With the updated Rivals250 being unveiled Tuesday, it’s time to look at the new position rankings. The offensive position rankings were released Wednesday and today the defensive position rankings are in the spotlight. Up first is the defensive line.
NEW 2024 POSITION RANKINGS: Strongside Defensive End | Weakside Defensive End | Defensive Tackle | Center | Offensive Guard | Offensive Tackle | Tight End | Wide Receiver | Running Back | All-Purpose RB | Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB
No. 1 at the position: Colin Simmons
At one point Simmons was the top prospect in the country but he still retains his elite status at No. 3 overall in the Rivals250. The defensive lineman out of Texas has an exceptional skill set that should allow him to play in a variety of schemes. Simmons has the ability to put his hand in the ground and be a constant disruption in the backfield. He is also strong enough to be a dominant run defender at the point of attack.
Simmons checks the boxes physically and has room to add muscle mass to his frame. What makes him really special is the athleticism he brings to the table. Simmons has the ability to win with a variety of inside or outside moves and he has the tools to stand up and play in space if necessary.
There are plenty of programs pursuing him, but LSU could have the best chance at this point. Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and TCU are also firmly in the mix.
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Two teams to watch: Oklahoma and Georgia
Oklahoma: After netting an impressive recruiting class last year, Oklahoma is set up to have another great haul on the defensive line this year. The Sooners are in great shape for Nigel Smith, Xadavien Sims, Williams Nwaneri and five-star David Stone. Oklahoma is likely the favorite for Smith, and the Sooners have an excellent chance with Stone, an Oklahoma native. Nwaneri is going to be a longer recruiting battle but the Sooners have positioned themselves well so far. Look out for Oklahoma with Loghan Thomas, Daniel Okoye, Jayshawn Ross, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye and Colin Simmons.
Georgia: Unsurprisingly, Georgia is in great shape for yet another impressive defensive line recruiting class. The No. 2 program in the 2023 team rankings has the inside track to land a new five-star Eddrick Houston and they’re gaining momentum with five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott. It could be a difficult battle with Notre Dame for Scott but the star prospect out of the Midwest already has a visit lined up to see Athens in-person. Look out for Georgia in the recruitment of Simmons as well. UGA made him a priority and Simmons has real interest in the back-to-back national champs. Williams Nwaneri, Booker Pickett, Christopher Jackson and Elijah Rushing are high on the wish list as well.
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Three prospects in the spotlight
Scott nearly announced his commitment earlier this year but held off so he could take some additional visits. He wants to make sure he gets a closer look at Georgia and possibly a few other programs before pulling the trigger on his commitment. It will be interesting to gauge his reaction to that visit because the Bulldogs have a chance to take a commanding lead in his recruitment.
There is also a time for other programs to jump into the mix before he is ready to shut down his recruitment.
Rushing doesn’t seem to be into much of a hurry to commit right now but he has a busy spring lined up. Look for him to be on campuses from coast to coast over the next couple months. Notre Dame, Colorado, Oregon, Miami and Ohio State are expecting him at some point this spring and you can bet each of these programs are hoping to jump to the pole position in his recruitment before he leaves campus.
Rushing already took a visit to Washington earlier this year and there will surely be additional visits planned before the summer hits.
There has been a lot of buzz around Nwaneri and his recruitment. Tennessee feels very good about its chances after hosting him earlier this year but Oklahoma has made him one of its highest priorities.
Oregon has pushed hard for him and so have Ole Miss and Missouri. Keep an eye out for Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State as well. They will certainly be heard from before Nwaneri shuts down his recruitment.
