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Rivals Roundtable: Which 2023 prospect deserves bump into Rivals250?

Jermaine Mathews
Jermaine Mathews (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

The football season is nearing its midpoint for many players and the Rivals national analyst team is constantly monitoring the development of prospects around the country.

National recruiting analysts Clint Cosgrove, Adam Friedman, Adam Gorney, Nick Harris and Ryan Wright offer their opinions about which prospect needs to be in the 2023 Rivals250 that isn't right now.

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MORE: Five intense East Coast recruiting battles | Mid-South

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100

TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board

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  COSGROVE'S TAKE: Jermaine Mathews  

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Ohio State commit Jermaine Mathews is a dynamic player who had previously been in the Rivals250 prior to just missing the cut during our most recent rankings update. His combination of elite speed, big-time frame, coverage ability and swagger make him a player who has earned the right to be included among our list of the nation's elite recruits.

Mathews was extremely impressive during the Rivals Camp Series in Indianapolis and has been phenomenal early on this season. Look for him to make the cut in our next Rivals250 release.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT DOTTINGTHEEYES.COM

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FRIEDMAN'S TAKE: Daevin Hobbs

Daevin Hobbs has been dominant this season. The development he has shown from a technical and physical perspective since he burst onto the scene this spring at the Charlotte Rivals Camp has been extremely impressive. He's close to 270 pounds now and uses that added strength to throw opposing players to the side.

Hobbs is playing on both sides of the ball too, showing how effective he can be as a tight end or defensive lineman. His natural athleticism and quickness always gave him a leg up on the competition, but his additional mass and strength have made him much more effective and efficient.

Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama are the main contenders Hobbs is considering.

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GORNEY'S TAKE: Mikey Matthews 

Mikey Matthews, a high three-star receiver from Mission Viejo, Calif., had a strong summer and that has now continued into an excellent senior season as a versatile player who can be used all over the offense.

Matthews is best lining up in the slot, using his speed and outstanding ability to shake defenders and then gain chunk yards in the process. He’s fast, has great hands and makes really tough catches look easy. But Matthews’ greatest trait is when he catches the ball and looks pinned down by defenders to sneak through for extra yards. When Matthews has the ball in his hands, there’s no easy way to get him down.

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HARRIS' TAKE: Jonah Wilson

Four-star wide receiver Jonah Wilson has had a big start to his senior season, and it comes as a bit of a surprise to me. Wilson was someone I thought I had pinned down as a safe four-star prospect that fell just outside of the Rivals250, but there have been some clear improvements in his game that warrant a bump into the ranking.

Coming into the season, Wilson had shown an ability to have a big receiving performance, but it lacked any consistency. In two seasons as a starter, Wilson had just two games with more than 100 receiving yards, but so far through four games in 2022 Wilson has matched that total while also notching his first career 200-yard performance.

In Dekaney's first four games, Wilson has hauled in 31 receptions for 546 yards and five touchdowns. His yardage is already a career high and his reception total is just three off of his career-high total from 2021. If Wilson can maintain his high level of play and show that consistency over the course of the year, the Texas commit will be a surefire riser into the Rivals250 before signing day.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT ORANGEBLOODS.COM

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WRIGHT'S TAKE: Jordan Hall 

A case can be made for Jacksonville’s Westside High School defensive tackle Jordan Hall to be in the Rivals250. Hall has all the measurements (6-5, 305) and physical characteristics of a dominating tackle at the next level and is showing that on the Florida gridirons.

The four-star is quick off the snap, routinely taking on double teams while collapsing the pocket with his arm extension and leg drive. If he’s not moving a QB off his mark with his rush, he is affecting passing lanes getting his arms up to knock down passes. His presence gets opposing quarterbacks to rush their throws and progressions.

The Florida Gators got Hall on campus for a game this fall with Georgia lining up to host him twice, one on an official visit. Possible other official visits include LSU, Oregon, Michigan State, Michigan, USC and Oregon.

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