Updated 5-star recruits in the 2027 Rivals Industry Ranking

Significant movement among the top prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Following the release of the updated Rivals300 rankings for the Class of 2027, there has been some significant movement among the 5-star recruits this cycle. Five-Star Plus+ cornerback John Meredith III still sits as the No. 1 prospect in the country, but behind him there are a pair of new players in the top five, headlined by Ohio State EDGE commit David Jacobs moving up from No. 10 all the way to No. 2.

Why it matters

The Rivals Industry Ranking is the industry's most advanced, complete, and unbiased measurement of top high school football prospects. These updated rankings provide a comprehensive look at the elite talent in the 2027 recruiting class and highlight the players who have emerged as potential future stars at the college and professional levels.

The details

Three new players moved into five-star status with 20 players currently tabbed as five-stars. And in the coming months, that will expand to the full 32 to match the first round of the NFL Draft. The full list of five-stars can be found below, including detailed scouting reports on some of the top-ranked prospects.

  • The updated Rivals300 rankings for the Class of 2027 were released on February 23, 2026.

The players

John Meredith III

Five-Star Plus+ cornerback prospect who is ranked as the No. 1 player in the country in the Rivals Industry Ranking.

David Jacobs

Ohio State EDGE commit who has moved up from No. 10 to No. 2 in the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Maxwell Hiller

Interior offensive lineman who has added a fifth star from Rivals and ascended into the top 10 of the Rivals300.

Mark Matthews

High-upside offensive tackle prospect with top-notch physical and athletic tools for the position.

Kemon Spell

All-encompassing running back prospect committed to Georgia who can win with power and elusiveness.

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What they’re saying

“Jacobs looks to have one of the highest floors of the group and has done enough to earn a fifth star for Rivals. Jacobs is one of the more physically-developed edge rusher prospects in the cycle, checking in at around 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. He had a great junior season at Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity, racking up 24 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. The Buckeye pledge has a quick first step and quality bend. He also had back-to-back good showings at the Under Armour All-America Game and the Polynesian Bowl in January. While Jacobs lacks prototypical length for top prospects at the position (sub 32-inch arms), the level of polish and high floor make him one of the safer bets of the 2027 edge rusher group at this point.”

— Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings (on3.com)

“Hiller adds a fifth star from Rivals and ascends into the top 10 of the Rivals300. The 6-foot-5 305-pounder had dominant film as a junior at Coatesville (Pa.) High that is deserving of being ranked as the top interior offensive lineman in 2027 at this juncture. Hiller pairs his ready-to-play size with plus movement skills and elite play strength. He locks on defensive linemen and imposes his will, driving defenders out of the play with regularity. Hiller is a nasty, physical competitor who works to finish blocks with authority. The coordination and hand placement also stand out. Given his advanced skill set, Hiller could be equipped for an early impact at the college level.”

— Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings (on3.com)

“Sales touts arguably the highest upside of any wide receiver prospect in the 2027 cycle. He's a freaky athlete with sub-22.0 second speed in the 200 meters at 6-foot-4.5, 205 pounds. Sales is a vapor trail on Friday nights, showing the ability to take the top off defenses, by way of blistering man coverage on vertical routes. His ball skills have continued to improve, as he showed the ability to make adjustments and win in contested catch situations as a junior. We also like that Sales shows physicality at safety, working as a two-way player at Indianapolis Lawrence North.”

— Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings (on3.com)

The takeaway

The updated Rivals Industry Ranking for the 2027 recruiting class highlights the elite talent emerging at key positions like cornerback, edge rusher, and offensive line. These rankings provide a comprehensive look at the top high school prospects who are poised to make an impact at the college level and potentially develop into high NFL Draft picks in the future.