The rankings replace for the Class of 2026 is full, and coaches, gamers and followers are discussing many highlights and controversial selections.
Nationwide group of analysts – Adam Friedman, John Garcia the youngest., Adam Attractive, Marshal Levenson and Greg Smith – sit at a spherical desk on the ranking and talk about.
1. Who is simply too tall?
Friedman: Dezephen Walker needs to be a profitable operating again in faculty if he will get there, however at No. 59 within the Rivals250, I hoped Walker would present extra this offseason. He did not refill the stat line as a sophomore, confirmed inconsistent monitor time and did not do a lot this offseason to indicate he has a greater ability set than a number of the different operating backs on this class. Do not get me incorrect, I like what Walker can do on the sphere, however his resume would not say “prime 100 prospect” proper now.
Garcia: Chris Henry has a number of the most superb bodily attributes on the extensive receiver place. He is a official 6-foot-5 or taller, with lengthy arms and the sort of catch radius that quarterbacks dream of — to not point out NFL pedigree. There’s additionally loads of nuance to his sport relative to his age to warrant a excessive rating, however being the No. 3 total recruit and the nation’s top-rated ability prospect is a tall mantle for a recruit who nonetheless has some questions. Can Henry separate himself from elite defenders? Does he develop from the extensive receiver place? We’re telling, and the positional worth is affected by the shortage of precedent, however it’s a gig on the prime of the rankings and Henry would not really feel like what Jeremiah Smith has turn into within the 2024 class.
Attractive: Maxwell Riley is a really proficient participant and an elite hitter who performs laborious and quick. He hasn’t hit peak physicality but, which we like, however there are additionally some questions that have to be answered earlier than I see him as a prime 10 participant within the class. Will Ohio State’s huge 6-foot-3 goal have the size wanted to play offense within the Large Ten? At 265 kilos, would he have the scale and power to maneuver inside? We would wish to see Riley at some nationwide occasions earlier than getting a five-star ticket, and he hasn’t been on the monitor a lot this offseason. There isn’t any doubt that Riley is de facto proficient, however proper now he is the primary 4 stars exterior of the five-star vary, and that appears a bit excessive.
Levenson: This will likely be primarily based on private expertise attending to know him, however I wish to see extra from Jared Curtis this offseason. Once I see him in a 7-on-7 ambiance, it is not the consequence he hoped for and struggled at instances. He is actually proficient, however #19 could be too excessive for me proper now.
Smith: Houston commit Cason Henderson is certainly one of our highest-rated athletes within the class of 2026. He has a variety of instruments to go along with his dimension and athleticism. Nonetheless, he’s dedicated to Houston as a quarterback and could be very uncooked on the place. There are different colleges that enjoyed him at security or in plain sight. His ranking can be extra justified, in my view, as a security.
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2. Who is simply too brief?
Friedman: Donovan Murph was speculated to make the Rivals250, however did not. The massive receiver from South Carolina has nice metrics, glorious monitor time and has rather a lot to do earlier than he reaches his full potential. Murph could be very productive at the highschool degree and has a ability set that ought to enchantment to school coaches. He has the flexibility to be a profitable exterior receiver and may also do a variety of injury from the slot. Do not be stunned to see Murph make the subsequent model of the 250.
Garcia: Jake Croyle, a pass-rushing specialist, opened as a four-star and this time he moved into the Rivals250, ranked No. 246 within the nation, however nonetheless won’t be excessive sufficient. Crail had 17 sacks in 2023, and he adopted that up with a robust effort in camp, taking residence the gold ball at RCS Miami and incomes affords from Michigan, Clemson and Auburn this season in camp. The polished and wide-ranging toolset he brings as a go rusher is as superior as any prime participant within the class. As Merciless continues to fill out his construct, he could possibly add much more energy items to an already deep bag at premium positions, main to greater rating jumps within the cycle.
Attractive: Naeem Burrows has confirmed to be an elite playmaker, and even when he is a bit undersized, he could possibly be the most effective participant within the class of 2026. On A five-star rival weeks to showcase his talents, and whereas gamers like Chris Henry Jr., Aaron Gregory and different taller, longer receivers have drawn loads of consideration, there is probably not a greater shifty, small receiver within the class than Burrows.
Levenson: I consider I had the identical reply within the final replace, however I am going with Southlake Carroll, extensive receiver Brock Boyd. Boyd had a really robust camp season and obtained double-digit affords, together with Oregon, Arizona and Ole Miss. His finest performances come in opposition to higher competitors.
Smith: Davison (Michigan) ahead Ben Nichols made his Rivals250 debut this time. We should have it too low. Nichols (6-5, 320) has greater than held his personal in camp the place I’ve seen him this spring. He might play each inside and outdoors, making him extra invaluable to colleges. Iowa and Notre Dame are a number of early colleges that stand out for him.
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3. Who did you expose your self to to make you look good?
Friedman: Tristian Givens’ upside as a defensive finish is de facto thrilling. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound prospect from Georgia has elite explosiveness within the snap, efficient hand approach and exhibits the poise and quickness that would make him a relentless presence within the offensive backfield. Givens posted 10 sacks final season to associate with 12 quarterback sacks along with taking part in tight finish on offense. That sort of athleticism and manufacturing is de facto encouraging, so it is no shock to see him rise to the event.
Garcia: Each time we see Derrek Cooper, the brand new Georgia commit, he impresses a little bit extra. This has led to a gradual rise within the Rivals250 rankings, the place he now ranks as the highest ATH prospect and within the prime 20 total. After seeing him within the spring working the operating place with a mix of power and velocity that may’t be taught, the ground rises with Cooper’s projection. The ceiling has at all times been sky-high, particularly as a possible defensive projection at security or linebacker, however at 6-foot-1, 200 kilos with actually blazing velocity and pure soccer instincts, Cooper is a simple recruit to root for no matter place.
Attractive: Madden Williams within the prime 100 ought to show to be a really sensible transfer. He had a strong, if unspectacular, sophomore season at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, however has now had maybe the most effective offseason of any receiver within the West, if not the nation. Williams is an enormous, bodily receiver with misleading velocity down the sphere, and he has turn into an elite go catcher on this class. If he interprets that to the sphere for his junior yr, the four-star might rise even larger on the record.
Levenson: A participant who had an enormous offseason who deserves to have his ranking mirrored by his ahead John Turntine, who has terrific measurements at 6-foot-4, 317 kilos with an 83-inch wingspan. He could possibly be a guard sooner or later, however his athleticism and decrease half will permit him to play deal with if he chooses.
Smith: Jonas Williams has been on our radar as a quarterback for some time. As he performs for a high-profile 7-on-7 group within the Midwest Increase, we have been in a position to see his growth up shut. This winter and spring we’ve got seen a dramatic enchancment in his consistency. He has nice arm expertise and nice mobility to increase his kicking sport. Williams was an enormous success on this replace and I’ll look good sooner or later.