Rivals 5-Star: Ten matchups we will not wait to see
The highest prospects within the nation are descending on Indianapolis this week for the Rivals 5-Star. We take a more in-depth take a look at a few of these anticipated to compete towards one another within the marquee occasion of the summer season.
1. TRISTEN KEYS vs. HAVON FINNEY, JR.
A pair of present LSU commitments with five-stars subsequent to their title at huge receiver and cornerback, respectively, this one writes itself. Keys is the overall bundle on offense, capable of win with nice route-running, velocity and ball abilities on an extended and rangy body.
Finney additionally sports activities an elite body with loads of velocity besides, so the uncooked expertise on both facet of the ball will command its personal stage of consideration. Let’s hope to earn multiple pattern of this matchup.
2. FELIX OJO vs. RICHARD WESLEY
One other five-star battle, this time on the sting with maybe the offensive sort out who has had one of the best offseason nationally in Ojo. Wesley has reclassified from 2027 to 2026 and maintained his five-star standing given his elite traits and flashes off the sting over time.
Whereas Ojo has elite motion abilities as he offers floor, Wesley brings a mix of velocity and energy to the desk to maintain blockers off stability.
3. KAIDEN PROTHRO vs. JIREH EDWARDS
These two Underneath Armour All-Individuals have been there and carried out that on Friday nights and at loads of camps and different offseason occasions, however that is the ultimate tune-up earlier than the all-important senior season.
Prothro is on five-star watch as maybe one of the best flex tight finish kind within the class and Edwards occupies not solely the five-star score, however the tab because the top-ranked security recruit within the land. He’s a playmaker identified for his nostril for the soccer, however can Edwards include the lengthy and rangy Peach State prospect in Prothro? Line it up!
4. GABE OSENDA vs. JAKE KREUL
One of many fastest-rising blocking recruits towards the breakout expertise from the 2024 Rivals 5-Star occasion. Osenda has immense measurement at 6-foot-8, properly north of 315 kilos, and he’s shifting his toes higher than we have seen prior from the Tennessee commit.
In what may very well be an All-SEC matchup sooner or later, Kreul brings a bevy of pass-rushing strikes together with his arsenal. Most would count on the Orlando-native to win with velocity towards the larger blocker, so the counter recreation between these two might result in loads within the positional MVP dialogue.
5. JAMIER BROWN vs. DUVAY WILLIAMS
Two of the top-10 prospects in your complete 2027 class tangle right here with Brown sitting because the No. 1 receiver within the rising-junior class. Williams, additionally a five-star early on, is the No. 1 cornerback projection within the group so this matchup might grow to be anticipated for years to return.
Brown brings immense velocity to the desk and Williams has the kind of size to re-route wideouts off monitor. Maybe it’s a Large Ten preview with Brown dedicated to Ohio State and Williams excessive on in-state applications USC and UCLA.
6. DERREK COOPER vs. JORDAN CAMPBELL
A pair of South Floridians who’re properly aware of each other, every is a two-way expertise with loads of prowess at operating again or protection. Cooper has settled into the offensive projection en path to five-star standing and Campbell is a flexible linebacker who can work the sting or play in house – a part of the rationale he stays coveted regardless of a long run dedication to Miami.
That is one we want to see each in tight quarters through blocking drills simply as a lot as 1-on-1 in passing competitors as few deliver the power every of those blue-chippers do in any setting.
7. TYREEK KING vs. BRODY JENNINGS
The in-state pledge to Tennessee is the top-ranked slot projection within the class of 2026, King is thought for getting out of his breaks with out a lot wasted velocity and movement. Jennings, at the moment dedicated to Michigan, is a late-blooming technician on the surface or within the slot, so this duo might present appreciable leisure ought to they line up towards each other in a 1-on-1 or 7-on-7 setting.
Let’s hope for samples in every component at an occasion dominated by talent prospect highlights.
8. DARIUS GRAY vs. KASI CURRIE
The nation’s top-ranked inside offensive lineman tangling with the largest inside defender slated to compete is a simple name forward of the occasion’s kickoff. Grey has that mixture of pop and approach that has allowed his ascent to rise to the very prime of the board within the rising-senior class.
Currie is a properly put-together recruit who carries 300-plus kilos higher than some gamers on the subsequent stage and presumably past. Additionally one of many youngest slated to compete this week, Currie has loads to realize on the floor stage with a powerful exhibiting.
9. HELAMAN CASUGA vs. JOEY O’BRIEN
Many of the anticipated matchups on this checklist are so depending on the bodily qualities that might make it entertaining, however this one is simply as psychological between the passer and one of many higher ball-hawks within the class.
Casuga has nationwide expertise, having upset IMG Academy final fall earlier than some nice 7-on-7 runs and an Elite 11 efficiency final week, so he’ll work to maneuver O’Brien off of his spot early and sometimes.
10. CHANCELLOR BARCLAY vs. DEUCE GERALDS
Scour the nation for offensive and line of defense 1-on-1s and with regards to successful proportion of these reps, one could be exhausting pressed to discover a duo with as lopsided a win-loss report as these two. Barclay is a Clemson dedication who will doubtless play middle on the subsequent stage regardless of five-position expertise on Friday nights.
Geralds is an SEC legacy quickly to commit amongst a number of blue-blood applications, efficient on the inside and outside particularly in a one-on-one setting. Barclay wins with motion and a staggering punch whereas Geralds is thought for his leverage and arms on his finish, too.
