South Central Spotlight: Biggest questions for 2021 rankings
In a year filled with setbacks, the majority of states were able to move forward with high school football. In the South Central region in particular, there were opportunities to give another look at senior prospects (along with underclassmen) despite a quiet offseason and recent cancellations of All-American games after the Early Signing Period.
Rivals will begin to reveal updated rankings for the 2021 class next week, with 2022 the following week. Here are some of the major questions that regional analysts faced in rankings meetings.
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MORE: Five biggest questions in the Midwest heading into rankings week | Southeast | East | West
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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Who will make the biggest moves after their senior seasons?
The states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi will see a decent shake-up after the 2020 season with quarterback, running back, edge-rusher, linebacker and safety being positions impacted. Among the most notable senior campaigns came from Tennessee commitment Kaidon Salter, who has been stellar for Cedar Hill with more than 1,000 yards passing and an 11:3 touchdown to interception ratio in five games this year.
Texas running back commitment Jonathon Brooks has put Hallettsville (Texas) on his back this fall and is well over 2,000 yards rushing and on the cusp of 50 total touchdowns. He's also averaging north of 12 yards per carry.
In Ruston, La., Ke'Travion Hargrove is also experiencing a breakout senior season. The one-time Louisiana Tech pledge has been the driving force in one of Louisiana's top offenses this fall and piled up 255 yards against Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic's stout defense on Nov. 6. Florida State and South Carolina are the favorites for Hargrove.
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Are there more five-stars in the South Central?
There are quite a few five-stars in place in the 2021 class from the South Central region and there may be a new Louisiana prospect added to the mix before long. Sage Ryan entered his senior season on the cusp of a fifth star and has played excellent for one of the state's top programs, Lafayette Christian.
Ryan has been special on defense playing a multitude of different positions and has shown up clutch on offense and even special teams. He's a dynamic difference-maker that recently pledged to LSU over Alabama.
Other players in the five-star conversation include Oklahoma commitments Billy Bowman Jr. and Clayton Smith, running back LJ Johnson, defensive lineman Shemar Turner and Texas A&M offensive lineman Reuben Fatheree.
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What to do with five-star DT Maason Smith?
Maason Smith is unquestionably one of the best players in America. Down about 45 or so pounds as a senior, Smith has seen action at defensive tackle and even bounced out to end. He's seen spot duty at offensive tackle and even dominated in that unusual role as well.
Smith -- who is considering LSU, Georgia and Alabama and will decide during the Early Signing Period in December before enrolling early -- is already the No. 1 player in Louisiana and tops in the South Central region.
Smith is currently sitting No. 5 overall in the country, but his dominant play should position him to make a move into the top three spots in the nation.
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Could there be any shake-ups at the top of the 2021 class rankings?
With Smith being a candidate to possibly take hold of the No. 1 spot in the country, that naturally begs the question of whether there will be a shake-up in the top 30. One of the best debates during rankings meetings centered around the positional battles among Amarius Mims, JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer at offensive tackle and Donovan Jackson and Bryce Foster at guard.
For now, Foster -- who is choosing among Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oregon, LSU and Texas in December -- has the edge over five-star Ohio State pledge Donovan Jackson, who just wrapped up an excellent prep career at Bellaire Episcopal.
Foster is a mountain of a man with incredible power and a strong two-sport background. Jackson has been equally as impressive with his physical play style and is even more polished in pass protection.
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Which 2022 prospect will make the biggest moves?
Quarterbacks, running backs and edge-rushers in the South Central region saw their stocks rise during their junior campaigns. LSU commitment Walker Howard has been lights-out in his transition to starter with a live arm, great game management and excellent mobility to extend plays. It's a similar story in Austin for Westlake's Cade Klubnik, who has thrown 1,850 yards and 19 touchdowns and one interception for the defending champs.
Cypress Bridgeland has been one of the darlings in Texas high school football largely because of the play of quarterback Conner Weigman, who also stars in baseball. Weigman's well over 2,500 yards passing and another 500 rushing. He's scored a combined 38 touchdowns so far.