MORE: Updated Rivals100 for class of 2017
The latest Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2017 has been released there have been many big changes. We have five new five-star prospects and three players that lost that coveted fifth star. In addition, there are numerous moves inside the Rival100. But once again, Antioch, Calif. running back Najee Harris remains our No. 1 prospect.
Harris, an Alabama commitment and the best running back prospect I’ve seen since Leonard Fournette and in the discussion with former high school greats like Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, had a stellar senior season and remains No. 1, followed by Houston (Texas) Episcopal defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and Graham (Wash.) Graham-Kapowsin offensive tackle Foster Sarell. After that, there is some shuffling.
Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Davis Mills (Stanford commit) moved up to No. 4 in the country and leapfrogs Brownsburg, Ind. signal caller Hunter Johnson (Clemson) at No. 1 at pro-style quarterback. Kennedale, Texas linebacker Baron Browning (Ohio State) rounds out the top five.
Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, Johnson, Clinton, Miss. Running back Cam Akers, Clairton, Pa. cornerback Lamont Wade and Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake cornerback AJ Terrell (Clemson) round out the top 10.
Big moves were made by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) from Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch (up 14 spots), Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive end Josh Kaindoh (up nine spots) and Redlands (Calif.) East Valley defensive end Jaelan Phillips (UCLA and up six spots) but the biggest moves are addressed below.
Here’s a look from our team of analysts at the new five-stars, the three that lost that fifth star and a few of the prospects making a jump of 25 or more spots within or into the Rivals100.
NEW FIVE-STARS
Analyst's take: “Higgins has been flirting with five-star status since the initial 2017 rankings were released last year. He finally got the nudge over the top after another excellent year that saw him star on both sides of the ball. The Clemson commit has drawn comparisons to everyone from current Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams to NFL stars like A.J. Green. We think he has the potential to get to that level and that's why we made the move to make him a five-star.” – Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Analyst's take: “Anthony is the most active member of an IMG defense that might just be the nation’s best. He moves incredibly well laterally and is a versatile player that shined as a running back before moving to linebacker full time. He’s as disruptive a linebacker as there is in the class and seems to be in the backfield on most snaps. Michigan, Maryland and Auburn are in the hunt to land Anthony, who seems to be a Wolverines lean.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Analyst's take: “Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell, who likes Mond’s ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing, drove the IMG quarterback’s move to five stars. Mond had solid size and is a bit taller than most college quarterbacks with his impressive scrambling ability. He also boasts a live arm and impressive footwork. Mond is committed to Texas A&M.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Analyst's take: “Stevens has always been a versatile athlete, but after fully embracing the safety position over the past year, he has really blossomed into a star. He's played both ways on a team that reached the state championship at Tennessee's highest classification and projects to be next start to come out of the LSU secondary.” – Wommack
Analyst's take: “In a year where elite defensive tackles are hard to come by, one look at Solomon and you can see that he's got the potential to be a special talent. After playing both ways as a junior, he has excelled while focusing solely on defensive line as a senior. He's a big body that can move and create problems as a pass-rusher as well as stop the run, something that is hard to find in a player his size. Michigan, Georgia and Alabama are among the schools battling for his services.” - Wommack
LOST FIFTH STAR
Analyst's take: “Parks still has an incredible build and massive upside. He’ll likely be a star at the college level, but he hasn’t become quite as explosive or complete as many had hoped. Parks is taking a number of visits but will likely land at Florida State, Alabama or Florida.” – Cassidy
Analyst's take: “McBride is still one of the best pure athletes in his class, regardless of position, but after missing his entire junior year due to a non-football injury, he is still finding his way back in terms of development. With his speed, he is best suited to play in space and depending on where he attends college -- Oregon, Auburn and Georgia appear to be his finalists -- he could easily have an All-American type career.” - Wommack
Analyst's take: “Collins has incredible size but sometimes vanishes in games, struggling to get separation at times. He’s a big-time prospect for sure, but there are more sudden, explosive wide receivers in the country. Collins likes Michigan, but Alabama and Auburn are also in play.” – Cassidy
BIG MOVERS
Movement: +91 spots
Analyst's take: “Just turn on the tape of Gorman's win over Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas this season and you'll see a snippet of why Bolden has proven to be one of the best safeties in the country. He has tremendous instincts, he's a playmaker and Bolden can also come down and deliver a big hit to separate the ball from the receiver. Reading and reacting is so important for defensive backs and Bolden trusts his eyes and then goes and makes the play. Ohio State, USC, UCLA and others remain involved in his recruitment.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst
Movement: +26 spots
Analyst's take: “Delpit’s length allows him to close quickly and he showed that ability all season. His reputation as big hitter is earned and he’s becoming more comfortable breaking on the ball. Delpit is committed to LSU.” – Cassidy
Movement: +36 spots
Analyst's take: “After decommitting from Iowa, Benjamin recently visited Utah and is set to commit at the U.S. Army All-America Game. He saw a big rise after a senior season where he led his high school team's offense by running the ball for over 2,600 yards and 32 touchdowns. He's a stout, quick and assertive runner that will easily find success as a three-down back in college.” – Nick Krueger, Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst
Movement: +41 spots
Analyst's take: “Ruiz boasts an incredibly strong upper body with massive legs and a great base. Still, his true worth is in his versatility. He can easily play guard at the next level but is also capable of remaining at center, where he has a heap of experience. Ruiz will likely go north for college. Michigan is the heavy favorite to land his pledge, but North Carolina and Penn State are also options.” – Cassidy
Movement: +34 spots
Analyst's take: “The 2017 wide receiver class in the state of Ohio may be its best of the last decade, and Davis has proven to us he is the best pure pass-catcher of the group. Not only does he possesses great size and speed, but he tracks the ball extremely well, has uncanny athleticism and is dangerous with the football after the catch. Davis lists a top five of Kentucky, Oregon, Penn State, West Virginia and Wisconsin.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Movement: +36 spots
Analyst's take: “Florida made Blades a big-time priority this offseason and the reason why is because he has tremendous size and length at cornerback and he's an aggressive ballhawk on the outside. I'm not saying he's the next Jalen Tabor or Quincy Wilson but he absolutely has that type of potential and ability and that's why the Gators like him so much. Blades can run with any receiver, he's super athletic to go up and contest the ball and he is also physical. Florida has his commitment, but USC is not giving up and the Trojans are pushing hard.” – Gorney
Movement: +73 spots
Analyst's take: “Pola-Mao is why we have the 'athlete' category because he excels at both receiver and safety and, at 6-foot-4 and just under 200 pounds, he could thrive on either side of the ball. At safety, Pola-Mao closes really well, delivers big hits and reads plays quickly to stifle the offense. Because of his size, he contests the deep ball all the time. At receiver, Pola-Mao can get open against nearly anybody, he uses his length to his advantage and he has the speed to stretch the field. Washington, Arizona State, USC and others remain involved in his recruitment.” – Gorney