UA All-America game: 5 who could be 5-stars
Practices at the Under Armour Game started on Wednesday morning, and the Rivals.com team is on hands to evaluate some of the nation’s top players.
There are plenty of players hoping to move up to the vaunted five-star status heading into the final evaluations of the rankings cycle. Here are five players on the cusp that can help themselves with a good showing this week.
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The Situation: Moses started off the 2017 rankings cycle as one of the nation’s top overall prospects in the class and a five-star. But as he moved from running back to linebacker, he struggled with the transition and slipped to just outside of five-star status. This week will be his last chance to show that he is a true linebacker and belongs among the nation’s elite. Moses is committed to Alabama.
Farrell’s Take: Moses is a five-star everywhere except for Rivals; we want to see him be more natural and instinctive at the position before we make a move. We have had players lose a fifth star and gain it back, including recent notables like Dante Fowler Jr. and Raekwon McMillan, but Moses will have to be dominant like they were to join them. A great week of practice and a standout game could do it as he’s already within striking distance.
The Situation: Running back is always a position where several players make a late push to move up, and after a monster senior season Laborn has entered the five-star conversation. He’s a dynamic offensive weapon and if he can show that “it” factor this week it could lead to a move up the ranks. Laborn is committed to Florida State.
Farrell’s Take: Laborn had a great senior season and has added muscle and quickness, but is he among the elite at his position? Dalvin Cook earned his fifth star at Under Armour Week and Laborn is right in range, so if he has a Cook-like week it could happen.
The Situation: Rivals has been ahead of the curve on McKinney’s ranking dating back to his entrance in the Rivals100 last year. But after a dominant senior season that saw him look like one of the best players in the state of Georgia, McKinney is now knocking on the door of a five-star ranking. This week will be his shot to prove it among some of the nation’s best. McKinney is announcing between Clemson and Alabama at Sunday’s game.
Farrell’s Take: Safeties are becoming more and more important on defenses around the country, and they're making a quicker impact as well. McKinney is thick, fast and is not only excellent in coverage but also likes to thump in run support. He’s right in range for five stars if he has a great week and a big game.
The Situation: Ray has been a guy who has seen his rankings stock rise steadily since last year’s Army Combine. Now he’s firmly entrenched in the Rivals100 with a chance to go even higher. A player of his size and ability is rare, and if he can prove it against some of the nation’s best offensive linemen he could be the next Alabama native to earn five-star status. Tennessee, Florida and Alabama are still in the mix to land his commitment.
Farrell’s Take: Ray comes into the week as a bit of a mystery with a high ranking based on very good film but rare in-person evaluations. However, defensive end is a premium position and he certainly looks the part physically, so if he can continue to impress as he did on Wednesday at the first practice he could get into the discussion.
The Situation: It’s rare for a tight end to be a five-star, but the ones who have earned that distinction have gone on to have very good careers. Wright, who looks the part of a five-star on the hoof, has the chance to show that he belongs in that group with a good performance this week. He is committed to Notre Dame.
Farrell’s Take: No one is a bigger fan of Wright than I am, as I think he could be very special as a combo tight end – a guy who can block, play physical and stretch the field – at the next level. Tight ends don’t get much action at all-star games but some of the good ones who have been five-stars in year’s past have impressed. If Wright can do the same, he will be discussed.
