Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be No. 1 in the 2023 Rivals250?
The postseason rankings update will be released this week. The 2023 class's senior season provided a significant amount of new information, which led to changes throughout the Rivals250.
Arch Manning has held down the top spot in the Rivals250 for the majority of this rankings cycle but there are plenty of challengers. The national recruiting analysts - Clint Cosgrove, Adam Friedman, Adam Gorney, Nick Harris and Ryan Wright - give their takes on who they think should be No. 1 in the new Rivals250.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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COSGROVE'S CASE: Dante Moore
Quarterback is arguably the position of most value when it comes to the NFL draft and one could argue that Moore is the surest thing in a loaded 2023 quarterback class. There are few flaws in the Detroit (Mich.) MLK signal caller's game and Moore checks every box when it comes to what you are looking for in a big-time quarterback at the college level and beyond.
Moore is a proven winner, accurate passer, has an abundance of arm talent and possesses every intangible that you are looking for in a difference maker behind center. The entire Oregon program should be in good shape for years to come with a player of Moore's caliber leading the way.
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FRIEDMAN'S TAKE: Kadyn Proctor
If No. 1 in the Rivals250 isn't a quarterback (the most valuable position in the NFL), I think it has to be the the second-most valuable position in the NFL: offensive tackle. Proctor is the best offensive lineman in the nation and he has the potential to be a franchise offensive tackle in the NFL. His size, athleticism, and aggressiveness all translate so well to the college game. It will be interesting to see how Proctor develops once he gets to Iowa but he's on track to be a multi-year starter.
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GORNEY'S TAKE: Nico Iamaleava
Iamaleava might already be the top prospect in this class and that argument can be further advanced since rankings are based on college potential and NFL Draft expectations. The Tennessee commit has such an incredibly live arm that he's learned to control and dial back when needed, he has phenomenal size and athletic ability and he's going to be a perfect fit in what coach Josh Heupel is looking to do in Knoxville. Anticipation is something that Iamaleava is so phenomenal at and it comes naturally to him to see what's about to happen on the field and be one step ahead of it. Then he has the physical tools to do whatever he wants in or out of the pocket. From his leadership to his playmaking ability to his maturity at the position, an easy argument could be made for Iamaleava to be the top player in the rankings.
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HARRIS' TAKE: Arch Manning
Any doubters left going into Manning’s senior season may need to re-evaluate their stance after his final campaign. Despite a supporting cast on offense that may only be good enough on its own to crawl to a .500 season, Manning was still able to show efficiency while working under pressure for the entirety of the season. Compared to his junior season, the game processing and decision-making was noticeably improved, resulting in a final turnover tally that only saw him throw two interceptions in his final game. Manning has the physical profile, the production and the mental game to be not only the best player in this class, but one of the best quarterbacks to ever come out of the high school ranks.
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WRIGHT'S TAKE: Cormani McClain
The truly special players have the gift that cannot be taught, that extra something special on the field. McClain has all the tools. He is the rare corner with size, speed and skills who can shut down an entire side of the field. As talented as he is, McClain’s game will continue to grow at Miami as his route recognition and skills get tested week after week against the ACC’s top receivers. McClain can be one of those first off the board players in the draft if he stays focused on his game.