The A five-star rival, the principle soccer occasion of the offseason, is that this week with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s deliberate that 104 of the most effective gamers of the nation will participate within the competitors, and their leads to the rating will depend upon their performances. Forward of the occasion, check out among the largest ahead rankings.
Will one other quarterback earn a fifth star?
Seven of the eight quarterbacks who will likely be in Jacksonville this week are within the 2025 class, with USC commit Julian Lewis and Ohio State commit Tavien St. Clair already five-star prospects. Florida State commit Brady Smigiel can be a five-star and the lone 2026 quarterback scheduled to commit this week.
That leaves Texas’ KJ Lacy, Alabama’s Kylon Russell, Notre Dame’s Deuce Knight, Florida State’s Trammel Jones and Oregon’s Akili Smith Jr. as 4 stars wanting so as to add their fifth. Russell, Knight and Jones are coming off spectacular performances on the Elite 11 finals final week. If they will proceed to play at a excessive stage in opposition to rising expertise and competitors this week, there will likely be deep discussions about their transfer to the five-star ranks.
Lacy, in the meantime, is the highest-rated four-star quarterback heading into this week’s contest. And not using a lengthy offseason on the resumes of the opposite three, Lacy could have an opportunity to remind everybody why he’s ranked so excessive at No. 25 within the Rivals250. Smith has the elite presents that made his father a star. Engaged on the sector in Jacksonville will likely be a very good check for him, giving Rivals analysts an concept of how far he is progressed as a prospect.
*****
Is the rating set this week?
This battle has been brewing for a very long time, and now the No. 1 and No. 2 operating backs within the Rivals250 will compete on the identical subject for the primary time. The controversy between LSU five-star Harlem Berry and uncommitted five-star Jordan Davison may very well be settled after their performances in Jacksonville. Berry’s ability set lends itself to a camp setting a bit greater than Davison’s, however the California native has made massive strides as a move catcher. We’ll keep watch over how properly Davison catches, runs routes and strikes within the open subject in comparison with his earlier private grade.
Do not be stunned if guards Gideon Davidson, Byron Lewis, Jabri Coleman, Anthony Rodgers, Shekai Mills-Knight or Jasper Parker make some noise on Wednesday as properly.
*****
Are the five-star forwards prepared for the massive stage?
There have not been many nationwide occasions the place five-star Douglas Utu has featured, however all eyes will likely be on him as soon as he takes the sector on Wednesday. The massive attacking receiver has been receiving 5 stars for greater than a 12 months now due to his unstoppable energy, elite technical potential and spectacular stats. Getting one other test to look at Utu carry out in opposition to the most effective within the nation will likely be an important check.
Ohio State’s Carter Lowe earned his fifth star earlier this 12 months, and this week will likely be his first expertise at a nationwide occasion. He brings the elite athleticism, aggressive type and measurables you’d count on from a five-star prospect. Lowe’s skills will likely be heightened like by no means earlier than when he fits up on Wednesday.
Keenyi Pepe, a five-star 2026, isn’t any stranger to camp, however this will likely be his hardest check but. Method and athletic potential have by no means been the largest questions for Pepe. His playmaking energy and talent to deal with extra aggressive defenses will likely be intently watched this week.
Emmanuel Iheanacho was awarded 5 stars within the 2026 class earlier this month after testing his metrics this spring. His solely expertise in his profession was at this 12 months’s Baltimore Beneath Armor camp, so will probably be a serious step up in competitors. Thankfully for Iheanacho, he has rather a lot going for him. He’ll possible be the largest potential presence and convey energy and stability to the sector.
Whereas these 4 offensive linemen will get a variety of consideration, the whole offensive line is extremely proficient, and it would not be a shock to see any of them get consideration on Wednesday. Look ahead to Owen Strebig, Micah Debose, SJ Alafaituli, Avery Gach, Ziare Addison, Mario Nash Jr., Michael Carroll, Max Buchanan, Javon McFadden, Kevin Brown, and Leo Delaney.
*****
Is there one other five-star receiver?
The depth of expertise on the receiver place goes as much as A five-star rival this week is nice. Winston Watkins is the one five-star, however there are many different move catchers hoping to affix him on the high of the rankings. Jaime French, a Jacksonville native, has been on the verge of five-star standing for months. The identical might be stated for Oregon commit Dallas Wilson. Current Georgia commit Talyn Taylor has been very spectacular this spring and hopes to complete the offseason with a efficiency that elevates him to 5 stars. Every of these three receivers is ranked within the high 30 of the Rivals250.
Donovan Olugbode, Nashon Montgomery, Cortez Mills, Daylon McCutcheon, Corey Simms and Travis Smith are among the different 2025 receivers who might make the soar to 5 stars with excellent efficiency.
Aaron Gregory is presently ranked No. 21 within the 2026 Rivals250, with Caden Dixon-Wyatt not far behind at No. 34. Each of them are just a few steps away from incomes their fifth star.
