The 2024 rankings will be updated this week for the first time since August and there are plenty of prospects who have a case to move up to No. 1 in the Rivals250. The national recruiting analysts - Adam Friedman, Adam Gorney and John Garcia Jr. - give their takes on who they think is the most likely move into the No. 1 spot.
*****
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1 in the 2024 Rivals250?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals250 released | Ten biggest movers | Gorney's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
Saturday: Rankings Roundtable
*****
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
*****
FRIEDMAN’S TAKE: Dylan Raiola
It’s hard to pick against Jeremiah Smith right now, but playing devils advocate, I feel like I should pick a quarterback because they almost always go No. 1 in the NFL Draft. Dylan Raiola and Julian Sayin have been going head-to-head for the top spot in the quarterback rankings this cycle and it seemed like Sayin had taken huge steps in his development early this fall. As the season wore on, it has became evident to me that Raiola is more naturally talented and could have a higher ceiling because of where he is at this stage and his development. For that reason, I’ll go with Raiola here, but Smith might be the surest thing in this class.
*****
GARCIA’S TAKE: Jeremiah Smith
I'm not sure I've submitted another answer to this question since being brought on board by Rivals in May. The Ohio State commitment is truly the complete package at the wide receiver position, from size, power, speed and polish -- there isn't a glaring weakness to his game. Even from a mental perspective, Smith is business-oriented, competitive and hungry every time he has the chance to suit up. He's not just a big body out there. Take Friday's state semifinal game for example, Smith threw a long pass to set up the opening score, hauled in a back-shoulder touchdown and even took a direct snap 65 yards to the house untouched. He feels like the safest bet in the 2024 class.
*****
GORNEY’S TAKE: Jeremiah Smith
History would be on the side of taking the best quarterback and automatically putting him at No. 1 or getting a little risky and selecting the best defensive end or offensive tackle and making them the top player in the class.
But prospects like Jeremiah Smith don't come along very often and he's the best player in the class right now. The five-star receiver has played with other five-star receivers and he's been the best one on the field. Smith has rare physical ability, awesome hands and what I love most about him is that he has a high competitiveness level and wants to be great.
I've written many times before that Smith is the best high school receiver since Julio Jones and that worked out pretty well. Smith is special and deserves to be No. 1.
