Rivals Rankings Week: Storylines to comply with with prime 2026 athletes

The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been up to date and now it’s time to interrupt down every place. We transfer to the athletes by taking a look at 4 massive storylines transferring ahead.

We formally have a five-star on the athlete place within the 2026 Rivals250 and it’s Derrek Cooper. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder is a real two-way playmaker with the scale, athleticism and pace to make an affect on both aspect, or probably each, in faculty. Initially thought to suit extra as a backend defender, Cooper has completely picked up buzz on the operating again place this offseason. The do-it-all participant was a standout at each the Rivals 5-Star and UA Future 50 camp this summer time.

Cooper has clocked a ten.88 100-meter sprint in addition to a fast 4.27 shuttle time this offseason. This all comes earlier than two vital years of growth are ready within the wings. Cooper will proceed to develop and with what he has already proven inside his skillset and skills, he has an opportunity to be a particular, particular participant.

Keisean Henderson, a Houston commit, could very properly be essentially the most athletic soccer participant I’ve come throughout this offseason. His abilities on the large receiver and security positions are subsequent stage elite. The athleticism and ball abilities he has proven so far make him a major candidate for five-stars sooner or later.

Nevertheless, Henderson is dedicated to the Cougars as a quarterback and is adamant about taking part in the place on the subsequent stage, quite than the talent positions. Henderson performs quarterback for his highschool, the place he’s productive and profitable on the place. So, he’ll stay as an athlete presently, however there’s a probability he shall be ranked as a quarterback down the road and an actual dialogue should be had concerning his rating at that place.

This could not come to anybody’s shock however the state of Florida is main a place in quantity of gamers ranked. Florida is by far essentially the most represented state within the 2026 Rivals250 with 47, so it makes loads of sense that they lead among the positions within the rankings.

Presently, there are eight prospects among the many 35 ranked athletes who hail from Florida. Coming in second place, tied with 5 apiece is Texas and Pennsylvania.

Together with the five-star Cooper, Vero Seashore (Fla.) four-star Efrem White is amongst these within the Rivals250.

The variety of athletes which might be within the rankings is all the time an attention-grabbing side. As prospects turn into older, they start to hone in a single place or no less than are conscious of what they are going to be taking part in in faculty. However presently, there are many gamers who haven’t had that fairly but. That leaves six athletes within the prime 100 of the Rivals250. For comparability, there’s now only one top-100 athlete within the 2025 cycle.

There’s additionally 15 athletes within the 2026 Rivals250 in comparison with a low three athletes remaining within the 2025 class. It will likely be intriguing to see down the road what number of of those nationally ranked gamers stick on the athlete place or whether or not they discover one place they’re finally ranked at.

Cooper, Henderson, Brandon Arrington, White, Xzavier Barnett, Jorden Edmonds are the group among the many top-100 ranked prospects.