Three Predictions: Brayden Parks, Ohio State, Alabama
Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith has predictions on a Rivals250 defensive tackle earning his fifth star, Ohio State landing a top offensive target and Alabama zeroing in on a Midwest quarterback.
MORE MIDWEST: Rumor Mill | Wisconsin making a push with four-star EDGE McHale Blade
NEW RIVALS250 RELEASED: Ranking | Top storylines | Ten prospects who could rise with a big June
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info
BRAYDEN PARKS BECOMES A FIVE-STAR
Even though Parks is already a top-150 prospect in the 2027 Rivals250 he is still on the rise. He just wrapped up a visit to Oregon where he camped and has the Ducks coaches impressed with him. He'll visit Notre Dame and Ohio State next.
Advertisement
His teammate, wide receiver Quentin Burrell, is also generating five-star buzz. It's tough for an interior defensive lineman to reach that status but if someone can do it, it'll be the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder out of Chicago. His blend of size, speed and power makes him a major force along the line. His recruitment is just heating up and will be hotly contested.
FAVOUR AKIH JOINS THE BUCKEYES' CLASS AFTER HIS VISIT
The long-awaited official visit to Ohio State is happening this weekend for the four-star running back from Ohio. Akih's recruitment has gotten quieter after a huge winter but he's one of the best backs in the country this cycle. Once Ohio State turned up the heat it became very difficult for Miami and others to continue pushing for his pledge.
Advertisement
After his visit back to Columbus this weekend, I'm predicting that he'll officially join the Buckeyes' 2026 class, which is in the hunt for the No. 1 ranking once again.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT DOTTINGTHEEYES.COM
ALABAMA SIGNS A QUARTERBACK FROM THE MIDWEST
One of the more underrated storylines of this recruiting cycle has been Alabama quarterback recruiting. Previously under coach Nick Saban there was never a question if they'd get a top prospect. Coach Kalen DeBoer kept that rolling by landing last cycle's No. 1 player, Keelon Russell. It's incredibly hard to follow that up with another top prospect so the Tide staff has taken its time with a deep evaluation.
Advertisement
Now it looks like Alabama is strongly in the mix for a pair of signal-callers from the Midwest. Ohio's Matt Ponatoski and Nebraska's Jett Thomalla are both atop the board for Alabama's staff. Thomalla took an unofficial visit the weekend of May 30 and Ponatoski will take an official visit the weekend of June 6.
I believe the Tide will either flip Thomalla from Iowa State or nab the dual-sport athlete Ponatoski, who also stars on the baseball diamond.
Both players have enormous potential with some coaching by a noted QB guru in DeBoer.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT TIDEILLUSTRATED.COM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
40 minutes ago
- USA Today
Sam Amick: Rockets, Suns haven't talked Kevin Durant trade in a week
The Athletic's Sam Amick on the current state of Kevin Durant trade talks: 'I was told yesterday that Houston hadn't talked to Phoenix since last week, and that call didn't go particularly well.' The Rockets have a 'firm offer' to trade for Suns star Kevin Durant, but Phoenix continues to be underwhelmed with Houston's valuation of the All-Star forward, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. There has yet to be a clear indication of what that offer specifically entails, though Rockets Wire explored the financial possibilities last week. That was reported a few days ago, and as of late in the week, it seemingly remains the case. In a conversation taped midday Friday, The Athletic's Sam Amick said this (on The Athletic NBA Daily) regarding the state of talks between the Rockets and Suns: I was told yesterday (Thursday) that Houston hadn't talked to Phoenix since last week, and that call didn't go particularly well. That could have changed by now, again that's as of yesterday. They would love to have KD, but it's on their price. In short, it's a standoff. The Suns are canvassing the league in hopes of either finding a better trade offer for Durant or bluffing a suitor such as Houston into raising its bid (by making them wait and leaving the team in a period of uncertainty). Conversely, the Rockets are better that Phoenix will be unsuccessful in that effort, particularly with Durant having some leverage in the form of a trade list of desired destinations (with only Houston, Miami, and San Antonio on it). The Suns would love for Durant to eventually give them more options by expanding that list beyond three teams, and this delay is their attempt at leveraging him to do so. Because the All-Star forward's current contract expires after next season, his choice to sign (or not sign) an extension carries significant weight in any trade talks, since most teams won't risk surrendering significant asset capital if they might lose him as an unrestricted free agent a year later. For over a week, it's been reported that a Durant deal is possible at any time, with the upcoming NBA draft a key date in the talks. Should Phoenix acquire a draft asset in a trade, finalizing a deal prior to the June 25 first round would allow the Suns to make such a selection for themselves, as opposed to having a player chosen for them by another team. So, as that June 25 date looms on Wednesday, everyone waits. Can the Suns find a better offer, and will Durant expand his list to help arrange that? If not, will Phoenix lower its asking price and perhaps consider a preexisting bid from a team such as Houston? If they are unwilling to, is there any scenario where the Suns would pull Durant from the market and attempt to bring him back into the fold for the 2025-26 season? The next move seemingly belongs to the Suns, owner Mat Ishbia, and new general manager Brian Gregory, and the career-closing fate of a future Hall of Famer likely hangs in the balance. Durant turns 37 years old in September, which means that his next NBA team could perhaps be his last. Rafael Stone, general manager of the Rockets, would love for that team to be his — but on terms that work for both short- and long-term interests. More: Jake Fischer: Rockets might be Kevin Durant's top trade preference
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Lefty Shota Imanaga Will Rejoin Chicago Cubs Next Week in St. Louis
Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday. Counsell wasn't sure when Imanaga would be slotted into Chicago's rotation but said before the Cubs' game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old "is gonna make his next start in the big leagues." Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie last season, is coming back from a left hamstring strain. He got hurt covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on May 4. Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for the Cubs this season. His return is expected to provide a lift for the NL Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4.5 games in front of Milwaukee and St. Louis. Imanaga tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday night. He struck out eight and walked two. "Everything went great," Counsell said. "Did what we hoped he would do. He's in a position to be ready. So he's going to join us in St. Louis and we'll figure out the next steps." Before the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday. Imanaga signed a $53 million, four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024. He often dazzled in 29 starts last season, making the National League All-Star team and finishing fourth in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year. Also, on Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated lefty Genesis Cabrera for assignment. Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15. Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs Shota Imanaga recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Lefty Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Cubs next week in St. Louis
Eric Samulski explains why the Rafael Devers trade could accelerate Masataka Yoshida's return, arguing that he could offer some fantasy value in the middle of the Boston Red Sox's lineup. CHICAGO — Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday. Counsell wasn't sure when Imanaga would be slotted into Chicago's rotation but said before the Cubs' game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old 'is gonna make his next start in the big leagues.' Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie last season, is coming back from a left hamstring strain. He got hurt covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on May 4. Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for the Cubs this season. His return is expected to provide a lift to the NL Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4 1/2 games in front of Milwaukee and St. Louis. Imanaga tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday night. He struck out eight and walked two. 'Everything went great,' Counsell said. 'Did what we hoped he would do. He's in a position to be ready. So he's going to join us in St. Louis and we'll figure out the next steps.' Before the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday. Imanaga signed a $53 million, four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024. He often dazzled in 29 starts last season, making the NL All-Star team and finishing fourth in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year. Also Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated lefty Génesis Cabrera for assignment. Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15. Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the Mets.
