UA Game: Plenty of rankings questions after two practices
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- All-Star game season has been invaluable to the rankings process throughout the years and this year is no different. We’re two practices into the Under Armour Next All-America Game week and some important rankings questions have begun to surface. Here is a sneak peek of some of the topics the national analyst team will be discussing before the final rankings update is released.
MORE UA GAME: Three-Point Stance from Day 2 | Signees share which programs came in second | Signees predict semifinal results | Team Phantom takeaways from Day 1 | Team Speed takeaways from Day 1 | Three-Point Stance from Day 1 | Rumor Mill | Interview videos with more than two dozen prospects | Survey - Is the transfer portal affecting recruiting? | Respect My Decision podcast
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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Will Cormani McClain hold onto the No. 1 cornerback ranking?
A revamp of the cornerback rankings is coming and there is going to be a long discussion about Cormani McClain. He was very good this season but his production dipped and during the first two practices this week he hasn’t been the dominant cornerback we’ve come to know. McClain’s physical traits and overall speed make him a special prospect but he doesn’t appear as sharp has he has been in the past.
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Is David Hicks the top non-quarterback?
Right now McClain is the top-ranked non-quarterback in the Rivals250 and David Hicks is second. That order could certainly change after the next rankings meeting based on what we’ve seen so far this week. The Texas A&M signee has been dominant during 1-on-1s and he’s been in position to make a lot of plays in team drills, even though they aren’t going full speed. He is so strong that he’s been able to push around some of the strongest offensive linemen on the field.
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Should Amir Herring be in the Rivals250?
Amir Herring is well-known on the camp circuit and he’s been a name on the recruiting trail for years so everybody is familiar with him and what he brings to the table. The Michigan signee is having just as much success as he’s grown accustomed to but he’s doing it against much better defensive linemen than he’s faced before. Herring doesn’t check a lot of the boxes when scout look at physical traits but he’s very strong and has excellent technique. He’s always been a four-star in our rankings but hasn’t cracked the Rivals250 since the preseason rankings update of 2021. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him finish inside the rankings in the final update.
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Are John Walker and Rueben Bain underrated?
Miami and UCF are getting outstanding players in Rueben Bain and John Walker. Bain looks like a defensive tackle but plays like a defensive end. He is listed at 6-3, 250-pounds on the official roster but he looks like he’s closer to 270-pounds. He has a very uncommon physical make-up and it’s surprising to see how twitchy he has been. After seeing him perform, No. 102 in the Rivals250 could be a touch too low for him.
Walker fits a similar description. He looks a little more like a traditional defensive tackle but its so fast off the line and has excellent hand techniques. Currently sitting at No. 185 in the Rivals250, Walker could be on his way up the rankings before all is said and done.
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Is Tony Mitchell a safety?
Tony Mitchell will also generate a lot of discussion in the final rankings meeting. The Alabama signee doesn’t appear as fast or as fluid as he did in the past but he did have some success during one-on-ones. It’s hard not to wonder what kind of player Mitchell would be if he leaned into getting bigger and made the move to linebacker. Currently listed as a safety, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mitchell play closer to the line of scrimmage at the next level.