Rivals Rankings Week: Teams pleased with 2021 release
The initial Rivals100 for the class of 2021 has been released and while it will change dramatically over the next year, it provides a solid framework for certain college programs to like their chances. We outline five teams that should be pleased with how things shook out in this week's rankings release.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK:
Tuesday: 2021 Rivals100 revealed | Vandagriff No. 1 | Mind of Mike
Wednesday: 2021 Offensive position rankings
Thursday: 2021 Defensive position rankings revealed
Friday: 2021 state rankings released
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OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Ohio State has more to be thrilled about than any team, as both of the Buckeyes' two commits not only landed in the Rivals100 but both sit in the top 10. At No. 3 overall, Jack Sawyer is the highest-ranked committed player in the country. Quarterback pledge Kyle McCord checks in at No. 9, giving Ryan Day an incredibly solid base to an important 2021 class. Last year’s coaching change does not seem to have impacted the program’s high-level recruiting, and with a strong 2021 class in the Midwest, the future in Columbus seems bright.
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TEXAS LONGHORNS
Tom Herman’s Longhorns seem to be hitting stride at just the right time. Texas is coming off an appearance in the Big 12 title game and is expected to have a big 2019 season. This all coincides with a strong year in the Lone Star State, which has four players in the top 20, including the No. 5 overall prospect Camer Wheaton. If Texas has another strong year, Herman and company could be poised to cash in massively. Longhorns wide receiver commit Quaydarius Davis checks in at No. 75, which should also make people in Austin smile.
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MIAMI HURRICANES
Savion Collins is the top-ranked Miami commit as things stand. The defensive tackle is included in the initial Rivals100 but the fact that three of the top 20 players in the country hail from Dade County is notable. Add in the fact that Miami Northwestern prospects and UM targets Terrence Lewis and Kamren Kinchens are just outside the Rivals100 and could make a jump when the rankings expand, and the Hurricanes are set up with plenty of advantages.
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NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame is off to as hot a start as any team in the country when it comes to the class of 2021. Three of the Irish’s four commits rank in the Rivals100. The class is headlined by 6-foot-6 offensive lineman Blake Fisher, who starts out as the No. 14 player in the country. The most important member of the class, however, might be quarterback Tyler Buchner, whom Notre Dame dipped into California to add. The foundation is in place for Brian Kelly to land a massive recruiting haul in 2021 if everything stays the course.
** A previous version of this story has Georgia listed based on its Geographical advantages with No. 1 overall player Brock Vandagriff. On Thursday, Vandagriff committed to Oklahoma. The UGA section was removed from the story.