Southeast Spotlight: Toughest final 2019 ranking decisions
RELATED: Toughest final 2019 ranking decisions in the Midwest
The majority of 2019 prospects at the FBS level have already signed their letters of intent, but football continued to be played after last month's postseason update of the Rivals250 and Rivals100. Next week the final 2019 class rankings will be released, and several big questions in the Southeast region are set to be answered.
WHO IS THE NO. 1 RECEIVER IN THE SOUTHEAST?
This will be a big decision. Not only does it affect the Southeast region, but it could affect the No. 1 wide receiver ranking in the country. Oklahoma signee Jadon Haselwood had a great touchdown reception in the All-American Bowl, but was somewhat quiet throughout the week on the practice field in San Antonio.
It was somewhat the opposite for Auburn commit George Pickens during the Under Armour All-America Game week in Orlando. Pickens was consistently making plays in practice and being mentioned as one of the top performers of the day. In the game, he had a few grabs and he hurdled a defender, but he wasn’t given the opportunity to make the big plays he made in practice.
Heading into the final rankings week for 2019, Haselwood is No. 2 and Pickens No. 3 at wide receiver. Theo Wease is No. 1 and all three prospects rank inside the top-10 nationally. Wease, another soon-to-be Sooner was good in Orlando too, so not only will there be a No. 1 wide receiver in the Southeast decision, but there will be a discussion for that spot nationally as well.
IS HINTON A FIVE-STAR, AGAIN?
Michigan signee Christopher Hinton Jr. really created a buzz in San Antonio last week. Hinton has always been viewed as a lineman who could shine on either side of the ball, with some thinking he has the most upside on offense. He pretty much put those questions to rest last week in San Antonio.
Hinton consistently showed up on the Stock Up reports last week and showed good quickness off the ball and the ability to get pressure on the quarterback from the defensive line position. He did not always do those things the last couple of years in high school games while playing both sides of the ball.
Is his performance over the week enough to make him a five-star again? He just lost that a month ago after breaking down his senior film. His performance against some of the best in the country last week has put him in that discussion once ago though.
HOW HIGH DOES CROSS GO?
Charles Cross made a big move in last rankings update because we finally got to see him in action. The offensive tackle from Laurel, Miss. went from a three-star to inside the Rivals100. He will go higher, but how high is the question?
The Mississippi State signee is so athletic. He is a lean lineman, but in San Antonio, he showed the strength, footwork, bend and ability to be considered one of the top offensive tackles in the country.
Cross is the No. 12-ranked tackle heading into this week and he is likely to land in the top five somewhere. The top three are currently five-star prospects, so could Cross be in that discussion? Evan Neal has the top spot secured, but there will have to be some tough decisions made after that. Cross will be one we have to really talk about.
WILL WANDALE ROBINSON KEEP CLIMBING?
Nebraska commit Wandale Robinson put on a show in Saturday’s All-American Bowl in Texas, backing up the huge leap he made in the rankings from outside the Rivals250 all the way into the Rivals100 following a dominant senior season. After rising all the way to No. 98 in the country, is there room for an even bigger rise? Robinson showed his multi-purpose ability in the All-American Game, opening the game with the nice kick return and then making people miss and racking up lots of yards after the catch as a wide receiver. Most think Robinson is the perfect X-factor weapon for Scott Frost’s offense and it will be heavily discussed as to whether he should be even higher in the rankings. Whether he rises or not, Robinson will still be the highest ranked prospect from the state of Kentucky since five-star offensive tackle Jedrick Wills in 2017.
HOW WILL SOUTH CAROLINA SHAKE OUT?
The South Carolina state rankings still have room for quite a bit of movement, especially after some impressive performances by the Palmetto State talent over the past month. Five-star Zacch Pickens is likely to hang on to the state’s top spot, but can four-star defensive back Cameron Smith move up after impressing at the All-American Bowl? And what about Clemson linebacker commit Greg Williams, who had a very nice week at the Shrine Bowl before Christmas? There’s likely to be quite a bit of movement, with Tigers and Gamecocks fans paying close attention to how things shake out.