Rivals Unveils Methodology for Football Prospect Rankings

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Rivals, one of the leading college football recruiting media companies, has detailed the methodology behind its annual prospect rankings. Led by Director of Scouting Charles Power and National Scout Cody Bellaire, the Rivals rankings utilize a comprehensive evaluation process that considers on-field performance, verified athletic data, and NFL Draft potential to assign numerical grades and star ratings to the top high school football players.

Why it matters

The Rivals prospect rankings are a closely watched barometer of top high school talent and a key input into the company's industry-leading recruiting rankings. Understanding the rigorous process behind these rankings provides valuable insight into how elite college football prospects are identified and evaluated.

The details

Prospects are graded on a 80-100 scale, with five-star status reserved for the 32 players Rivals deems to have the highest upside and first-round NFL Draft potential. Four-star prospects are viewed as blue-chip recruits with high-end college impact, while three-stars make up the majority of FBS signees. The rankings are determined through a multi-faceted evaluation process that includes in-depth video analysis, in-person scouting, and consideration of key positional benchmarks derived from NFL Draft trends. Rivals also factors in positional value and the overall 'mosaic' of a prospect's long-term potential.

• Rivals will release its initial Rivals300 rankings in the spring, following a prospect's sophomore year.
• Additional updates will be provided throughout the recruiting cycle, with the final rankings unveiled in January after all-star games.

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