Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the state rankings
Now that the spring evaluation period is over and much of the camp season has passed, Rivals.com has updated the 2020 rankings. That means there were some big changes across the country affecting the Rivals100, Rivals250, position rankings and state rankings. We take a look at five storylines from new state rankings.
Rivals Rankings Week
Monday: Top 10 revealed | Who could break into final top 10?| Who is No. 1 TE?
Tuesday: Updated Rivals100 revealed | New five-stars | Mind of Mike | Three in line for fifth star
Wednesday: Updated Rivals250 revealed | Analyst roundtable | Teams that should be pleased | Who could break into Rivals250?
Thursday: New offensive position rankings revealed
Friday: New defensive position rankings revealed
Saturday: Team rankings breakdown
Sunday: New state rankings revealed
BIG MOVES AT THE TOP IN ALABAMA
Quandarius Robinson shot up over half a dozen spots to take over as the new No. 1 prospect in Alabama. The linebacker out of Birmingham (Ala.) Jackson-Olin is a major target for top programs across the country, including Alabama and Auburn. LSU and Nebraska are two others to watch in this race. Robinson is in the five-star discussion and will have a lot of eyes on him over the next six months.
There is a new No. 2 as well. Running back Roydell Williams, an Alabama commit, has made a move up the state rankings after a strong spring. He is a complete back with quickness and hands out of the backfield. He visited Auburn a few days ago and is expected to visit Florida State this summer. Williams is very productive, self-driven and he is one of the top backs in America.
PARKS MAKE BIG MOVE IN KENTUCKY
Walker Parks was one of the biggest movers this update. He not only moved into the Rivals250, but all the way up inside the Rivals100 to the No 64 prospect in the country. He is now the No. 1 prospect in the state of Kentucky.
Clemson found the offensive tackle early, offered him and landed his commitment last fall. Dabo Swinney and his staff once again look very smart here. Parks is likely to continue to climb up the rankings as the season plays out.
BATTLE AT RB IN SUNSHINE STATE
Don’t look now Demarkcus Bowman, but Don Chaney is coming on strong. Bowman, a five-star Clemson commit is the top-ranked running back in Florida, but Chaney is making a charge. Bowman has a 6.1 Rivals Rating, and now, after a fresh spring evaluation, Chaney is up to a 6.0 Rivals Rating.
The gap has been closed considerably. Chaney has moved up to the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 3 in the state of Florida. If you poll some that watch these stars play in Florida, it is almost split on who they feel is the top running back in the state.
This is a battle that could go into the post-season rankings. Chaney is now in the five-star discussion and the Miami commit is pushing for that top spot in Florida.
NEW STARS IN TEXAS
There was a major overhaul in Texas this update. It looks like a done deal that five-star running back Zachary Evans is going to finish as the No. 1 prospect in the Lone Star State, but after that, there has been some movement.
The biggest move was wide receiver Demond Demas moving up to a five-star. The Texas A&M commit is one of the top playmakers in the country and could potentially be part of a top-five class for Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies.
Two other SEC commits made strong moves in the Texas State Rankings as well. LSU linebacker commit Josh White is now a four-star inside the Rivals250. Cornerback Jalen Kimber shot up the rankings as well, and the Georgia commitment is now the No. 17 prospect in the state.
There were plenty other notable moves in Texas, like Nate Anderson, Garrett Hayes and Jahari Rogers adding their fourth star and Jalin Conyers debuting in the Rivals250.
TOP TALENT IN THE MIDWEST
For the first time since 2009, the Plains states of Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska all have prospects ranked in the Rivals100.
In 2009, Bryce Brown (Kansas) was the No. 1 overall prospect, Sheldon Richardson (Missouri) was at No. 4 and David Oku (Nebraska) was No. 97.
Fast forward to 2019.
Missouri wide receiver Jordan Johnson, a Notre Dame commit, added a fifth star this update and he is now the No. 19 prospect in the country. Zavier Betts, a four-star wide receiver out of Nebraska, checks in at No. 46 and he is committed to the Huskers. Staying in the top 50 at No. 48, offensive tackle Turner Corcoran of Kansas lands there, and he also is committed to the Huskers.
It is a strong year at the top in the Midwest region.