Published Feb 19, 2022
Rivals Rankings Week: Who will be the next big Rivals250 riser?
Staff
Rivals.com

Rivals Rankings Week came to a close on Friday with the release of the updated state rankings but our work isn't done. Everybody is always looking forward to the next rankings update. Our analyst team gives their predictions on which Rivals250 prospect could be a big riser in the next rankings refresh.

Advertisement

FRIEDMAN'S TAKE: Stephiylan Green

I was tempted to pick Damon Wilson, who I think could still be a riser in the next Rivals250 despite currently sitting just outside the top 50, but Stephiylan Green really deserves more respect in the rankings as an interior defensive lineman. There aren't nearly as many dominant defensive tackles in this class like there were last year with Walter Nolen, Travis Shaw and Bear Alexander but Green has a chance to jump way up in the next rankings update. It's been difficult to really gauge where he is in his development without an up close look at him but that's something we hope to remedy this spring. Green is a bull on film. He has the ability to put even the biggest offensive lineman on skates but he has the quickness and hand techniques to get by the more advanced linemen he faces. Green has the motor and overall speed to chase down ball carriers on short passes or runs to the outside, something not many interior defensive linemen can do.

*****  

GORNEY'S TAKE: A'mauri Washington

A'mauri Washington is originally from Oak Park, Mich., and is now at Chandler, Ariz., and while there was an adjustment period, Washington is hitting his stride and could end up among the top defensive tackles in the country. He's already 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, is super physical and fast and plays with an attitude where he's not going to be handled by anybody. Once we see him more regularly at events and up against the best interior offensive linemen in the 2023 class, Washington is someone who could easily move way up the rankings and possibly into the top 100. Ohio State is one team to watch but Oklahoma and LSU just offered so things continue to stay busy in recruiting.

*****  

WRIGHT'S TAKE: Tyler Williams

Tyler Williams is a four-star for good reason, and those reasons have a chance to be on display this offseason at national and college camps helping make the case for his rise in the Rivals250. All the tools are there for Williams to be mentioned among the most dominating in his class. At 6-foot, 5-inches, defensive backs do not stand a chance, especially in the red zone. Some taller receivers are not as smooth with their releases or getting in out of their breaks, that’s not a problem for Williams. The speed is also there for the Lakeland product. The good thing, scouts just want to see more of Williams in action.

*****

COSGROVE'S TAKE: Kaden Feagin

Kaden Feagin is as physically impressive of a prospect that you will find in the 2023 class. At 6-foot-2 240 pounds, this is a big man that can flat out move and has a dynamic skill-set typically only seen from skill position players half his size. He is strong, has great feet and phenomenal top end speed rarely seen from a player carrying his weight. He has a great burst and once the ball is in his hands, Feagin will outrun every player on the field more often than not.

At No.168 in the latest Rivals250, Feagin has a respectable ranking, but he is probably a little lower than he deserves to be due to factors out of his control. Feagin's high school is a little off the beaten path, we aren't sure what position he will play at the next level, and few national analysts have had the chance to see what he is capable of in person. Once Feagin has an opportunity to compete in camps or other events that will give him increased exposure from a national perspective, the Illinois athlete is sure to rise when the next Rivals250 is released. The real question is how high can he go in the rankings. Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame and Michigan are just a few teams to watch in his recruitment.