The Class of 2025 rankings have been up to date final week, so this week’s focus shall be on the brand new 2026 rankings. 5-star Jakeem Stewart is ranked No. 1 within the Rivals250, however there are a number of extremely rated prospects difficult his No. 1 spot.
Nationwide Recruitment Analysts – John Garcia Jr, Adam Friedman, Adam Gorney, Marshall Levenson and Greg Smith – give their opinion on who they assume must be ranked No. 1 within the Rivals250.
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RATING OF RIVALS OF THE WEEK
Monday: 5 Star Countdown
Tuesday: New Rivals250 Posted | Gorny goes place after place | The most important risers
Wednesday: New scores of offensive positions have been printed | QB Ranking Breakdown | Breakdown of the ranking of RB | WR/TE Ranking Breakdown | OL Ranking Breakdown
Thursday: New scores of defensive positions have been printed | DL Ranking Breakdown | LB Ranking Breakdown | Database ranking breakdown | ATH Ranking Breakdown
friday: New state scores are printed | Who’s #1 in every state?
Saturday: Spherical desk on the ranking of 2026
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FRIEDMAN’S VIEW: Jakim Stewart
Often, if there’s a prime quarterback in a category, he’ll go No. 1 general due to how precious that place is within the NFL draft. The 2026 class would not have that, however I am unsure it’ll matter due to Stewart. The large, highly effective and explosive defensive lineman has been throwing defensive linemen for years and continues to enhance his method. Over the previous few years, solely a few defensemen have put collectively such a formidable resume this early of their careers.
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GARCIA’S VIEW: Jakim Stewart
It is one factor to be nicknamed Thanos as a junior, it is one other to keep up excessive expectations at virtually each flip. Stewart has the construct, athleticism and maturity to be a real inside drive, rising to compete for back-to-back crowns within the course of, incomes Defensive Line MVP honors at The collection The Camp of Rivals occasions over the previous three years. After all, being from Louisiana, he normally makes camp stops within the state of Texas, typically profitable over older Energy 4 offensive line prospects. His body might lean towards a flexible position or find yourself pushing him inside completely, however inside linebackers who can rush the passer are laborious to return by, so the No. 1-type five-star projection feels comparatively protected at this stage.
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GORNEY’S VIEW: Jakim Stewart
It is easy. Stewart could be within the dialogue for a five-star choose within the 2024 class, he could be within the dialogue for the No. 1 general choose in 2025, and he is by far the very best prospect within the 2026 class that we have seen. What I like about Stewart shouldn’t be solely his dominance on the sphere, however he already has NFL dimension and the dedication to be huge that solely comes with the elite. The New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine defensive again is at all times working to be the very best, at all times trying to compete with the very best and by no means thoughts getting there and competing.
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LEVENSON’S VIEW: Jakim Stewart
Stewart is the one prospect I believe deserves a respectable dialog for the No. 1 spot, and I’ve a sense that may proceed. Stewart reveals up in camps and persistently dominates in thrilling and explosive trend. Along with his top, weight, arm size and wingspan, he’s the mannequin for a prime choose within the NFL draft at line of defense. Among the many remaining seven five-star lessons at the moment, none have proven any motive to leap Stewart.
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SMITH’S VIEW: Jackson Cantwell
Genetically, it would not get a lot better than the Nixa (Mo.) Excessive star. Each his dad and mom have been Olympic throwers. Cantwell might in all probability go to school himself on a observe scholarship as he continues to set data within the shot put. He is huge to associate with that explosive athletic skill.
Cantwell has the potential to be a primary spherical choose within the NFL Draft and performs at a premium place. The one draw back to Cantwell is that we did not get an opportunity to see him towards elite competitors just like the others vying for the #1 spot.