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NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rivals Five-Star: Five Big Ten programs in the spotlight
The Rivals Five-Star, the marquee football event of the offseason, is just one week away. We begin a conference-by-conference look at which programs should be paying the closest attention to the results from Indianapolis next week. First up is the Big Ten. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy BEST OF RIVALS CAMP SERIES: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL | Five best DL | Five best LBs | Five best DBs 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 At last year's event, the Wolverines had one of the breakout stars with offensive lineman Avery Gach. This year they'll send another commit with defensive back Brody Jennings. He'll get to show what he can do against a talented group of receivers. Speaking of receivers there are several wideouts that are serious Michigan targets. Texas big-bodied wideout Zion Robinson is high on the Wolverines. So is local product CJ Sadler even if an official visit hasn't been fully locked in yet. Class of 2027 receiver Monshun Sales has the Wolverines as one of his top schools right now too. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT This is an event that Nebraska would love to have more players at in the future, but the Huskers have an enormous win in the 2027 recruiting class that will be in Indy next week. Illinois quarterback Trae Taylor is one of the top signal-callers in the country for his class. The four-star has had an impressive summer throwing at Nebraska's 7-on-7 event and its camps. Now he'll get to show what he can do alongside and against the nation's best. Another good showing for Taylor could get more prospects wondering what Matt Rhule has cooking in Lincoln. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT The Buckeyes are one of the programs that should have a ton of interest in the event. There are multiple Ohio State commits that will be in attendance. Running back Favour Akih, wide receiver commit Jamier Brown, quarterback Brady Edmunds and offensive lineman Sam Greer will all be in Indianapolis. There are star-studded targets to watch, too. Running back Derrek Cooper, defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and tight end Mack Sutter are all being pursued hard by coach Ryan Day's program. The Buckeyes always have a spotlight on them but they might be the team to watch during the Rivals Five-Star. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT If I had to make a prediction on the offensive lineman who will come out of this event challenging to get his rating bumped its Penn State commit Kevin Brown. The Pennsylvania native plays with a serious mean streak so he's great in the camp setting where he's sure to create a viral moment. But it's not just his physicality that makes him an intriguing prospect. He has good technique and at 6-foot-5, 270-pounds, he boasts a frame that's perfect for the Nittany Lions staff to mold. They've got a great one committed and a lot of people are about to find out more soon. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PENN STATE FANS AT Running back Deshonne Redeaux and defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui will be the commits representing USC. Each player will come to Indy with something to prove. But it's the two major targets that I'll have my eye on. Five-star defensive end Richard Wesley was briefly committed to Oregon but opened things back up. USC will surely make a push there. Then there is five-star defensive back Duvay Williams. He's been very complimentary of other schools but the Trojans should be viewed as the heavy favorites. It'll be fun to see him against the elite receivers at the event. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Big Ten Spotlight: Four programs that need a big June
June has become arguably the most important month in the recruiting calendar, with prospects crisscrossing the country on official visits and lining up announcement dates. Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith looks at four Big Ten programs that need to capitalize in the coming weeks. RELATED: Big Ten team recruiting rankings JUNE PREVIEW: Biggest storylines this weekend RECRUITING RUMORS: Pivotal weeks on deck for 2026 recruiting cycle 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 INDIANA It's always going to be tricky judging Indiana's recruiting classes. The Hoosiers had a magical season last year, finishing 11-2 in coach Curt Cignetti's first season running the program. But a lot of that success was built with players brought in from the portal. But now you'd expect there to be a bump in the Hoosiers' high school recruiting. Advertisement That hasn't happened yet for the 2026 cycle. Indiana has nine commitments right now and things have picked up with three of them coming in May. But if the Hoosiers are going to get a bump on the trail for this class, it'll need a huge June. One name to watch that would change the perception of the class is Jerquaden Guilford. The talented receiver from Indiana is very high on the Hoosiers and would be a game changer. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH INDIANA FANS AT MICHIGAN Jeff McCulloch/ Things are picking up in Ann Arbor on the recruiting trail with a pair of nice tight end commitments in June. However, we haven't seen the early run of commitments this cycle that we might have anticipated after the Wolverines finished so strongly last cycle. Advertisement There might be a reason for that though. The program is in on a number of high-profile prospects that have elected to take official visits before committing to a school. Five-star offensive lineman Felix Ojo, four-star defensive end McHale Blade and four-star offensive tackle Carter Scruggs are among the blue-chip prospects taking June official visits to Michigan. It'll be a huge month for coach Sherrone Moore. RELATED: Michigan's 2026 commitment list SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT MICHIGAN STATE Nick Lucero/ Right now, the Spartans are sitting last in the Big Ten Team Recruiting Rankings. So it goes without saying that the Spartans need a big June to turn things around. The four commits in the class are great building blocks. Especially four-star quarterback Kayd Coffman, who continues to see new offers come in. But the Spartans need other reinforcements to help coach Jonathan Smith's rebuild. Advertisement They missed out on priority running back target Kory Amachree after spending a lot of time recruiting him. But the Spartans are likely to flip Iowa State defensive back commit Brayden Thomas. If they can find a way to keep four-star offensive lineman Khalief Canty home, it'd be a huge boost to the recruiting class. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN STATE FANS AT NEBRASKA Nick Lucero/ The Huskers' recruiting class is very much in limbo right now. There are only four verbal pledges in the class. One of them, four-star defensive back CJ Bronaugh, is a pretty soft commit with several official visits set and other schools trying to get him on campus. The Huskers are going to take a smaller class so it seems the plan was to aim high and see where things land. Advertisement The issue is that Nebraska is already missing on top targets before it can get guys on campus for official visits. The latest example of that is defensive end Titan Davis, who did not have the Huskers in his reworked top group. Nebraska has some huge official visits scheduled. Offensive tackles Kelvin Obot and Claude Mpouma have a lot of upside. Priority four-star linebacker flip target Jordan Campbell would be a jewel of the class. Beating out Oklahoma on four-star running back DeZephen Walker would boost the class. Don't count out the Huskers because they've gone on huge runs before but they need a massive June. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Predictions: Big Ten classes, Will Johnson, Mack Sutter
© Doral Chenoweth/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith has three predictions on top Big Ten classes, Will Johnson's draft stock and a Midwest tight end picking Alabama. 2026 RIVALS250 REFRESH: New schedule explained | Updated Rivals250 revealed | Biggest storylines | Prospects on the five-star radar | Three big jumps RUMOR MILL: Intel flows from trip to North Carolina | Big decisions coming for nation's elite CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State 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 FOUR BIG TEN PROGRAMS FINISH WITH TOP-10 CLASSES Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Images Advertisement Every year there seems to be a mix of Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan in the top 15 of the recruiting rankings. Historically Ohio State is the clear leader of that group when it comes to recruiting rankings. Now that USC and Oregon have joined the league it gives the conference even more firepower. We know barring something very strange that Oregon will finish in the top 10. But the biggest surprise of this cycle has been the resurrection of the USC brand on the recruiting trail. We'll see if the team can hold on to the No. 1 spot in the rankings. That'd be huge for the Trojans. But I've got four Big Ten teams ending up in the top 10 of the rankings. I'll even call my shot. USC, Ohio State, Oregon and Michigan will be in the top 10 this cycle setting up continued dominance for the conference. MICHIGAN CB WILL JOHNSON FALLS OUT OF THE TOP 15 © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement This would have seemed crazy a year ago. Will Johnson was one of the best defensive players in the country during his career in Ann Arbor. When he was on the field. The nagging injuries last season and an extreme reluctance to run a 40-yard-dash could cause him to slip for NFL teams. He certainly has top-15 talent and could outplay his eventual draft position. But there are some red flags that will keep NFL teams from going all-in on Johnson. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT MACK SUTTER EVENTUALLY PICKS ALABAMA As we kick off the official visit season one of the big storylines will be the dominos falling with elite tight ends committing. It seems like a lot of them (especially in the Midwest) are considering the same handful of program. That has created a log jam. Advertisement One program that isn't mentioned much for players at the position is Alabama. But is that because the Tide have locked in on their top target? Illinois four-star Mack Sutter is still considering Bama and also has official visits set to Illinois, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Penn State. But the final official is going to Alabama where I think the Tide will land him. Sutter would be a terrific fit in coach Kalen DeBoer's offense and loves the idea of playing in the SEC. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT
NBC Sports
24-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Big Ten Spotlight: Comparing top 2026 standouts to NFL Draft prospects
As the NFL Draft creeps closer, the national analyst team at Rivals is taking a look at some current 2026 recruits that compare favorably to upcoming draft picks. First up is the Big Ten. MORE: Michigan impresses five-star OT Jackson Cantwell on latest visit CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State 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 Warren was a player that could do a little bit of everything while at Penn State. His overall athleticism will make him an intriguing weapon in the NFL after he is likely drafted in the first round. The prospect that reminds me most of him in the 2026 class is Illinois native JC Anderson. Ironically, Penn State is among the programs under consideration for the big playmaker. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PENN STATE FANS AT Simmons is a very athletic offensive tackle with ideal size at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. Cantwell has a similar frame at 6-foot-8, 300 pounds, and is an elite athlete. Both prospects can play on either side of the line depending on the needs of the team. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT The raw physical tools are all there for Conerly to be a multi-year starter in the NFL. He just needs more time to develop. That sounds a lot like the Chicago four-star Mpouma to me. He's one of the hottest prospects in the country right now and isn't close to his ceiling as a player. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OREGON FANS AT This one is a comp that likely came up during Riley's meetings about deciding to become a Buckeye. Jackson can be a Swiss Army Knife along the line. He starred at tackle but many have projected him inside to guard at the NFL level. Riley is on a similar path in my mind. He could kick inside to guard immediately when he gets to Columbus and thrive there. Loveland spent his time in Ann Arbor as a jumbo slot receiver playing tight end. He created mismatches all over the field because he's too big for smaller defenders and too fast for linebackers. Sutter could have a similar trajectory after he decides among Penn State, Alabama, Ole Miss and others. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT Editor's Note: This article first appeared on the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gorney's Predictions: Ryder Lyons, Kaydin Jones, LaDamion Guyton
Nick Lucero/ Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney has three predictions on five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, four-star running back Kaydin Jones and the top of the 2027 rankings. MORE GORNEY: Washington finds a secret recruiting weapon | Recruiting Rumor Mill | Ranking the 10 biggest commitments after a massive weekend CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State 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 Ryder Lyons is one of the most interesting prospects in the 2026 class both on and off the field and his recruitment has taken some interesting turns recently. Once considered a near USC lock, that all changed once four-star QB Jonas Williams flipped his pledge from Oregon to the Trojans. USC is still being considered by Lyons (the location, playing for Lincoln Riley and his brother plays there are all factors) but now Oregon, Michigan and BYU are the other three frontrunners. This is where it gets especially interesting with another five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who is down to Oregon and Georgia, visited both schools in recent days and should be close to a final decision. If Curtis picks the Ducks then Lyons might be down to Michigan and BYU. If Curtis re-commits to Georgia then Oregon might emerge as the frontrunner for Lyons. If the Folsom, Calif., standout softly eliminates Oregon considering Curtis' next move then the Wolverines could be sitting really pretty. Lyons has a ton of confidence and swagger and might pick BYU in a shocking recruiting move but Michigan looks strongest now according to sources. By the time Lyons gets through his senior season, then a one-year Mormon mission, he could go to Ann Arbor for one season, presumably sit behind Bryce Underwood for one year and learn, Underwood would then be off to the NFL and Lyons could step in. It never works out so easily (just ask Arch Manning who had to wait for two years behind Quinn Ewers) but that's the idea. Michigan is emerging and is now the team to beat. Unless something unforeseen happens, the Wolverines will get Lyons. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT Over the weekend, Kaydin Jones visited Kansas and after the trip he said the coaching staff told him they're just waiting on him to commit. 'Coaches continue to tell me they're waiting on me and whenever I want to jump in they'd be ready,' Jones said. And then the four-star running back from Jenks, Okla., said something pretty surprising: 'KU is standing out the most.' Oklahoma had been considered the far-and-away leader for Jones but after talking to some people it looks as if the Sooners have moved on to other targets, such as Jonathan Hatton Jr., Baylor four-star commit Ryelan Morris and others. Oklahoma State and others are in the picture as well. But Kansas has emerged as the team to beat for the seventh-best all-purpose back in the class. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH KANSAS FANS AT Of the last 24 NFL Drafts dating back to 2000, there have been 18 quarterbacks taken first, four defensive ends and two offensive tackles. Based on that stark statistic alone, it would behoove us in the rankings business to focus very much on putting a quarterback No. 1 nearly every recruiting cycle. That has been the case in recent years except for Jeremiah Smith because he was such a no-brainer No. 1 along with Travis Hunter because of the same reason. But the 2027 class still seems wide open in terms of the top-rated player. Right now, Elijah Haven, Peyton Houston and Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds are the top-three quarterbacks in the class. Edmunds was excellent at the recent Rivals Camp in Los Angeles. The current No. 1 is Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School edge rusher LaDamion Guyton, who is fantastic off the edge, super fast, productive and he hits like a truck. The issue here is that of the four defensive ends taken No. 1 overall, they were physical specimens that looked like they were built in a lab. Guyton is a big-time player but at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, I'm not sure he's there yet. Mario Williams was 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds. Jadeveon Clowney was 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds and arguably the best high school football player I've ever seen. Myles Garrett might be second on that list and was insanely dominant in high school. And Travon Walker was right on the cusp of a five-star ranking and one we still ache over. Guyton is really good. But is he a surefire No. 1? History would argue against it.
