Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be the top prospect in 2022?

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 player.

In today's Making the Case, regional analysts Sam Spiegelman (South Central), Chad Simmons (Southeast), Adam Gorney (West Coast) and Mike Farrell (National) debate four candidates as the nation's No. 1 overall prospect following their junior seasons.

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FACT OR FICTION: Harrison Bailey gives the Vols hope

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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"A case can be made for Julian Armella to be No. 1 overall as he’s re-shaped his body tremendously with hard work and it paid off this season with some dominant performances. He’s aggressive, long and has excellent feet but it’s his leadership and nasty demeanor that stand out to me.” - Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director

"What a roller-coaster of a 2020 for Ewers, who debuted as the No. 1 quarterback in the previous Rivals250 update for the 2022 class. Ewers, who committed to Texas in August and has since locked in with Ohio State. Ewers has a massive arm with a smooth, natural delivery and accuracy to place the ball anywhere on the field. He has fantastic timing with his passes and has a knack for evading pressure both inside the pocket and as he ventures outside of it. Ewers is increasingly mobile, which is where his background on the baseball diamond shows, and even more importantly than that, he maintains poise throughout games." - Sam Spiegelman, South Central analyst

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"In a recruiting cycle where there is not an absolutely clear No. 1 prospect, Domani Jackson should receive as much consideration as anybody else and could end up as the top prospect in this group. He is a big, physical cornerback with speed and that's the complete package. The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout is super competitive, super physical throughout the route and he has that mental edge where he's not going to back down to anybody. If anything, Jackson seeks out the best competition so he can shut them down and then get in their ear about it. He also looks great physically, doesn't need to get any bigger for college and has the makings of a future star. USC has to be considered a front-runner for him but Ohio State and Michigan are also very high and Arizona State, Clemson and Oklahoma round out his top six. - Adam Gorney, National and West analyst

"Nolen is a terror up front on the defensive line. He is so athletic, and that jumps out immediately. He is quick off the ball, he can re-direct, he gets into the backfield quickly, and he still has so much room to develop as a player. He moved to Tennessee for his junior year and only played about half a season due to COVID-19 and a minor injury, but when he was on the field, he made plays like five-stars make. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee are just some that are in pursuit. - Chad Simmons, Southeast analyst