Counting down the top prospects in the updated Rivals300 rankings

With the high school football season coming to a close and National Signing Day looming a little over two weeks away, the Rivals300 player rankings have been updated.

The latest iteration saw some big moves up and down the board, including seven new five-star prospects — pushing the number of total five-stars to 21. By the time the final rankings are released in January, that number will move to 32.

As we prepare to release the full rankings later today, Rivals is counting down the five-star prospects in the 2026 class:

21) QB Dia Bell – Texas commit

School: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage
Scouting Summary: “Precision passer with the arm talent, size, and athleticism to translate to college football and beyond. Measured in at around 6-foot-2.5, 215 pounds with a 10-inch hand before his senior season. Mechanically clean with a smooth throwing motion that he replicates with consistency. Has polished footwork that is married to his upper body. Shows high-level arm talent, delivering well-placed passes to multiple levels of the field. A dangerous operator from the pocket. Able to evade pressure, reset his feet, and fire. Throws a pretty deep ball. Was a first-year starter as a sophomore and showed marked improvement while playing top competition as a junior. Flashed an added playmaking element and rushing component to his game down the stretch of his junior season. Ripped off long runs, including two 40+ yard touchdown runs against top programs. Completed 70.6% of his passes for 2,597 yards (11.4 yards per attempt) and 29 touchdowns against six interceptions in 2025. Also rushed for 561 yards and five touchdowns. Was tabbed as the Elite 11 MVP prior to his senior season. Also has a basketball background. Is the son of long-time NBA veteran guard Raja Bell. The level of improvement displayed throughout his junior season should be taken as an encouraging sign of his long-term upside.”

20) WR Jase Mathews – Auburn commit

School: Leakesville (Miss.) Greene County
Scouting Summary: “Skilled wide receiver who could push as the top pass-catcher in the 2026 cycle. Has a big frame that belies the eye test, measuring in at around 6-foot-1.5, 195 pounds with 33-inch arms and 10-inch hands. Registers as a plus athlete in the combine setting. Operates with a high level of skill on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Shows the ability to create separation at every level. Stacks defenders off the line of scrimmage and has considerable shake within his routes. Flashes a large catch radius, leaving his feet to extend for remarkable grabs. A ball-winner in contested catch situations, showing body control and strong hands. Finished his junior season with 68 catches for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Also plays basketball. Did much of his damage out of the slot as a junior, but showed the ability to win on the outside in the camp setting. The high level of skill and well-rounded nature to his game makes him one of the top pass-catchers in the cycle and one who could project as an early-round draft pick.”

19) RB Ezavier Crowell – Alabama commit

School: Jackson (Jackson, AL)
Scouting Summary: “Three-down dynamo of a running back with impressive production combined with top-tier athletic ability and wiggle to win between the tackles and in space. Verified 5-foot-11, 210 pounds with excellent weight distribution. Has excellent top-end speed for the position running personal bests of 10.73 in the 100m and 22.38 in the 200m. Phenomenal wiggle and acceleration when he sticks his foot in the ground. Has the ability to hit the home run every time he touches the ball. Violent runner between the tackles and rubs with excellent pad level. Averaged nearly 12 yards per carry on 168 carries for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns. Reclassified to his proper age group from the 2027 cycle to the 2026 cycle. Want to see more from him as a pass catcher and in pass protection but looks comfortable catching the ball in the flat and plays with a tough mindset. A threat to score every time he touches the football at the next level due to top-tier athletic ability and vision and can win in short-yardage scenarios with his leg drive and tenacity.”

18) DL Richard Anderson – LSU commit

School: Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA)
Scouting Summary: “Explosive interior defensive lineman with immense power and ability to two-gap in the middle of the defensive front. Verified size at 6-foot-3.5, 355 pounds with over 33-inch arms and carries the weight very well. Great burst off the line of scrimmage for his size. Plays with excellent pad level and vision into the backfield. Understands leverage and sheds blocks with ease. Totaled 15 tackles-for-loss as a junior along with 10 sacks. Will need to to maintain quality combination of size and movement skills as he continues to physically develop. Older for the cycle. Projects as a space-eating, two-gap nose tackle at the next level but has the athletic ability to one-gap if needed.”

17) EDGE Richard Wesley – Texas commit

School: Los Angeles (Calif.) Sierra Canyon
Scouting Summary: “Versatile edge defender that wins with power and speed as a pass rusher that possesses advanced hand usage for his age. Verified 6-foot-4.5, 245 pounds with above average length. Impressive athlete in the combine setting as well as on the track running 11.67 in the 100m during his sophomore track and field season. Variety of pass rush moves including swims, rips, long arms and a ghost move. Stout run defender that can set the edge and displace blockers at the point of attack. Collected 16 tackles-for-loss and 9 sacks during his sophomore season. Reclassified from the 2027 cycle to the 2026 cycle so will be a year younger than most of his peers in the class. Versatile skillset allows him to project to a strong-side or weak-side end. Has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up off the edge and should excel as a three-down edge defender at the next level.”

16) WR Jalen Lott – Oregon commit

School: Panther Creek (Lucas, TX)
Scout’s Take: “One of the most explosive athletes in the entire class, Jalen Lott has proven as a senior that he’s one of the most dynamic pass catchers in the cycle. The Oregon commit stands in at 6 feet, 170-plus pounds, Lott has absurd athletic ability. A former National Junior Olympian, Lott has personal bests of 6-foot-10 in the high jump, nearly 24-foot-4 in the long jump and 10.99 in the 100m. You see the track and field athleticism shine on the football field in his route running and with the ball in his hands. Lott’s explosiveness and change of direction is electric. He separates from defenders at every level of the field and has the ability to go up and attack the football as good as anyone in the country. He needs to continue his polish as a route runner, but with his strong hands and top-tier athletic ability Lott’s ceiling is borderline unlimited.”

15) WR Chris Henry Jr. – Ohio State

School: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Scout’s Take: “Coming off an injury last year, the Mater Dei (Calif.) pass catcher has bounced back and reached a new level in his game as a receiver. Standing over 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Henry has been much more dynamic with the ball in his hands this season showing a second gear that we had not seen much of in previous years. His body control and ability to attack the football continues to be some of his stronger traits at the position, but adding the ability to create with the ball in his hands and pick up more yards after the catch has been a noteworthy development we’ve noticed in his game.”

14) OT Ekene Ogboko – Georgia

School: South Garner (Garner, NC)
Scouting Summary: “Mauling offensive tackle who plays with a physical edge and shows encouraging movement skills. Measured at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds with arms over 34 inches and big hands before his senior season. Added considerable mass over the final two years of high school. Lines up at left tackle and defensive line on Friday nights. Shows signs of dominance as a run blocker. Locks on to defensive linemen and works to finish with authority. An emphatic block finisher. Increased play strength and overall confidence over his final two seasons of high school football, developing into a bully on contact. Effective working to the second level. Solid movement skills and agility on offense. Also flashes the athleticism on defense, showing impressive closing speed. Solid in pass protection, but will benefit from more reps in passing situations at the college level. Has an upward trajectory as a prospect, given his steady improvement. Could end up being one of the top offensive tackles in the cycle.”

13) EDGE Zion Elee – Maryland commit

School: Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy
Scout’s Take: “Electric speed rusher with an elite combination of athleticism and length off the edge. Measured around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds prior to his junior season. Has truly elite length, with arms that measure 35.5 inches. Pairs the rare length with top-shelf athleticism. A standout in the combine setting who transfers the speed over to the field. Plays with an eye-popping burst, dating back to his sophomore year at Joppatowne (Md.) High. Explodes into the backfield with high-end first-step quickness. Transferred to Baltimore power St. Frances Academy for his junior season and turned in a strong campaign, racking up 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks against top competition. Showed game-wrecking tendencies in showcase games. Often plays as a standup pass rusher. Has blow-by speed off the edge. Play strength and ability to set the edge is solid but will need to continue improving. Rare athletic and physical traits combined with consecutive years of high-level production.”

12) CB Jay Timmons – Ohio State commit

School: Pine-Richland (Pittsburgh, PA)
Scouting Summary: “Hyper-instinctual defensive back with playmaking ability, physicality, and athleticism that make him one of the top pure football players in the 2026 cycle. Measured at around 5-foot-10.5, 185 with 30.5-inch arms before his senior season. Improved his athleticism between his junior and senior seasons, running a 10.90 in the 100 meters and testing as an elite athlete in the combine setting. A two-way star at corner/safety and wide receiver for one of the top high school programs in western Pennsylvania. Highly instinctual in coverage. Loose mover with elite reactive quickness. Reads and jumps routes. Excellent at locating and making plays on the football. A football magnet and defensive playmaker who looks to force turnovers. Super physical and plays bigger than his size. Throws his body around as a run defender and looks to decleat ball carriers. Outstanding in the camp setting, with a great showing at Under Armour’s New Jersey camp. Also flashes his ball skills and playmaking on offense. Finished his junior season with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups, along with 755 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Does not have plus size for the position, but is not severely undersized by any means. The son of former 1st round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker, Lawrence Timmons. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years old in April of his junior year. Offers high-end athleticism, instincts, and physicality with the potential to be an impact player in the secondary at corner, nickel, or safety.”

11) DL Khary Wilder – Ohio State commit

School: Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA)
Scouting Summary: “Interior pass rushing demon with tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage and hip fluidity that plays with his hair on fire to chase down ball carriers. Verified 6-foot-4, 255 pounds with excellent length. Carries his weight very well for his size and should add substantial mass at the next level. Charged up athlete that possesses such explosive movements off the line and in space. Does a great job shooting his hands and keeping his chest clean when engaging with blockers. Has serious shock in his hands when punching blockers at the point of attack. Totaled 11 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks as a junior. Will need to maintain his athletic ability as he adds significant mass to his frame. Should develop into a knifing 3-technique with phenomenal twitch and upfield burst that can stay on the field as a dominant pass rusher on third downs and excel as a stout run defender on early downs.”

10) EDGE Rodney Dunham – Notre Dame commit

School: Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park
Scouting Summary: “Athletic pass rusher with the skill set and functional movement skills that point to a high upside. Measured at around 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with good length as a junior. Lines up on the edge for his high school team, rushing the passer out of two and three-point stances. Limber athlete who has very smooth movements. Displays outstanding get-off, bursting off the snap. Has excellent curvilinear movement skills, showing the ability to accelerate while rounding the edge. Dips his shoulder to shirk contact with offensive tackles. Closes quickly on ball carriers once in the backfield. Play speed is evident as he stalks down ball carriers from behind. Shows burgeoning power at the point of attack, shedding offensive linemen once engaged. Will need to continue developing from a physical and technical standpoint. Could stand to improve his production. A younger prospect for the cycle, turning 18 years old in July before his freshman season of college football.”

9) OT Grayson McKeogh – Notre Dame commit

School: Glenside (Pa.) La Salle College
Scouting Summary: “Developmental offensive tackle prospect with one of the higher upsides at the position in the 2026 cycle. Measured at nearly 6-foot-7.5 and over 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length with arms that measure over 34 inches. Touts a big frame adding a good 30 pounds in the off-season.Former tight end and defensive end who grew into an offensive tackle prospect during his junior season. A smooth, effortless athlete with excellent movement skills for the position. May move the best of any offensive tackle prospect in the cycle. Has advanced flexibility in his lower body. Sinks his hips and creates a wide base on contact. Keeps his feet grounded and shows outstanding balance as a pass protector. Natural understanding of leverage allows him to get underneath the pads of pass rushers. Shows quality pop in his hands and is already a good finisher. Shows the ability to locate and get his hands on defenders at the second level. Technically advanced considering his limited experience at offensive line. Also shows his athleticism lining up as a defensive end. Doubles as a talented basketball player. Will need to continue adding good mass to his frame while getting stronger. Played his junior season at around 250 pounds. If he can continue progressing physically, has one of the higher ceilings among 2026 offensive tackle prospects and could develop into an early round NFL Draft pick.”

8) RB Savion Hiter – Michigan commit

School: Mineral (Va.) Louisa County
Scouting Summary: “Gifted runner with an advanced blend of athleticism, fluidity, and instincts as a high school underclassman. Physically developed, measuring in at over 5-foot-11 and around 200 pounds prior to his senior season. Registers as a strong athlete, running an 11.11 second mark in the 100-meters as a freshman. Also jumped close to 45 feet in the triple jump – an outstanding mark. Turned multiple dominant seasons as a high school underclassman, including a 1,698-yard, 26-touchdown junior campaign that saw him run for 10.8 yards per carry. Looks to be a natural runner. An extremely fluid and smooth mover who changes directions effortlessly. Shows excellent acceleration. Cuts on a dime and makes defenders miss in space. Runs with pace and instincts. A strong tackle-breaker who runs through contact due to a strong leg drive. A phenomenal high school football player who also makes big plays on defense. Has the potential and upside to be one of the best running back prospects in several cycles.”

7) QB Keisean Henderson – Houston

School: Legacy SSS (Houston, TX)
Scout’s Take: “Houston quarterback commit Keisean Henderson has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the entire country. At 6-foot-3, 185-plus pounds, Henderson has a special blend of athleticism and arm talent. His movement skills and ability to create with the ball in his hands is rare. He can be the focal point of the run game and also has the arm strength to drive the ball vertically. Henderson has quality arm talent as well that allows him to make accurate throws off-platform and on the run. Mechanically, he appears to have polished his motion and looks like he’s throwing with a more functional base. He’s an ascending talent that is currently averaging over 400 yards per game through the air and averaging five touchdowns per game. On the ground, Henderson averages over 50 yards per game and has scored ten touchdowns with his legs. With this marked improvement in mechanics and ball placement, his production has soared and we believe his floor as a prospect has increased as well.”

6) EDGE Carter Meadows – Michigan commit

School: Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga
Scouting Summary: “Rangy EDGE prospect with a rare combination of frame and movement skills. One of the most physically impressive prospects in the 2026 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-6, 225 pounds as a junior. Has vines for arms that measure around 35 inches to go with large hands. Could easily be a 280-pounder before it’s all said and done. Pairs the great frame with impressive functional athleticism A fluid, flexible athlete who has excellent bend. Has the natural tools to develop into a dangerous pass rusher down the line. Length pairs with good play strength to result in an effective edge setter. Also shows his athleticism in tracking down plays in pursuit. Doubles as a good high school basketball player while playing top competition on the hardwood. Will need to continue progressing as a pass rusher while upping his production. Pure physical upside is among the highest in the 2026 cycle.”

5) ATH Lamar Brown – LSU commit

School: Erwinville (La.) University Lab
Scouting Summary: “The rare prospect with five-star ability on either line of scrimmage. A true jumbo athlete. Measured in at around 6-foot-4, 285 pounds before his senior season. Has a plus length with arms around 34 inches. A mega athlete in the camp setting, posting some of the best testing numbers on the national camp circuit for a lineman. Lines up at right tackle and defensive end for his high school. Elite athleticism and movement skills show up on both sides of the ball. Fires off the snap from his right tackle position. Flashes outstanding twitch in pass protection and working to the second level. Can take defensive linemen for a ride once engaged. Shows disruptive ability as a big defensive end. Has the power to hold his ground and sift through the trash to make plays in the backfield. Can close quickly on the quarterback. He touts a strong background as a thrower in track and field, winning an indoor state title in the shot put (56-2.75 feet) and an outdoor gold medal in the discus (151-6 feet) as a junior. Enters his senior season more proven as an offensive lineman than defense on Friday nights. Would be the top interior offensive line prospect in the 2026 cycle if he wanted. Should be considered a high-upside, developmental defensive line prospect who will need to make strides in his overall technique as he gains more experience on that side of the ball.”

4) EDGE Luke Wafle – USC commit

School: Middletown (N.J.) Hun School
Scouting Summary: “The most ready-to-play top EDGE prospect in the 2026 cycle. Measured over 6-foot-5, 255 pounds with arms over 33 inches and big hands prior to his senior season. More physically mature than many of his highly-rated peers. Combines play strength and motor with functional athleticism. Wins at the point of attack with a powerful punch and the ability to convert speed to power. Uses quick power swipes to disengage from offensive linemen. Shows multiple pass-rush pathways and closing speed to finish behind the line of scrimmage. Nimble mover who breaks down well in space. A violent finisher who drives ball carriers into the ground. Strong, consistent run defender due to physicality and effort. Logged 18 TFLs and 8 sacks in nine games as a junior. Best fit as a true defensive end in a four-man front at the college level. First-step quickness remains an area for improvement. Touts a strong multi-sport background with above-the-rim bounce on the basketball court and a 45-6 foot shot put mark. Slightly older for the grade, common for northeastern prep school prospects. Could be primed for an impact as a true freshman given his level of development and physical maturity.”

3) OT Kelvin Obot – Utah commit

School: Fruitland (Idaho)
Scouting Summary: “A hyper-athletic offensive tackle who has one of the highest upsides at the position in the 2026 cycle. One of the top prospects from the state of Idaho in recent memory. Measured at over 6-foot-5.5, 300 pounds with arms over 34 inches before his senior season. Lines up at both offensive tackle spots for his high school team. Truly dominates the level of competition. A fantastic functional athlete who is an effortless mover. Shows outstanding reactive quickness in pass protection, quickly resetting his feet. An effortless mover to the second level. Drives undersized defensive linemen off the ball at will. Plays with strong leverage, sinking his hips and firing up through the defensive linemen. Plants the opposition in the dirt at a high rate. Also lines up at defensive line, racking up 52 tackles and six sacks. Plays for former first-rounder and All-Pro offensive tackle Jordan Gross at Fruitland High School. Also a top thrower in track and field, winning state titles in the shot put (54-3 feet) and discus (155 feet) as a junior. Unproven in a neutral setting, and plays a lower level of competition in rural Idaho. May need some time to adjust to the speed of the game at the college level, but has the upside to develop into a top college offensive tackle and eventual early-round NFL Draft pick.”

2) QB Jared Curtis – Georgia commit

School: Nashville Christian (Tenn.)
Scouting Summary: “Elite arm talent with creative playmaking ability. Has a big frame, measuring in at around 6-foot-3.5, 225 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand prior to his junior season. Looks like the top arm talent in the 2026 cycle. Ball explodes off his hand. Generates considerable velocity on throws to all areas of the field. Has a loose, natural throwing motion. Capable of delivering impressive passes from several arm angles. A pure rotational athlete who does not need his feet set to throw accurate passes. Plays with a gunslinging mentality and is not afraid to drive the football into tight windows over the middle of the field. A fluid athlete who is tough to corral in the backfield. Dangerous playmaker and improviser. Had some unbelievable second-reaction plays as a junior, evading pass rushers and uncorking throws 50+ yards downfield. Made impressive strides with his accuracy and decision-making as a junior. Completed over 70% of his passes for 2,830 yards (11.1 yards per attempt) for 40 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while leading his team to a state title. Also rushed for 637 yards and 18 scores. Does not play top competition and is older for the cycle. Will need to continue improving his consistency, but the pure arm talent and playmaking ability give him one of the highest upsides in the 2026 cycle.”

1) OT Jackson Cantwell – Miami commit

School: Nixa (Mo.)
Scout’s Take: “Jackson Cantwell is a big-framed offensive tackle with eye-popping athleticism and functional strength as a high school underclassman. Measured at over 6-foot-7, 205 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Has solid length with 33.5-inch arms and big hands. Owns a phenomenal athletic profile as one of the top shot put throwers in the country for his age group. Posted a personal best throw of over 64 feet as a freshman. Also posted strong testing numbers in the college camp setting. Transfers those gifts over to the football field where he shows strong coordination and function strength. Moves well laterally and plays with a good anchor. Initially began his career as a tight end and has grown into an offensive tackle. Has deep athletic bloodlines with both parents being Olympic track and field athletes as throwers.”