Rivals Rankings Week: 2020 team predictions
The distance between now and National Signing Day 2020 is an eternity in recruiting time. The year ahead will see committed players have changes of heart and undecided prospects will make decisions … sometimes multiple times. Below, Rivals.com’s Rob Cassidy attempts the impossible task of making three team-related predictions as they relate to how things might shake out with the 2020 class.
MORE: Will Miami's early-commit strategy pay off in 2020? | Which position is best for five-star athlete Arik Gilbert?
The nation's No. 1 prospect will play for USC ... or a pro baseball team
D.J. Uiagalelei is the nation’s No. 1 prospect. He’s also uncommitted. On top of all that intrigue, the California-based quarterback is also a big name in baseball circles, where people have told him he projects as a first-round pick in the MLB Draft. And while schools such as Alabama, Clemson and others are all interested in Uiagalelei’s football prowess, his choice may ultimately be between the Trojans and a baseball contract. Which way that will go will likely depend on his draft slot, as piles of cash are pretty hard to turn down. If Uiagalelei does elect to attend college, which seems like the more likely scenario at the moment, he intends to play both sports.
Texas will sign its first five-star running back since 2012
It’s been some time since Texas has welcomed a five-star running back into the fold, but the 2020 class seems to set up well on that front. The No. 1 back in the country, Zachary Evans, happens to live in Houston and is already high on the Longhorns. If Texas shows marked improvement on the field this fall it should continue to be the favorite to land Evans’ commitment. Schools such as Alabama, LSU and others will also be involved here, but things seem to favor Tom Herman’s program if all things remain equal. Texas’ last five-star running back was signed in 2012 in the form of Johnathan Gray.
Miami will hang on to Marc Britt
Marc Britt committed to Miami in December of last year. And while a prospect committing to a school two years before he’ll sign is normally a de-commitment waiting to happen, Britt will be an exception to the rule. The Rivasl100 wide receiver has shown no evidence of wanting to explore his options since making his pledge, and he may prove to be the most drama-free prospect in the class. Barring something unexpected, Britt may go a full a two years as a Miami commit without so much as a flip scare.
