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Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the 2024 ATHs

Mike Matthews
Mike Matthews (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

The updated Rivals250 was unveiled Tuesday, and here we cap a two-day breakdown of our new position rankings with the athletes.


NEW POSITION RANKINGS: Athlete | Cornerback | Safety | Inside linebacker | Outside linebacker | Strongside DE | Weakside DE | Defensive tackle | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Tight end | Wide receiver | Running back | All-purpose RB | Pro-style QB | Dual-threat QB

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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK

Sunday: Who should be No. 1?

Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars

Tuesday: Rivals250 revealed | Biggest risers | Gorney's position-by-position

Wednesday: Offensive position rankings revealed | Teams that should be pleased | Recruiting update on top 25 players | QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight

Thursday: Defensive position rankings revealed | Will there be another five-star QB? | DL rankings spotlight | LB rankings spotlight | DB rankings spotlight

Friday: State rankings revealed

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NO. 1 AT THE POSITION: Mike Matthews

After our last update for the 2024 class, Pennsylvania’s Quinton Martin was the top-ranked prospect at athlete, but his move to running back opened the spot for Georgia two-way player Mike Matthews to make his move. Matthews’ overall talents for Parkview High School as a receiver and safety also moved him into five-star status.

He is over the 30-offer mark with Oklahoma, Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson and Notre Dame catching his interest.

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TWO PROGRAMS TO WATCH: Georgia and USC

Zaquan Patterson
Zaquan Patterson (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

The Bulldogs have let in-state four-star KJ Bolden know he is a top priority in the 2024 class, bringing him to campus over the summer with plans to host the Buford standout for a game this fall. Georgia is also going after Miami-area four-star Zaquan Patterson, who had a successful visit to Athens over the summer. Going back into the Peach State, be on the lookout for do-it-all skill player Dwight Phillips. Georgia offered Phillips on June 1.

The opportunity for the Trojans to pile up on fantastic four-stars will be a lot easier with two of them in their backyard and at the same high school. Ryan Pellum and Jordan Anderson are difference makers on the field for Long Beach’s Millikan. Pellum, with more than 40 offers, has visited Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas and LSU over the offseason. Anderson has made multiple visits to USC seeming like a lean toward the Trojans.

Adding to the riches in USC’s immediate territory is Calabasas four-star Aaron Butler and Junipero Serra’s four-stars Dakoda Fields and Jason Mitchell.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT UGASPORTS.COM

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT TROJANSPORTS.COM

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THREE PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Singleton is a ballhawk in Many High School’s secondary with two pick-sixes last season. He is built like an outside linebacker and is an explosive hitter coming down the lane with a great feel to the game. Singleton is nearing 20 offers. He visited Texas A&M and LSU over the offseason.

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Johnson had a solid sophomore season, playing receiver and free safety with contributions made in the kick and punt return game as well. His junior campaign is starting off hot with 200 yards and two touchdowns on 16 receptions, 14 tackles and a blocked field goal after just two games.

College programs have been slow to find Johnson, but that will change this fall. Notre Dame, Michigan State, Tennessee, Missouri and Penn State dropped offers this summer.

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Carter is explosive on offense and looks like the second coming of NFL legend Darrell Green on defense. His reported 4.39 in the 40-yard dash shows on the field. Carter is a home-run hitter from anywhere on the field.

The Big Ten, ACC, SEC – you name it, they are all on Carter. Nebraska got Carter on campus this summer for a visit with Kentucky and Tennessee working him out at camps.

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