Latest news with #RIVALSFIVE-STAR
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Key DL storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis
The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility. Here are four defensive line storylines we're following heading into the biggest event of the summer. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | ACC programs in the spotlight | Big Ten programs in the spotlight | SEC programs in the spotlight | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Key WR storylines | Key TE storylines | Key OL storylines | Key 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 ALL EYES ON RICHARD WESLEY Not only has Richard Wesley reclassified to the 2026 group, but he made a brief commitment to Oregon and enters the event as the sole uncommitted five-star along the defensive front set to participate. Advertisement Wesley is a dynamic pass rusher who thrives in all settings, but this will of course be his most stout test yet given both the top-end talent and depth set to line up against him next week. His recruitment will also play as its own storyline in Indianapolis, fresh off of an official visit to Texas as the Longhorns attempt to close the gap with Oregon for the top-10 national recruit. JAKE KREUL'S ENCORE Jeff McCulloch/ Jake Kreul flashed on the regional scene as an underclassman but he truly broke out at last year's Rivals Five-Star event in Jacksonville. He was one of the recruits who stole the show with his combination of flash, technique, effort and overall success against another loaded field of blockers – with most already in college at this point. Advertisement Kreul has arguably the deepest set of pass rushing traits of any competitor set to work out, but now he is as well-known a recruit as there is in the trenches simultaneously. Will the uncommitted star follow up the breakout with a five-star stamp? SEC IS WELL-REPRESENTED Nick Lucero/ The future trench stars of America's top conference are spread throughout the defensive line group, with Texas A&M sporting two commitments in Samu Moala and Jordan Carter. Recent Florida commitment JaReylan McCoy is back at the Rivals Five-Star for the second year in a row. South Carolina commit Aiden Harris is also scheduled to attend. Even the uncommitted recruits up front have an SEC feel in blue-chippers Jake Kreul, KJ Ford, Deuce Geralds, Landon Barnes and Nolan Wilson on the roster as well. PAIR OF 2027 PROSPECTS WILL BE HARD TO MISS The defensive line group for the Rivals Five-Star is primarily rising-senior laden, but the two 2027s set to work out bring a combination of star power and physical prowess to the showcase. Advertisement KJ Green is a top-10 national recruit in the class, incredibly tall, lean and twitchy coming off the edge to the point he'll touch 40 scholarship offers sooner rather than later. On the interior, 6-foot-5, 315-pound Kasi Carrie already looks like he is on a college roster and the offer list backs that up as Oregon leads the race for the California native early on. The Rivals Five-Star always lifts an underclassman to new heights, so don't count out either prospect already tabbed top-three at his position at this stage.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Predictions: Rivals Five-Star, Illinois, Oregon
Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith has predictions on next week's Rivals Five-Star event, a wave of commitments coming for Illinois and good news on the way for Oregon. MORE: Breaking down the 10 biggest commits from the weekend CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State KHALIEF CANTY JR. WILL BE THE TALK OF THE RIVALS FIVE-STAR Every year there is a prospect that comes to the Rivals Five-Star who is still a little unknown but by the time he leaves the event everyone knows his name. Last year, a strong candidate for that honor was Michigan commit Avery Gach. The offensive lineman was great at camp and had everyone buzzing. Advertisement This year I believe that player will be Khalief Canty Jr. He has a real mean streak on the field and a powerful punch to keep defenders at bay. He'll get to show his stuff against some of the best defensive linemen in the nation. He will also decide between Michigan State and Missouri with us at the event so we'll see who wins the Big Ten versus SEC battle. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | SEC programs in the spotlight | Big Ten programs in the spotlight | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Key WR storylines | Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy ILLINOIS WILL HAVE A BIG WEEK The Illini have already nabbed a pair of commitments this week with the additions of Jaylen Stewart and Kayden Bennett but more could be on the horizon. Advertisement Nick Hankins announces on Thursday and it seems to be down to Illinois versus Missouri for his pledge. There could be a late surprise but the Illini should feel confident here. Kai Pritchard, the offensive tackle from New Jersey, could come off the board on Wednesday. He'd be a great addition to the nice offensive line class that coach Bret Bielema is putting together. Another prospect to keep an eye on is nickel Isaiah Williams. The versatile defensive back out of Texas racked up 34 scholarship offers and the Illini have locked in on him to be part of their future defense. Commitments have come in waves for Illinois this cycle and another big one could be coming to Champaign. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ILLINOIS FANS AT OREGON WILL HEAT UP ON THE TRAIL SOON AP Take a snapshot of the recruiting standings right now because you aren't likely to see it again. Oregon is sitting in 12th place in the Big Ten with just eight commits for the 2026 class. But that could all change soon. Oregon has had some high-profile misses this cycle that isn't like coach Dan Lanning and company. But there are some blue-chip talents that could have decisions soon that the Ducks are heavily involved with. Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons is still out there and the Ducks are in a battle for his pledge. Five-star Alabama edge defender Anthony Jones could combine with five-star Richard Wesley for a dynamic pass rush duo. That's if the Ducks can also get Wesley back in the class. California four-star cornerback Davon Benjamin is leaning toward the Ducks. Advertisement Oregon is a finalist for elite defensive lineman Deuce Geralds but players of his caliber are so hard to pull out of the South. I'm predicting that Oregon will go on a big run to close the month. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OREGON FANS AT
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Five SEC programs in the spotlight
The Rivals Five-Star, the marquee football event of the offseason, is less than a week away. We continue a conference-by-conference look at which programs should be paying the closest attention to the results from Indianapolis next week. Next up is the SEC. Advertisement RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Big Ten programs in the spotlight | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Key WR 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 TEXAS A&M FLEXING ITS MUSCLE Texas A&M leads all SEC programs with five verbal commitments competing in the Rivals Five-Star. Clemson is tied with the Aggies for most involved in the event. Advertisement Future Texas A&M QB Helaman Casuga, WR Aaron Gregory, CB Victor Singleton and DL Jordan Carter and Samu Moala will all be in Indianapolis. The Aggies hold a top-10 class in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings for 2026 and have several more targets competing in the event such as four-star safety Tamarion Watkins, four-star EDGE KJ Ford and both WR Tristen Keys and Jase Mathews. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT TIGERS FLAUNTING FUTURE BIG THREE LSU is notorious for producing elite receiver talent and all three of the Tigers' blue-chip wideout commitments are set to compete in the Rivals Five-Star. Advertisement Five-star Tristen Keys, the No. 1 receiver in the Rivals250 out of Hattiesburg (Miss.), is one of the overall headlining talents competing in Indy. He will be joined by top-100 receiver Jabari Mack and Rivals250 receiver Kenny Darby, both out of The Boot. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT NEWEST GATORS ON DISPLAY Nick Lucero/ Billy Napier and the Gators are catching steam on the recruiting trail as the summer heats up and several of Florida's newest verbal commits will be on hand competing in Indianapolis. Rivals250 prospects JaReylan McCoy, Kaiden Hall and Carsyn Baker will all be working out at the Rivals Five-Star. Advertisement Hall pledged in-state to the Gators after his official visit at the start of June. McCoy, who was also a visitor that same weekend, followed suit after a second visit to The Swamp in a three-week stretch. Baker committed last week after logging another visit to Gainesville. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FLORIDA FANS AT 1ST AND TEN FLORIDA SEVERAL DAWGS TO WATCH ON OFFENSE Georgia produced 13 NFL Draft picks this spring and some of the next wave of elite Dawgs will be on hand in Indy for the Rivals Five-Star. Georgia will be well-represented on offense in particular with electric receiver commitment Vance Spafford and blue-chip tight end Lincoln Keyes set to compete. Advertisement Four-star athlete Ryan Mosley is also set to work out in Indianapolis, primarily as a wide receiver though the Dawgs love his skill-set at safety as well. Jordan Smith, one of the nation's best safeties who committed to Georgia at the top of the month, will also be represented in the annual event. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rivals Five-Star: Key RB storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis
The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility. Here are four running back storylines we're following heading into the biggest event of the summer. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Key QB 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 The elite running back recruit has been busy with his national official visit schedule, taking in Georgia over the weekend and Florida State into the early week. Alabama, Miami, Auburn and others hosted him prior and/or are looking to make a late run at the South Florida native. Cooper talked about coming off the board as early as this week in a recent conversation with Rivals, but the back-to-back stops in Athens and Tallahassee could present a potential wrench in those plans. Going into the latest visit stretch, the Cooper recruitment had long felt like a Miami-Georgia battle so those two programs will continue to hold the buzz until a verbal commitment is to be made. Will Cooper stay home with The U or make a second commitment to Kirby Smart and company? Four of the nation's top-10 running back projections in the class of 2026, as well as the top-ranked all-purpose back in the rising-senior class, will be hitting the field in Indianapolis together. Cooper is the only five-star of the bunch to date, but Notre Dame commitment Javian Osborne, Ohio State pledge Favour Akih, future Florida back Carsyn Baker and spring USC commitment Deshonne Redeaux are each bringing a unique style to the event in addition to representing powerhouse college programs. In a setting that values versatility and flash ability in space, which of the committed backs can challenge Cooper for a potential fifth star or run at the top of the position rankings? Going into it, Osborne is the closest, currently tabbed as the No. 3 running back in the Rivals250. The rising-senior class is loaded and there is a special 2028 to participate with the running back group, but the top of the 2027 board will also be well-represented in Indy with top-ranked running back recruit Tyson Robinson and No. 1 all-purpose back CJ Cowley also signed up for the event. Robinson, who holds more than 30 scholarship offers to his name, brings a traditional compact build to the table along with real intrigue coming out of the state of Mississippi in what could be a breakout national performance. Cowley has flashed in camp settings this offseason, even snagging running back MVP honors at the Under Armour Atlanta event, so expect the Alabama native to continue to work well against linebackers and defensive backs considering the indoor setting. While very few 2028 recruits were even under consideration for a Rivals Five-Star invite, IMG Academy's Eric McFarland was on the list at multiple positions. The running back and wide receiver hybrid may become his own storyline if he continues to work out at each spot with the type of dominance he has shown over the last year or so no matter where he lines up. The event is not a padded setting, so McFarland's ability to work away from contact coming out of the backfield, in the slot or otherwise will almost certainly turn heads. There isn't a traditional back on the roster with the Las Vegas native's chops as a route-runner or potential finisher at the catch point, so it would be foolish to overlook the speedy freshman's value despite his youth.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Key RB storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis
The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility. Here are four running back storylines we're following heading into the biggest event of the summer. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Key QB 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 WILL DERREK COOPER BE OFF THE BOARD? The elite running back recruit has been busy with his national official visit schedule, taking in Georgia over the weekend and Florida State into the early week. Alabama, Miami, Auburn and others hosted him prior and/or are looking to make a late run at the South Florida native. Advertisement Cooper talked about coming off the board as early as this week in a recent conversation with Rivals, but the back-to-back stops in Athens and Tallahassee could present a potential wrench in those plans. Going into the latest visit stretch, the Cooper recruitment had long felt like a Miami-Georgia battle so those two programs will continue to hold the buzz until a verbal commitment is to be made. Will Cooper stay home with The U or make a second commitment to Kirby Smart and company? SHUFFLE ATOP THE 2026 RANKINGS Four of the nation's top-10 running back projections in the class of 2026, as well as the top-ranked all-purpose back in the rising-senior class, will be hitting the field in Indianapolis together. Advertisement Cooper is the only five-star of the bunch to date, but Notre Dame commitment Javian Osborne, Ohio State pledge Favour Akih, future Florida back Carsyn Baker and spring USC commitment Deshonne Redeaux are each bringing a unique style to the event in addition to representing powerhouse college programs. In a setting that values versatility and flash ability in space, which of the committed backs can challenge Cooper for a potential fifth star or run at the top of the position rankings? Going into it, Osborne is the closest, currently tabbed as the No. 3 running back in the Rivals250. A PAIR OF TOP 2027 PROSPECTS CRASHING THE PARTY The rising-senior class is loaded and there is a special 2028 to participate with the running back group, but the top of the 2027 board will also be well-represented in Indy with top-ranked running back recruit Tyson Robinson and No. 1 all-purpose back CJ Cowley also signed up for the event. Advertisement Robinson, who holds more than 30 scholarship offers to his name, brings a traditional compact build to the table along with real intrigue coming out of the state of Mississippi in what could be a breakout national performance. Cowley has flashed in camp settings this offseason, even snagging running back MVP honors at the Under Armour Atlanta event, so expect the Alabama native to continue to work well against linebackers and defensive backs considering the indoor setting. THE ERIC MCFARLAND SHOW While very few 2028 recruits were even under consideration for a Rivals Five-Star invite, IMG Academy's Eric McFarland was on the list at multiple positions. The running back and wide receiver hybrid may become his own storyline if he continues to work out at each spot with the type of dominance he has shown over the last year or so no matter where he lines up. The event is not a padded setting, so McFarland's ability to work away from contact coming out of the backfield, in the slot or otherwise will almost certainly turn heads. There isn't a traditional back on the roster with the Las Vegas native's chops as a route-runner or potential finisher at the catch point, so it would be foolish to overlook the speedy freshman's value despite his youth.
