Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the 2024 QBs
With the updated 2024 Rivals250 being unveiled Tuesday, it's now time to dive into the position rankings. The offensive position rankings are being released today, and up first are the quarterbacks.
UPDATED 2024 RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | All-Purpose Back | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Defensive Tackle | Strongside Defensive End | Weakside Defensive End | Outside Linebacker | Inside Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-star countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals 250 released | Ten prospects on the verge of five-star status | Gorney's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released | DL rankings spotlight | LB rankings spotlight | DB rankings spotlight
Friday: State rankings released | Who will finish as top RB?
Saturday: Rankings Roundtable
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No. 1 at the position: Dylan Raiola
Raiola remaining the top quarterback in the country isn’t that much of a surprise but the distance between him and No. 2 quarterback Julian Sayin is shrinking. Raiola continues to show the elite traits that make him a potential first-round NFL Draft. He has the size, arm strength, mobility, footwork, mechanics and playmaking ability to elevate the players around him or cover up some of their deficiencies.
The Georgia commit has been active on the recruiting trail lately, helping the Bulldogs reel in some big commitments and improving their position with others. Raiola's next evaluation will be at the Elite 11 finals this week, where the national analyst staff will be keeping a close eye on him to see what areas of his game he's been able to develop over the last couple months.
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2. Two teams to watch: West Virginia, Stanford
The Cardinal and Mountaineers have been a couple of the hottest teams in the nation the last few days. They have picked up multiple four-star commitments and they could be in line for commitments under center. West Virginia has recruited powerhouse St. Joseph’s Prep out of Philadelphia really well over the last few years and it could be the top choice for this year‘s quarterback, Semaj Jones. He’s already taken his official visit to Morgantown and this past weekend he was in Cincinnati for his official visit there. Oklahoma could be a darhorse for Jones if the Sooners decide to take a second quarterback in this class, but for now it seems like the Mountaineers are in the best position for him.
Stanford is hoping to keep the momentum rolling with a commitment from in-state star Elijah Brown. The Cardinal just had him on campus for his official visit and it seems like they hit all the right buttons. Stanford isn't the runaway favorite, though. It is battling in-state programs USC and UCLA. The Bruins hosted Brown earlier this month and the Trojans will get their chance before the month is out. Brown could commit at any time but USC is hoping he waits until after his official visit there.
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Three players in the spotlight: Miles O'Neill, Trever Jackson, Air Noland
O’Neill is one player that is just starting to get onto the national radar. He has a big frame, a big arm and solid mechanics, but he's about to see a huge step up in competition this fall during his first season at The Hun School in Princeton, N.J. Virginia and Texas A&M hosted O'Neill already this month and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him pull the trigger on a commitment fairly soon. The Aggies hold a commanding lead in the FutureCast predictions at this point.
Jackson was another riser in this rankings update and it seems like his list of contenders is getting shorter. Pittsburgh got him on campus earlier this month and the Panthers seem like they’re in great position with Jackson at this point. Texas A&M was also rumored to be a major contender for Jackson but if the Aggies end up with O’Neil that could mean Jackson looks elsewhere. Missouri is still very much in play for him, and the Tigers are hoping to get him on campus later this month for an official visit.
Noland was among the biggest risers in this rankings update, moving from No. 232 in the Rivals250 all the way up to No. 67. The Ohio State commit has a rocket arm and gets the ball out of his hand very quickly. Noland, a lefty, has been throwing with more accuracy than he did at this time last year and put up huge numbers on the field in the fall. During the spring camp season, Noland showed off his newly refined mechanics and he'll have another opportunity during the Elite 11 finals to show that he could still be underrated.