Rivals250: Risers and Sliders
The summer evaluation period is finished and the high school season is upon us so there is no better time to release a new set of rankings.
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On Monday, the Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour was released with a new No. 1 in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star quarterback Shea Patterson grabbing the top spot. He was followed by defensive tackles Rashan Gary and Dexter Lawrence, the former top-rated player, Offensive tackle Gregory Little and outside linebacker Mique Juarez rounded out the top five.
Here is a look at the updated Rivals250 with analysis of risers and sliders. After a summer filled with 7-on-7 tournaments, camps and major events, including the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour in Baltimore there were a lot of changes to be made.
Here is the latest look at all the ranking movement as the high school season gets underway.
"Barnes continues to move up the charts because he consistently is one of the best linebackers on the field and he knows how to make plays. The UCLA commit can move inside or outside, he covers well even on deep routes and he has the speed to cut off the corners and make plays sideline-to-sideline. With a big senior season, he can move up even more." -- Gorney
CB
Sachse, Texas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
106
147
+41
"Mayden made plays early and often at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge this summer. He has very nice size for a cornerback and showed great instincts and was physical. His explosiveness out of his breaks allowed him to consistently make plays on the ball and he showed himself to be one of the top defensive backs in Baltimore." -- Mid-South Analyst Jason Howell
OT
Canton (Mich.) Plymouth
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
118
NR
NA
"There are so few weaknesses in Jordan's game and the Ohio State commit has proven he could play either the right or left tackle positions in college. His size at 6-foot-6 and 300-plus pounds is ideal, and he also brings plus-athleticism to the position. Seeing Jordan again this summer revealed to us he is among the top offensive tackle prospects in the Midwest and the country, and was deserving of a bump." -- Midwest Analyst Josh Helmholdt
WR
Deerfield Beach, Fla.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
125
155
+30
"Ridley finished the offseason strong and impressed in a number of settings, including a camp at Alabama. He isn't the tallest receiver on the planet, but he's by no means undersized. His explosiveness and reliable hands make him a force." -- Southeast Analyst Rob Cassidy
WR
Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
131
161
+30
"Imatorbhebhe is another big-bodied wide receiver who already has an impressive resume of in-game performances. This offseason he made sure to seek out top competition in camp settings and he not only held his own, many times he dominated. In a combine setting, Imatorbhebhe also flashed very impressive raw athleticism, something that will only help his development in the future." -- Southeast Analyst Woody Wommack
OLB
Aaron Hansford
Washington (D.C.) St. John's College High
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
148
249
+101
"We've known for a while that Hansford has a great frame and is one of the fastest linebackers in the country, but what really helped boost his ranking were his improved instincts on the field. He is making big strides at reading and reacting faster and with his speed that will turn into big, momentum swinging plays. Hansford's best football is ahead of him." -- Mid-Atlantic Analyst Adam Friedman
WR
Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
149
208
+59
"An injury forced Mack to miss most of the offseason, but he came back this summer looking even more explosive than when we last saw him during junior season. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver has always had a silky smooth style to his game, but he showed up this summer at events like Ohio State's Friday Night Lights showing greater playmaking ability." -- Helmholdt
WR
Greenville (N.C.) Rose
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
151
178
+27
"Powell is really putting all the pieces of his game together and he has a chance to be really special at Clemson. He has good size and he is more quick twitch than defenders realize. Powell's straight-line speed is exceptional and he is very explosive. Powell's reliable hands make him one of the favorite targets for quarterbacks." -- Friedman
WR
Citra (Fla.) North Marion
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
152
247
+95
"Swain has decent size, but it's his incredible change of pace and crispness that makes him hard to handle. He runs routes to perfection and is rarely plagued by drops. He may not be a lanky target or a track star, but he does a number of things very well." -- Cassidy
QB
Palmetto, Fla.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
167
200
+33
"Allison has the build and the arm of a top-flight passer. He goes through streaks in which he is incredibly accurate as well. He is plagued by clunky footwork at times, but that can be sorted out. His arm, frame and presence in pocket are enough to sell him as an extremely high-level prospect." -- Cassidy
ILB
Houston (Texas) Aldine Davis
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
169
213
+44
"McCulloch showed up at The Opening this summer ready to compete and he did just that with some of the best athletic testing scores. He was in top shape and showed improved lateral quickness and the ability to change direction." -- Howell
WR
Quartney Davis
Houston (Texas) Langham Creek
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
172
NR
NA
"Davis had a great summer. We saw him on three separate occasions and he was among the top performers each time. His quick feet allowed him to change direction with ease. He is quick off the ball, smooth in transition and on each occasion showed sure hands and ability to make plays in traffic." -- Howell
DE
Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
183
NR
NA
"The 6-foot-7, 255-pound defensive end won his share of 1-on-1 battles at The Opening against some of the best offensive linemen in the country, proving to be more than just a speed rusher. Murphy has impressive junior film and he backed that up this summer, displaying a well-rounded arsenal of moves to get past tackles off the edge but also inside. He should be one of the most coveted sack specialists in the West region and perhaps the hidden gem among a good crop of Arizona prospects in this class." -- West Analyst Blair Angulo
WR
Houston (Texas) Westfield
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
190
235
+45
"Cleveland had a great showing at The Opening, posting some of the best athletic testing numbers of anyone at the event. He also showed off some strong hands and playmaking ability during 7-on-7 action. His combination of size and athleticism shined among some of the nation's best." -- Howell
WR
Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
193
NR
NA
"Gavin is a strong wide receiver with impressive quickness. He's also nearly impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage. He carries his thick build well and has not sacrificed speed as he's added muscle. He's developing into a more complete prospect with each passing month." -- Cassidy
CB
Dade City (Fla.) Pasco
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
194
NR
NA
"Myers will play defensive back at Florida, but the athlete shined as a cornerback and a wide receiver this offseason. He has impressive size and developed coverage skills. He was particularly impressive at the IMG national 7-on-7 championships." -- Cassidy
WR
Abbotsford, B.C.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
196
NR
NA
"There were a lot of questions about Claypool until he made a tour of camps during June. Most rare is the size and athleticism combination he brings to the table at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds. Some teams are looking at him for defense, while tight end is also a possibility. As a receiver, though, he showed flashes of speed during the month of June to suggest he can stay on the outside." -- Helmholdt
S
Monroe (La.) Wossman
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
199
234
+35
"Lewis had a very impressive performance at LSU's camp. He showed some great range in the defensive backfield and he has a great frame to work with at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He also showed some nice ball skills as he jumped a few routes and made some heady plays throughout camp." -- Howell
OLB
Eden Prairie, Minn.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
213
NR
NA
"Coughlin was a player we considered for four stars coming off his junior season, but wanted to see more in a setting against like competition before we made that move. At The Opening in July, he got that chance and showed he plays with great range and good speed for a linebacker. There are still some questions about his awareness and ability to turn and run, but his physical attributes are certainly four-star caliber." -- Helmholdt
QB
San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) San Juan Hills
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
215
NR
NA
"Maybe no quarterback in California had a more productive summer than O'Brien, who busted on the national recruiting scene, landed a big offer from Nebraska and committed to the Huskers. He's a big pocket-passer who can deliver the ball all over the field. What is also impressive about O'Brien is that he reads defenses well and rarely makes the bad throw." -- Gorney
WR
Conway, S.C.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
219
NR
NA
"Edwards was just out of the mix for the Rivals250 the last go-round, but earned his way in after a couple of excellent showings during the summer. Edwards is tall and long and his leaping ability makes him the perfect red zone threat. The state of South Carolina has produced some great receivers over the past few years and Edwards looks like the next one to watch." -- Wommack
OG
Atlanta (Ga.) Creekside
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
220
NR
NA
"Dowdell may not be as physically impressive on the hoof as some of the other guards in the class, but nobody can knock his performances against elite talent. Dowdell was dominant at times at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, stonewalling some of the nation's top defensive linemen in pass blocking drills. Add that to a tape that includes impressive run blocking and you have a top 250 talent." -- Wommack
OT
San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) JSerra Catholic
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
235
NR
NA
"Wattenberg did not do much this offseason, but after seeing some other national offensive linemen, it was clear the Washington commit needed to make a little move up. He's physical and tough and Wattenberg loves to put defensive linemen on the ground. He can also block downfield, pull and do all the things a coach wants from a tackle." -- Gorney
QB
Jonesboro, Ga.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
236
NR
NA
"Cooper is fully healthy after suffering a knee injury last offseason and his play over the summer reflected it. Under the tutelage of Cam Newton, Cooper blossomed during several 7-on-7 events, showing new confidence, a strong arm and improved accuracy. After missing last season, he's poised to breakout this fall." -- Wommack
SLIDERS
WR
Egg Harbor City (N.J.) Cedar Creek
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
102
51
-51
"Mitchell is one of the best athletes in the country and had a good performance at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, but from then until now hasn't been as good. At Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp, Mitchell could get open with ease but had some problems catching the ball. More than anything, that's the most important part of being a receiver." -- Friedman
DT
Monroe (La.) Neville
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
111
78
-33
"Lawrence was slowed this summer and his ability to change direction was hampered. He is a strong competitor and worked through some pain, but his summer performance did take a dip. His rip move is his bread-and-butter and he will have plenty of time to show he has regained his lateral quickness." -- Howell
DT
Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
113
59
-54
"Sometimes in rankings meetings, the analysts disagree, and that's exactly what happened with Jackson. Despite being 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, some feel Jackson is a bit of a tweener and may not be big enough to be elite at the next level. The guess here is he climbs back up the rankings soon enough." -- Wommack
OT
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
114
87
-27
"Martin struggled with speed rushers a little bit at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge and it is a little unclear whether the four-star will stay at offensive tackle or move inside once he gets to USC. There is no question Martin is a physical, tough, gritty player who is excellent when the pads come on, but we felt a slight drop was warranted." -- Gorney
DT
Benito Jones
Waynesboro (Miss.) Wayne County
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
116
88
-28
"Jones didn't take that much of a tumble, but he slid a few spots mostly because others moved in front of him. The slight concerns about Jones start with his limited size (6-0, 280)." -- Cassidy
WR
DeSoto, Texas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
123
68
-55
"Anderson has been battling through some nagging injuries and consistency with his play and hands. We saw him a few different times and he showed some flashes, but the consistency was lacking a bit. He has the talent to move back up the list, but after seeing him at a few different events this summer, others were able to move ahead of him." -- Howell
S
Brentwood (Calif.) Liberty
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
136
100
-36
"Thompson was not super busy this summer, but after seeing some other national-level recruits, there was some reason to drop him down the rankings a little bit. We still like Thompson's ranginess and ability to cover like a cornerback, but others stepped it up a little bit more. He's expected to miss some games early this season because of transfer rules, but if the four-star finishes strong then he can make a move up."
-- Gorney
WR
Miami (Fla.) Miami Central
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
139
16
-123
"After a nice start to the offseason, Salomon toppled when faced with top competition. He was not only a non-factor at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, but he dropped a number of easily catchable passes. There's a lot to like about his game, sure, but he simply isn't the elite prospect that his previous ranking suggested." -- Cassidy
WR
Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
146
121
-25
"Owens is a physical specimen and has all the athleticism in the world, but he struggled catching the ball at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. A bunch of easy catches bounced off his hands. The UCLA commit made some tough grabs as well, so he has the ability, but concentration might be the issue. Owens can play receiver and has proven he's excellent at safety, too, so the concern level here is not too high." -- Gorney
QB
Waxhaw (N.C.) Cuthbertson
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
161
72
-89
"Kendall has a chance to be prolific in Oklahoma's offense, but this offseason could have gone better for him. He throws the ball with great accuracy and his mechanics are crisp, but there were moments when he had trouble matching his timing with the receivers and hitting them in stride. Those things will come as he gains more experience." -- Friedman
OT
River Ridge (La.) John Curtis
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
163
67
-96
"The framework is there but his technique and strength are two main areas that stuck out when we were able to see him perform this summer. He got too high and other top linemen were able to overpower him at times. His feet and flexibility make him a high potential guy, though." -- Howell
FB
Springhill (La.) North Webster
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
166
95
-71
"White has declared his desire to play running back and he moves from athlete to the No. 1 fullback position. He has bulked up to 258 pounds and is not a guy to be pigeonholed as a blocker. He is capable of being a big back and he runs with plenty of power." -- Howell
DE
Camden, N.J.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
222
109
-113
"Johnson is a pure edge rusher with great explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. He has a good rip move to the outside and can keep his balance while staying low to get around the offensive tackle. However, if the offensive tackle can get his hands on Johnson, the New Jersey native has a hard time recovering. Size and strength are a bit of a concern as a defensive end, but his athleticism can't be denied. Look for Michigan to take advantage of that at the next level." -- Friedman
ILB
Rialto (Calif.) Wilmer Carter
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
228
76
-152
"Toailoa struggled at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge and he's not as physical or as big as some of the highest-level inside linebackers in the country. He was a step slow in coverage and was beaten a few times during the one-on-one and 7-on-7 portions of the event. With pads on, Toailoa plays downhill, hits hard and relies a lot on physical play, which is great but he needs to show more speed especially playing in the Pac-12." -- Gorney
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
Adam Gorney
National Recruiting Analyst
Blair Angulo
West Recruiting Analyst
Rob Cassidy
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Adam Friedman
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Josh Helmholdt
Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Jason Howell
Mid-South Recruiting Analyst
Woody Wommack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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