West spotlight: Five with something to prove at Five-Star Challenge
The West region will be well represented at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas in Indianapolis. Here are five top prospects that have a lot to prove once they touch down in the Midwest.
MORE: Mid-Atlantic prospects with something to prove at Five-Star | Southeast
St. Brown is now the top-rated receiver in the class, which holds a certain cachet, as he has absolutely dominated every single event this offseason including the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp in Los Angeles. He’s fast, he’s elusive, he’s athletic and he has excellent hands. He will also be a big target in Indianapolis for top defensive backs because they want to make an even bigger name for themselves, too. Good luck. St. Brown is so tough off the line of scrimmage and so smooth in and out of his routes that he should have a field day in one-on-one reps. Stanford, USC, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State and others remain involved.
Sewell is a massive offensive tackle who has quickly moved up the rankings and is now No. 29 overall in the class after multiple impressive camp performances this offseason. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound high four-star swallows up defensive linemen who try to bull rush him, and he’s powerful enough to handle any inside moves. The test for him at the Five-Star Challenge will be if he can move his feet fast enough to fend off the outside rush. Sewell has been great this offseason, but he’s never faced this level of elite defensive ends. If he answers this bell, we could be looking at one of the best offensive tackles in the class. Oklahoma, USC and many others remain involved.
Woodbey has had a strong offseason and I’ve liked his willingness to test – and prove – himself against some of the nation’s best receivers. He could play a big cornerback role or easily move to safety and have an impact there. At the Five-Star Challenge, the test for the Ohio State commit will be whether he can muscle elite national receivers like he has in the West region this offseason. His speed will be tested, especially during 7-on-7 play, when he’ll almost definitely move to safety. Woodbey is getting bigger, stronger and faster, and a big showing here could continue his rise up the rankings.
If you’re looking for the prototypical NFL cornerback, look no further than Taylor-Stuart, who is 6-foot-2, long, athletic and can run with almost any receiver in the country. He has been a lockdown corner for almost all of the offseason except for one 7-on-7 game where he struggled. Can he be physical and dominate against elite receivers in one-on-ones and show that competitive drive to be one of the top corners in the class? Taylor-Stuart has all the physical makings and ability of a five-star prospect, and his showing in Indianapolis could go a long way in making that happen. His recruitment remains wide open, but USC, Alabama and others are in the mix.
Steele is an intriguing 2019 four-star prospect who could legitimately shine at either cornerback or safety, and this event is going to determine which position is better for him long term. There have been some early comparisons to a young Su’a Cravens, but let’s not jump the gun yet. Steele is incredibly talented and long and because of his versatility he’s going to have a chance to see the field early at either defensive back spot. This will be an excellent test for him against national competition. Steele is committed to UCLA, but Stanford, LSU and others are pushing.
