RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK:
Monday: Top 10 revealed
Tuesday: Rivals100 revealed | Mind of Mike
Wednesday: Rivals250 revealed
Thursday-Friday: Updated position rankings
Saturday: Team rankings analysis
Sunday: Updated state rankings
The latest Rivals100 for the class of 2020 has been released with some big changes outside the Top 10 and four new five-star prospects. Here’s a breakdown and analysis on the new five-stars.
The top four remain the same, led by quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei who remains No. 1 in the country and will be tough to knock off the top spot. Running back Zachary Evans, linebacker Justin Flowe and defensive back Elias Ricks round out the top four while offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. moves up two spots to No. 5. Ricks is a verbal commitment to LSU while Johnson Jr. is committed to Ohio State.
Rounding out the Top 10 are defensive end Bryan Bresee, athlete Arik Gilbert, defensive end Sav’ell Smalls, defensive back Kelee Ringo and offensive guard Justin Rogers. Rogers, who was dominant at defensive tackle at the Under Armour Future 50, moved up four spots into the national Top 10.
Some of the biggest moves were made outside the Top 10 when it comes to the five-stars, especially among the new fives. Jordan Burch, a defensive end from South Carolina, Demarkcus Bowman, a running back from Florida, Chris Braswell, a linebacker from Maryland and Reggie Grimes, a linebacker from Tennessee are new five stars in this release. Our analysts break down what makes them special.
“Burch is impressive across the board as a defensive end. He is a big athlete with a great frame and he can run, but while playing in odd man front in high school, he has shown power at the point of attack to play the run. Most would look at him and think pass rusher, but he is more than that. He is quick off the ball and he can close on the quarterback, but he is a three-down defensive end that has real upside. He is a consistent player, he is smart and it is easy to see why Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina among others are in pursuit.” – Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
“It’s hard to argue with Bowman’s body of work at this juncture. The stocky back runs with incredible power for his limited height and there’s no room to question his speed. Bowman had an incredible senior season and his performance in the Florida State Championship game against a stout defense full of FBS prospects put him over the edge. Bowman is a rare talent, as his blend of power and speed doesn’t come around often. It’s simply becoming difficult to find a hole in his game. Florida is his leader right now but Georgia and Clemson are also very much in the mix.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst
“Braswell normally plays defensive end for his team but his natural athleticism makes him a perfect fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. The Alabama commit's frame is still very lean but he plays with excellent physicality and moves very well in the open field. At the Under Armour Future 50 combine Braswell really impressed with his coverage skills in the one-on-one and 7-on-7 setting. We already know how he can destroy offensive game plans by being a constant presence in the backfield, but the added benefits of him being able to cover in space earned him his fifth star.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
“Grimes is a big athlete that you see make plays on end-arounds and pass plays down the field against smaller linebackers or defensive backs, but his future is on the defensive side of the ball. He is a defender that can project as a defensive end or stand-up linebacker on the next level. He has great length, he has shown the ability to bend and get around the corner as a pass rusher, and if he doesn't get the sack, he can get his hands up in passing lanes.
"Once he is able to go full-time on the defensive side of the ball, he is only going to get better. Grimes is an Alabama legacy, so the Crimson Tide could be favorites, but Clemson, Tennessee and others are still in play.” -- Simmons
