Rivals Five-Star: 12 biggest surprises from the event

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 100 of the best prospects in the country competed at the Rivals Five-Star this week at the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With some of the best talent on hand, there was no shortage of big plays and surprises along the way. Here are the 12 biggest surprises from the 2024 Rivals Five-Star:

Tae’Shaun Gelsey was one of the favorite targets for Tavien St. Clair and Noah Grubbs on Team SUBZERO. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder easily navigates downfield and consistently finds ways to get open. Gelsey, also a standout basketball player, has excellent hands and made several wow grabs between one-on-ones and the 7-on-7 competition. Florida is a team to watch with the four-star TE.

Andrew Marsh was squarely in the mix for WR MVP honors after a stellar showing at the Rivals Five-Star. The top-50 pass-catcher from Katy (Texas) Jordan High was outstanding stretching the field vertically and also working along the perimeter. Marsh fires back to the football and operates well at multiple layers of the field. Michigan, Washington, USC and Texas are all in the mix for one of the Lone Star State’s best.

Rivals250 DB Bryce Fitzgerald had an excellent day in coverage. The South Florida cornerback was superb turning and turning to patrol the inside and also was sticky in coverage downfield. Fitzgerald also came away with a pick during one-on-ones. Miami, Florida, Florida State and LSU are all in pursuit with a July decision on the way.

Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy top-100 WR Daylan McCutcheon was another pass-catcher right in the thick of the MVP conversation. The Texas-based receiver is a fantastic route-runner and consistently separates on routes downfield and at different parts of the field. McCutcheon has excellent hands and showcased a vast catch radius at the Rivals Five-Star. With more mass on his frame, he was also impressive working in space. Florida State, USC, Ohio State and Texas are all in the mix with McCutcheon.

Newly minted Michigan running back commit Jasper Parker showed off an entire new dimension of his game of his game at the Rivals Five-Star. The 6-foot-1, 200-plus pounder from The Boot was excellent catching balls out of the backfield, especially in the 7-on-7 setting where the future Wolverines made a handful of impressive grabs and caught the ball well in traffic. Parker showed out during one-on-ones with the ability to get open and make plays even in good coverage.

Four-star LSU linebacker commit Keylan Moses does a lot of things on Friday nights for Baton Rouge (La.) University — running the football, rushing the passer and making plays from sideline to sideline. During the Rivals Five-Star, Moses took a major leap forward in pass coverage. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, the four-star backer moves well and has a versatile skill set. The longtime LSU commit recently made official visits to Texas A&M and Oregon.

Local four-star OL Max Buchanon saw action inside at both guard and center, and the Sanford (Fla.) Seminole High standout was an eye-catcher. Buchanon, at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, is light on his feet, plays with a strong base, and uses his length and hands well. The Sunshine State blue-chipper had strong reps against some of the top DL in attendance at the Rivals Five-Star. Miami is trending with the in-state lineman.

The No. 1 player in the 2026 had a day inside of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ facility. Jahkeem Stewart was dominant in one-on-ones off the edge and also working inside. The five-star DL is immensely powerful and has uncanny length, and outpowered top of the best OL on hand. Stewart utilized strong pass-rush moves working inside and fired off the ball from a two-point stance off the edge. With the possibility of Stewart reclassifying to the 2025 class, his dominant performance against others in the 2025 and 2026 class is even more notable.

Omarion Robinson captured DB MVP honors in a crowded field of star defensive backs after a strong showing at the Rivals Five-Star. The No. 1 player in Arkansas saw action at cornerback and safety, and impressed at both positions. The four-star safety fared well in press and also closes well on the football. He has superb start-stop quickness and tremendous ball skills in coverage. Oklahoma, Oregon and Arkansas are all in pursuit of Robinson, who announces his decision on July 6.

Malik Autry is one of the BIGGEST players in America. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder occupies gaps and commands multiple blockers Friday nights at Opelika (Ala.) High, and showcased his pass-rush prowess as an interior defensive lineman at the Rivals Five-Star. The longtime Auburn verbal is extremely powerful and bullied OL from the 3-tech. He also worked in a spin move and a dip to win reps during the one-on-one portion. Autry has the size and skill-set to be a dangerous interior pass-rusher. Ohio State is working hard to change the Auburn commit’s mind.

Naeem Borroughs was a few ticks away from winning the Fastest Man competition at the Rivals Five-Star, then had a strong outing on the field. The 2026 top-100 wide receiver from Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles is a crafty route-runner able to generate separation with ease. The Florida blue-chipper plays with a suddenness and has good hands as well. Clemson, Florida State, Florida, Miami and Georgia all covet the four-star WR.

London Merritt was a glaring eye-catcher during the Rivals Five-Star. Working off the edge, the top-100 defensive end is a twitchy mover that fires off the ball and comes downhill with a purpose. Merritt uses his length to his advantage and hands very well, and plays with a meanness to him. As a powerful edge presence, the Ohio State verbal has a great first step and gave several high-energy second and third moves during reps.