Rivals Rankings Week: Who will be the next five-star LB in 2022?
The new 2022 Rivals250 is out and six of the top 50 players are linebackers. CJ Hicks and Shawn Murphy are already five-stars and the other three have a real shot at earning their fifth star later in the evaluation process. Rivals.com analysts Mike Farrell, Adam Friedman and Josh Helmholdt make their cases for who they think will be the next five-star linebacker in the 2022 class.
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE
MONDAY: Who should be No. 1 in 2022? | Who should be the top QB? | Who should be the top OT?
TUESDAY: Rivals250 revealed | Four prospects earn fifth star | Mike Farrell's thoughts | Who should be the top APB? | Top CB class ever?
WEDNESDAY: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings
THURSDAY: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings
FRIDAY: State rankings spotlight
FARRELL'S VIEW: Gabe Powers
“I love Powers and think he should be a five-star already based on film. This is a kid who can rush the passer, anticipate the play, run things down and disrupt in the passing game. He’s a freak of nature and has some of the best linebacker film I’ve seen. The Ohio State commit is more developed already than some higher rated players in this class but they might have a slightly higher ceiling.” - Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director
FRIEDMAN'S VIEW: Jaishawn Barham
“Barham is a thickly built linebacker that could play on the inside or outside. He's a very physical tackler and does a good job reading and reacting quickly. What makes him special is how well he moves for a bigger linebacker. If he can keep his speed and athleticism as he continues to add mass, Barham could turn out to be one of the best in this class.
"Barham’s offer sheet features many of the nation's top programs but he hasn’t really identified his top contenders yet. He has interest in Maryland, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and a few others.” - Adam Friedman, Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst
HELMHOLDT'S VIEW: Dasan McCullough
“A top five-ranked outside linebacker in a deep year for the position, Kansas City-area four-star Dasan McCullough has actually not played the position in high school. He lines up at safety for Blue Valley North and plays that role with tremendous range and athleticism, but at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds he still has plenty of room to add to his frame. If McCullough does show he can manage the physical aspects of the linebacker position and maintain his elite athleticism, five stars may be in his future.
"He released a top 10 in June and committed to Ohio State this week.” - Josh Helmholdt, Midwest recruiting analyst