Spiegelman’s Predictions: Five-star shakeup, Faizon Brandon, Georgia
Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman has three predictions on the final Rivals250 rankings for the 2025 class, a lofty ranking for Tennessee quarterback commit Faizon Brandon and Georgia‘s big recruiting weekend.
1. THERE WILL BE A SHAKEUP AT THE TOP OF THE RIVALS250.
After a wave of All-American games, the final Rivals250 for the 2025 class will be unveiled next week, and I’m predicting some big changes at the top.
Currently, Ohio State-bound five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair and Michigan-bound five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood occupy the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, and have since the summer. Change is on the horizon, though, with five-star quarterback Keelon Russell (Alabama), five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin (Georgia) and five-star receiver Dakorien Moore (Oregon) all turning heads during All-American season. Russell might be the best quarterback on campus when he arrives in Tuscaloosa. Griffin had a dominant senior season capped by a statement week in Orlando. And Moore is engrained at the top of a loaded WR group in 2025.
2. FUTURE VOL WILL END UP NO. 1 IN 2026.
RELATED: Tennessee Vols hosting some key 2026 recruits this weekend
Speaking of elite quarterbacks, Faizon Brandon was the Rivals MVP of the Navy All-American Bowl Combine in San Antonio last week. The five-star passer is coming off a stellar junior campaign that culminated in a state championship and North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Brandon was surgical in the combine setting and has an elite physical skill set and fantastic field vision.
The No. 3 overall prospect in the Rivals250 behind five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell and five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, the future Vol has a compelling case as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class and No. 1 player overall.
3. GEORGIA WILL RECEIVE AT LEAST ONE BIG COMMITMENT THIS WEEKEND.
RELATED: Georgia Bulldogs bringing in several top in-state targets this weekend
The Dawgs are set for a massive junior day crowd in Athens this weekend headlined by five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and several other priority in-state targets in the 2026 class. Touted defensive linemen Bryce Perry-Wright, Khamari Brooks and Dre Quinn will be in town. So will four-star offensive linemen Desmond Green and Graham Houston, as well as four-star running back Carysn Baker and touted receiver Ryan Mosley, among others.
Kirby Smart loves earning early commitments during these junior days, and with an emphasis on next year’s class already, we’re expecting some fireworks between the hedges. Keep an eye out for Houston, as he has the Dawgs out in front.
