Rivals100 Risers: Why they moved
Rivals.com's experts have had several opportunities for in-person evaluations of the nation's top prospects at various events in recent months. We take a closer look at the big movers in the updated Rivals100 and break down exactly why they rose in the rankings.
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NEW FIVE-STAR RECRUITS ARE DENOTED BY AN ASTERISK.
RIVALS100 RISERS: WHY THEY MOVED
RB TRENT RICHARDSON*, Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia
THE PARTICULARS: 5-11/210
THE MOVE: From 27th to 11th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Film only.
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Florida's Friday Night Lights camp
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every
EVERY'S TAKE: Richardson, who has committed to Alabama, was very light on his feet at Friday Night Lights in Gainesville, Fla. He had a good change of direction and surprisingly soft hands for the most muscular back I have ever seen.
DT SHELDON RICHARDSON*, St. Louis Gateway
THE PARTICULARS: 6-4/292
THE MOVE: From 88th to 22nd
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Missouri 2007 summer camp, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Missouri summer camp
EVALUATED BY: Jeremy Crabtree
CRABTREE'S TAKE: Richardson showed up at Missouri's camp and proved he's one of the nation's truly elite players. He measured 6-3¾ and 292 pounds – then ran a 4.7 40.
RB CHRISTINE MICHAEL*, Beaumont (Texas) Westbrook
THE PARTICULARS: 5-11/202
THE MOVE: From 59th to 23rd
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Texas 7-on-7 State Championships, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: FBU Top Gun Camp
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every, Jeremy Crabtree, Jamie Newberg, Barton Simmons.
EVERY'S TAKE: At the FBU Camp, Michael displayed superior speed and outstanding change of direction. Still, probably the most impressive aspect of his game was his attitude and his effort level on each practice rep.
TE LOGAN THOMAS*, Lynchburg (Va.) Brookville
THE PARTICULARS: 6-6/233
THE MOVE: From 32nd to 24th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Chapel Hill Nike Camp, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: FBU Top Gun Camp
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every, Jeremy Crabtree, Jamie Newberg
EVERY'S TAKE: A great athlete. He has a frame that can easily hold 250-plus pounds. He also catches everything with his hands and will be a mismatch for a safety or linebacker.
CB BRANDEN SMITH, Atlanta Washington
THE PARTICULARS: 5-11/171
THE MOVE: From 54th to 27th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Tee Martin Playmaker Camp, LSU Prospect Camp
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every, Barton Simmons
EVERY'S TAKE: Smith possesses hips on a swivel and superior change of direction. He easily is one of the fastest corners in the country.
RB Edwin Baker, Oak Hill (Mich.) High
THE PARTICULARS: 5-10/204
THE MOVE: From 62nd to 40th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Film.
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: FBU Top Gun Camp
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every, Jeremy Crabtree, Jamie Newberg.
EVERY'S TAKE: Baker, who has committed to Michigan State, looks the part of his nickname: "Rock." He has a tremendous work ethic, good speed, and an excellent change of direction.
OT CHRIS FAULK, Slidell (La.) Northshore
THE PARTICULARS: 6-6/305
THE MOVE: From 178th to 41st.
PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS: Film.
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: LSU Prospect Camp
EVALUATED BY: Barton Simmons
SIMMONS' TAKE: He was the best player at a loaded LSU prospect camp. He performed at a high level all week and backed up his performance with some outstanding testing numbers.
WR ALSHON JEFFREY, St. Matthews (S.C.) Calhoun Co.
THE PARTICULARS: 6-3/215
THE MOVE: From 107th to 51st.
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Chapel Hill Nike Training Camp
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: USC Rising Star Camp
EVALUATED BY: Jeremy Crabtree
CRABTREE'S TAKE: Jeffrey, who has committed to Pete Carroll and the Trojans, was the go-to-guy at receiver at USC's loaded Rising Star Camp. He made several amazing catches on deep patterns, including one route where he burned a defensive back on a post-corner.
QB RICHARD BREHAUT, Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos
THE PARTICULARS: 6-2/215
THE MOVE: From 137th to 53rd
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Palo Alto Nike Camp, Berkely Elite 11 workout
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Elite 11
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every
EVERY'S TAKE: Brehaut - a UCLA commitment - was the most accurate quarterback over the four days at the Elite 11, and he exudes leadership skills.
QB TYRIK ROLLISON, Sulphur Springs (Texas) High
THE PARTICULARS: 6-2/185
THE MOVE: From 101st to 55th.
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Film.
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Texas 7-on-7 State Championships
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every, Barton Simmons
EVERY'S TAKE: Rollison sees the whole field, and when he makes that decision to let it go, the ball is out like a cannon shot. He uses tremendous pocket presence and a quick release to catch defenders off-guard.
S T.J. MCDONALD, Fresno (Calif.) Edison
THE PARTICULARS: 6-2/200
THE MOVE: From 115th to 72nd
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Rivals.com Five Star Academy, 2007 Los Angeles Nike Camp, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: USC Rising Star Camp, FBU Top Gun Camp
EVALUATED BY: Jeremy Crabtree
CRABTREE'S TAKE: At both the USC Rising Star Camp and the Top Gun Camp, McDonald – another USC commitment – showed that he is a physical defensive back. But he doesn't have trouble hanging with speedier receivers, either.
QB TAJH BOYD, Hampton (Va.) Phoebus
THE PARTICULARS: 6-1/210
THE MOVE: From 124th to 80th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Ultimate 100 Camp, U.S. Army National Combine, Chapel Hill NIKE Camp, State College Elite 11 Regional Camp, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: FBU Top Gun Camp, EA Sports Elite 11
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every
EVERY'S TAKE: Boyd, who is headed to West Virginia, is physically ready to play now. He was quick feet, and also has the decision-making skills to throw first and run second. His accuracy was above average. Boyd can also be classified as a natural leader.
QB AJ MCCARRON, Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's
THE PARTICULARS: 6-4/189
THE MOVE: From 135th to 89th
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Elite 11 Regional Camp in Las Vegas, film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: EA Sports Elite 11
EVALUATED BY: Barry Every
EVERY'S TAKE: This tall, thin Alabama commit possesses a Dan Marino-type release. He showed good arm strength and accuracy on short and mid-range passes. McCarron also was above average in his drops and footwork.
S BYRON MOORE, Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne
THE PARTICULARS: 6-1/188
THE MOVE: From 193rd to 93rd
PREVIOUS EVALUATION: Los Angeles NIKE Camp, Film
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: USC Rising Star Camp, Top Gun Camp
EVALUATED BY: Jeremy Crabtree
CRABTREE'S TAKE: The USC commitment starred at the USC Rising Star Camp. He was all over the field in run-support situations and was rarely beaten in one-on-ones.
S JAWANZA STARLING, Tallahassee Lincoln
THE PARTICULARS: 6-2/195
THE MOVE: From 220th to 100th
MOST RECENT EVALUATION: Film evaluation
EVALUATED BY: Barton Simmons
SIMMONS' TAKE: Starling shows fluidity in and out of his backpedal, a physical mind-set and phenomenal instincts.
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