Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge: 10 rankings questions we hope to answer
The Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge is Thursday in Atlanta, and many of the top prospects in the nation will be at the event. Here are 10 rankings questions we would like to get answered at the event.
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MORE FIVE-STAR CHALLENGE: 10 recruiting questions we hope to answer
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals100
RIVALS TRANSFER TRACKER: Stories/coverage | Message board
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info/coverage on 2021 camp series
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1. Can Cade Klubnik earn his fifth star?
The 2022 class of quarterbacks is pretty deep, but Klubnik is one of the few that are within shouting distance of earning their fifth star. There's plenty of talent on both sides of the ball heading to Atlanta this week and it will be interesting to see how Klubnik does in a setting like this. The Clemson commit coming off a shoulder injury at the end of the season and has only participated in a few events this past spring so Thursday should be a good test for him.
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2. Does Quency Wiggins continue his rise?
One of the biggest risers in this past rankings update, Wiggins has a chance to move even higher if he can continue to dominate the competition at the Five-Star Challenge on Thursday. He's a massive defensive and is still learning proper hand techniques, but he has outstanding athleticism, strength and quickness for a player his size. LSU, Alabama, Oregon, Texas and Ole Miss are his top contenders at this point.
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3. Can Lebbeus Overton firm up his grip on the No. 1 spot in the 2023 class?
Overton is the top player in the 2023 class, and rightfully so. He's put up outstanding film, has been super productive and he has the ceiling to be a star at the college level and beyond. We weren't able to see him go through 1-on-1s at the Miami Rivals Camp earlier this year, but he has excelled in that environment, too. Overturn has a tough challenge this week going against some of the best in the country, and he could really solidify himself as the top player in his class.
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4. Can Jeadyn Lukus earn his fifth star?
Another player that could boost his ranking after Thursday's event is cornerback Jeadyn Lukus. College coaches couldn't build a better-looking cornerback if they built him in a lab. This is going to be the toughest competition Lukus has faced in his career, and it'll be interesting to watch him adjust to the speed, quickness and playmaking abilities of the receivers. North Carolina, Clemson and Ohio State are his choices at this point, so he should also be popular among the players as a recruiting target.
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5. Will Kiyaunta Goodwin push for his fifth star?
Goodwin has shown incredible progress over his high school career as he develops his frame and the technical details of playing offensive tackle. Like many others, he has a chance to earn his fifth star this week with outstanding performances against some of the best defensive linemen in the nation. The Kentucky commit had offers from pretty much every school in the country, and it's been easy to see why on film.
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6. Can Jaylen Sneed jump to five-star status?
Sneed is another South Carolina native poised to possibly make the jump up to five-star status. The super-athletic linebacker has the speed to cover explosive running backs, athletic tight ends and even some receivers in space, but he also has the physical playing style to be able to excel against the run and as a blitzer. The level of competition is going up a notch for him this week as he heads to Atlanta for the Five-Star Challenge. Sneed will be coming off his Notre Dame official visit, and the Fighting Irish are the heavy favorite to land this commitment.
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7. Which legacy prospect will shine?
There are a number of prospects with notable parents or family members that have played at the college or NFL levels that will be in attendance on Thursday. They all have the genes to really put on a show. Quarterbacks could have a tough day because of the talented defensive backfield, so Rocco Becht, son of former first-round pick and 11-year NFL veteran Anthony Becht, could have a rough go of things. Running backs like Trevor Etienne (brother of 2021 first-round NFL Draft pick Travis Etienne), Justice Haynes (son of seven-year NFL veteran Verron Haynes) or Dallan Hayden (son of former NFL running back Aaron Hayden) usually have an advantage in the camp setting, but this is a special group of linebackers that has little problem keeping up with elite backs in the open field. Tight end Mason Taylor may not be the most well-known prospect out of this group, but his NFL Hall of Fame father, Jason Taylor, passed on some of his incredible athleticism. Mason Taylor was outstanding at Miami Rivals Camp earlier this year and wants to continue that trend his week. Florida State legacy defensive and Aaron Hester could have a great day on Thursday, but plenty of impressive offensive linemen stand in his way. Defensive backs like Myles Rowser (brother of current Michigan defensive back Andre Seldon), Trevell Mullen (brother of current Las Vegas Raider Trayvon Mullen) and Caleb Downs (brother of current North Carolina receiver Josh Downs) could have their hands full with the impressive receivers on the deck for Thursday.
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8. Who wins Gabe Powers vs. CJ Hicks: Round 2?
Powers and Hicks put on a show at the Indianapolis Rivals Camp and both will be on the field on Thursday. Powers edged out Hicks for the MVP award that day, and we'll see if he can do it again. The five-star Ohio State commits did a great job covering in space and had no problem playing physically with running backs and tight ends at the camp in Indianapolis, but the competition on Thursday is on a different level so we'll see if they're able to keep pace.
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9. Who will help their stock the most?
There are a lot of players heading to Atlanta with something to prove. My money is on Penn State commit Kaden Saunders to help his stock the most. The explosive receiver runs great routes and is so slippery in space. Saunders has had a great camp season so far and even won the receiver MVP award at the Indianapolis Rivals Camp. He's battled tested and ready for anybody that lines up across from him on Thursday.
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10. Can Dante Moore jump into the five-star conversation?
Moore is one of the very best quarterbacks in the 2023 class, but the conversation surrounding signal callers for that year has really only been centered on Malachi Nelson and Arch Manning. Moore has really impressed during the camp season and is eager to show he belongs in the same company as Nelson and Manning. Moore has had a busy June, visiting schools like Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan and Michigan State.