Rivals250: Risers and sliders
There were numerous changes to the class of 2015 Rivals100 Presented By Under Armour when it was released Monday, including a new No. 1 in Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco quarterback Josh Rosen, and there are numerous adjustments in the new Rivals250 as well.
Prospects have moved up and down the list as the season provided plenty of evaluation opportunities for the analysts across the country.
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Two defensive tackles from the West moved up as Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington's Breiden Fehoko advanced 23 spots and Long Beach (Calif.) Poly's Joseph Wicker, after moving from defensive end to defensive tackle, went from outside the 250 to No. 110 overall.
Players moving from outside the 250 to way up the rankings were plentiful after seeing them this season. Orlando (Fla.) West Orange running back Dexter Williams moved to No. 114 and Newton, Texas, cornerback Roney Elam was placed at No. 117.
Two linemen also made big-time advancements early in the 250 as Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral offensive tackle Keenan Walker went from No. 169 to 128 and Spring (Texas) Westfield OT Toby Weathersby moved from outside the 250 to No. 129.
In each step of the rankings, from the initial list to the summer evaluation period and now through their senior seasons, there has been ample movement up, down and all around the list. Here is the latest look at the risers and sliders in the Rivals250 release.
Wicker moved from defensive end to defensive tackle for his senior season and looked worlds more comfortable. He was aggressive and fast inside, plus he's a big enough kid to be powerful, physical and stop the run coming up the middle. His long-term potential is at defensive tackle and he proved it this season. -- Adam Gorney, Rivals.com West Recruiting Analyst
RB
Orlando (Fla.) West Orange
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
114
NR
NA
Williams broke his foot recently, but he's a big kid who hits the hole strong, breaks tackles and has really good speed. We like his upside a lot more than some of the other top running backs in the state because he is a tough runner who does not get tackled easily. -- Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director
CB
Newton, Texas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
117
NR
NA
Elam is a long defensive back with the range to cover the entire back end of the defense as a safety or the ability to tie up an opponent's top receiver at cornerback. He enjoys getting physical and he has great ball skills. His instincts on the field and his quick-change ability make him a dangerous playmaker in the secondary. -- Jason Howell, Rivals.com Mid-South Recruiting Analyst
OT
Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
128
169
+41
Walker has become thicker as a senior and has progressed technique-wise as well. He moves incredibly well for a lineman of his size and packs a powerful initial punch that often knocks defenders onto their heels. His long arms and great frame make his upside truly elite. -- Cassidy
OT
Spring (Texas) Westfield
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
129
NR
NA
Weathersby has a great frame with big shoulders and long arms, and he is also athletic for a big man. His feet and flexibility are two things that separate him from the pack. He also plays with a mean streak in the trenches. He comes off the ball with a strong punch in the running game and he gets good hand placement and finishes strong. In pass protection, he shows the same strong punch and technique. -- Howell
SDE
Chicago (Ill.) Gordon Tech
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
147
NR
NA
We were very intrigued by Williams' junior film, but did not see him all off-season to get a closer look. When the 2014 season began, and we had a chance to watch the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Williams in person. It confirmed the earlier reason for our intrigue. A very athletic prospect, Williams has the ability to play the five-technique or three-technique defensive line positions. He is explosive off the snap while also playing with ideal pad level and power. -- Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst
RB
Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
152
NR
NA
There were doubts that Lewis could play running back in college and there still are doubts that he will have as much success on offense as he could on defense. As a runner this season, Lewis has put up monster numbers and is doing it in a way that could make him successful in college. He runs with great physicality and is impressively fast for a player his size. -- Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
WR
North Little Rock, Ark.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
153
217
+64
Hill is a big-play threat, whether he is stretching the field at outside receiver, making people miss in close space, or picking up yards after the catch. He is a versatile threat who has shown he can do damage to an opposing defense however he gets the ball in his hands. His burst, vision, and body control have made him one of the top offensive weapons in Arkansas over the last several years. -- Howell
TE
Fayetteville, Ark.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
155
NR
NA
O'Grady brings size, athleticism and some sure hands to the table. He is a former quarterback, but his abilities as a tight end have not gone unnoticed. He is a natural receiver and his receiving abilities made him a hot prospect in the spring and summer. In the fall he showed the ability to not only be a versatile receiving threat, but he can also pack a punch when asked to block. He's not just a flex guy. -- Howell
RB
Mandeville (La.) Lakeshore
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
161
213
+52
There were some real questions surrounding Ducre's flexibility early in the process and up until two rankings ago, he was listed at fullback. Ducre is definitely a big, power back, but he continued to show he has the ability to be an every down back. His ability to run through and over defenders is complemented nicely by his ability to burst through a seam and run away from a defense. -- Howell
APB
Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
166
NR
NA
Davis is someone who has been on the radar for a move up for a long time and it finally happened -- probably long overdue. The USC commit is a little undersized, but in the Pac-12, in space, he's going to get the ball in his hands and do big things. He's not a straight running back, so he will be able to flex out and catch passes and that's where he might be most dangerous. -- Gorney
OLB
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
169
NR
NA
Humphreys was one of the smartest players seen this season and he backs it up by being a leader and being physical, whether at linebacker or safety. He doesn't have great size, but he delivers helmet-rattling shots and he's also very intelligent, so he can read plays very well. Duke is getting an absolute steal in the Mater Dei recruit. -- Gorney
ATH
San Leandro, Calif.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
177
NR
NA
Johnson is super fast. That's the first thing that stands out about his game and whether he plays offense (receiver) or defense (cornerback) at UCLA, he should be able to make a big impact. He also is a major threat on special teams, so he's going to be a contributor early on. -- Gorney
OT
Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood Catholic
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
180
227
+47
Bates is an absolute bull on the offensive line and, better yet, he can play multiple positions on the line. He is a great run blocker that runs his feet well and stays low. As a pass blocker, Bates uses a great first punch to knock defensive linemen off balance. -- Friedman
OT
Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
182
237
+55
Sutherland had some shoulder issues as a junior, but his senior season he showed he was back. He showed the flexibility and the nasty streak which first caught everyone's attention early in his high school days. He helped open things up in Marcus' offensive attack. He is an agile offensive lineman and he has a nice frame to add onto once he reaches the college level. -- Howell
S
Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
184
NR
NA
Westbrook is a really athletic safety. He is a ball hawk who can make a ton of plays at Florida State. He moves really well and just has a lot of athletic ability to either make plays on the ball or come up and deliver a big shot to a wide receiver. -- Farrell
OG
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
191
NR
NA
Merrick is a massive, road-grading offensive lineman who is very good in run blocking. Not only is he a big kid, but he has good feet for his size so he can move well. His power really makes him stand out along with his size. -- Farrell
S
Valencia, Calif.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
192
NR
NA
Wilson has not seen the recruiting attention of many other prospects in California, but he should not get lost in the shuffle. He is a big safety who hits hard, plays hard and goes both ways, so he's a major contributor for his team. He can easily move to linebacker, but with his speed and athleticism at safety, he could be one of those guys who didn't get a lot of hype but someone who becomes a college star. -- Gorney
RB
San Jose (Calif.) Valley Christian
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
194
NR
NA
Johnson is a consistently solid running back who should excel at Texas and with his abilities, he could put up big numbers for the Longhorns. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns this season on only 143 carries. Johnson has great vision and can sneak through small holes, break tackles and gain extra yards. -- Gorney
SDE
New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
205
NR
NA
Washington has always had an intriguing frame and skillset, and as a senior he stepped up to shoulder a heavy load after two D1 signees graduated last fall. As a senior, he showed a quicker first step and improved flexibility as he came off the edge. He has continued to fill out his frame, but there is plenty of room for growth and strength. -- Howell
OT
XCoppell, Texas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
208
NR
NA
Williams moved to the tackle spot from tight end and he quickly makes his presence felt in the trenches. He is light on his feet, but he definitely has a mean streak. He is athletic, but he does not mind getting dirty. He has the combination of flexibility and mentality that make him a very intriguing prospect and there is plenty of room to add onto his big frame. -- Howell
DQB
Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
218
250
+32
Jones is most comfortable sitting in the pocket and picking apart defenses, which he does really well. In any other quarterback class in California, Jones would be ranked even higher, but it's so loaded, he got pushed down the list a little bit. He can also run and he's athletic, but Jones' best gifts are his ability to hit receivers and his intelligence. -- Gorney
WR
Buena Park, Calif.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
232
NR
NA
I don't think Hawkins has ever gotten the respect he probably deserves. He is a tremendous deep threat who can break open games because of his speed, but he's also underrated as a pass catcher on short plays and then making things happen. In his senior season, Hawkins had 80 catches for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. That says something. -- Gorney
S
Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
235
NR
NA
Williams was one of the most dynamic high school football players in the Midwest during the 2014 season, and his skill set translates extremely well to the college level. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, his natural position is safety, but he has been clocked in the 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash and is a very fluid cover man, so cornerback is not out of the question. From his natural skill set to his playmaking ability, Williams has shown the qualities we look for in a four-star prospect. -- Helmholdt
CB
Mesquite (Texas) West Mesquite
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
237
NR
NA
Butler has been a known prospect for the last couple of years, but as a senior, he took his explosiveness to a new level. In addition to his always strong technical play in the secondary, he was also a more physical defender. He showed some big-hit ability as well as strong physical play with receivers off the line. He also showed himself to be a big-time weapon in the punt return game. -- Howell
OT
Bellevue, Wash.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
240
NR
NA
Roberts is a big, strong and, most importantly, physical offensive tackle who completely dominates on the high school level. The Bellevue standout is 6-foot-6 an 270 pounds with no bad weight and can easily add about 30 pounds once he gets to college. Bellevue runs the wing-T offense, so Roberts is always involved in run blocking. He'll have to improve his pass blocking, but he plays through the whistle and loves to be in the trenches. -- Gorney
OG
Newbury Park, Calif.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
245
NR
NA
I just love the way Okun plays. He's a physical, tough, gritty kid who plays after the whistle and likes to get after it in the trenches. Okun has also trimmed up his body a little bit, which makes him a little more athletic while keeping his strength and toughness. -- Gorney
OG
Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
249
NR
NA
Harrell is a guy we liked back in the spring, but we had some concerns about his weight and how long it would take him to get into college shape. After working hard this summer, Harrell came into the fall looking like a totally new prospect. He shed some bad weight and looked long and lean while working at tackle for his high school team. His future is probably inside at guard, but with his mean streak and willingness to drive relentlessly to the whistle, I think his ceiling is much higher than I thought originally. -- Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
DQB
Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
250
NR
NA
After showing more consistency as a passer during his senior season, Jennings made the move from athlete to dual-threat quarterback and bumped up enough spots at his position to make the 250. There's no doubting Jennings athletic ability and with Tennessee's offense featuring Josh Dobbs, it's easy to see how Jennings can make the transition to the next level. As a quarterback, he's great at making short and intermediate throws and has the arm strength to get the ball down the field as well. He still needs time to develop, but it looks like there will be a chance to him to succeed as a signal-caller in college. -- Wommack
SLIDERS
WR
Miami (Fla.) Central
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
102
63
-39
Phillips can't separate that well. He is a very good receiver with great hands and he makes catches in traffic, but separation speed has not been showing, so that's something that we felt deserved a little bump down in the rankings. -- Farrell
QB
Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
103
67
-36
Town is a very good quarterback. He has a strong arm, he can hit open receivers and he is a natural leader who's going to his dream school. All those things are good. But this season, the St. Bonaventure offense stalled at times -- that could be conservative play-calling from the sidelines as well -- but we haven't seen Town getting markedly better over the last season. A little adjustment in ranking was necessary. -- Gorney
WDE
xRichmond (Va.) Benedictine School
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
112
85
-27
Ferrell is a very gifted athlete that was really just starting to scratch the surface of his potential before he went down with a season-ending knee injury. He still has the same rating because he still has the same potential, but dropped a little because of the uncertainty surrounding his recovery. -- Friedman
WR
Anaheim (Calif.) Servite
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
121
99
-22
St. Brown is one of the best-looking prospects, let alone receivers, in this class. At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, the Servite recruit has a tremendous catch radius and is a nightmare for smaller cornerbacks. But he still needs to show consistent aggressiveness at wide receiver and he doesn't dominate games as much as he should at times. -- Gorney
ATH
Gardena (Calif.) Serra
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
124
84
-30
Norman sustained a late-season knee injury that should not hold him back much, but it will still be a small concern as the two-way standout continues. He played well on both sides of the ball after transferring to Serra for his senior season, but he didn't absolutely dominate. Norman is still a fantastic option at receiver, corner or on special teams and can be an early contributor in college. -- Gorney
RB
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
131
108
-23
This is sort of an incidental drop here. He really didn't do anything to plummet down the rankings. We just liked some other guys better, especially Dexter Williams in the state of Florida. Scarlett is a guy who peaked early, he was a superstar as a young kid, and hasn't progressed as much as we would have liked. He still is a very good player. -- Farrell
DT
Fresno (Calif.) Clovis North
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
138
95
-43
Daniel sat out most of the off-season with injuries and then missed time again in his senior year with injuries so that has to be something to watch moving forward. He's still a massive defensive tackle who is also athletic and moves well for his size, but the injury bug has been an issue. -- Gorney
SDE
Potomac (Md.) Quince Orchard
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
154
118
-36
McLean's future, much like Ferrell's, is uncertain. He suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the season, but when healthy, there's no doubting McLean's dominance. He is aiming to be playing at full strength again during the summer. -- Friedman
CB
Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
158
101
-57
Reid's football IQ is through the roof and there aren't many players that can decipher a player as fast as Reid. Because he is so aggressive against the run, teams were able to take advantage of Reid down the field. Smaller, shiftier receivers continued to present a problem for Reid. -- Friedman
WR
Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
162
132
-30
Broadus certainly shows flashes of greatness, but has a tendency to disappear for games at a time. He hasn't been dominant against top-flight defensive backs and sometimes blends into the periphery. He still makes some spectacular plays and is a great route runner with fantastic hands. Broadus' problems are mostly with consistency. -- Cassidy
RB
Lakeland (Fla.) Lakeland Christian School
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
165
98
-67
Simmons missed the whole year and obviously that's a concern. It was a knee injury and with something like that you can never tell how a guy is going to come back. We still like him a lot, but you have to be cautious with a kid who has missed his senior year. -- Farrell
OT
Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
172
87
-85
Feder's ceiling is as high or higher than any other offensive lineman in the country. He is every bit of the 6-foot-9, 305-pounds he is listed at and possesses elite athleticism. He did not play much offensive tackle this year, but the foundation is there for him to become a franchise left tackle. -- Friedman
DQB
Temple, Texas
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
200
100
-100
President came back from an ACL injury, which kept him out for most of his junior season and he had a strong effort. However, his footwork, mechanics, and at times his decision-making were a bit shaky as he shook off the cobwebs throughout the 2014 season. He definitely brings some top-flight athletic ability and he has a big arm. He will be fun to watch grow and progress over the next few years. -- Howell
OT
Pittsburgh (Pa.) Baldwin
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
209
163
-46
Jenkins possesses uncommon athleticism for a tackle and is extremely light on his feet. He has always been good at run blocking and stopping an outside pass rush, but he did not progress as much as we hoped against inside pass rushing attempts. As Jenkins gets stronger in college, expect that to get fixed. -- Friedman
TE
Houston (Texas) Clear Lake
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
214
142
-72
It is not hard to see what Jordan Davis brings to the table. He is a big receiving target and he is a mismatch in any offensive system. He has some big reliable hands and his size allows him to go up and get even the highest of throws. As a receiver, he has plenty of tools to work with. It will be interesting to see how the other areas of his game develop as he becomes a more well-rounded tight end. -- Howell
CB
Colorado Springs (Colo.) Pine Creek
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
224
156
-68
Anderson is still every bit a four-star prospect. He has tremendous instincts and is a versatile defensive back that can cover man-to-man or even play safety if need be. Still, he may need a redshirt year to put on the muscle required to reach his potential as a college cornerback. He isn't quite fast enough to compensate for limited power that can get him in trouble in situations where he's asked to jam a target. The talented Anderson will likely blossom on the college level, but may not play from Day 1. -- Cassidy
APB
Jackson (Miss.) Murrah
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
226
134
-92
Dear has been a do-it-all playmaking threat at Murrah over the years and he continues to be. At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Dear has a low center of gravity and is a hard-charging runner. He is shifty and has quick feet as well but his top end speed and burst have shown to be areas that need improvement. In addition to his running abilities, he is a very polished receiving threat whether he is coming out of the backfield or lined up in the slot. -- Howell
DT
Brandon, Miss.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
227
206
-21
Adams is an athletic guy in the middle who is active and plays with strong technique. He is a bit on the skinny side, but he does have a nice frame. He has been a strong playmaker for one of the top programs in the state of Mississippi and with his motor, there is a lot of potential. -- Howell
OT
Rockwall (Texas) Rockwall-Heath
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
239
196
-43
To Elbert's credit, he pushed through a tough shoulder injury for much of the season. There is no doubt Elbert has the ability to be a really stout contributor on the college level. He has the smarts and he is tough and he has a great work ethic. -- Howell
WR
Destrehan, La.
NEW RANK
PREV. RANK
DIFFERENCE
244
165
-79
Merritt definitely brings some physical tools to the field. He has excellent burst and the ability to take the ball the distance at any moment. He is a space player and not the most natural receiver at this point. The physical tools make him a top end prospect, but there is development needed to round out his game. -- Howell
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Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
Rob Cassidy
Midlands/Southwest Recruiting Analyst
Adam Friedman
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Adam Gorney
West Recruiting Analyst
Josh Helmholdt
Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Jason Howell
Mid-South Recruiting Analyst
Woody Womack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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