Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be No. 1 in 2021?
During each ranking release, the Rivals team of analysts discuss every prospect at every position, which ultimately leads to the No. 1 spot. There are, of course, rarely guarantees when it comes to the top overall prospect.
In today's Making the Case, regional analysts Sam Spiegelman (South Central), Chad Simmons (Southeast) and Adam Gorney (West Coast) debate three candidates for the top spot in the Rivals250 for the 2021 class.
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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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GORNEY'S VIEW: Korey Foreman
Foreman was the No. 1 prospect heading into this new rankings release and he hasn't played any football because of the COVID-19 shutdown in California so he should not be penalized. The five-star defensive end has been working out and competing at Winner Circle events where there are 1-on-1 and some padded events but Foreman is not being gauged against elite, national talent in those settings or during a regular senior season. Still, Foreman has incredible athleticism off the edge and toughness that is rare for a player at his level. He reminds me of Chase Young and that's a pretty good comparison since Young was so dominant at Ohio State and was the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Many other players have had senior seasons and have performed so well so that might hurt Foreman a little bit but if he could play, he would, and so Foreman should stay atop the rankings. - Adam Gorney, National recruiting analyst
SIMMONS' VIEW: Amarius Mims
Mims has been in the conversation for the top spot in the 2021 rankings for over a year, and he has done nothing to take his name out of that discussion. He looks like he is preparing for the NFL Draft, not college, when you look at him physically. The Georgia commit is also very athletic and he plays a premiere position. The question around Mims has always been the competition he plays, but he has been dominant this season and really taken the next step as a leader and in the consistency department. He is up against some elite players, no doubt about that, but Mims is a freak in this class with as much upside and potential as anyone. - Chad Simmons, Southeast recruiting analyst
SPIEGELMAN'S VIEW: Maason Smith
Smith is the top-ranked defensive tackle in the 2021 class and has only furthered his claim to that spot with another productive high school football season. The big man on the Bayou is close to announcing in favor of Georgia, Alabama or LSU, which means we can expect to see Smith playing in the SEC on Saturdays in the near future. Smith shed about 40 pounds this offseason and it's showing in his game. He's quick off the ball and can line up at multiple positions along the defensive line. As a 3-tech, he's explosive, excessively powerful and uniquely athletic for a 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame. When it comes to first-round talent, look no further than an interior defensive lineman that can get after quarterbacks and commands double- and triple-teams week-to-week. Smith has a strong case to be the nation's top overall prospect. - Sam Spiegelman, South Central recruiting analyst