Some big moves in the final Rivals250
After reviewing All-American game performances and practices, state all-star game performances and practices, high school playoff exploits and new senior film, the final edition of the Rivals250 for the class of 2010 has been released.
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While the list has been updated for the final time, things like junior film, camps, combines, seven-on-seven events, senior film and in-game evaluations were also considered when compiling the rankings. With numerous updates to the rankings throughout the calendar year, this final release represents two - and in some cases three - years' worth of evaluations.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the latest re-ranking is Petersburg, Va., offensive guard Quinton Spain. Spain's stock has been steadily on the rise since the summer, and he capped his high school career off with a very strong week of practice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Spain has moved up to No. 101 in our rankings.
Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell liked what he saw from the 6-foot-5, 330-pounder all week in Texas.
"Spain has a very strong upper body and a great punch off the ball," Farrell said. "In San Antonio, he showed during one-on-ones and scrimmages that he moves his feet well and is very physical. He also showed that he can play either guard or tackle at the next level."
Two similarly strong San Antonio performances came from linebacker Mike Hull (No. 102) and defensive tackle Calvin Barnett (No. 103). Hull outplayed his previous ranking of 132nd by being one of the most productive linebackers in San Antonio. Meanwhile, Barnett's move up from No. 187 comes from a very impressive week of practice. He has the potential to outplay his new ranking if he takes well to a college conditioning program.
The highest debut in the 101-250 range comes from Miami commit Storm Johnson. Not only did Johnson complete a season in which he rushed for over 1,900 yards, but he also was one of the top rushers all week at practice in the Under Armour All-American Game. Johnson's play warranted him the nod as the top-rated running back in Georgia and the No. 106 overall prospect in the Rivals250.
Johnson's new position atop the state of Georgia's running back rankings is followed by more shuffling. Former Rivals100 member and Florida commit Mack Brown took a tumble to No. 185 overall following a disappointing senior season, which was also marred by injury. Brown also fell to the No. 3 spot among running backs in the Peach State; No. 2 is Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek back Rajion Neal.
Neal - a Mississippi State commit - was bumped to No. 151 overall after a stellar senior season. He led his school to its first state championship in football and a 14-1 record. Neal has seen his stock climb steadily following a great summer of camps and combines. He had consistently strong performances during in-game evaluations as a senior.
After Johnson, BYU commit Ross Apo claims the second-highest debut (No. 108) in the 250. Like Johnson, Apo was previously ranked in the Rivals250, only to fall out during the season. However, his performance among All-Americans in San Antonio was enough to cement him in the final rankings thanks to his sure hands, great size and crisp route-running ability.
While several prospects benefited from post-season all-star performances, West Point, Miss., athlete Michael Carr took a pass on the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. However, he was still able to earn his fourth star with a debut at No. 225. The Mississippi State commit made enough of a statement in his MVP performance that helped lead his team to the Mississippi 5A State Championship.
Dior Mathis out of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech, Florida commit Jonathan Dowling, Norcross, Ga., two-sport star Adrian Hubbard and Missouri commit Dominique Brown were among several other big movers in the final rankings.
STOCK DOWN
For each new member of the Rivals250 one player has to fall out, and there were multiple players that took a tumble in the final ranking. The biggest drop belonged to Steamboat Springs, Colo., quarterback Austin Hinder. Hinder fell from No. 133 overall to outside of the 250. Hinder was markedly behind the other quarterbacks in San Antonio at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He also has a lot of physical maturing to do before he is ready for the college game.
Rivals.com national analyst Barry Every weighed in on Hinder's fall.
"I have seen him over a two-year period and he just does not show the consistency as a thrower you want in a four-star," Every said. "He just seems to overgrip his passes, which causes the ball to come out funny. I think he still has a chance to be a very good college quarterback, but gaining size and confidence in competitive situations is a must."
Hinder's drop was followed closely by the drop of Washington commit Nick Montana. After being evaluated all week in Orlando at the Under Armour Game, Montana also fell out of the top 250 after previously being ranked No. 171 overall.
Other drops to outside of the 250 included Hawaii native Shaydon Akuna (from 142), Nashville (Tenn.) Maplewood lineman James Stone (from 174) and Miami (Fla.) Northwestern teammates Torrian Wilson and Todd Chandler (Nos. 181 and 189, respectively).
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