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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
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
3 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Previewing a stacked group of quarterbacks at the 2025 Elite 11
Nick Lucero/ The Elite 11 starts Tuesday night and goes through Thursday in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney gives the latest on each of the 20 quarterbacks and offers a thought on what he wants to see during the event. Advertisement RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Big Ten teams in spotlight | 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 No quarterback has been busier or presented with more options in the last few weeks than Beaver. The three-star from Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta landed a new offer from Oregon, perceived to be the leader now, and he visited Alabama and Ole Miss over the weekend. Advertisement He looked very good at the Rivals Camp Series in Los Angeles so how will he look making plenty of tough throws through the gauntlet Wednesday night. The Texas commit missed time during his junior season with a lower leg injury and so we want to see how he's bounced back from that at an event where he'll have to throw on the run, throw the ball a lot, use his legs often and his endurance will get tested. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian knows quarterbacks and he prioritized Bell early. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT Bentley runs all kinds of sets – from under center to empty – at Celina, Texas, and his film is really impressive. Maybe he didn't have his best performance at the regional so we'll be looking for consistency and whether he can get in a rhythm in this setting. Advertisement Some guys are just gamers as Oklahoma and LSU are battling it out until the end. Some believe the Tigers might have the slightest edge, but he's also a top priority of Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle. In the best-case scenario, Brandon proves he's the No. 1 quarterback in the class without question although the other five-stars (except Keisean Henderson) no-showed at the regional so won't be at the finals. Worst case is that he's a Nico Iamaleava clone on the field with bright spots but also low points. There's no question Brandon has a gun and is super impressive by every measure so the pressure is on this week to back it up. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT The new North Carolina commit who chose to play for coach Bill Belichick over Auburn and others was bumped up to four-star status recently because he has all the physical tools but does need to work on his consistency, especially throwing deep. This week will test him in that way for sure and if he answers the call with those measurables then that will be really intriguing. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UNC FANS AT There have been hits and misses at Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon as the offense operates to put up huge numbers but that's why rankings cannot be based only on statistics. Advertisement The Texas A&M commit missed time with a foot injury last year but when he's in rhythm he can deliver it all over the field. With volume throws at the Elite 11, we'll see if Casuga can be consistent over the three-day event. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT One 7-on-7 coach told me that Cherry was the best quarterback they faced all offseason – and this coach had seen them all. That was big praise for the four-star Louisville commit who has excellent size and a big arm and should be a perfect fit both stylistically and personality-wise for coach Jeff Brohm. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LOUISVILLE FANS AT Is Miami coach Mario Cristobal trying to find his next Cam Ward? Coleman has some of the same qualities and style of play and the ball really pops off his hand. Advertisement At times, Coleman steps too much into his throw during 7-on-7 and in-game settings that could be dangerous with a collapsing pocket. In terms of dynamic arm ability, the four-star Miami commit has it all. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MIAMI FANS AT Duckworth is a multi-sport athlete and a multi-sport big-time winner – and that cannot be taught. The four-star from Jackson, Ala., is not a completely finished product but that might mean he has the most upside among the group (or he struggles putting it together as the game gets bigger and faster at the next level). Auburn and South Carolina (where he was once committed) are battling hard for him. I've argued for some time that Fette – ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in the 2026 class – might be one of the more underrated QBs in the class. The Elite 11 will be a major determining factor for the Arizona State commit, who turned down a bevy of SEC offers to stick with coach Kenny Dillingham. Advertisement He has a dynamic arm, he can throw on the run and his RPO game might be something he can't exploit in this setting but he's really great there, too. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ARIZONA STATE FANS AT We haven't seen the Florida quarterback commit in a minute but he's always been a physical presence. Now let's see on the biggest stage if he can throw timing routes, layer throws over linebackers and hit receivers in-stride on deep balls where only they can catch it. There's no question the Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit standout has all the physical tools possible. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FLORIDA FANS AT 1ST AND TEN FLORIDA The other five-star quarterback at the event, Henderson is a phenomenal talent who has refined his game so much over the last two years. There was a time when we thought Henderson might have to move positions but he was excellent at the Navy All-American Bowl and might actually be underrated at No. 7 nationally. Advertisement A big week at the Elite 11 could push the Houston commit higher. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH HOUSTON FANS AT Huhn is a big-bodied pocket passer who works off play-action, can throw on the run and dissect defenses with time to find receivers. Let's see how he does layering the ball, throwing on time to speedy receivers and how he gets through the 20-throw gauntlet on Wednesday night. He was very impressive at the Under Armour Camp in Los Angeles and can build on that from here. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PENN STATE FANS AT The four-star from Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller is one of the most interesting QBs at the Elite 11. Mainly because he's a star baseball player as well so we really want to examine his throwing motion and how fast the ball comes out. Advertisement His recruitment is interesting, too, since Alabama and Oregon have emerged as contenders but both are going after other Elite 11 QBs as well – mainly Iowa State commit Jett Thomalla for the Crimson Tide and Beaver for the Ducks. Also a two-sport star who plans to play baseball at Clemson, Reynolds looked good at the Los Angeles regional and is also headed to the Rivals Five-Star along with doing the Elite 11 so he's not ducking competition. The word I've gotten is that his high school team isn't stacked on offense and that's why his stats haven't been off the charts. He'll have plenty of time to prove himself over three days at the Elite 11. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT Rios has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the West this recruiting cycle. He's long and lean so it's surprising how quickly and effortlessly he gets the ball out but he's just wiry strong. The Downey, Calif., four-star has seen UCLA surge in his recruitment but he likes Arizona, Kentucky and others as well. Rios has outplayed his earlier rankings and could move even higher if he shows that accuracy we've seen at many other events. Thomalla has a lot on his mind as the Iowa State commit is being worked hard to flip to Alabama and it wouldn't be a surprise if he picks the Crimson Tide soon. On the field, Thomalla is a phenomenal athlete and playmaker (just watch some of his basketball dunks) but he might not be a finished product yet. Advertisement He wouldn't have to be at Alabama, ahem, Keelon Russell is next in line, but Thomalla is competitive and savvy. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH IOWA STATE FANS AT I like Walker a little more than his high three-star ranking indicates and it will be interesting to see how he performs at the Elite 11. He's a little bit of a gunslinger and risk-taker on film which won't translate to the programmed throws at this event, but we'll still get to see how he performs and what chances he takes. Duke landed his commitment and he could shine there as he has the moxie and the talent to see the field early. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH DUKE FANS AT There is some five-star buzz around Williams as USC flipped him from Oregon and chose him as its top quarterback in the class even when Ryder Lyons was still very interested in the Trojans. There is some major intrigue here: Williams is young but he also has hands slightly on the smaller side. We'll see if that matters at the Elite 11 but it might be something to watch down the line during the NFL pre-draft process. Either way, the USC pledge might be better than any QB in this group when he throws his receivers open and puts it only where they can catch it. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT The Washington commit is a low three-star but we could be proven very wrong with a strong performance at the Elite 11. He plays with toughness and a competitive drive. He has confidence in his arm talent and he can escape pressure at the high school level. There's a chance Zammit shines in this setting. Washington coach Jedd Fisch and Alabama's Kalen DeBoer certainly saw something as they battled to the end for him. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WASHINGTON 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.
