Several earn stars in updated position rankings
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After previously updating the Rivals100 and the Rivals250, Rivals.com released its updated position rankings for the class of 2008 on Monday. The updated rankings reflect all of the changes that were made in the Rivals100 and the Rivals250.
Additionally, several new four-star prospects were announced and 53 three-star rankings were awarded. To go along with the additions of the new three stars, 19 players were also moved from three-star status to the two-star level.
The updated star rankings and position rankings are a result of countless hours of personal observation this spring and summer at games, practices, camps, combines, 7-on-7 tournaments and individual workouts. Film evaluation from previous seasons was also used, and input from professional, college and high school coaches was also gathered.
Outside of the Rivals250, an additional 48 players were ranked four-star prospects. This list includes several newcomers like Chandler, Ariz., cornerback Marc Anthony, Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney linebacker Taylor Hill, Neenah, Wis., offensive tackle Peter Konz, Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West quarterback Beau Sweeney, Lexington (Ky.) Catholic safety Winston Guy and Celina, Texas, safety D'Anton Lynn.
Anthony is one of the nation's best cornerbacks. With his size and speed, he should have no problem being a special defensive back on the next level. He also had a great summer. He dominated at camps, like the one at Michigan.
Hill was always on the four-star bubble, and he's already making big things happen as a senior. In a scrimmage last weekend against Cleveland Glenville, Hill was all over the field. There are some high school coaches in the area that call Hill the best prospect on the Cardinal Mooney roster.
Sweeney is a gamer and proved that this spring when he was one of the best quarterbacks at the Palo Alto NIKE Camp. He should get plenty of opportunities to prove to opponents that he's one of the best passers in the West. Clovis West is moving from a run-based offense to a more pass-happy attack, which should give Sweeney a chance to show off his arm strength and accuracy.
Guy first jumped onto the scene at the West Lafayette NIKE Camp. After seeing him again this summer at places like Arkansas' summer camp, it became clear that he deserved to be ranked as a four-star player.
The same can be said about Lynn, another safety. He showed up at the USC summer camp and walked away with an offer from Pete Carroll. He also impressed quite a bit at other places and proved he deserved to be ranked higher.
Overall, the strength of this year's class once again appears to be at the receiver position.
There are 107 players ranked as three-star receivers or higher, including players ranked in official position rankings from No. 1 to 100. A fast riser at the position was Brodrick Smith of Garden City, Kan., who is now ranked as a 5.6 on the Rivals Rating Scale after previously being ranked as a two-star prospect.
Offensive tackle also appears to be another strong position in this year's class. There are 70 players in the position ranking, including newcomers like Bobby Massie of Lynchburg, Va., Joe Caprioglio of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Freddie Smooth of Baton Rouge, La., and David Young of Edwardsville, Ill. Massie is a guy to really keep an eye on this fall. He enters the rankings at the No. 44 spot.
Athlete was another position that saw quite a few newcomers.
New additions at the three-star level include guys like T'Sharvan Bell of Seminole, Fla., DeVonte Christopher of North Las Vegas, Nev., Ronald Hobby of Brandywine, Md., Harold Bernard of Chandler, Ariz., Ed Imeokparia of Blairstown, N.J., Bill Schautz of Oradell, N.J., and Tobias Palmer of Pittsboro, N.C. Bell was the highest entry into the athlete rankings at No. 45.
There was also some big movement in the quarterback rankings, where overall seven new players rose in the rankings.
At pro-style quarterback Jacob Charest of Matthews, N.C., Collin Klein of Loveland, Colo., Kelly Page of Mesquite, Texas, and Rob Calabrese of Islip Terrace, N.Y., moved up to three-stars. Page missed part of his junior season with an injury, but appeared to be full strength again at the Texas 7-on-7 State Tournament.
Moving up at the dual-threat position was Sancho McDonald, who impressed at the Rutgers 7-on-7 Passing Tournament in Florida. He was joined by Randall Mackey of Bastrop, La., and Barrett Trotter of Birmingham, Ala.
Up next Rivals.com will unveil the junior college and prep school rankings. Those rankings are scheduled to be released in early September.
Class of 2008 Position Rankings:
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