepted Jahkeem Stewart’s spin move and the two went to the turf after a strong rep, each claiming victory. It ramped up after the next rep and the two were off to stellar showings throughout the morning and afternoon sessions.
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IMMANUEL IHEANACHO vs. JAKE KREUL
Two of the most impressive 2026 recruits on hand, Kruel worked his polish to get inside on the 6-foot-7, 340-pounder for what should have been an easy win – but the blocker redirected well and was able to recover and get back into winning position at the top of the would-be drop for the win. On their next rep, Kruel tried to work wide until Ieannacho caught on and was able to drive him outside the box. Few linemen slowed the Orlando native down on his path to the passer anywhere as successfully as the big rising-junior did.
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MAX BUCHANAN vs. JARQUEZ CARTER
As soon as these two Floridians kicked off their workout, they met opponents with instant success. Then they ran into one another and split a pair of competitive reps on their way to very productive days, each among those in position for MVP honors at their projected spot. Carter got the better of Buchanan to get the duel going, using the blocker’s aggression against him with a quick counter using both hands. Buchanan then circled back and slowed Carter on his first and second move out of the blocks for a narrow win, thanks to a strong anchor.
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KEVIN BROWN vs. NATHANIEL OWUSU-BOATENG
This was an anticipated moment because Owusu-Boateng had just dominated some of running backs trying to block him in drills, the No. 1 outside linebacker in the nation tried his luck with some blue-chip offensive linemen working on pass-rushing one-on-ones at the same time. Enter Pennsylvania native Kevin Brown to combat the IMG Academy star, who had an entourage of peers and social media types in tow. Not only was the big blocker up for the challenge, especially with Osusu-Boateng looking to win with an elite speed-to-power combination, but Brown took home the benefit of the doubt on three-straight ultra competitive reps.
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SHAMAR ARNOUX vs. ANDREW MARSH
Two of the longer skill position prospects in attendance, this duo went back and forth on reps during the one-on-one events to open the competition on the skill side. Arnoux wants to win at the line if at all possible, and on occasion he was able to disrupt Marsh early in his route stem. When he was unable to, the Texas native put some pretty routes together on the new USC commitment and came down with a couple of contested grabs along the way. Each prospect was in near ideal position during all of the reps we saw between the two.
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JORDON DAVIDSON vs. NATHANIEL OWUSU-BOATENG
The aforementioned Owusu-Boateng was near impossible for any running back to stay in front of without losing leverage or balance, but the one who did the best job happens to hold five-stars next to his name in Davidson. The Mater Dei standout is stout and built with a compact frame, one plenty in line for this type of physical ask. The two top-30 prospects tangled on multiple reps as the intensity ratcheted up – some of the best examples on why this good-on-good setting is unmatched on the national circuit.
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SHEKAI MILLS-KNIGHT vs. NASIR WYATT
One of the biggest backs on hand, Mills-Knight was expected to perform well in most facets, especially in the running back blocking – which he did. He was just as good in the 7-on-7 portion of the event, with many onlookers asking, ‘Who was that?’ after the Canadian would win a rep. Conversely, Wyatt was able to get work in both on the edge and at the second level with his slight and speedy game, winning with his first step in the process. The opposite body types made up for some good work in between.
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JASPER PARKER vs. LUKE METZ
After each prospect put together strong one-on-one sessions in the morning portion of the event, they saved some of their best work for the afternoon during 7-on-7. Working in man coverage, the Alabama commitment was stride for stride with the Michigan pledge every time out. On the first rep, Metz was able to make the throwing lane tougher on the passer, while on the next, Parker was able to contort his body to make a back-shoulder grab right along the sidelines for one of the plays of the day. Metz would come back later in the drive to snag a touchdown-saving pass breakup in the end zone.
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TAE'SHAUN GELSEY vs. RILEY PETTIJOHN
Gelsey made plenty of highlight-worthy catches but one of the few players to keep up with him was the Texan, Pettijohn. This matchup shows the growth of each position since both fit the prototype of what schools are currently looking for at the position.
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DASAAHN BRAME vs. JORDAN CAMPBELL
Brame is used to being a matchup nightmare in his hometown of Derby, Kansas. His athleticism was a problem for defenders all day long. However, Brame and Jordan Campbell had some good battles during the one-on-ones. Both should be happy with their performances.