Rivals Five-Star: How Big 12 programs were impacted
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Rivals Five-Star is in the books and now it's time to continue the analysis from the preeminent event of the offseason.
There was a rather light presence of Big 12 representation at the Five-Star with just a couple of programs with connections. Here are the programs most impacted by the event.
THIS SERIES: SEC impact | Big Ten impact
*****
RIVALS FIVE-STAR: OL analysis | TE analysis | WR analysis | RB analysis | QB analysis | Defensive commitment predictions | Offensive commitment predictions | Prospects on flip watch | Best one-on-one matchups | Five programs that should be pleased | Gorney Awards | Position MVPs | QBs battle it out | Video recap | Biggest surprises | Prospects that boosted their stock in Jacksonville | Live from the Rivals Five-Star | Shamar Arnoux commits to USC
RIVALS FIVE-STAR MEDIA DAY: Gorney's takeaways | Rumor Mill | LIVE from media day | Inside the Rivals Five-Star | All-Lobby Team | Ranking the strength of commitments | Players predict next commit | Immanuel Iheanacho interview | Shamar Arnoux interview | Winston Watkins Jr. interview | Jaime Ffrench interview | Riley Pettijohn interview | Hylton Stubbs interview | Zelus Hicks interview
BEST OF THE RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Top 10 quarterbacks | Top 10 running backs | Top 10 receivers | Top 10 tight ends | Top 10 defensive linemen | Top 10 linebackers | Top 10 defensive backs
*****
COLORADO
Just before his two-day stay in Jacksonville, five-star quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect Julian Lewis, spent a weekend in Boulder, Colo., for an official visit with Deion Sanders and the Buffs. Colorado is one of the just two or three schools that are in legitimate contention to flip the top prospect away from USC.
On top of the visits taking place directly before the event, the speculation was driven further as Lewis was sporting a Colorado towel competing in the Five-Star.
The USC commit is being courted by others, but none seemingly as hard as Colorado, who had fans shouting for him in the streets of Boulder and even a restaurant that created a burger named after Lewis. They are going all out for him.
Given that he is not committed to Colorado, there is not an immediate impact for them coming out of Five-Star. But to see Lewis rep the Buffs, even just by wearing a towel, it continues to add intrigue to what has become the potentially the top storyline of the 2025 cycle as the year moves closer to signing day.
*****
UCF
The UCF Knights, going into their second year in the Big 12, had a sprinkle of representation with one commit as well as some targets in attendance. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Gavin Blanchard was maybe the only prospect currently ranked as a three-star in attendance, but nonetheless he shined. He got reps at both center and guard, excelling at initially slowing down powerful pass-rushers working from the inside. Blanchard's stock certainly is shooting up coming out of the Five-Star and UCF has a good one headed its way.
Across from Blanchard on the interior of the defensive line is one that the Knights would love to see in their class, but is going to be tough. That is four-star defensive lineman and longtime Auburn commit Malik Autry. With a massive body – 6-foot-6, 320 pounds – Autry is quite a task to slow down on the inside. A motor that keeps firing and a real sense for a pass rush, Autry is a rare blend of an interior defensive lineman. UCF hosted the Alabama native on an official visit this summer, but battles the likes of Ohio State to try and flip him away.
Down the line on the perimeter was a 2026 target of the Knights, defensive end Jake Kreul. The IMG Academy prospect still has some growing to do, but already at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, you have to like what you see. A quick first step, an array of pass rush moves, and a fiery edge to his personality on the field make for a nuisance for all blockers across from him. UCF is one of many already in pursuit, which includes all the in-state powers.