Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be the top WR in 2020?
During rankings meetings, not everyone agrees on everything. In this version of Rivals Views, National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman debate who should be the No. 1 receiver in the country.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK:
Monday: Updated Top 10 revealed
Tuesday: Updated 2020 Rivals100
Wednesday: Updated 2020 Rivals250
Thursday: Updated position rankings
FARRELL'S VIEW
It was a very tough call between Rakim Jarrett and Julian Fleming, as they are only separated by two spots in the Rivals100, and it was a toss-up as to who would be No. 1. I like Jarrett a lot. He’s added weight and strength since last season and he’s a dynamic kid after the catch, but Fleming is taller, bigger and more physical, so he could make a great case for No. 1. He’s very fluid, he’s a red-zone matchup nightmare and his body control for a bigger receiver is off the charts. This will be a debate that rages on throughout the rankings process for the class of 2020, and both receivers are worthy of the fifth star they earned.
FRIEDMAN'S VIEW
Jarrett got the edge over Fleming, but it wasn't by much. The star out of Washington (D.C.) St. John’s is a route-running technician with great speed in small spaces and in the open field. The physical development Jarrett showed this year was outstanding. He is pushing 6-foot-1 now and has packed on a lot of muscle on his frame without losing any athleticism. Defensive backs can no longer jam him at the line of scrimmage with ease, and he does a great job with the ball in his hands after the catch. St. John’s played some of the best teams in the country this year, but that didn’t stop Jarrett from being able to score from anywhere on the field. His knack for making big plays in big games against elite opponents really helped set him apart from the other wide receivers.
