Rivals Rankings Week: Updated 2022 DB rankings
The class of 2022 rankings have been updated following the spring evaluation period, and now we take a closer look at the individual position rankings. At defensive back, there are a total of five five-star prospects, four of whom have already made their commitments.
There was a shake-up at the cornerback position in this update, which resulted in Ohio State commit Jaheim Singletary taking over the top spot in the ranking.
2022 RELEASE: Cornerbacks | Safeties
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Here is the full Rivals Rankings Week schedule:
MONDAY: Five-Star Countdown
TUESDAY: Full Rivals250 revealed
WEDNESDAY: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings
THURSDAY: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings
FRIDAY: State rankings
MORE 2022 RANKINGS RELEASE: Biggest movers in updated Rivals250 | Gorney's thoughts | Meet the new five-stars | Schools most repped in the new R250 | Who should be the top-ranked DT? | What to do with Travis Hunter? | Who should be the top-ranked CB? | How things stand with uncommitted five-stars
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PROGRAMS WITH TOP COMMITS: LSU, Ohio State
There are four five-star defensive backs in the 2022 class already committed to Power Five programs. LSU and Ohio State have a commitment from one five-star apiece along with several four-star commitments.
LSU landed the No. 1 safety in the 2022 class, Jacoby Mathews, back in April. It already had commitments from four-star cornerbacks Laterrance Welch, Marcus Scott II and JaDarian Rhym, each of whom committed to the Tigers in January.
Ohio State, meanwhile, has the No. 1 cornerback prospect in Jaheim Singletary, who ascended to that position in this update. The Buckeyes also got a commitment early in the process from four-star cornerback Jyaire Brown, then added four-star cornerback Ryan Turner and four-star safety Kye Stokes in May.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT TIGERDETAILS.COM
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT BUCKEYEGROVE.COM
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PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Xavier Nwankpa
After originally starting at No. 184 in the first Rivals250 for the 2022 class last August, Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa has risen all the way to No. 35 after the most recent update of that ranking. He now sits as the No. 3 safety in the class.
A throwback safety who puts fear in receivers that come over the middle, Nwankpa showed this spring in 7-on-7 competition that he is more than just a big hitter, playing with great range and showing abilities in both man and zone coverage. Nwankpa was also a standout on the track this spring in both the relays and long jump.
Ohio State has been considered the program to beat in Nwankpa’s recruitment, but he is also scheduled to take official visits to Notre Dame and Texas A&M later this month.
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PROSPECT TO WATCH: Denver Harris
There was a shakeup at the top of the cornerback rankings, with Singletary ascending to the No. 1 spot previously held by Domani Jackson. Houston’s Denver Harris stayed at the second spot on that list, but will have a chance to make his case for the top spot during a senior year that will tell us how he has recovered from last year’s knee injury. That injury has kept Harris out of action for the majority of this offseason, but there is no denying he has the skill set that could eventually see him atop the ranking.
Harris is also the only five-star defensive back who is currently uncommitted. This recruitment looks to be coming down to Alabama, LSU and Texas, with official visits scheduled with the Longhorns and Crimson Tide for later this month.