Rivals Rankings Week: How we will remember the 2023 class

The Rivals250 received its final update this week as the February National Signing Day is quickly approaching. In less than a week, the class of 2023 will mostly be complete as we have passed through yet another recruiting cycle full of storylines and talking points that kept recruiting fans intrigued from start to finish.

As we look back on this class in the future, here is how Rivals will remember the 2023 cycle.

FINAL 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Defensive tackles | Strongside defensive ends | Weakside defensive ends | 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 | Five teams that should be most pleased with new ranking | Which QBs are best fits for future team? | Which RBs are best fits for future team? | Which WRs are best fits for future team? | Which O-linemen are best fits for future team?

Thursday: Defensive position rankings released | Which D-linemen are best fits for future team?

Friday: State rankings released

Saturday: JUCO rankings

Sunday: Transfer portal team rankings

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There has never been a cycle that was able to use the phrase "flip season" more than this one, as buzz around the entire country created a series of flips leading into the December National Signing Day that will be tough to replicate.

Of the 32 five-star prospects, there were eight flips (two included for Peyton Bowen) in the fall leading into the Early Signing Period. Further into the Rivals100, 15 flip commitments transpired with the nation's top 100 prospects.

What could be the reason for this?

I think the first argument that could be made is the development of NIL and how it can be used as a recruiting tool to reel in a recruit that previously would have had zero interest in a school. When those things get put on the table, all bets are off and recruiting becomes a free-for-all, even for a team that has had a prospect committed for months or even years.

While the coaching carousel became a big reason for flips in the 2022 cycle, that didn't carry over into 2023 as few coaching changes initiated major flips outside of former Louisville commit Rueben Owens II deciding to bolt to Texas A&M after Scott Satterfield left for Cincinnati.

Regardless, the flip mania leading into the Early Signing Period was legendary compared with past cycles. Even if that becomes the norm in the NIL era, the 2023 cycle will still be remembered as the first that caused so much chaos.

From the class of 2023's debut in 2019, the quarterback talent in the class has always been a talking point. That remained the same as the class wrapped up as multiple high-level signal-callers maintained positioning among the nation's top overall prospects.

In the 2023 class, five quarterbacks will finish with five-star ratings, which is tied with the class of 2021 for the most in Rivals' history. Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Dante Moore, Malachi Nelson and Jackson Arnold make up the elite group of signal-callers that will leave a big mark on how the 2023 class will be remembered.

As the cycle went on, conversations among analysts and fans alike regarding the nation's top quarterbacks remained consistent, especially with Manning's presence in the class. With his last name and consistent high ranking, comparing the New Orleans product with the other top quarterbacks became a popular topic, especially after his decision to not compete at Rivals camps, the Elite 11 or in any postseason all-star events.

Moving forward at the next level, each of these five quarterbacks will have a big spotlight on them as they compete against the others for national championships, Heisman Trophy awards and NFL Draft positioning when that time comes.

As time has gone on, the importance of reliable pass rushers both in the college and NFL games have only increased as dominant defensive linemen have emerged as some of the NFL's most valuable players. As a result, a trickle-down effect has created an increased importance in recruiting defensive linemen, and the supply was able to match the demand in the 2023 cycle.

A whopping 27 defensive line prospects finished inside the Rivals100, which is tied with the 2010 class as the most of all-time. Of those 27, 10 will finish with five-star ratings.

The dominance on the defensive front was a popular topic amid the postseason all-star game run as well, as David Hicks Jr., Keon Keeley and Peter Woods all increased their stock with monstrous performances in December and January. If there was a position group to point to that had the best overall performance through the postseason run, defensive line would take that honor in a landslide.

Alongside the loaded quarterback group, the defensive line crop in 2023 will also continue to compete with each other for various awards and honors, ending with NFL Draft positioning in three-to-four years.

Every other cycle or so, a state outside of the usual suspects bubbles to the surface with a more-talented-than-usual class, and this cycle features a clear candidate in the state of Alabama. In the 2023 cycle, The Yellowhammer State boasts 24 four-star-or-higher prospects, the highest in state history. Included in that group are three five-star defensive linemen that make up the most dominant position group haul that the state has ever seen.

The talent in the class was especially present during the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game in early December, which is typically an event that has a relatively even playing field, but this cycle's version saw Alabama completely dominant all facets.

The talent is not just on the defensive line, either. Whether it be Clemson quarterback signee Christopher Vizzina, Georgia cornerback signee AJ Harris or Alabama offensive tackle signee Wilkin Formby, the talent on both sides of the ball is large within state borders.