The Rivals Rankings Week for 2026 begins today with a Five-Star Countdown, as the group has grown to seven. The 2026 Rivals100 expands to Rivals250 on Tuesday.
Follow today’s countdown throughout the morning, with recruiting director Adam Gorney providing his thoughts on each five-star.
*****
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Can anyone supplant Jahkeem Stewart for No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 released | Gorney goes position-by-position | Highest debuts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Rivals Rankings Podcast | QB rankings breakdown | RB rankings breakdown | WR/TE rankings breakdown | OL rankings breakdown
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released | DL rankings breakdown | LB rankings breakdown | DB rankings breakdown | ATH rankings breakdown
Friday: State rankings released | Who is No. 1 in each state?
Saturday: Ranking Roundtable
*****
Gorney’s Take: The Folsom, Calif., offense is well-known as a juggernaut no matter who’s running it, but Ryder Lyons took production to another level through his junior season with 3,578 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions, along with 929 rushing yards and 23 more scores.
Lyons was impressive at the Los Angeles Rivals Camp recently and at other events this offseason. The new five-star quarterback is best when he can roll out of the pocket, be creative and then make things happen down the field. At the same stage, the Folsom QB reminds us of an even-better Jaxson Dart.
USC, Oregon, Texas A&M, Michigan and Notre Dame are the frontrunners at this time as the Trojans and Ducks could have a slight edge. His brother, Walker, signed with USC in the 2023 class and then went on his Mormon mission.
*****
Gorney’s Take: Originally from Southern California, Keenyi Pepe has been on the national scene for years and has only gotten better and more refined as he’s grown into his impressive frame. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound standout is following in the five-star footsteps of Miami signee Francis Mauigoa and others at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and he’s tested daily by elite players across the board there.
Pepe is physical, tough and also moves his feet well. He is patient when defensive ends come at him and has a great punch to overpower opponents.
Miami and Florida State will be two major contenders in his recruitment with Georgia, USC, Oregon and others involved.
Source link
Adam Gorney, National Recruiting Director
