Rivals Rankings Week: Five teams that should be pleased
The final Rivals 2023 rankings had a lot of movement after the postseason all-star games, as there were 13 new additions to the Rivals250, with eight new five-stars added to the list. Here's a look at the teams that should be pleased with the latest updates.
FINAL 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Pro-style QB | Dual-threat QB | Running back | All-purpose RB | Wide receiver | Tight end | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be the top three prospects in 2023?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Introducing the new five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals250 released | Biggest risers | Toughest rankings questions we faced | Gorney on the new Rivals250
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Which QBs are best fits for future team? | Which RBs are best fits for future team? | Which WRs are best fits for future team?
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
Saturday: JUCO rankings
Sunday: Transfer portal team rankings
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LSU
The Tigers saw three of their signees crack the 250: outside linebacker Whit Weeks, guard DJ Chester and tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Helping the Tigers to the nation’s sixth-rated class, offensive tackle Zalance Heard moved up 12 spots and into the five-star classification. Other LSU signees that moved up included Dashawn Womack and Jalen Brown. Overall, LSU signed an impressive 18 four-stars.
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FLORIDA
The Gators’ class looked different this time around after Jaden Rashada backed out of his signed National Letter of Intent. Still, Florida put together a strong class that ranked No. 13 nationally. One of the biggest movers in the latest update was Osceola (Fla.) High School cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson, who closed out his high school career rated No. 120 in the country.
The other new 250 addition heading to Gainesville is Trinity Christian School tailback Treyaun Webb. Webb went over 1,117 yards on the ground with 20 TDs to help boost his ranking. Florida’s class included six players with a Rivals Rating (RR) of 5.9 or better.
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ALABAMA
As it does every year, Alabama reloaded the shelves, and has the top-rated haul in this cycle. The group was impressive, with a total of five five-star players. The newest five-star to join the exclusive club was weakside defensive end Yhonzae Pierre. Pierre worked over offensive tackles at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio as he punched his ticket into the club.
While Desmond Ricks slid among the five-stars, Keon Keeley and Kadyn Proctor rose in the rankings. Adding some shine to the class signed by head coach Nick Saban, 18 players had a rating of 5.9 or better.
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AUBURN
In late November, the Tigers' interim coaching staff was working hard to secure the best class possible, and the hiring of Hugh Freeze helped the squad close strong down the backstretch. Auburn moved up from its No. 39 team ranking in November to No. 16. The commits jumped from 12 to 21, signing nine four-stars.
The flip of strongside defensive end Keldric Faulk from Florida State helped move this class up the rankings, and Faulk’s new status as a five-star made it even better. Auburn signed seven Rivals250 players.
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GEORGIA
The Bulldogs were one of the strongest closers in this cycle, landing six commits in the final month leading up to the Early Signing Period. That close included three five-stars: Damon Wilson, Samuel M’Pemba and a new member to the club, defensive tackle Jordan Hall.
The final rankings cut included 13 Georgia signees in the Rivals100. The new additions to the 100 heading to Athens were linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson, safety Joenel Aguero, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and tight end Pearce Spurlin.